Brett Odgers
Canberra resident with memories of Acton
Born: 1939 at the first Canberra Community Hospital (now part of the ANU)
Interview: December 2013
“My name is Brett Odgers. I was born in the original Canberra Community Hospital at Acton, the one up near the Vice Chancellor's residence at the ANU now. Canberra being only 8 or 9,000 people when I was born, half of my friends were north-siders and I can name several that lived in the Acton area. I am very fond of Acton, and my memories are quite vivid of those days. I went to kindergarten in Acton and then, after a few years at Telopea Park school, I spent five years at the old Canberra High School (located where the ANU School of Art is now).
I have been involved in many community consultation and planning processes regarding Acton Peninsula and West Basin since 1991. I am active in the Canberra and District Historical Society and am currently Chair of the Canberra Chapter of the Walter Burley Griffin Society. Apart from four or five years as an Immigration officer overseas I have lived in Canberra all my life.”
Video
In this extended compilation, past Acton residents and Canberra locals share their feelings on how the area has changed since the construction of Lake Burley Griffin. There were many varied responses, ranging from opinions on how the lake has directly impacted on Acton, to its influence on Canberra more broadly. Read more