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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)

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

'The Strange Birth of Canberra as Australia's National Capital Site: Precursor to the Griffin Vision for the National Capital' Wednesday 8 October 2008 |  1

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

'The Strange Birth of Canberra as Australia's National Capital Site: Precursor to the Griffin Vision for the National Capital' Wednesday 8 October 2008 |  2

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

Book launch2.30pm 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

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.

Book launch2.30pm Sunday 3 August 2008 |

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

Griffin and Avalon talk and open house - Sunday 4 May 2008 |

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

After Griffin: the work of Eric Nicholls 1935–1965 |  1

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

After Griffin: the work of Eric Nicholls 1935–1965 |  2

Mittagong Shire Council Chambers, photographer Michael Thomson

Marion Mahony Griffin as Author: The Voice of Magic of America - 3pm Sunday 20 January 2008

Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. invites you to this talk at the outdoor Haven Amphitheatre corner, The Scarp and The Barricade, Castlecrag, Sydney, Australia.

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

Marion Mahony Griffin as Author: The Voice of Magic of America - 3pm Sunday 20 January 2008 |

Marion Mahony Griffin about 1930. Photograph courtesy Ryerson and Burnham Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago.

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).

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.