Early Canberra

A new article has been published in the PEOPLE section.  It is a full description in the Queanbeyan Age in April 1915 of the farewell to Fred Sullivan of Springbank and his sister, Mrs Maguire.  The property, which was next to Canberry (later named Acton) was resumed by the Commonwealth in 1915 and Fred was uncertain of where he was to move.  His sister, also farewelled at a dinner moved to Queanbeyan.

Because the farewell was held in Queanbeyan the toasts would have been in alcohol.  The Federal Terrtitory was officially dry from 1911 until 1928.  That is the sale of alcohol was forbidden.  But of course, it was taken into the territory in large quantities.

Another short article was published in the section Canberra 1913 that appeared in a Tasmanian paper in 1911.  The description is of the beginnings of the small settlement of Acton and the  reference to the first building being erected probably refers to the Residency.