History Archives - Destination's Journey

14 August 202414 August 2024

Parbury Ruins

Located on the corner of Pottinger and Windmill Streets in Millers Point, Sydney, the Parbury Ruins were uncovered during the construction of an apartment block. Once excavated and recorded by archaeologists, the developers modified their design to retain the ruins, preserving them.

Access to the underground area is by appointment only, or during special open days. We booked tickets through Sydney Open, but they are also available from Museums of History New South Wales . If you are unable to book tickets, there are three windows displays showcasing broken ceramics and other items excavated from the ruins.

The ruins consist of the footings of a two-bedroom cottage from the 1820s, as well as the remains of a stone kitchen with a fireplace and a sink. Outside the dwelling are remnants of a verandah and a well. The well had been filled in, but contained the remains of ceramics and other items, many of which are on display.

Originally a dockworker’s home, the cottage was built of sandstone blocks cut by convicts from a local quarry. The cottage was probably demolished by the late 1860s or early 1870s when new wharves and bond stores were developed in the area.

A guide took us through the ruins, explaining the history and likely uses of the different rooms. Access is by stairs, so is not wheelchair accessible. Once you have descended the stairs, you walk over the original floor and get a very close look at the sandstone structure.

This was a fun visit and it’s great that the ruins have been preserved for the future.

Original outside wall area Parbury Ruins — Original outside wall area looking over the ruins to the entrance at ground level

19 March 202411 March 2024

Old Parliament House Canberra

Only intended as a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House in Canberra actually operated as the seat of government from 1928 until 1988. At this time the government move to the new Parliament House on Capital Hill.

It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy as well as other temporary exhibitions.

Getting There

Car parking is available on King George Terrace as well as in its own car park.

History

Once the independent Australian colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory was established for the development of the new Capital Canberra. With Federation occurring in 1901, it took until 1928 for the Provisional Parliament House to be built. Until this time, Parliament met in Melbourne.

Outside the building are statues of two women: Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons. Dorothy Tagney was the first female Australian senator, while Enid Lyons was the first female in the House of Representatives. Both were elected in 1943.

At the front of the building is a large statue of King George V, the reigning monarch when Australia achieved independence. Another statue of the King is located in the main entrance hall.

The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

King George V Memorial — The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

The House of Representatives

To reflect the inheritance of the Westminster System, the House of Representatives is predominantly green, with the carpet and chairs this colour. The Speaker Seat is a copy of the one in The House of Commons presented to Australia by Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926. Interestingly, the original seat in London was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. The one used now is a copy of the Australian copy, gifted to the House of Commons by the Australian Parliament.

Visitors are free to walk around the chamber and view the area as the politicians used to.

Entrance to the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Old Parliament House Canberra — Entrance to the House of Representatives

Prime Ministers Office

Considering the importance of the office, it is remarkably small with small desk and meeting area.

Government Party Room Old Parliament House Canberra — The Prime Minister’s Office

Speaker of the House Office

Being almost as large as the Prime Minister’s office shows the importance of the Speaker in the running of Parliament.

The Speakers' Office Old Parliament House Canberra — The Speakers’ Office

The Senate

Predominantly red in colour to reflect its association with the British House of Lords, the Senate Chamber is far less crowded than the House of Representatives. Each senator had their own desk. This was because there were only half the number of senators in the same sized room.

President of the Senate

Senators' Meeting Room Old Parliament House Canberra — Suite of the President of the Senate

Special Exhibitions

A replica set of the British Crown Jewels are on display during our visit. Excellent copies of the originals, great to see and certainly easier to visit than going to London.

Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria's crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right) — Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

What Did We Think?

A great place to learn about how Australian democracy works. Not only an interesting old building with its own importance, but a showcase of how the Westminster style of government operates.

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US Battleship USS Florida BB-30

US Battleship USS Florida BB-30

USS Florida (BB-30) was the lead ship of her class of dreadnought battleships for the US Navy. Launched on 12 May 1910, she was commissioned on 15 September 1911.

During World War One, she was sent to reinforce the British Grand Fleet, where she undertook patrols of the North Sea and escorted convoys to Norway. She did not engage ships of the German High Seas Fleet.

Post-war she was heavily modernised from 1924 to 1926. This included strengthening her deck armour, adding torpedo bulges, the removal of her submerged torpedo tubes and rear lattice mast and trunking her two funnels into one. Four 5″ guns on sponsons were also removed. Her machinery was significantly upgraded by utilising the oil fired boilers removed from battleships and battlecruisers that were scrapped under the Washington Treaty.

The terms of the 1930 London Treaty required the reduction in size of the signatories’ battle fleets. USS Florida was decommissioned on 16 February 1931 and sold for scrap.