Photographs Eric Sierins  2008

The Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. cordially invites you to its twenty second Annual General Meeting

Sunday 31 October 2010 at 2.00pm

at Castle Cove library hall, 8b Deepwater Road, Castle Cove, Sydney, Australia followed at 3.30pm by

guest speaker Professor James Weirick
‘The Solid Rock House: Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony in 1910 – innovation and inspiration’

The 2010 AGM address will explore the ideas behind the Griffins’ revolutionary flat-roofed, concrete house of 1910, innovative in itself and as precursor to the year of inspiration that culminated in the Griffin entry in the Australian Federal Capital Competition, 1911.

Light refreshments will be served.

The Castle Cove library is a five minute walk up the hill from the 207 bus stop in Eastern Valley Way. Alight  near corner of Castle Cove Drive where there is a pedestrian crossing at traffic lights. Check Sydney Buses website for bus times. Parking available in Deepwater Road.

Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture
Marion, Miles and The Magic of America 
Wednesday 21 April 2010 at 6.00pm
National Library of Australia Theatre, Canberra

The Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc invites you to the second annual
Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture
a talk by Emeritus Professor Jill Roe who will focus on the association of Marion Mahony Griffin and Miles Franklin in Chicago and Australia, with particular reference to Progressivism, Anthroposophy and a glimpse of the Limestone Plains.

Jill Roe, AO, is Emeritus Professor of History at Macquarie University, Sydney. She is the author of the recent award-winning biography of Miles Franklin.

Marion Mahony (1871–1961), photograph courtesy Art Institute of Chicago

The Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture is an initiative of the Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc and organised by the Society’s Canberra Chapter with the support of the ACT Government. The lecture is part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival 2010 and is sponsored by the Canberra100 Taskforce.

FREE entry

MMG Lecture 2010_transcription.pdf

The inaugural Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture
Marion Mahony Griffin: 21st c. avant gardiste or 19th c. dreamer?
Thursday 12 February 2009 at 6.00pm
National Library of Australia Theatre, Canberra

Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc invites you to the inaugural
Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture

An illustrated talk by Dr Anna Rubbo,  Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Sydney.

The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Bob Debus MP will be attending the Lecture and give a speech before introducing Dr Anna Rubbo.

Marion Mahony (1871–1961), photograph courtesy Art Institute of Chicago

The talk will be followed by light refreshments.

The Marion Mahony Griffin Lecture is an initiative of the Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc and organised by the Society’s Canberra Chapter with the support of the ACT Government. The Lecture is billed as the inaugural lecture as the Society is planning the Lecture to be an annual event.

Cost:  Members $10;  Non-members $15
RSVP:  9 February to 02 6286 4395;  0415 602 738;  bjodgers@iinet.net.au

MMG Lecture 2009 summary.pdf

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
The Haven Amphitheatre performances

Adapted by Neil Bartlett
Directed by Bernard Teuben

Evening performances
November 28 and 29 at 8pm
December 5 and 6 at 8pm

Matinees
November 30 at 5pm
December 6 at 2pm
December 7 at 5pm

Cost: $25 adults, $20 Concession and $12 children
Bookings 9975 6780
www.epicentretheatre.org.au

More information
www.thehaven.biz

‘The Strange Birth of Canberra as Australia’s National Capital Site:

Precursor to the Griffin Vision for the National Capital’

Wednesday 8 October 2008, 5.30 for 6.00 p.m
at History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney

To mark the centenary of the Federal Parliament’s selection of the Yass-Canberra area for the site of Australia’s national capital, a lecture by Professor Geoffrey Sherington (FRAHS)

Senators at Tumut looking at suitable sites for the capital, about 1906
Detail from photograph by E.T.Luke. Public domain (Source: wikipedia.org)

Political compromise rather than national vision led to the selection of the Canberra area as the site for the national capital. New South Wales had entered federation only on the condition that the capital site would be located within its boundaries; while Victoria had then insisted that the site must not be subject to the influence of Sydney. It took eight years following Federation to resolve these tensions.

The Yass-Canberra area emerged as the capital site not only because it was suitable in terms of environment and topography, but because it also became associated with the growing re-alignment of national politics along new party lines that were no longer inhibited by the provincialism of 19th century colonial politics.

By the time the Griffins arrived in Australia, visions of nation-building and social experimentation were already collapsing under the new politics of social class that had helped to bring Canberra into being. A nation at war had little time for the ideal of a national capital and the opportunity to keep Australia in the world’s eye as an experiment of national and social planning was lost, seemingly forever.

Event organised by the Walter Burley Griffin Society and the Royal Australian Historical Society.

Cost: $7 members and non-members

Bookings: RAHS telephone  02 9247 8001

Surveyors camp, Canberra, about 1910. Public domain (Source: wikipedia.org –
Frank H. Bolland collection, National Library of Australia)

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AGM and talk ‘Redstone and the Winters’
Winter House, 34 Adderton Road, Dundas, Sydney
Sunday 26 October 2008, 2.00pm

The Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc.
invites members and their guests
to its twentieth Annual General Meeting at 2.00pm
in the garden of the Winter House.

Followed at 3.00pm by guest speaker
Sydney heritage architect Ian Stapleton
who will talk about the restoration work and history of the house.

Following the talk, you are invited to view the house.

Please bring a hat, and a rug or folding chair to sit on.

For further information contact the Secretary on info@griffinsociety.org
 


Winter House, also known as ‘Redstone’, in 1993. Photographer Charles Melchert.
Designed by Walter Burley Griffin and built in 1935 for Edward Winter and his family, the house is beautifully maintained and retains all its original finishes and details.

Book launch
2.30pm Sunday 3 August 2008

Cambridge University Press and the Walter Burley Griffin Society invite you to the Sydney launch of the new book titled The Writings of Walter Burley Griffin by Professor Dustin Hadley Griffin, on Sunday 3 August 2008 at 2.30pm at the Glebe Incinerator, corner Forsyth Street and Griffin Place, Glebe.

Councillor John McInerney of City of Sydney, guest speaker, will talk about the Griffin legacy and the continuity of the Griffins' ideas.

Professor James Weirick, President of the Walter Burley Griffin Society, will give a scholarly background to Dustin Griffin's book.

For those who have not yet visited the Glebe Incinerator, this is an opportunity to see the results of the restoration works to this important industrial building in its fine harbourside setting on Blackwattle Bay.

Parking is limited.  The incinerator is just a 10 minute walk along Taylor Street from the Glebe light rail station. For further information about the light rail and a map of the stations go to:
http://www.metrotransport.com.au/StationLocatorFlash.html

For the event, Cambridge University Press is offering a discount of 25% off the retail price of $199, ie only $149.25 for the book for those attending the launch.

Griffin and Avalon talk and open house
Sunday 4 May 2008

The Stella James House at Avalon was designed by Walter Burley Griffin as a weekender nestled into its steep bushland site for client Stella James in 1934. This is a rare opportunity to view the house and its open plan interior and hear architect Scott Robertson talk about the conservation of the house, now in the care of the National Trust.

Members $15, non members $20
Bookings essential, contact the Secretary
tel 02 9958 4516

Stella James House. Photographer Scott Robertson

After Griffin: the work of Eric Nicholls 1935–1965

You are invited to an illustrated talk
Sunday 30 March, 2.30pm
Albert Chowne Memorial Hall
Willoughby Park Centre
corner McClelland Street and Warrane Road
Willoughby, Sydney

Eric Milton Nicholls began work for Walter Burley Griffin in 1921 at the age of 19. After the Griffins left for India in 1935 Nicholls continued their practice.

This is an informal illustrated talk with architects of Nicholls’ office reminiscing about office practices and some of the projects ranging from residential to Caltex House, Sydney’s first high rise building.

Please join us for this unique event.
All welcome

Cost: $5 Members  
$10 Non-members

For further information contact the Secretary
Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc
Tel 02 9958 4516

ABOVE left to right: Caltex House, 167–187 Kent Street, Sydney, 1950s, City of Sydney Archives, SRC4109; W.E. Smith printery, Croydon, 1947 courtesy Stuart Murray

BELOW: Mittagong Shire Council Chambers, photographer Michael Thomson

Marion Mahony Griffin as Author: The Voice of Magic of America
3.00pm Sunday 20 January 2008

Jack Perry Brown, Director, Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, Art Institute of Chicago will talk about the Art Institute of Chicago’s exciting project completed in August 2007 that publishes on the net The Magic of America that Marion Mahony Griffin wrote on her return to USA after Walter Burley Griffin’s death in India. It was in part intended as ‘a testament to their life and work together’. The website created to publish this important architectural document collates 1,400 pages of text with approximately 650 accompanying illustrations from the three known copies of The Magic of America. See it at www.artic.edu/magicofamerica/

How to get to the Haven: There is no parking at the Haven Amphitheatre so we suggest you leave your car in Rockley Street and walk the 500metres along The Bulwark to the Haven. Alternatively leave your car near The Citadel and walk about 300 metres down the steps between 17 and 19 The Citadel then follow the roads downhill to the Haven. Wet weather alternative venue: The Community Centre, Castlecrag.

Further information:
contact Kerry McKillop 02 9958 4516

Double event in Canberra, 4 and 5 May 2007

Special viewing at the National Library of Australia
Friday afternoon 4 May

The National Library of Australia has kindly offered a special viewing of the Nicholls Collection to members of the Walter Burley Griffin Society in the afternoon of Friday 4 May.

The Nicholls Collection acquired by the Library in early 2006 has over 3,300 items of astonishing scope and complexity. The Library has conserved Marion Mahony Griffin’s drawings on silk, and has been methodically cataloguing the entire collection,which is expected to be completed in April 2007. Already much has been digitised and can be viewed on the Library’s website.

Between 12.30pm to 4.30pm on 4 May, the Library will give members and friends of the Walter Burley Griffin Society a rare opportunity to see the Griffins’ drafting and architectural skills in sketches, presentation drawings, correspondence, renderings and photographs of their works. View on 4th floor. Further information tel 02 6262 1370.

Free event but bookings essential: telephone Brett Odgers 02 6286 4395 or Kerry McKillop 02 9958 4516.

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Canberra bus tour Saturday 5 May

This tour of Griffin’s Canberra will be led by Griffin scholar and Society President Professor James Weirick who will relate the exciting story of the development of Canberra from sheep paddock to the national capital, covering the international competition, the Griffins’ vision and plans, political intrigue and bureaucratic intervention.

Please print out and complete the Members bus tour booking form pdf (152KB), enclose with a cheque for the appropriate amount and mail to the Secretary (address on form).

The Griffins’ Castlecrag walk

Sunday 18 March 2007  10.00am – 12.30pm

For Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin nature was their great source of inspiration. Professor James Weirick will take this guided tour of Castlecrag where the Griffins implemented their dream for an idealised urban community subservient to the landscape. This tour will take you through some of the community reserves and walkways, past some Griffin houses and to the outdoor Haven Amphitheatre.
Bring water, hat and good walking shoes for uneven ground.

Cost $25 per person
Bookings essential, contact info@griffinsociety.org

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
at The Haven Amphitheatre, Castlecrag, Sydney
23, 24, 25 February and 2, 3, 4,
Friday 9, Saturday 10, Sunday 11 March

See Shakespeare’s most loved comedy the way he intended! Outdoors in the idyllic bush setting of The Haven Amphitheatre designed by the Griffins in Castlecrag.

There is no better backdrop for this magical and romantic tale of warring fairies, Athenian lovers and a group of bumbling actors in a moonlit forest as they fall under the magical spell of the summer solstice – Midsummer Night. For 9 performances only, delight in this uplifting adventure about love, chaos, marriage and dreams.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the first co-production between RAW-EM Theatre Co. and The Haven Amphitheatre Committee, Castlecrag. The start time for all performances is 7.30pm. As there is no parking at The Haven Amphitheatre, a FREE continuous shuttle bus operates from 6.30pm onwards from the corner of Raeburn Avenue and Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag.

Bookings tel 02 9958 0124 (business hours).

Adults are $30, concession cardholders $25, students $20 and children under 12 are free. Groups of 6, get 1 ticket free. A scrumptious supper is also available.For further information, please visit www.thehaven.com.au or contact Julie McKay at RAW-EM Theatre Co. on 0413 961165 or julie_mckay@optusnet.com.au.

View the National Library of Australia’s  new acquisition, 28 June 2006

The Eric Milton Nicholls Collection revealing the creative collaboration between Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin, is the latest acquisition by the National Library of Australia. The collection will be on view on Wednesday 28 June, 10am to 4pm in the Library’s Conference Room. Researcher Christopher Vernon  will reveal this breathtaking collection at a lecture at 12.30pm on the same day in the Library’s Theatre. Free. Bookings (02) 6262 1271.

Walter Burley Griffin Society of America’s 7th annual meeting and tour

The annual meeting of our sister organization, the Walter Burley Griffin Society of America will be held on Saturday, June 17, in Evanston and the North Shore, USA.

Events begin at 9:00 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue (Orrington & Church). Speakers include Mary Woolever, architectural librarian at the Ryerson & Burnham Librairies, who will discuss the Griffin/Mahony collections at the Art Institute; Wilbert Hasbrouck, who will expound upon the creation of his magnificent history of the Chicago Architectural Club; and Betsy Downs, who will recount her restoration of Griffin’s J. B. Moulton house in Rogers Park, one of the buildings on the afternoon tour. Paul Sprague will present his findings about one of Griffin’s planning projects for Evanston, and Paul Kruty will provide background for the buildings to be seen on the tour. The morning session will end at noon.

Among the buildings included on the afternoon tour are Griffin’s Carter, Moulton and Schwartz houses, Wright’s Emil Bach house, and several buildings by Myron Hunt, one of the original Steinway Hall Four (that is, Perkins, Wright, Spencer, and Hunt). We will also be able to see three other Griffin houses from the street.
An evening reception will be held in the Emery house.
Reservations essential – go to:
www.wbgriffinsociety.org/index.html

ABOVE: The official opening of the Griffin Federation Track with Mr Joe Hockey, Member for North Sydney and Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, and Cr Pat Reilly, Mayor of Willoughby City Council, at the ribbon cutting ceremony on 16 September 2001 at Turret Reserve, Castlecrag. The track links the Willoughby Incinerator with the Griffin Conservation Area at Castlecrag, and was funded by a grant, from the Commonwealth Government's Federation Community Projects Program, awarded to the Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc., and by additional funding from Willoughby City Council.

ABOVE: Interior view of the “banquet hall” showing sculptural details, Café Australia, Melbourne, c.1916–1919. This photograph is part of the Eric Milton Nicholls collection acquired by the National Library of Australia in 2006, PIC/9929/665, Album 1092/3

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