Group of people at the Sydney Building, c. 1960s. Canberra Press Photography Collection, CMAG, 2020.
In November 2027, we will celebrate the centenary of Civic’s iconic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings with a special exhibition exploring their rich history and the people who brought them to life.
As the first commercial buildings in Civic, the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings played a vital role in the development of Canberra’s city centre. Designed by Federal Capital Advisory Committee architect Sir John Sulman, the buildings drew inspiration from the 15th-century Foundling Hospital in Florence, Italy.
Leases for individual sections of the buildings were first offered for sale in 1924. In a unique arrangement, each leaseholder was responsible for constructing their own section of the building. The Sydney Building was completed in 1927, with both RJ Dunne’s stationery and tobacco store and JW Prowse’s newsagency and hairdressing business claiming to be the first to open their doors to the public. Economic downturns during the 1920s and 1930s slowed development, and parts of the Melbourne Building were not completed until 1946. The absence of a central managing body also contributed to the buildings’ patchwork appearance for many years, a situation only recently addressed through revitalisation works.
One leaseholder’s shopfront under construction, c. 1926. National Archives of Australia A3560, 2491
Over the past century, the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings have housed hundreds of businesses, services and organisations. They have been home to government departments, community groups, diplomatic missions and a university. Among the many memorable businesses were the Blue Moon Café, Verity’s Bookshop, the Private Bin, Mooseheads, Snow’s Drapery, Fletcher Jones, Ally Nish Sports Store and the Charcoal Restaurant.
The buildings have also witnessed significant moments in Canberra’s history. They provided the backdrop for celebrations marking the end of the Second World War and for Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to the national capital. They have survived major disasters, including the devastating 1953 fire that destroyed more than half of the western side of the Melbourne Building and the 2002 Mooseheads fire.
Community Call-Out
We are seeking community members who can help us tell the story of these remarkable buildings.
Whether you were a business owner, employee, regular customer, or have family connections to the Sydney or Melbourne Buildings, we would love to hear from you.
We are particularly interested in people willing to:
• Share oral histories or written recollections
• Lend photographs, memorabilia or other items for display in the exhibition
If you can help, please email CMAG@act.gov.au with the subject line ‘Sydney and Melbourne Buildings’.
Richard Strangman, The Sydney Building, c. 1950s. Gift of Gael Newton AM and Paul Costigan, 2023.
Ted Richards, Bus inspectors at the Melbourne Building, c. 1960s. Purchased 2023