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Canberra was officially named the capital of Australia on 12 March 1913, by the Governor-General's wife, Lady Denman. The site was chosen in 1908, and the city's design was selected through an international competition, won by American architect Walter Burley Griffin. Canberra's construction began in 1913, but it was delayed by both World Wars and the Great Depression. The city finally began to grow following World War II and celebrated its centenary in 2013.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Canberra was made capital of Australia | 12 March 1913 |
| Date Canberra was chosen as the capital | 1 October 1908 |
| Name of the winning design for Canberra | Walter Burley Griffin |
| Date construction began in Canberra | 1913 |
| Date construction was completed in Canberra | 1927 |
| Date Canberra was granted self-government | December 1988 |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra was officially named Australia's capital in 1913
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, was officially named on March 12, 1913. The name was announced by Lady Denman, the wife of the Governor-General, during a ceremony to mark the commencement of the National Capital. The site for the new capital had been chosen in 1908, after much public debate, as the House of Representatives voted for Yass-Canberra, which was then confirmed by the Senate. The name 'Canberra' is likely derived from an Aboriginal word for 'meeting place', and had been in use in the district for a long time.
The foundation of Canberra was a significant moment in Australia's history, as it was established as the seat of government for the newly federated colonies of Australia. The design of the city was also of great importance, and an international competition was held, attracting 137 entries from around the world. The winning design was that of American architect Walter Burley Griffin, who envisioned a magnificent plan for a city in the country.
The construction of Canberra was, however, delayed by both World Wars and the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, Canberra continued to develop and grow, becoming home to significant cultural institutions and hosting nationally significant events. By 2020, Canberra had a population of over 400,000 people and was among the youngest capital cities in the world, celebrating its centenary that year.
Canberra's role as the national capital has been marked by several notable moments, including the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the dismissal of the Whitlam government, and the swearing-in of Australia's first female Prime Minister by the first female Governor-General in 2010. The city has also been the focus of efforts to increase sustainability, with initiatives such as the banning of plastic bags and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
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The Seat of Government Bill was passed in 1908
The Seat of Government Bill, also known as the Seat of Government Act 1908, was passed on 14 December 1908, confirming the Yass-Queanbeyan region as the future site of Australia's capital, Canberra. The Act specified a site in the Yass-Queanbeyan area for the capital territory, as outlined in Section 125 of the Australian Constitution.
The passing of the Seat of Government Bill was a significant moment in Australia's history, marking the culmination of years of debate and discussion about the location of the federal territory and Seat of Government. The Constitution stipulated that the Parliament must select a site at least 100 miles (160km) from Sydney, and the process involved multiple parliaments and governments. The first parliament was prorogued for the second federal election in 1903, stalling the Bill. During the second parliament, surveyor Charles Scrivener investigated potential sites, and the Labor government led by Prime Minister Chris Watson passed a Seat of Government Act in August 1904, only to lose office two days later.
The debate over the location of the new capital continued until the next election in December 1906, with successive governments and prime ministers unable to reach a consensus. Finally, in October 1908, the third parliament held another ballot, and the House of Representatives voted for the Yass-Queanbeyan area, with the Senate confirming the choice of Canberra in November. The Seat of Government Bill was then passed by Parliament in December, officially establishing Canberra as the nation's capital.
The selection of Canberra as Australia's capital was influenced by various factors. The area offered clean air, an ample water supply, and a favourable climate. Additionally, the government conducted an international competition for the design of the capital, seeking a city that would serve as the "official and social centre of Australia". The winning design, submitted by Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin, envisioned a magnificent plan for a city in the country. The foundation of Canberra as Australia's capital was officially announced on 12 March 1913, and the city has since grown and evolved, serving as both the seat of national government and a beloved home to its residents.
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The design competition was won by Walter Burley Griffin
In 1908, the Australian government held an international competition to design the capital city, which was to be built in a specific area selected in 1906, the future site of Canberra. The competition received 137 valid entries from all over the world, including some of the earliest work from a young Walter Gropius. The winner, announced in 1912, was an American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, who was then commissioned to produce more detailed designs and supervise construction. Griffin's proposal was a highly geometric design that incorporated concentric hexagonal and octagonal streets emanating from several centres, with a central axis and a large artificial lake. The design was influenced by the garden city movement and incorporates significant areas of natural vegetation and a network of parks and open spaces.
Griffin's winning entry included illustrations of the Capitol building, which he called the 'National Group'. It was to be located on a triangular peninsula called Capitol Hill, on the south side of the artificial lake, with a large avenue, the 'Grand Axis', leading to it. The design of the building was influenced by Greek and Roman architecture, with a large dome and a massive portico. However, Griffin's design for the Capitol was never built, and the site remains vacant to this day. The Parliament House that was eventually built in 1988 is located on a different site, on Capital Hill, which was not part of Griffin's original plan.
Griffin's plan for Canberra included a civic centre with shops, theatres, and a hotel, as well as a government centre with administrative buildings and a railway station. The design also included residential areas with a range of housing types, from apartments to large, detached houses, and a network of parks and open spaces. The plan was designed to accommodate a population of approximately 25,000 people, with room for future expansion. The design was largely followed, although some changes were made, including the addition of a war memorial and a larger lake than originally planned.
Construction of Canberra began in 1913, with the first stage of Griffin's plan, the construction of the central avenue, now known as Commonwealth Avenue, and the bridges across the Molonglo River. The avenue was designed to be 30 metres wide and several kilometres long, with a wide median strip and a series of formal gardens and monuments. The first buildings, constructed between 1914 and 1916, were provisional wooden structures, including a post office, a police station, and a host of workers' huts. The early years of construction were difficult, with disputes over funding and the slow pace of construction due to the outbreak of World War I.
Despite the challenges, Griffin persevered, and construction continued until his contract ended in 1920. However, his influence on the city's design continued, and he was reappointed as consulting architect from 1925 to 1930. During this time, he oversaw the construction of several significant buildings, including the Capitol Theatre, the Melbourne and Sydney Buildings, and the East and West Blocks, which form the Parliamentary Triangle. These buildings, along with the layout of the city, reflect Griffin's unique blend of geometric design and natural landscape, creating a harmonious and integrated urban environment.
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Canberra's development was delayed by world wars
In 1908, the Federal Capital Territory, now the Australian Capital Territory, was established, and plans for the new capital city of Canberra began to take shape. However, the development of the city was soon interrupted by global conflicts, with World War I (1914-1918) causing significant delays. The war effort demanded resources and labour, diverting attention and funding away from the construction of the new capital.
Even after World War I ended, the momentum for Canberra's development was slow to rebuild. The country was recovering from the war's economic and social impacts, and the Spanish flu pandemic, which struck in 1919, further hindered progress. It wasn't until the early 1920s that the Australian government refocused its efforts on establishing the new capital.
The global economic downturn of the early 1930s, known as the Great Depression, delivered another blow to Canberra's development. Financial constraints limited the government's ability to invest in the city's infrastructure and services. As a result, the pace of construction slowed, and the development of Canberra almost came to a standstill.
Once again, global conflicts interrupted the progress of Canberra's development with the outbreak of World War II (1939-1945). The war effort took precedence, and labour and resources were redirected to support the military and defence initiatives. The immediate postwar period also saw a shift in focus, as the government prioritized the resettlement of returning servicemen and the accommodation of immigrants arriving in Australia.
Despite these delays, Canberra gradually developed and grew. The initial vision for the city, as designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, was adapted and modified over time to suit the changing needs and priorities of the nation. Today, Canberra stands as a testament to Australia's resilience and determination, serving as the nation's capital and a symbol of its modern identity.
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Canberra is the seat of national government
Canberra is the capital city of Australia, and as such, it is the seat of national government. The city is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in southeastern Australia, about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney. It is the country's eighth-largest city by population, with an estimated population of 473,855 as of June 2024.
The site for the capital was chosen following the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901. The Constitution stated that the Parliament must select a site at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney, and in October 1908, the House of Representatives voted for Yass-Canberra as the location for the nation's capital. This decision was confirmed by a Senate vote in November of the same year. The Seat of Government Bill, confirming Yass-Canberra as the capital, was passed by the Parliament.
An international design competition was launched to find the best design for the new capital city, and American architect Walter Burley Griffin's entry was selected as the winner. Construction of Canberra began in 1913, and the city was officially named by Lady Denman, the wife of the Governor-General, during a ceremony that year. However, the development of the city was delayed by both world wars and the Great Depression. It wasn't until after World War II that Canberra began to grow and flourish as the nation's capital.
As the seat of national government, Canberra has played host to numerous nationally significant events. These include the swearing-in of Australia's first female Prime Minister by the first female Governor-General in 2010, the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in front of Old Parliament House, and the dismissal of the Whitlam government. The city is also home to a constellation of major cultural institutions, offering residents and visitors a diverse array of exhibitions and events.
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Frequently asked questions
Canberra was made the capital of Australia on 12 March 1913.
On 12 March 1913, the Governor-General's wife, Lady Denman, announced that Canberra was the name of Australia's new national capital.
The name Canberra is derived from an Aboriginal term meaning "meeting place". The city evolved from a small squatters' settlement of stockmen, which was there as early as 1824, called Canberry or Canbury. By 1836, the name had evolved to Canberra.
As of June 2024, Canberra's estimated population was 473,855.
Canberra is the seat of national government and has been the location of several nationally significant events, including the swearing-in of Australia's first female Prime Minister by the first female Governor-General in 2010.
