The Early Development of the Australian National University

Building Australia's National University: 75 Years of the Australian National University

Following the passing of the Act, an Interim Council appointed the first Vice-Chancellor, economist Professor Douglas Copland, and the Academic Advisory Committee, consisting of Nobel Prize winner Sir Howard Florey, physicist Professor Mark Oliphant, historian Keith Hancock and anthropologist Professor Raymond Firth. The Easter Conference brought together members of the Interim Council, the Academic Advisory Committee, the Vice-Chancellor and academics from across Australia.  

At the time the total population of the ACT was 17,000 and Canberra was still very much the ‘Bush Capital’. Attractive facilities were being developed around Canberra but the proposal to establish a first-rate research university in an isolated town, though endorsed by many, seemed to others to require the greatest leap of faith. 

The University would initially consist of four research schools comprising 22 departments. These schools were the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Research School of Physical Sciences, Research School of Social Sciences and Research School of Pacific Studies.  

The 250 acre site that had been set aside for the ANU was occupied by temporary accommodation for Canberra’s administration. In April 1948 none of these existing buildings had been officially taken over by the ANU and while a few piles of timber from dismantled army huts had been delivered, no sod had yet been turned for new accommodation. The Institute of Anatomy (later the National Film and Sound Archive) was the venue for the Easter Conference. 

Professor Brian Bannatyne Lewis, the foundation chair of Architecture at the University of Melbourne, was appointed as consultant site and building architect. He attended the Easter Conference with a bundle of plans, having just returned from studying university design in Europe.

During the Easter Conference, Lewis devised his concept for the new Australian National University in Acton. Visible in his drawings were Black Mountain and the Molonglo River. The damming of the Molonglo to form a large lake in the middle of the city was a feature of the original plan for the national capital. Although Lewis depicts the university forecourt coming right down to the lake, Lake Burley Griffin did not eventuate for another 16 years. 

 

References

Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, ANU Heritage Study: Acton Campus. Volume 1: Heritage Study, https://services.anu.edu.au/files/document-collection/Volume_1_of_the_ANU_Acton_Campus_Heritage_Study.compressed.pdf

Dexter, D 1991, The ANU Campus, Australian National University Press, Canberra. 

Banks, J & Gaardboe, M 1996, Building and Landscapes: the Australian National University, Canberra, ANU Divisions of Facilities and Services and Public Affairs, Canberra.   

 

Meeting of the ANU Interim Council and the Academic Advisory Council at the Easter Conference, 1 April 1948 (ANUA15-1-1).

Meeting of the ANU Interim Council and the Academic Advisory Council at the Easter Conference, 1 April 1948 (ANUA15-1-1).

Sir Mark Oliphant, Sir William (Keith) Hancock and Sir Howard Florey inspect the site of the new Australian National University, 1 April 1948 (ANUA226-895-1).

Sir Mark Oliphant, Sir William (Keith) Hancock and Sir Howard Florey inspect the site of the new Australian National University, 1 April 1948 (ANUA226-895-1).

Brian Lewis, the University's first architect; Sir Douglas Copland, ANU Vice-Chancellor; and RG Osborne, ANU Registrar at the Easter Conference, Canberra, April 1948 (ANUA15-1-4).

Brian Lewis, the University's first architect; Sir Douglas Copland, ANU Vice-Chancellor; and RG Osborne, ANU Registrar at the Easter Conference, Canberra, April 1948 (ANUA15-1-4).

ANU Registrar RG Osborne speaking with members of the ANU Academic Advisory Council, Sir Keith Hancock and Professor Raymond Firth during the Easter Conference, 1948 (ANUA15-1).

ANU Registrar RG Osborne speaking with members of the ANU Academic Advisory Council, Sir Keith Hancock and Professor Raymond Firth during the Easter Conference, 1948 (ANUA15-1).

University Architect Brian Lewis with Sir Howard Florey at the Easter Conference, April 1948 (ANUA12-1-9).

University Architect Brian Lewis with Sir Howard Florey at the Easter Conference, April 1948 (ANUA12-1-9).

Easter Conference attendees gathered outside the Institute of Anatomy, Acton, April 1948 (ANUA15-1-1).

Easter Conference attendees gathered outside the Institute of Anatomy, Acton, April 1948 (ANUA15-1-1).