Sunken Stories of Old Acton

Reading List

There are many dedicated historians and community members who have written about the history and people of Acton. The following is a selection of websites and publications that we can recommend for those interested in learning more. Where an online link is available the text has been underlined. We will continue to update this list, and welcome suggestions.

Websites

www.earlycanberra.webs.com (website by Ann Gugler)
www.hiddencanberra.webs.com (website by Ann Gugler)
www.canberracamps.webs.com (website by Ann Gugler)

Books

  • ACT Council on the Ageing. (1992). Memories of Canberra [transcribed from ABC Radio 2CN broadcasts during ACT Seniors Weeks in 1991 and 1992]. Canberra, ACT: ABC Radio 2CN 666.
  • AFP/NAA. (2003). A History of the Australian Federal Police (incorporating the Australian Protective Services). Canberra, ACT: Australian Federal Police/National Archives of Australia.
  • AFP. (2013). On Duty: Celebrating a Centenary of Policing in Canberra. Canberra, A.C.T.: Australian Capital Territory Policing.
  • Agostino, M. (2009). The Australian National University School of Art: A history of the first 65 years. Canberra, ACT: Australian National University School of Art.
  • Andrews, W. C. et al. (1990). Canberra's engineering heritage (2nd edition). Barton, ACT: Canberra Division, The Institution of Engineers, Australia.
  • Aslanides, T. & Stewart, J. (1988). Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press.
  • Banks, J. & Gaardboe, M. (1996). Buildings and landscapes: The Australian National University, Canberra: Acton Campus and Mt. Stromlo. Canberra, ACT: Divisions of Facilities and Services and Public Affairs, ANU.
  • Barrow, G. (1998). Canberra's historic houses: Dwellings and ruins of the 19th century. Canberra, ACT: Dagraja Press.
  • Canberra Stories Group. (2000). Settlers stories [1913-1975]: Why they came and stayed in Canberra. Murrumbateman, NSW: Canberra Stories Group.
  • Canberra Community Hospital. (c. 1965). Canberra Community Hospital: Handbook of the hospital. Canberra, ACT: Canberra Community Hospital.
  • Clues, D.S. (1983). The Federal Golf Club story 1933-1983. Canberra, ACT: Federal Golf Club, Canberra, ACT.
  • Daley, C. (1994). As I recall: Reminiscences of early Canberra. Cook, ACT: The Mulini Press in assocation with the Canberra & District Historical Society.
  • Finlayson, D. (2008). A geological guide to Canberra Region and Namadgi National Park /​ compiled by D.M. Finlayson. Canberra, ACT: Geological Society of Australia (ACT Division).
  • Fitzgerald, A. (1987). Canberra in two centuries: A pictorial history. Torrens, ACT: Clareville Press.
  • Fitzhardinge, L. F. (1983). Old Canberra and the search for a capital (2nd edition). Canberra, ACT: District & Historical Society.
  • Foskett, A. (2007). A home in the capital: Stories about life in Canberra's hostels. Campbell, ACT: Alan Foskett.
  • Foskett, A. (2010). The memories linger on: More about Canberra's historic hostel and hotel eras. Campbell, ACT: Alan Foskett.
  • Foskett, A, & Sutton, S. (2013). Caring for the community: Rain hail or shine. Canberra, ACT: ACT Community Nursing History Group.
  • Gibbney, J. (1988). Canberra 1913-1953. Canberra, ACT: Australian Government Publishing Service.
  • Gillespie, L. (1991). Canberra 1820-1913. Canberra, ACT: Australian Government Printing Service
  • Gugler, A. (1994). The Builders of Canberra, 1909-1929: Part one, temporary camps & settlements / researched and compiled by Ann Gugler. Canberra: CPN Publications.
  • Gugler, A. (1999). True Tales from Canberra's Vanished Suburbs of Westlake, Westridge & Acton / written by the children of Westlake Westridge, Acton & others; compiled by Ann Gugler. Canberra: CPN Publications.
  • Gugler, A. (1997). Westlake - One of the vanished ‘suburbs' of Canberra / researched and compiled by Ann Gugler. Fyshwick, ACT: CPN Publications.
  • Gugler, A (2009). A Story of Capital Hill. Canberra, ACT.
  • Hunter, M. (1998). Over my shoulder: Growing up with Canberra from the 1930's. Murrumbatemum, NSW: Canberra Stories Group.
  • Ide, A. (1994). Royal Canberra Hospital: An account of its origins and development, the first forty years, 1914 to 1954 /​ compiled by Arthur Ide. Canberra, ACT: Arthur Ide.
  • Machen, M. (2000). Pictorial history Canberra. Sydney: Kingsclear Books
  • Mawer, G. A. (2011). Canberry tales: An informal history. North Melbourne: Arcadia.
  • Mildenhall, W., J. (1993). Images of early Canberra: Photographs from the Mildenhall collection in the custody of Australian Archives. Canberra, ACT: AGPS Press.
  • McGilvray, A. J. (1973). The hallowed high adventure. Surrey Hills, NSW: Devonshire Press.
  • Proudfoot, P. (1994). The Secret Plan of Canberra. Kensington, NSW: Universtiy of New South Wales Press.
  • Robinson, F. W. (1927). Canberra's First Hundred Years and After. Sydney, NSW: W.C. Penfold & Co. Limited
  • Robinson, R. (1984). Yabbies at Acton: a Story of Canberra, 1913-1927. Gordon, NSW: R. Robinson
  • Rolland, W. M. (1988). Growing up in Canberra: Birthpangs of a capital city. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press.
  • Royal Canberra Golf Club. (1977). Royal Canberra golf club jubilee history 1926-1976. Canberra, ACT: Royal Canberra Golf Club
  • Sandilands, J. (2001). Helen Macpherson Schutt, Philanthropist, 17 April 1874-19 April 1951. Melbourne: Helen M Schutt Trust.
  • Schumack, S. (1967). An autobiography of tales and legends of Canberra Pioneers. Canberra, ACT: Australian National University Press.
  • Selth, P. A. (1976). Canberra Collection. Kilmore, Victoria: Lowden Publishing Co.
  • Taylor, K. (2006). Canberra: City in the landscape. Broadway, NSW: Halstead Press; Canberra / National Capital Authority.
  • West, F. (1980). University house: Portrait of an institution. Canberra, ACT: Australian National University Press.
  • Wigmore, L. (1972). Canberra: History of Australia's national capital. Canberra, ACT: Dalton Publishing Company.
  • Wright, W. Davis. (1923) Canberra, Sydney: John Andrew & Co.
  • Young, L. (2007). Lost houses of the molonglo valley. Charwood, ACT: Ginninderra Press.

Articles, Journals and Newsletters

  • "Acton hall when Canberra was younger". (1946, July 9). The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926-1995), p. 4. Retrieved February 4, 2014, from
  • Brackenreg, J. R. (1985). "Brackenreg Lives and Times", Canberra Historical District Historical Society, new series no. 15, March 1985, pp. 1-12 [Libraries ACT - H SER 994.7 CANB; Mar. 1973]
  • Canberra Community Action on Acton [Newsletter]. 1993-. Canberra: Canberra Community Action on Acton
  • Master, A. (2002). A short history of the Australian Federal Police, in AUSPOL: The official publication of the Australian federal police association and alaja, Issue 3, 2002, pp. 15-17. North Melbourne, VIC: Austral Media Group.
  • National Trust of Australia (ACT). (2007). A heritage tour of Acton [Brochure]. Canberra, ACT: National Trust of Australia (ACT).

Surveys, Reports, Heritage Listings