Temporary camps and hostels for single men and women were an integral part of the Canberra landscape from around 1910 to the mid to late 1960s. In the early days they were segregated by sex, class and income level. People were rarely given a choice of accommodation. They were allocated to specific hostels by the appropriate government department. Prior to the end of World War II the majority of single men’s camps consisted of tents and small cubicles and a few timber barracks. Usually two men were allocated to each small room. After the war (WW2) it was one to each room. Some men built their own humpies and a number remained in the Canberra bushland until the deaths of their owners. One such cottage on the slopes of Mt Ainslie belonged to Socks and another at Causeway to Why Worry. In the post WW2  years the majority of hostels were barracks similar in appearance to Turner Hostel built shortly after the war. The Turner Hostel for a time was converted into a government department and today are still in use by the ANU and a Senior Citizens’ group. It stands at the corner of Kingsley & Boldrewood Streets. Such was the shortage of building materials after the second World War that some of the materials used in these hostels were brought from other towns - Mulwala and Narellan.

One tent camp was built at Fairbairn. Some permanent hostels were constructed to join those in use by 1927.

The documents are a selection from the many held in the National Archives in Canberra and have been selected to give some understanding of the problems of those who lived in Canberra during the Construction Era.  One document refers to the use of Parkes Barracks during the Great Depression for single men passing through the territory.  It includes a list of the basic foodstuffs given to each man.

Alan Foskett has put out a book called Canberra’s Hostels, Hotels and Guest Houses. The following list is compiled from this book and information collected by me from sources such as Australian Archives. The hostels/hotels marked with * were constructed from brick - ie permanent not temporary.

* Hotel Acton - opened 1927. 1933 converted into Patents Office and later used by ACT Police and ANU and Office of Prices Commission. In late 1940s returned service for accommodation. 1977 renamed Acton House and today is used by Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Affairs, the Resolution Centre and the Australian Federal Police. Because of the haste in building there was no time for new plans to be drawn and those made for the Hotel Kurrajong were used. In the 1950s there were 127 double and single rooms. Some had separate bathrooms and toilets together with central heating; converted lounges with no hot or cold water, but centrally heated. Central lounge with fireplace, also central heating, piano, writing room provided with wireless. Six small lounges in the various pavilions all centrally heated. Laundry with 2 steam heated coppers provided also ironing boards. 32 bathrooms, 32 showers, 33 closets, 2 billiards tables, 2 tennis courts, bicycle racks & 7 garages & telephone service.

Acton Guest House - opened 1912 as The Bachelors Quarters. 1958 renamed Lennox House and in 1964 transferred to ANU for low cost accommodation for students. 124 single & 8 double rooms. Main lounge with wireless and piano, 2 small lounge rooms, Billiard & Ping Pong room, 2 laundries with 8 fuel coppers and ironing tables, 12 bathrooms, 12 showers, 17 closets. No garages, bicycle sheds and tennis court provided & telephone service.

* Hotel Ainslie - opened 1927. Privately run from 1930s and known to many as Spendlove’s Hotel. Sold 8 June, 1950 and operated at Hotel Ainslie Rex. On 21 April, 1989 named changed to Olims Canberra Hotel.

Ainslie Hostel - Site near Haley & Quick Streets Ainslie. Opened 1949 - temporary workmen’s hostel. From 1976 used by Commonwealth for low cost accommodation and called Ainslie Guest House. In the 1980’s redeveloped and called Ainslie Village. In the 1950s room for 320 guests in rooms which averaged 10 feet x 9 foot. 22 baths, 22 showers & 43 lavatories, 1 large recreation room, 13 lounges, 1 public telephone.

* Barton House - Brisbane Ave Barton. Opened 1940 and demolished 1981. An article in The Canberra Times dated 2.5.1940 noted that the construction of Barton House fronting Brisbane Avenue and bounded by Macquarie, Darling & Young Streets Barton had just commenced. The contractors were Gody & Witts of Sydney and the contract price for the builders, thirty-five thousand pounds. Accommodation was for 136 guests and the proposed tariff not to exceed 36/- per week. Because of the financial restraints imposed by the war economy of design, construction and fittings was observed. All walls were brick and rendered externally with exposed brick. The roof was covered with Marseilles pattern tiles. Tiles dadoes and floors will be included in the toilet rooms and kitchen, while all baths will be built in. Floors generally will be of radiata pine cut from the Mount Stromlo forest, and ceilings in the main will be of fibrous plaster.

Beauchamp House (now Ian Potter House) opened 1927. 1972 converted into offices. This building was a reinforced concrete structure

* Brassey House - opened 1927. This brick hostel was built on the wrong block and back to front. Today it is known as Hotel Brassey.

Brickyards Hostel - remodelled circa 1947. This camp was on the left hand side of the entrance area of the brickyards.

* Hotel Canberra - opened in December, 1924. It was designed by JS Murdoch and constructed by men employed by Contractor John Howie. 1976-1984 used as an annex for Parliament House. In 1988 it was bought by private enterprise and redeveloped to keep the character of the hotel and is now known as The Hyatt, Hotel Canberra.

Capitol/Capital Hill Hostel - Original camp built in 1925 by John Howie & Sons. This camp was added to over the years - particularly around 1947 when cubicles from the Cotter were moved to the site. In 1952 new barracks were put on site. During the Great Depression for a time the camp was used by pensioners and men moving through the territory in search of work. After World War II displaced persons moved in - including married couples - and from 1952 it was used for tradesmen the majority of whom were New Australians. In the 1950s it had room for 320 guests - average size of rooms 10 feet x 9 feet- 22 baths, 22 showers, 43 lavatories. Dining room furnished similar to Eastlake, 1 large recreation room, 12 lounge rooms, 1 public telephone.

* Hotel Civic - opened in 1935. It was constructed in an Art Deco style from Canberra Cream bricks. It was demolished in 1984.

Cotter Dam Camp - late 1940s - used to house men constructing a new dam.

Eastlake Hostel - Mildura Street, Griffith. Opened in 1947 for single tradesmen. It was closed in 1952. 550 guests. Pavilions - average size of room 9.9 feet x 7 feet. One large & one small recreation room - each with fire places, gymnasium - 1 public telephone.

Fairbairn Hostel - opened 1948 - in grounds of RAAF base. Men were housed in tents. Returned to RAAF in 1952. 500 Guests - average size of room (following the changeover from tents) 13.6 x 11.6 fee t- shared by two men. Two baths, 43 showers, 41 lavatories, 2 large recreation halls, 1 public telephone yet to be installed.

Forestry School - opened in 1927. The students were originally housed in a number of lined cubicles in the area of Solander Place. The first three cottages in this street were erected as shells of buildings for use a mess, recreation and ablution blocks for the students. Later a Nissen Hut was added to the complex and was affectionately known as The Waldorf. In 1952 a new hostel for the students was built in Wilfe Carne Circuit.

* Glebe Hostel - This old house was the Rectory for the Church of England priest of St John the Baptist Church at Reid. In 1926 it was used by the church as a school - St Gabriel’s C of E Grammar School. In 1927 the school moved to its present site in Forrest. From 1930 until 1955, when it was demolished, it was used as a boarding house.

* Gorman House - opened in 1925 when it was then known as Hotel Ainslie. In 1927 the buildings were renamed Gorman House after the Commissioner Clarence Gorman. It was closed as a boarding house in 1972 and has been used for a number of purposes since then including Gorman House Arts Centre. Gorman House was also designed by Murdoch. In 1950s had 100 single & 20 double rooms, 4 main lounges, piano, wireless, ping pong table, 15 bathrooms, 15 showers, 15 closets, cold water to bedrooms, laundry with good wood burning coppers, separate ironing room, telephone service, bicycle racks but no garages or tennis courts (near Northbourne courts).

* Gowrie Hostel in Northbourne Avenue opened at end of 1965. The buildings were acquired by ANU in 1992 and are now known as Fenner Hall.

* Havelock House - same design as Lawley House. It was completed in 1951 and was used by white and blue collar workers.

Hillside Hostel - Constructed on Capital Hill in 1952. Another site opposite the present Lotus Bay was also contemplated for the Hostel but was discarded because of the proximity to Westlake cottages where women and children lived. Hillside was for single men only and like the old days, married and single camps were kept separated. Closed in December, 1968.

* Hotel Kingston

Opened in 1935.

* Kingston Guest House- opened in 1926 as the Printers Quarters. It consisted of twenty-four semi-detached brick cottages covered with a cream coloured stucco. Each cottage had five bedrooms which were sparsely furnished. In the centre of the complex was a dining room. The builder was Mason of Queanbeyan. In 1969 the buildings were pulled down and Fraser Court was built on the site.

* Hotel Kurrajong

The buildings were designed by Murdoch and the name came from Kurrajong Hill (Capital Hill). Opened 1926. Ben Chifley, Prime Minister of Australia died there 13.6.1951. The hotel closed in 1976/77 and used until February 1995 by government agencies. Today it is the Australian International Hotel School and Hotel. In the 1950s 155 double or single rooms with hot & cold water provided to most rooms. Main lounge room centrally heated, also has large fireplaces, piano & wireless provided. 32 bathrooms, 32 showers, 32 closets, billiards table, telephone service, 6 garages & bicycle racks.

Lady Hopetoun Club - 1926-27. It consisted of three/four houses in Blandfordia used to accommodate young single girls of the in-between class - ie servants etc.

* Lawley House- opened in mid 1949. Closed in 1976 and taken over by Australian Federal Police and in 1979 reopened by the Police as a training college. The house had 15 double & 135 single rooms, Bicycle racks and 6 garages. Hot & cold water in each room.

* Macquarie Private Hostel - Barton. Occupied from 1969.

Mulwala House - in the city area. Occupied from 1947 - white & blue collar workers. Closed 1969. The accommodation consisted of 202 single and one double rooms in eight pavilions and main block. Hot & cold water in each room and eight lounges (one in each block). No garages but bicycle sheds, basketball and tennis courts provided.

Narellan House - opened 1949 and used for accommodation purposes until 1976. Demolished 1993. Forty six single & two double rooms, main lounge room, piano and wireless provided. The laundry contained 2 fuel coppers, ironing boards etc. No Bicycle shed, garages nor tennis court. Pavilions.

RAAF Huts The Canberra Times 16.4.1940 - Work has stopped on the hutment camp for the RAAF trainees at Kingston and the camp will be shifted to a new location, south-east of the Canberra Railway Station...The new camp will be on rising ground [above the flood level] and there will be adequate facilities for sports’ facilities. It will be comparatively close to the Canberra Technical College where the trainees are undergoing engineering courses.

RAAF Base - information quoted form Summary of Events sheets Fairbairn (held in RAAF archives) - date September, 1945. It is proposed to quarter approximately one hundred & twenty (120) AWC Workers on the Station, and work is now in progress building suitable Mess Huts and Recreation Rooms. A number of pre-fabricated huts, previously used to provide accommodation for RAAF personnel have been made available for AWC Workers, who have transferred them to a new site at the southern end of the RAAF Barracks area. Considerable apprehension was felt by the Station Commander at the prospect of having so many civilian workmen quartered on the Station, the matter was referred a higher authority for consideration. Instructions were received that the civilians would be quartered on the Station. Every assistance has been extended on behalf of the RAAF with a view to fostering a feeling of co-operation between the RAAF and AWC during their stay. A few difficulties have been experienced, one of which is the problem of workmen’s families arriving at the camp site. The Commanding Officer has given a ruling that this is not to be permitted. A document dated April 1940 stated that the Station Headquarters (RAAF) were officially established on 1st April, 1940 under the temporary command of Squadron Leader PG Heffernan, AFC, Commanding Officer of No 8 Squadron which had been stationed at Canberra since 11/9/1939. The Diary also documented a very sad event, the passing on of the Late Prime Minister, Mr John Curtin. This station was called upon to assist in the funeral arrangements. A party of four guards in charge of an NCO were detailed to mount guard over the casket, whilst it was lying in State at Parliament House, The Casket was placed on a gun carriage supplied by Duntroon Military College, the cortege then proceeded by a predetermined route, through Duntroon to Fairbairn Aerodrome, on arrival at the main gate, a RAAF Guard of Honour, presented Service compliments. The roadway leading through the main gate and camp area, to the tarmac area, where a C!& Douglas Aircraft was waiting to convey the Casket to West Australia, was lined with Officers and Airmen, standing at attention. Preceding the Cortege, as it entered the human lane, was RAAF band supplied by RAAF Station, Bradfield Park. A line of highly polished cars over a mile long, conveying the Chief Mourner, Service Chiefs and members of Parliament, presented an imposing sight. Approaching the tarmac area, the band played Chopin’s Funeral March, and the Cortege proceeded at the Slow March to the waiting aircraft. The Casket was transferred from the gun carriage to the aircraft, by eight RAAF members acting as pall bearers. At 1620 hours on July 6th, 1945 C4 & Aircraft VH-CIN, departed from Canberra conveying the late Prime Minister’s remains to Perth, Western Australia...where the official funeral; was held.

Reid House - opened 1950 - closed 1971. It was constructed within the area of the present Glebe Park, Civic. 270 single rooms in pavilions of 54 rooms. Hot and cold water in each room was at time of report not available but to be provided as soon as possible. 20 baths, 20 showers, 70 washbasins, 16 lavatory stalls, 40 closets. Two large laundries with 7 fuel coppers in each laundry plus ironing boards. Provision of bicycle sheds and garages under consideration.

* Rex Hotel - opened early 1960s. This hotel was the first new hotel built after World War II.

* Richardson House - Ainslie Ave & Elimatta Streets. Completed 1966 . Closed 1989 and now operates as Acacia House Motor Inn.

Riverside Hostel In use in 1947 and closed 1952. Sections of the hostel used by Canberra Repertory Society. Removed in the early 1990s. Pavilion style. This hostel had 360 guests housed in single rooms - each 7.6 feet x 13.6 feet. Dining room & 1 large recreation room similar with fire place & 1 public telephone.

Turner Hostel completed 1949 and used only until 1952. Buildings used by ANU and Canberra Pensioners’ Club. Pavilions - 342 guests housed in single rooms each 12 feet x 10 foot. 23 baths, 28 showers, 30 lavatories, 1 large recreation room, 13 lounges & 1 public telephone yet to be installed.

* Hotel Wellington - opened 1927. Pulled down in 1980s and in 1988 Pavilion Hotel opened on the site.

* YWCA Hostel - opened in mid 1930s. In some ways this hostel took over from the Lady Hopetoun Club. Closed 1986. During the war Leave House was set up next to the main building and run by the YWCA.

It should also be mentioned that only a few flats were built before World War 2. Some were Manuka Arcade, Barton Courts (1930) and those above the shops and banks in Sydney & Melbourne buildings in Civic.

During the 1950s many flats were constructed in Canberra including the Allawah, Bega and Currong Flats at Civic and Northbourne Flats.

Riverside and Eastlake Hostels in 1947 applied to have liquor licenses provided. The sale of alcohol was to be permitted for a few hours only. The men at one hostel preferred a drink after work before dinner and the men at the other preferred a social drink in the evening. Who finally won is uncertain but a liquor license was allowed at each canteen. In 1950 Mr PV Funda took over the operation of Riverside Hostel Canteen. He proposed to continue using Hut 16A.

The Chief Surveyor

Melbourne

In accordance with your instruction on the accompanying paper, herewith please find schedule as desired by you, also a list of other buildings, which contain particulars which may be of service; cottages noted as "included in lease of Block" may be regarded as only possessing a residential value, if desired a sketch will be forwarded which will better illustrate the situation of the different buildings referred to on the attached list.

District Surveyor

29th August, 1917

Locality & Building Required by Works,  Vacant,  Remarks

Cotter

Mess Room - 6 rooms (empty), lavatory, telephone vacant

Pumping Stations 2 brick

buildings Yes Machinery & electrical appliances

Stromlo

Observatory, Balloon House

Kite House vacant Keys with WD

Uriarra Road

old cottage, Hatley Yes

Brickfield

Transformer, Brick Kilns

machine shop, Grinding

house, Fan House, Small

office Yes

Brickfield Site

Mess Room at Brickyards

Bath Rooms

29 Camp Site buildings

(one owned by Commonwealth) vacant Looked after by White

Uriarra Road

Gate House - Hughes Ownership doubtful - thought to be Hughes’property

Power House

Pumping Station Yes

Acton

Pumping Station Yes

Brickfield Site

Pumping Station Yes

Locality Premises Controlled by Occupier etc

Duntroon old cottage FCD LR Smith (Works employee) 5/- pr week

do old cottage ? NJ Stores 4/- pr week

do Workmen’s mess CS RMC employee 2/- pr week

do old house & store CS J Murray (included in lease of block)

do house (Rectory) CS C of E Rector (included in lease of block)

do old house CS J Curley (included in lease of block)

Springbank cottage CS Assistant stock inspector 9/- pr week

do old cottage CS Ex works employee 6/- pr week

do old cottage CS " " " 4/- pr week

do old cottage CS Office Cleaner 4/- pr week

Brickyards Iron cottage CS Late Brickwork’s manager quarters allowed

Mess Room Key with White
 
 

Locality Premises Controlled by Occupier etc

Tuggeranong

Homestead cottage CS Vacant

do cottage CS Mrs McIntyre (Caretaker Tuggeranong House)

do 2 rm hut CS D Grady 2/- per month

Canberra Administrator’s

Residence CS vacant

do Acton House FCD AL Richmond 1 room 5/- pr week

do Bachelors’ Quart FCD Single officers 5/- pr room per wk

do 7 Cottages FCD Married officials 10% of salary

do 1 Cottage FCD Medical Officer in charge Quarters allowed

do 1 Cottage FCD Bank Manager 82 pound 5 shillings per annum

do Temporary workman’s

cottage FCD

do Cottage (2 rms.) CS Officer-in-Charge Aff, stn quarters allowed

do Temporary workman’s

cottage FCD Ex employee 2/- pr week

do Old cottage CS L&S employee 6/- pr week

do Old cottage CS C Kaye (includes lease of block)

do Old cottage CS Works employee (included in lease of block)

Yarralumla official visitors FCD Official visitors

do Coachman’s Qrs CS Vacant (10/- pr week)

do Tem’py workman’s

cottage CS Afforestation employee 3/- pr week

do Old cottage FCD Works. Bullock driver 5/- pr week

do Old Cottage CS L&S Boundary rider 6/- pr week

do (nursery) Cottage CS Nursery foreman 6/- pr week

do Dairy & cottage CS E Corkhill (includes lease of block)

do Old cottage FCD Works - Roads maintenance man

do Brick & Stone FCD Vest

Power House 2 Cottages FCD Works Supt & Stores Officer 5/ pr week each

do 2 Cottages FCD Official chauffeurs (quarters provided)

do Old Cottage CS G Rottenberry (included in lease of block)

do Old Cottage CS J Scott (included in lease of block)

do Old Cottage CS W Avery (included in lease of block)

Canberra Administrative offices ? Official offices

do Works Office FCD do

do Post Offices &

Residence FCD Post office

do C’Wealth Bank

& quarters FCD Commonwealth Bank

do Afforestation, sheds

etc CS Afforestation work

do Official stables FCD Stables

do 2 rooms at rear

of stables CS Vacant

do Blacksmith shop

Store room &

Implement shed CS Tool shop, implement shed etc

do Recreation Hall FCD Amusement Hall

do Laundry FCD Mrs Davis 1/- pr month (Official laundress)

do Iron Shed FCD Old store room (plumber)

do Bath rooms etc FCD

do Workmen’s kitchen FCD vacant

do Fire Station quarters FCD G Wilson (Works Employee)
 

Locality Premises Controlled by Occupier etc

Power House Engineers’ Mess FCD Works Employees 3/- pr room per wk

do Workmen’s Mess FCD vacant

do Power House

workshops, store etc FCD

do Railway Station FCD Canberra Co-operative Society ( Store) 20 pounds pa

& outbuildings

Works Office

Duntroon Recreation Hall FCD Recreation (Military control?)

Brickworks Workmen’s Mess FCD

Cotter River Official Mess FCD

Majura Recreational Hall CS

Ginninderra Recreational Hall CS

Ainslie Arsenal Bdgs FCD (5)

Ginninderra Store etc CS H Curran 3/- per week

Hall Hotel etc CS M Lazarus on compensation

School Houses: Narrabundah, Duntroon, Ginninderra (Gungahlin), Mulligan’s Flat, Majura, Cotter(crossed out), Tuggranong, Tharwa, Gibralter, Williamsdale.

Australian Archives CP698/9/1 Bundle 1/8/4

Social Service Building

Canberra

11th May, 1926

Mr LHB Lasseter

Hon Secretary

Northbourne Camp Welfare Committee

Northbourne Camp

Dear Sir,

Receipt is acknowledged of your communication of the 8th instant with reference to organising a charitable effort on behalf of your camp steward to take the form of a fancy [dress] football match...

It is not quite clear from your letter whether it is proposed to play a fancy dress Soccer, Rugby or Australian Rules game. Possibly you would have a mixture of all three! ...

JH Honeysett

Social Service Officer

Federal Capital Commission

Dear Editor,

Had I known as much this morning as I do now I would have erased the word "gentle" in my request that you ask the Police to give Andy a hint. He brought six dozen of beer into the camp last night and as a result we have lost two of our best soccer players. A booze-bred quarrel and a sudden decision to pull out. By the way they pulled out with the club outfit on them.

Seeing I’ve started it, I’ll try to carry thro’ the benefit for Andy but if he brings any more grog into the camp I’ll ask the Commission to "Abolish" him.

22nd March, 1927

MEMORANDUM to -

The Secretary

Home & Territories Department

61 Spring Street

MELBOURNE

Referring to your communication of the 10th March 1927 with which you forwarded an extract from Hansard in which the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Charlton, asked a question concerning the accommodation provided for workmen at Canberra, I am directed to reply that it is not considered that complaints in regard to the majority of the workmen having poor accommodation are justifiable.

At the present time there are three thousand (3,000) workmen employed in Canberra. These include principally tradesmen, builders labourers, sewer workers and general labourers and the disposition of these men in regard to housing is as follows:-

Cottages 222

Cubicles 784

Residing at Queanbeyan,

Riverbourne, Mt Russell

or privately 810

1,816

Accommodation in tents 1,184

Total: 3,000

The accommodation in tents is similar to that provided in any construction camp and such accommodation is occupied by single men whose employment is not likely to be of such lengthy duration as that of tradesmen and married men who have brought their families to Canberra.

In many of the camps, however, the men have constructed humpies which, although built in a temporary manner, are nevertheless very comfortable, many of them having fire places.

The Commission has recently increased the number of cubicles. These are built of weatherboard, twelve feet by ten feet with iron roofs; they contain iron bedsteads and are provided with electric light: stoves are being installed for the winter months.

The Commission is increasing the number of these cubicles to provide the accommodation of such forms for 1,184 men.

It is anticipated that, with the provision for married accommodation and making allowance for workmen living at Queanbeyan [including Oaks Estate] and other places, this will provide adequate accommodation of a comfortable character for a number of workmen in excess of those likely to be employed in the Federal Capital after the present programme finishes, when it is expected that the number will be reduced to about half of the present strength, diminishing gradually.

This will enable the whole of the tent accommodation in camps to be done away with, except for parties doing special work in outlying localities for short periods.

It should be emphasized that the employees who have been occupying tents, which is certainly no hardship in the summer climate are those temporarily employed in connection with the present urgent programme. It is not possible or economically advisable for the Commission to provide accommodation for such employees in any other form at the present time.

Secretary

22nd March, 1927.

EXTRACT FROM HANSARD OF 15th MARCH [1927]

I wish to bring under the notice of the Minister representing the Minister for Home Territories the conditions under which some of the workmen in the Federal Territory are compelled to live. I have received from the president and secretary of the Canberra Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union the following letter:-

"I presume you are not aware of the fact that our members have been living under most trying conditions in Canberra for the last five years. Eight feet by six feet tents have predominated. We have been asking for better conditions in the various camps for two years, and at last have succeeded in getting the Federal Capital Commission to build cubicles; however they are not general yet. But instead of building decent huts, the Commission have built cubicles eleven feet nine inches or nine feet by five feet six inches, not lined or ceiled, out of half inch second grade Baltic pine to accommodate two men each and are charging four shillings per week rental for same, the capital cost of erecting being thirty pounds which works out at approximately thirty seven percent per annum. This charge we think is exorbitant considering that the officers of the Commission live in comfortable houses are only paying from ten to twelve and a half percent rent on the capital cost of their residences. We have interviewed Mr Butters [First Commissioner] on two occasions with a request that the rent should be reduced to two shillings per week, but without result. He has also refused to give us the basis on which the rent is calculated. Under our award we are entitled to ground rent, firewood, water and sanitation conveniences free. The persons running the messes at the camps are being charged rent for the dining rooms etc, at the rate of one shilling per man. Therefore the cost of these buildings cannot be added to the huts.

My members feel keenly that we should be singled out for such unjust treatment and at a meeting of the local branch of the AWU held last week it was decided to ask you to place the grievance before Parliament, with the full weight of the party behind you so that a reduction may be secured. Already the huts have cracks of fully half inch between many of the boards. You can therefore imagine what our members will have to put up with during the trying winter weather. Members of Parliament are provided with a magnificent building here, containing over 2,000 steam radiators, which will keep each enclosed room at a uniform temperature of 52 degrees (Fahrenheit); still we understand the Government consider the climate too severe to hold Winter Sessions here. Visualize then, our men living in huts with the wind whistling through the cracks from April to September. In the event of the Commission putting in heating stoves and electric light, a further charge of one shilling per week is to be made, bring the rent up to five shillings per week.

If the statements in the letter are true, injustice is being done to several thousand workmen in the Territory. Men should not be asked to pay four shillings a week as rent for a cubicle which costs thirty pounds. I want the Minister to send this complaint to the Federal Capital Commission and ask for a full inquiry, so that the workers in the Territory may be provided with decent conditions at a reasonable cost.

Molonglo Settlement

March 22nd, 1923

To Mr Goodwin,

Director Lands & Survey Dept

Sir,

At a meeting of the Progress Association of the Molonglo Settlement a motion was carried to ask you if you could assist us in obtaining a few necessary improvements. Letter after letter has been sent to the Works & Railways Director and have been totally ignored. Chief amongst the various needs are:-

No 1. Sanitary convenience for Amusement Hall.

No 2. A new hardwood floor (in reference to this I would point out that the existing floor is of oregon pine. Long splinters are constantly peeling off to the danger of dancers). This matter has been before the Department since January and no reply has been received.

No 3. At a meeting held just about one year ago it was decided to ask the Department for an extra copper for each of the communal laundries. This is the position of things here. There are ten families using the laundries, there is only one copper boiler between them. If there should be one set day in the week one or two people cannot get through their washing. I think you will see that the ladies up here are against it in this matter.

No 4. When the horse paddock was fenced no provision of any kind was made for water. There are fire hydrants in the paddock and the men here carried a length of trough in to one of them but this is filled from a hydrant and in a few minutes it is empty again, and our horses and cattle are thirsting for water when plenty could be there at all times with a proper length of trough and stand with a ball valve fixed.

No 5. Stormwater drains. These were promised more than a year ago, but are still in abeyance.

No 6. The laundries and water closet roofs are still covered with rubberoid. When it rains they are flooded out. Iron roofs have been promised fully nine months ago but are still conspicuous by their absence.

No 7. The next item, Sir, is one that you could only appreciate by seeing inside these tenements. It is the need of some sort of fire place for the coming winter. All the outer walls of the building are so shrunken from exposure that the boards are gaping open anything from three eighths of an inch to one inch apart, a cover strip is over this but the dust and cold winds drive through and make these places at times unsuitable for habitation. The suggestion is that a brick fireplace could be provided for each tenement and the outer wall to be lined with say half inch lining or even rubberoid.

Sir, this may seem like a lot of complaints but they are real needs for the coming winter. The Association invites you cordially to inspect for yourself and would be obliged to you if you could arrange to meet us at an early date if possible Saturday or Sunday morning as all the men are at home then. If you could manage it a phone message to Mr Bland would be sufficient to find us here to meet you.

I am yours faithfully, Harry Woodlands, Hon Sec Molonglo Progress Association.

Westridge

May 2nd, 1925

To the Commissioners,

Canberra.

Gentlemen

At a date recently a circular letter was received by Mr Noble also a similar one by Mr T Apps. Both were submitted to the employees and a meeting was then called for the 23rd April. It was continued on the 27th and the enclosed was a copy of the minutes of that meeting. I had the honour of occupying chair. As a body the residents of Westridge regret it is necessary to send in a list of complaints but desire me to emphasize the fact that there are real needs. Since the meeting it has been decided to reconstruct the Westridge Progress Association and I have been elected Secretary to that Association. The Residents desire me to say that in no way they can...[unreadable] they will do so if the necessary instructions can be given and all they ask is to be treated as well as in the other parts of the Federal Territory. There is one part of the type written copy of the minutes that I would like to emphasize. The typist did not place this case strong enough. Most of the men here own a horse which is on agistment the charge being deducted from his earnings. When his horse is not in use he is placed in the agistment paddock safely. There are I believe 10 different (or indifferent) gates and dilapidated fences. The owners of the horses has work perhaps a week before he again requires his horse and then he often cannot find it. It has however been found for him perhaps at the Hostel or somewhere else and the policeman arrived with a summons charging the man with allowing his horse to stray. It is an injustice to charge a man with what he cannot possibly help and we respectfully ask you to look seriously...to us, serious matter. Trusting that I have not caused you much delay or trouble.

I am yours faithfully,

Harry Woodlands

Chairman.

FEDERAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

October 15th, 1929

MEMORANDUM for:-

The Chief Administrator

Dear Sir,

I desire to inform you that the Commission has a number of cubicles at Red Hill and Parkes Camp sites which it is prepared to sell to rural lessees at fifteen pounds each, purchasers to take delivery at the camp sites mentioned.

Would you kindly be good enough to furnish this information to the Members of your Association, who should be advised to forward application to this office accompanied by cheques.

Yours faithfully,

FEDERAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

Mr A E Wright

Secretary

Federal Territories Lessees’ Association

KINGSTON FCT

FCT BRANCH DEPT OF THE INTERIOR

29th April, 1932

I desire to report that action has been taken to remove all the cubicles from No 4 Camp. [In front of Provisional Parliament House on banks of Molonglo River]. Seventeen of them have gone to Capitol Hill to house 34 men and the balance removed to the Acton Depot for disposal. The buildings now at No 4 Camp are the dining room, kitchen, bath houses, lavatory and laundry. The electric light has been disconnected and the camp is being maintained as a rest camp for the travelling unemployed. The number is fluctuating but will, I consider, not exceed twenty.

In regard to Capitol Hill the cubicles have been placed in position; two men to each cubicle, and bedsteads have been supplied. A request was received that only one man should be allotted to each cubicle owing to difficulties in regarding cooking, but this was refused, and the men were allowed to use the kitchen for that purpose. A request was also received for the electric light to be connected to the cubicles which have been transferred, as it is already supplied to the other cubicles at Capitol Hill. However, in view of the fact that the men now transferred there are not ex-employees, as are the other men in the camp, and as the installation of electric light would be costly, the request is recommended for refusal.

The action so far taken is only part of the Ministerial direction on this subject, as the proposal put forward by the Chief Officer of the Commonwealth Police was that a number of cubicles should be moved to the Ainslie Camp and used for the accommodation of travelling unemployed. The existing accommodation at Ainslie is full, it being occupied by married people and invalids. Ainslie camp is not sewered and in addition to moving the cubicles there it would be necessary to incur expenditure in provision of lavatory and bathing accommodation. This expenditure, if the proposal is proceeded with, would be additional to the cost of demolition of the buildings and the removal of sanitary and water fittings. However, the greatest objection in my opinion to extending Ainslie camp for such a purpose is that a number of women are at present living in this camp and the introduction of travelling unemployed would bring about a situation which would be practically impossible to control and which would, in my opinion, owing to the conditions under which the people live in such a camp, lead to immorality.

The present arrangements of using the remainder of the buildings at No 4 camp for travelling unemployed appears to be functioning satisfactorily and I consider that it would be wise not to build up the Ainslie camp but to abolish it, as early as possible. Four families are at present in the camp and some of the members are registered for unemployment so as opportunity offers, it is considered that those registered should be transferred to Molonglo and the cubicles at Ainslie demolished. It is obvious that so long as shelter is provided for married travellers, difficulty will experienced in getting rid of them after a reasonable time. If it is still desired to remove the single travelling unemployed from the vicinity of Parliament House, then my previous suggestion for the establishment of a separate camp outside the immediate boundaries of the City should be adopted.

(JC Brackenreg)

Chief Lands Officer

MEMORANDUM for

The Secretary, Department of Home Affairs

CANBERRA FCT

Further to my letter of 17th May, 1930, to the Honourable the Minister and our recent discussion with respect to the establishment of a Camp for the unemployed, the following additional particulars are also submitted so that the proposal may be fully and finally considered.

From the analysis which has been made of all men registered for employment to 20th May, 1930 it will be seen that the maximum number to be provided for in a camp is 152, but I have no doubt it will be found that many of these have left, and I would suggest that initial arrangements be made for 80 which is the capacity of the permanent accommodation at Parkes Barracks, additional numbers, if required, can be housed in tents.

The weekly ration scale adopted in New South Wales for single men for relief is:-

Bread 3 loaves, 12lbs (or 7lbs bread & 5 lbs potatoes)

Meat 3lbs

Tea 4 oz

Sugar 1 lb

Jam 12 oz

Condensed Milk 1lb (or Powdered Milk)

Butter quarter lb or margarine

Soap 1 bar

On this scale the cost for rations would be between 7/ and 8/- per man per week.

If it is decided that a camp be established and rations supplied I would suggest the following arrangements:-

Bedsteads, trestle tables and forms to be provided from stock. Electric light to be connected and operated by a time switch from half an hour before dark until 10 pm. Firewood to be cut in the bush by the men and carted to camp by our lorries. Bread and meat to be delivered daily by tradesmen. Groceries to be delivered twice weekly by our transport. The men to select 3 as a Committee to whom rations, equipment, etc will be handled and be responsible for distribution and safety, also orderliness etc of the camp.

Men to provide their own bedding, eating and cooking utensils (there are no cooking utensils in stock). (Australian Archives A/1 34/4662)

Parkes Barracks

Canberra

Sept 2. 32

Dear Sir,

As you are a member of the Ministry, no doubt your influence will have a far reaching effect, so I appeal to you to assist us to the best of your ability. As you know there are eight men who have been domiciled here for a period of ten to twenty months and it is useless for them to depart elsewhere for they are disenfranchised. These men are waiting patiently, eager to grasp any opportunity to better their present condition. This state of affairs exists through us not voting at the advisory council election. We have been under consideration for some time with a view to getting registered for work.

I now enclose a list of the names referred to.

A Stivens, C Jordan, J Bourke, G Fisher, J Ryan,

PA McWilliam, R Giles, A Hatton.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours Truly

James Bourke.

Secretary

With reference to the communication addressed to the [? Unreadable] from the Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Australia [St Andrews] Canberra, under the date 11th November, 1936, and the Minister’s minute thereon, I ... to advise as follows:

The camp was established many years ago during the time of the Federal Capital Commission. The original cost of same was in the vicinity of 7,550 pounds. The cost since 1931 for ordinary services such as electric light, garbage removal, camp steward, water supply and firewood is 1,337 pounds. Outstanding rentals at 3/- per week as at 14th July, 1936 amounted to 1,124 pounds 16/10d.

I understand that no independent record is kept by the Accounts Section regarding the annual receipts from the camp. The number of men in the camp at present is 65, 20% of whom are considered by the Inspector as undesirable tenants.

At the moment the camp is not fully occupied. There are 16 semi-detached cubicles vacant and 4 portable cubicles vacant.

It is considered that it would be well to endeavour to arrange for the ultimate demolition of the camp by first removing all unoccupied buildings and utilizing the structures so removed for additional accommodation to tenements where such is necessary or elsewhere.

The camp is being used to some degree by swagmen who move from place to place similar to the use that was made of Parks barracks in front of Parliament House until this encampment was removed some three years ago.

The facilities offering at the low rental of 3/- per week, such as water supply (unlimited) sewerage, electric light, laundry and bath accommodation with bath heaters and the use of a lorry to obtain firewood, make the camp very attractive, so much so, that the men are not inclined to remove from there.
 
 

I consider that action should be taken definitely to demolish this class of habitation in the Capital. I therefore recommend the removal of all untenanted structures and, if possible, the removal of the remaining occupiers to a site known as Ainslie Camp where the occupants will be away from interference with the City homes or institutions, and that a notice as suggested by our Inspecting Officer in his memorandum of the 18.11.1936 herewith, be placed at the camp so that the Police will be able to take any requisite action therein.

The matters referred to by the Inspector in his report are brought under your notice for consideration.

A Percival

Surveyor General and Chief Property Officer. 20.11.1936
 

The paying-off last week of the Canberra Relief workers before the Christmas holidays once again raised the scandal of Capitol Hill Camp, to which "Truth" had previously directed attention.

These single relief workers, normally receive from the Commonwealth Government one week’s work in five, but before Christmas they have four weeks of continuous employment. To offset this liability they will have no further work until February.

This sudden acquisition of wealth has been too much for some of the men, with the result that this week scenes in the Capitol Hill camp and in its vicinity have been witnessed which would be tolerated in no other town in Australia.

The camp is less than half a mile from Parliament House and while visitors admire the public buildings the neat homes with gardens, the parks and tree lined streets, the Capitol Hill Camp is mercifully hidden. It consists of about 80 cubicles, housing that number of men. Each cubicle is 8 feet by 6 feet and built of unlined pine.

THE SYSTEM OF PUTTING UNEMPLOYED MEN INTO CAMPS IS A FEATURE OF GERMAN ADMINISTRATION, BUT IS ABHORRENT TO AUSTRALIAN IDEALS.

For years these men have lived together in the same surroundings. Sometimes one dies and another homeless man takes his place. Some of them are old-age or military pensioners.

It is well known that men isolated socially in such surroundings for any length of time quarrel among themselves. The result here is, therefore, a camp divided into several rival camps, denouncing each other as "pimps", "shelfs" or "crooks". Every man regards his neighbour with distrust. Fights and drunken brawls are numerous and among these submerged citizens of the Commonwealth, "metho" parties are frequent.

Some months ago one man at such a party was covered with methylated spirit, and a match applied to him. For months he was in hospital in a serious condition, but no police action was taken.

Within recent weeks another man was shot with a rifle in the camp. As soon as the shot was fired the camp appeared to be empty, so that when the police made the inquiries nobody knew anything and even the injured man suddenly suffered from loss of memory. Many a man there has tried to keep a dog for company but it is always poisoned.

The cubicles themselves are infested with vermin. They have been condemned by the Health Department, and are not in conformity with the housing regulations laid down for the national capital.

Not only does the Commonwealth Government ignore its own laws in allowing such a camp to exist, but it actually makes a profit from the camp.

A charge of three shillings per week is made for each cubicle, and the rent is deducted from the pay envelope.

During the worst of the depression when there were no pay envelopes for months the men fell into arrears of rent. These arrears are now being deducted for the pay at the rate of six shillings per week.

It is safe to assert that the capital cost of the camp has been paid by those poor workers over and over again.

List of (semi-detached) Cubicles with tenants 26.3.1936 at Capitol Hill.

6 Blocks of 8 - 48 @ 3/- per week

2 Blocks of 10 - 20 @ 3/- per week

Total - 68 @ 3/- per week

J Elliott, J Harrigan, G Mankellow, A Anderson, G Bennett, H McKenna, G Davidson, C Hodge, W Senior, M Keane, M Coogan, A Manly, A Shank, A bell, W Staples, J Mearns, C Standing, W McKonnon, M McLeod, EP Ryan, J Woods, H Williams, W Low, J Clues, F Wade, F Kelly, J Flood, WG Neill, W Scholes, J Smith, V Callaghan,

J Foster, W Brown, M McKee, P Kelly, C Foster, E Egan, J Murray, W Mills, P Evers, W Ryan, J Scott, A Rolfe, M Conroy, F O’Donnell, F Stewart, B Wheatly, A Cummins, F McGrath, G McManus, JW Mason, W F Webb, P Fitzsimmons, WG Lynch, C Coggin.

Another letter written in the early 1940s states:

CAPITAL HILL CAMP:

There are at present thirteen tenants at this camp, viz:- two old age pensioners:- J Sturgess 1/6d weekly, R Wheatly 1/6d weekly.

Seven Department employees: O’Malley & C Turner 9/- weekly (chef’s old quarters), M Kavanagh, J Mills, T Fulford, S Hall, G Mankellow [all 3/- weekly] Casual Employees, mostly gardeners & odd job men:

M Kane, W Caldwell, J Mathews, T Smith [each 3/- per week].

Rental is deducted from Dept employees fortnightly, but not in advance so that a week’s notice would suffice if accommodation was available.

No tenancy form has however been signed by any of the tenants. Practically the only arrears of rent in this camp are the cases of Department employees whose rent should be deducted by the Accounts Department from pay. This camp was declared a relief camp during the depression period and the present rentals were fixed by the Department.

Electric light, provision of transport to get their own fuel, caretaker, sanitary & garbage collection were provided. The Manuka shopping area cleaner visits the camp twice weekly to wash out lavatories and wash house; this being the only service provided at present besides electric light and garbage collection. Owing to the intention of closing the camp and demolishing the buildings at the earliest possible moment, no renovations have been carried out on the remaining buildings during the last ten years and the premises have not been painted since erection, so that the buildings generally are in a bad state...

Canberra Times July, 1944

Pensioners at the Capital Hill Mess, some of whom have been resident there for 15 years, have received verbal instructions from the Department of Interior to be prepared to evacuate their quarters at a moment’s notice.

The Secretary of the Department (Mr JA Carrodus) said last night that he did not know that the men had been asked to leave but he was certain they would not be thrown into the streets.

Mr Bob Wheatley, who was interviewed yesterday, said that he had lived in the mess for 15 years with other pensioners who paid a rent of 1/6d to 3/- per week. He had been asked to leave, and was told that the department was not prepared to find another home for him. He was aged 70 years and was in ill-health. Others who were asked to leave included Messrs Joe Sturgess, 89 and George Manley, 68.

Rooms in which the pensioners lived measured 9 feet by 11 feet, with sloping low ceilings. The men cooked, ate and lived in the small cramped space into which furniture and belongings were stacked. The walls were cracked and the wind whistled in, but the men said that the rooms were better than the open in the winter and were the best they could get.

The camp is being renovated. Nine huts from the Cotter have been placed near the mess and the three roomed cottages from the camping reserved added. The cottages are being subdivided into four rooms each 10 by 11 feet, designed to accommodate one man to each room, providing a total accommodation for 21.

Painters are at work. When questioned, one painter declared they were not renovating but camouflaging the filth.

Officers of the Department of Interior stated that the alterations were designed as a temporary measure to cope with an influx of men for building projects.

Dr LW Nott said last night that the men had approached him in respect to their position. The conditions they had and they lived in pokey dens, badly-lit and ventilated, cold in winter and hot in summer. The problem of the pensioners was one which needed the serious consideration of every citizen of the ACT.

8th September, 1948

MEMORANDUM

THE SECRETARY

1. The Minister recently indicated that he had received some objections to a proposal for the building of a Workmen’s Hostel in Turner and he asked me by his Private Secretary and I suggested that the Minister might inspect the proposed site in company with the Director of Works and myself. He was unable to do this last week and has now requested that the facts of the matter be stated in a report. The following information is accordingly submitted.

2. The urgent necessity for additional workmen’s hostels arises from the fact that steps are being taken to bring a comparatively large numbers of workmen to Canberra from overseas according to arrangements made between the Department of Works and Housing and the Department of Immigration.

3. For the accommodation of additional artisans and others two workmen’s hostels have already been approved and are under construction, one on the slope of Mount Ainslie [Ainslie Hostel] and the other on the western side of Capital Hill [Hillside Hostel]. The Director of Works stated that two additional hostels were needed and the matter was the subject of discussion and consideration between departmental officers and the National Capital Planning & Development Committee, various sites being suggested as suitable.

4. The Minister for Works and Housing, who was interested in the establishment of the hostels as a result of an inspection of sites suggested by the Planning Committee on the lower slopes of Black Mountain, in Ainslie and Barton, stated that he was anxious that the building should not be provided on the outskirts of the City but should be reasonably near shops and other amenities. The Director of Works asked the planning Committee accordingly to collaborate in consideration of alternative sites and as a result the Committee accordingly to collaborate in consideration of alternative sites and as a result the Committee expressed the view that provided suitable architectural treatment were given to the buildings there would be little objection to the erection of one of the workmen’s hostels on land bounded by Hutton, Kinsley, Childers and Boldrewood Streets in the Division of Turner.

5. In making this suggestion the Committee realized that it would not be desirable for the type of buildings proposed to remain for a long period in such locality as the lane would, sooner or later, be required for permanent development. It felt, however, that for a number of years, and pending the provisions of the scheme for permanent general hostels to accommodate both workmen and other members of the community, it would not cause any serious embarrassment to allocate the site mentioned for the immediate purpose of a workmen’s hostel on a temporary basis.

6. The Director of Works arranged accordingly for the preparation of preliminary plans for the hostel, adopting a scheme for such compact building than had previously been designed for such hostels, and including reasonable provision for recreation and services...

Names of people living in Hostels recorded by Betty Forster from The Canberra Times.

Hillside Hostel

Boyko, Michael 1/10/1954

Clbrychtowicz, Dionizy 7/9/1952

Gawdunyk, Dmytro 18/1/1955

Mediansky, Feodor 24/8/1954

Sirk, Vladislav 1/9/1953

Wiszniewski, Stanislaw 2/11/1954

Other Hostels

Baranovskis, Antonia Gorman House 27/11/52

Blackburn, Valeria Lawley House 12/2/1951

Bosnich, Peter Captain’s Flat,

Brokman, David Barton House 4/11/1953

Buchta, Henryk Hotel Canberra 1/9/1949

Calabrese, Paola Weston 1/3/1955

Capek, Frantisek, Paola Reid House 6/1/1954

Covaein, Joseph George Hotel Canberra 14/5/1954

Czepul, Joseph Reid House 6/1/1955

Dabrowski, Jan Lambert Cotter Dam Hostel 29/11/1949

Gdowski, Jozef Riverside Hostel 26/8/1949

Jadwidzic, Wladyslaw Tadwusz Turner Hostel 17/10.1950

Lapiene, Vilius Capital Hill Hostel 18/5/1953

Lewis, Edward Henry Causeway Quarters 12/11/1928

Lobarzewski, Roman Capital Hill Hostel 3/10/1952

Markowski, Wladyslaw Tadeusz Juljusz Turner Hostel 17/10/1950

Mortello, Domencio Molonglo 16/1/1940

Naar, Lembitu Mulwala 15/2/1952

Pajewski, Mieczyslaw Capital Hill Hostel 29/3/1954

Pala, Stefan Capital Hill Hostel 5/6/1954

Polimeris, Chris Mulwala 15/10/1954

Pozzols, Guiseppe Dal Westlake 2/10/1937

Rakowski, Waclaw Eastlake Hostel 10/1/1950

Rodis, Nicholas Capital Hill Hostel 30/10/1953

Ruff, Oskar Riverside Hostel 10/1/1950

Schuls, Inge Mulwala 28/10/1955

Soave, Anonio Zefferine White City camp 4/6/1930

Truus, Helgi Mulwala 28/10/1953

Yaxa-Ladyzynsky, Jaropolk Mulwala 8/3/1955