Canberra Residents Build Networks Uncovering City's Hidden History

More than 120 people joined a July 5 walking tour of mid-century housing along Wakefield Avenue in Ainslie, organised by the Canberra and District Historical Society.

The renewed focus on local history arrives as Canberra marks steady population growth and new development pressures on older neighbourhoods. Residents point to the need to document stories from the 1950s and 1960s before further changes alter streetscapes in places such as Reid and Braddon.

Networks at work on the ground

The Canberra and District Historical Society runs its core program from a modest office on Bligh Street in Reid, coordinating with the Ainslie Arts Centre on Wakefield Avenue for monthly talks and archive sessions. A separate stream of self-guided maps now covers Northbourne Avenue terraces, produced in partnership with the National Trust of Australia (ACT) and distributed at the Canberra Museum and Gallery on London Circuit.

These efforts draw on volunteer researchers who meet weekly to cross-check building records and resident interviews. One recent project mapped original 1962 landscaping plans for streets in O'Connor, revealing plant species that have since disappeared from many yards.

Attendance data released by the society in June shows membership rose from 480 in 2023 to 672 this year. Average event turnout stands at 95 participants, up from 62 two years earlier. Tickets for the Ainslie walks cost $15, with concessions at $10.

Next steps for participants

The society will open registration for its August 9 tour of Reid government housing on July 20, limited to 80 spots. Volunteers also invite new contributors to submit photographs or documents at the Bligh Street office before the end of the month. Residents can access the updated Northbourne Avenue map free at the Canberra Museum and Gallery during regular opening hours.