To commemorate the naming of Canberra 100 years ago the National Library of Australia has published Canberra: Then and Now, a pictorial history of the capital city.
On 12 March 1913, with a ceremonious 19-gun salute, the capital city of Australia was officially named Canberra.
One hundred years later we look back at the history of our nation’s capital, a city built on ancient limestone plains.
Canberra: Then & Now takes you on a visual journey from the city’s birth to the current day with photographs from the National Library of Australia.
The historical images charmingly illustrate Canberra’s early years, while specially commissioned contemporary photographs reveal how the sights and scenes have changed (or remained the same) over time.Included are some of the official landmarks for which Canberra is best known, such as Old Parliament House (once likened to a giant wedding cake) and the Australian War Memorial.
Also shown are the people who have bought and continue to bring life to the city, from school children, police officers and casual shoppers to swimmers at the pool on a hot summer’s day.
Featuring an introduction to Canberra’s history by Dr Peter Dowling from the National Trust, a fascinating memoir and original poems by local writer Geoff Page and enhanced by the memories of long-established Canberra residents, Canberra: Then & Now is a nostalgic and illuminating insight into the community of Canberra-as it was then and as it is now.
Here is a link to 13 pages of book online
