Alright, as you continue along the path, keep your eyes peeled to the right. You’ll soon see a grand building with strong symmetrical facades. Look for tall windows arranged in vertical bays and a central entrance highlighted with tall, formidable columns leading to an expressed portico.
Welcome to the John Gorton Building! This heritage-listed landmark is the administrative hub for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Originally known as the Administrative Building, it stands proudly in Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle, showcasing the Inter-war Stripped Classical style.
Started in 1924, designed in 1946, and completed in 1956-yup, it took quite a journey to get here, just about as long as a kangaroo hopping across the Outback! Its features include symmetrical facades, vertical bays, and classical column forms, making it a true architectural gem in Canberra.
The building also adds to the cultural landscape of the Parliamentary Triangle, standing in a strategic location that was part of the grand vision of the 1916 Griffin plan. It’s got quite the neighbor across the central lawns too-the Treasury Building, making the area look like the carefully laid out masterpiece it was meant to be.
First occupied by the News and Information Bureau, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Health, and the Department of External Affairs, this building has seen many important decisions and developments over the decades. Renamed in 1999 in honor of Australia's 19th Prime Minister, John Gorton, it’s now a critical piece of Australia’s federal operations puzzle.
Oh, and about the bunker-it’s infamous! Built with steel-lined walls and a concrete superstructure in the 1970s to keep sensitive communications secure, it might not be as dramatic as Hollywood makes it out to be, but it sure adds a nice touch of mystery to the building’s story.
So, take a moment to admire its grandeur and think about all the pivotal moments in Australian history that have passed through these very corridors!
