Tuesday Feb 2
(Click on individual photos to enlarge/enhance image)
We plan to visit some of the many other things that our capital has to offer,
including:
The National Gallery, The Australian War Memorial
Parliament House (Old & New), National Portrait Gallery, etc
View from front door
"Well may
they say God Save The Queen because nothing.....
Protesters are still in place as they have been for many years
We spent an hour or so wandering the corridors which we both found to be of great
interest considering the history that it has witnessed in it's relatively short life
We appreciated the many satirical drawings that graced the walls, including;
My Favourite
New Parliament House
Had to go through the usual security check and forgot that I had a small pocket knife on my
key ring which I thought may be confiscated if discovered but somehow or other it escaped
unnoticed and has lived to see another day-so much for Parliament House security.
We were fortunate to find both houses of Parliament sitting and had a very interesting
guided tour before taking up our seat in the public gallery, firstly in the
Legislative Assembly (no photos allowed) which was in question time most of
which were not overly interesting while we were sitting there.
From there to the Senate (photography not allowed) where we spent
a little more time as the proceedings were a little livelier but still not enough
to hold our interest for any great length of time
Some of our illustrious Prime Ministers only one of which (Billy Hughes)
although a Member of Parliament until 1952 was not Prime Minister during our lifetime
The story with Gough Whitlam is that having lost
the Prime Ministership before
having his portrait painted, he refused to sit for an official portrait and instead
offered this one which had been an Archibald Prize entry on a"Take it or leave it basis"
Tested Parliament House security a second time when we were leaving after
taking what turned out to be an incorrect exit path because someone
(not us) had removed the no entry barrier. Found ourselves a little way down
the corridors before security came to direct us to the correct exit after first
Departing View
Next was a whistle stop at Yarralumla for a glimpse of the Governor General's home
which was approached through a beautiful stand of trees
On to the National Portrait Gallery where we were suitably impressed.
Took a lot of photos some of which are shown here.
No need to put a name to them but "just in case".
Princess Mary of Denmark
Chief Justice Kirby
Hugo Weaving
Dr Charlie Teo
Phil Coates
Lola Montez
David Jones
Dr (Doc) Evatt
Margaret Court
Sir Arthur Roden Cutler VC, AK, KCGM, KCVO, CBE
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Don Dunstan
Yurrupindi
Tom Uren
Sir John Kerr
Clyde Cameron
Lady Sonia McMahon
Julia
and last but not least
"The Man"
Good friend Lucy Val from our Sydney 2000 days kindly volunteered
to be our tourist guide for the morning
Had drinks with Lucy and family before heading to the airport to pick up
Carolyn who is
joining us for the weekend, mainly for the Tom Roberts' Exhibitio
National Gallery/Tom Roberts Exhibition
Had a great time viewing the collection which was beautifully presented at the
National Gallery where photo's were allowed
Mentone Beach (More like the Beaumaris cliffs than Mentone)
Rickett's Point (The artist skinny dipping)
National War Memorial
A very moving ceremony takes place at 5pm each evening at which the
nation’s fallen are remembered at a wreath laying ceremony with a lone piper
followed by a bugler playing the last Post
National Gallery of Australia
Including works from the Sydney Nolan Ned Kelly Collection
All in all a great visit to Canberra made all the more memorable by the
company
of our daughter Carolyn who joined us for the weekend, as well as that of Lucy and Luis Val
and family from our Sydney 2000 days coupled with the hospitality of our excellent
host Tim who looked after our needs at The Annexe so well
With our time in Canberra over we returned home the same way as we
wanted to call in to see Lyn's sister Carole who lives in Traralgon
The photos that are shown represent a small number of the ones taken during our stay.
(Click on individual photos to enlarge/enhance image)
Having
decided on the need for a few days break we left home to visit Canberra to see
the Tom Roberts Exhibition consisting of 133 major works from public and private
collection from Roberts early days studying at London's Royal Academy in 1883
until 1931, including the May 9, 1901 opening of the First Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York-King George V
the Tom Roberts Exhibition consisting of 133 major works from public and private
collection from Roberts early days studying at London's Royal Academy in 1883
until 1931, including the May 9, 1901 opening of the First Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York-King George V
The National Gallery, The Australian War Memorial
Parliament House (Old & New), National Portrait Gallery, etc
We decided to take the more scenic route via, Lakes Entrance - Orbost - Cann River
-
Bombala - Cooma as against the shorter/quicker but uninteresting Hume Freeway.
Bombala - Cooma as against the shorter/quicker but uninteresting Hume Freeway.
Our plan was to stop overnight somewhere along the way on Tuesday night leaving us
with an easy drive to Canberra on Wednesday where we stayed four nights at
The Annexe, Mugga Way, Red Hill which we sourced through our first venture with Airbnb.
with an easy drive to Canberra on Wednesday where we stayed four nights at
The Annexe, Mugga Way, Red Hill which we sourced through our first venture with Airbnb.
We also caught up with Lucy and Luis Val, friends and neighbours
from our Sydney 2000 days who live in nearby O'Malley.
from our Sydney 2000 days who live in nearby O'Malley.
Lucy, Luis
and family which has grown since we last met them, lived two doors away
from us in Leichardt when Luis was the Sydney 2000 Olympic/Paralympic Games
Judo Competition Manager and I had the same role with shooting.
Stayed overnight at Lakes Entrance then on to Canberra arriving around 3.00pm where
we met our host Tim at The Annexe, Mugga Way, Red Hill. Tim who was very
welcoming showed us our accommodation with which we were both delighted
from us in Leichardt when Luis was the Sydney 2000 Olympic/Paralympic Games
Judo Competition Manager and I had the same role with shooting.
Stayed overnight at Lakes Entrance then on to Canberra arriving around 3.00pm where
we met our host Tim at The Annexe, Mugga Way, Red Hill. Tim who was very
welcoming showed us our accommodation with which we were both delighted
View from front door
The Annexe contained an impressive collection of military
memorabilia and awards bestowed upon:
Sir Francis George "Frank" Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO
the father in law of our host Tim. (see later under War Memorial)
memorabilia and awards bestowed upon:
Sir Francis George "Frank" Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO
the father in law of our host Tim. (see later under War Memorial)
Thursday Feb 4
After a good night's sleep in our very comfortable accommodation we started the
day with a visit firstly to the “Old” Parliament House
After a good night's sleep in our very comfortable accommodation we started the
day with a visit firstly to the “Old” Parliament House
Protesters are still in place as they have been for many years
We spent an hour or so wandering the corridors which we both found to be of great
interest considering the history that it has witnessed in it's relatively short life
We appreciated the many satirical drawings that graced the walls, including;
My Favourite
New Parliament House
Had to go through the usual security check and forgot that I had a small pocket knife on my
key ring which I thought may be confiscated if discovered but somehow or other it escaped
unnoticed and has lived to see another day-so much for Parliament House security.
We were fortunate to find both houses of Parliament sitting and had a very interesting
guided tour before taking up our seat in the public gallery, firstly in the
Legislative Assembly (no photos allowed) which was in question time most of
which were not overly interesting while we were sitting there.
From there to the Senate (photography not allowed) where we spent
a little more time as the proceedings were a little livelier but still not enough
to hold our interest for any great length of time
Some of our illustrious Prime Ministers only one of which (Billy Hughes)
although a Member of Parliament until 1952 was not Prime Minister during our lifetime
having his portrait painted, he refused to sit for an official portrait and instead
offered this one which had been an Archibald Prize entry on a"Take it or leave it basis"
Tested Parliament House security a second time when we were leaving after
taking what turned out to be an incorrect exit path because someone
(not us) had removed the no entry barrier. Found ourselves a little way down
the corridors before security came to direct us to the correct exit after first
suggesting that we must have removed the barrier.
Departing View
Next was a whistle stop at Yarralumla for a glimpse of the Governor General's home
which was approached through a beautiful stand of trees
On to the National Portrait Gallery where we were suitably impressed.
Took a lot of photos some of which are shown here.
No need to put a name to them but "just in case".
Princess Mary of Denmark
Hugo Weaving
Dr Charlie Teo
Lola Montez
Margaret Court
Sir Arthur Roden Cutler VC, AK, KCGM, KCVO, CBE
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Don Dunstan
Yurrupindi
Tom Uren
Sir John Kerr
Clyde Cameron
Lady Sonia McMahon
and last but not least
"The Man"
Good friend Lucy Val from our Sydney 2000 days kindly volunteered
to be our tourist guide for the morning
joining us for the weekend, mainly for the Tom Roberts' Exhibitio
National Gallery/Tom Roberts Exhibition
Had a great time viewing the collection which was beautifully presented at the
National Gallery where photo's were allowed
Mentone Beach (More like the Beaumaris cliffs than Mentone)
Rickett's Point (The artist skinny dipping)
National War Memorial
The time spent at the War Memorial was nowhere near long enough
as there is so much history to see and read about. We will definitely return at a later
date to spend more time at this very moving place.
Benjamin "Ben" Roberts-Smith, VC, MG (born 1 November 1978)
is an Australian Army Reserve soldier and a recipient of the
General Sir Francis Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO (1918-2008)
as there is so much history to see and read about. We will definitely return at a later
date to spend more time at this very moving place.
Signing the surrender of Singapore
Tomb of the Unknown soldier
Wall of Remembrance 
Benjamin "Ben" Roberts-Smith, VC, MG (born 1 November 1978)
is an Australian Army Reserve soldier and a recipient of the
Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system.
Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for his
actions during a helicopter assault into Tizak on 11 June 2010 as part
of an offensive in the Shah Wali Kot region, while serving with the
Special Air Service Regiment during the War in Afghanistan
At the time, his Victoria Cross for Australia, together with his Medal for Gallantry
awarded for actions during a tour of Afghanistan in 2006, made Ben Roberts-Smith
the most highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force
In 2014, he was further honoured with the award of a Commendation for Distinguished Service
for his leadership as a patrol commander during a 2012 tour of Afghanistan.
Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for his
actions during a helicopter assault into Tizak on 11 June 2010 as part
of an offensive in the Shah Wali Kot region, while serving with the
Special Air Service Regiment during the War in Afghanistan
At the time, his Victoria Cross for Australia, together with his Medal for Gallantry
awarded for actions during a tour of Afghanistan in 2006, made Ben Roberts-Smith
the most highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force
In 2014, he was further honoured with the award of a Commendation for Distinguished Service
for his leadership as a patrol commander during a 2012 tour of Afghanistan.
Ben Roberts-Smith was presented with the medal by the
Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce,
at a ceremony in Perth on 23 January 2011
Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce,
at a ceremony in Perth on 23 January 2011
General Sir Francis Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO (1918-2008)
was an Australian General who rose to the
position of
Chief of the Defence Force Staff,
the professional head of the Australian Defence Force serving in
this capacity from November 1975 until April 1977.
Francis Hassett joined the Australian Army in 1935 upon gaining entrance
into the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Serving with distinction in the early
stages of the Second World War, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1942
at the age of 23, and posted as a staff officer for the remainder of the war.
Chief of the Defence Force Staff,
the professional head of the Australian Defence Force serving in
this capacity from November 1975 until April 1977.
Francis Hassett joined the Australian Army in 1935 upon gaining entrance
into the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Serving with distinction in the early
stages of the Second World War, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1942
at the age of 23, and posted as a staff officer for the remainder of the war.
In 1951, Lt Col Hassett was
appointed to command the
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Korea,
where he led the unit through some of the toughest fighting of the war.
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Korea,
where he led the unit through some of the toughest fighting of the war.
For his leadership and
planning during the Battle of Maryang San,
he was granted an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order.
Promoted to Brigadier in 1960, Brigadier Hassett commanded a brigade in
Malaya for three years, before returning to Australia and serving in a variety of positions,
culminating in his appointment as Chief of the General Staff with the rank of
Lieutenant General. Promoted to General after two years in this role,
he was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, which was
reorganised as Chief of the Defence Force Staff the following year.
he was granted an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order.
Promoted to Brigadier in 1960, Brigadier Hassett commanded a brigade in
Malaya for three years, before returning to Australia and serving in a variety of positions,
culminating in his appointment as Chief of the General Staff with the rank of
Lieutenant General. Promoted to General after two years in this role,
he was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, which was
reorganised as Chief of the Defence Force Staff the following year.
nation’s fallen are remembered at a wreath laying ceremony with a lone piper
followed by a bugler playing the last Post
National Gallery of Australia
Including works from the Sydney Nolan Ned Kelly Collection
Blue Poles
of our daughter Carolyn who joined us for the weekend, as well as that of Lucy and Luis Val
and family from our Sydney 2000 days coupled with the hospitality of our excellent
host Tim who looked after our needs at The Annexe so well
With our time in Canberra over we returned home the same way as we
wanted to call in to see Lyn's sister Carole who lives in Traralgon
The photos that are shown represent a small number of the ones taken during our stay.
Unfortunately there was not the time to record much by way of
detailed information,
something we intend to do on our next visit.
Had a few camera problems while away (dropping it
something we intend to do on our next visit.
Had a few camera problems while away (dropping it
doesn't help) so it's probably time for a replacement, however
as we were only taking snaps for our memory album we were able to achieve our goal.
OUR TIME IN CANBERRA WAS SIMPLY NOT LONG ENOUGH
THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO THAT A RETURN
VISIT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE IS A MUST
as we were only taking snaps for our memory album we were able to achieve our goal.
OUR TIME IN CANBERRA WAS SIMPLY NOT LONG ENOUGH
THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO THAT A RETURN
VISIT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE IS A MUST
