ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection
HMSS 0008 Ann Gugler Collection
Scope and Content Notes
Call No. | HMSS 0008 |
---|---|
Collection | Ann Gugler Collection |
Date Range | 1912-1991 |
Quantity | 2.5m |
Access Conditions | open |
Copying Conditions | with attribution |
Related Collections | - |
Ann Gugler was born in Collarenabri, NSW, and came to Canberra with her parents in 1940. The family lived in Westlake 1941-1959, then moved into a 1930s house in Hackett Gardens, Turner. Although most of the camps had been dismantled by 1940, the settlements such as Westlake remained. Having grown up in Canberra between the early construction era and the major development of the city that began in the 1960s, the camps and settlements period from 1914 to the 1930s has always been of interest to her.
Ann qualified as a teacher in Sydney, then taught in Canberra high schools from 1958 until her retirement in 1992. From 1962 she included in her courses a study of Canberra architecture from the pre-national capital era to the current period. She also conducted annual excursion tours around Canberra, linking its architecture with international architectural trends and the major architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin, Le Corbusier, Gropius and Mies Van de Rohe. From 1989 to 1992 she also included in the course information about the construction era in Canberra.
Since retirement, Ann has researched and published several books on the construction period, including The Builders of Canberra, 1909-1920. (1994), Westlake – One of the Vanished Suburbs of Canberra (1997), The Builders of Canberra; Where they Lived 1913-1959 (1999), Canberra’s Construction Camps, Early Houses and Selected Documents (2001) and A Story of Capital Hill (2009). During 2001-2002 she transcribed Canberra’s early electoral rolls, rearranged them by suburb, and published them.
She also compiled True Tales from the Vanished Suburbs of Westlake, Westridge and Acton (1997), contributed photographs to an exhibition staged by Signadou College in 1999, entitled My Land, My House, My Home; Canberra and Region, and produced a walking tour brochure of Stirling Park, formerly Westlake, (ca 2001), a CD on its archaeology from the Westlake period (2006), and a Westlake newsletter (from 2007).
The collection as received was in no particular order, and without constraint on any future order that might be imposed. It consists of photographs, photocopies of maps and plans, archaeological specimens and documentation, some oral history transcripts, unorganised handwritten notes, photocopies of documents, typewritten transcripts of documents together with typewritten notes incorporating transcripts (under headings), publicity material relating to the books, material related to Dickson College annual art show, and Ann Gugler’s personal documents.
As a general guide, Ann maintained a computer file of placenames and filed her information chronologically under these; as information came to hand, she would interfile with earlier information. Hard copy notes may be filed by research institution (mainly Australian Archives with some National Library photographs), published sources such as newspapers, oral histories, etc. Australian Archives documents and notes are annotated with source file numbers and may be grouped in number order, and departmental files by file name.
Contents lists for the wallets are indicative rather than comprehensive. Many of the papers are duplicated, often several times and in different wallets and combinations with other material. Original materials are rare.
The below list describes the documentary part of the collection only. The associated image collection is still being arranged and described.
Box List
BOX |
DESCRIPTION |
QTY |
DATE RANGE |
1 |
Photocopies of documents, mainly from Australian Archives, re Social Service Association, Royal tour of inspection 10 May 1927, correspondence with Canberra Community News, Welfare Association |
Wallet 1 |
1920 – 1931 |
1 |
Photocopies of documents concerning pay and facilities for labourers in city and forestry camps, lists of camp tenants, governance of the Arsenal town, social and sporting activities, manuscript notes, |
Wallet 2 |
1914 – 1936 |
1 |
Photocopies of documents relating to camp catering, lists of mess members, Social Service Association re community recreation facilities, tent rentals and occupant lists, the Arsenal and writing the Official History of Australia in World War 1 at Tuggeranong |
Wallet 3 |
1926 – 1929 |
1 |
Transcripts of meetings of residents with Minister for Home Affairs re closure of camps 1929 |
Wallet 4 |
1917 – 1929 |
1 |
Typescript notes of Ann Gugler’s memories of Westlake, with house plans and extracts from electoral rolls, ca 1991 |
Wallet 5 |
1919 – 1931, 1991 |
1 |
Transcripts of Australian Archive files and newspapers, 50 numbered pages, 1922-1928 |
Wallet 6 |
1917 – 1931 |
1 |
Photocopies and transcripts of documents relating to Canberra Brickworks, 1914-1923 |
Wallet 7 |
1914 – 1923 |
1 |
Photocopies of maps and plans, including the proposed Arsenal at Tuggeranong, 1910-1924 |
Wallet 8 |
1910 – 1924, 1992 |
1 |
Photocopies of reports re afforestation, mainly from Mr Brackenreg and Charles Weston |
Wallet 9 |
1917 – 1922 |
1 |
Photocopies of documents and correspondence re recreational facilities, schools, name plates for cottages, public telephones, unions and apprenticeships, police 1922-1934 |
Wallets 10, 11 |
1922 – 1934, 1990 |
1 |
Photocopies of: |
Wallet 12 |
1924 – 1930 |
2 |
Transcripts of documents relating to Social Service Association, camp welfare committees, schools, bus services, including several lists of people for various purposes, 1918-1929 |
Wallet 13 |
1918 – 1929 |
2 |
Transcripts and photocopies of documents, including several lengthy reports, relating to philosophy of building a new city, education services, St Gabriel’s school, religious facilities, the proposed Arsenal, The Gap (Westlake) Progress Association, an inquiry into Canberra housing, sewerage |
Wallet 14 |
1921 – 1929 |
2 |
Photocopies of documents relating to rental of tents and cottages, Canberra Community News, welfare, cricket, Social Service Association elections, swimming pool and other recreational facilities, notes for voters at the election of the third Commissioner, 2 February 1929 |
Wallet 15 |
1919 – 1929 |
2 |
Transcripts and photocopies of sewerage plans, documents and correspondence relating to Bachelors’ Quarters and other accommodation at Acton, Canberra Community News, picture shows at the camps, schools, 1918-1925 |
Wallet 16 |
1918 – 1925, 1991 |
2 |
Transcripts and photocopies of documents relating to schools, swimming baths, mainly at Acton, sporting and social events reported in Canberra Community News, provision of workmen’s mess |
Wallet 17 |
1921 – 1928 |
2 |
Transcripts relating mainly to the various camps, returned soldiers, 40 numbered pages of district activities reported in Canberra Community News, reports of accidents, Bachelors’ Quarters and Residency |
Wallet 18 |
1921 – 1927 |
2 |
Manuscript and typescript notes, photocopies of plans of Canberra Hospital, Powerhouse cottages, Molonglo Camp, Blandfordia Camp and Eastlake Camp, photocopies of maps of areas where camps were located |
Wallet 19 |
1915 – 1930 |
2 |
Photocopies and transcripts of documents re workmen’s accommodation and complaints, secondary schools, manuscript notes, map of Westlake marking residents listed on 1928 liquor poll |
Wallet 20 |
1923 – 1928 |
2 |
Photocopies of minutes of meeting of Australian Natives Association 1927, manuscript and typescript notes mainly of correspondence with the Federal Capital Commission on various topics including Social Service Association, typescript lists of applications for cottages |
Wallet 21 |
1925 – 1929 |
2 |
Transcripts of correspondence including Social Services Association, Surveyor-General re construction of cottages, |
Wallet 22 |
1921 – 1930 |
2 |
Photocopies of documents and maps concerning Jerrabomberra Creek diversion; plans of Russell Hill camp school, cottage rentals, city layout and railway crossing at the Causeway, the Arsenal |
Wallet 23 |
1916 – 1956 |
2 |
Transcripts of electoral rolls, mainly for rural locations and Jervis Bay |
Wallet 24 |
1922 – 1928 |
3 |
Annotated transcripts of 1913 census and 1928 electoral list |
Wallets 25, 26 |
1913 – 1928 |
3 |
Transcripts from accident reports, employment lists, newspaper advertisements indicating Canberra residents |
Wallet 27 |
1924 - 1928 |
3 |
Photocopies of documents relating to schools, agistment (with map), reafforestation areas (maps), conditions at Power House cottages, rental lists, recreation facilities including plan of camping site at Riverbourne, manuscript notes, quarries, Mt Stromlo construction, roads and sewerage works with map of North Intercepting Sewer proposed route |
Wallet 28 |
1919 – 1929 |
3 |
Photocopies of letters re Acton Cricket Club 1912 and YWCA 1934, catering in camps, cottages near Civic, maps of rural camp areas, manuscript notes |
Wallet 29 |
1912 – 1934 |
3 |
Transcripts of documents relating to workmen’s housing, Social Service Association, Russell Hill and Riverbourne settlements |
Wallet 30 |
1926 – 1929 |
3 |
Transcripts of documents relating to tent rental, camp sites and sanitation, deputations from progress associations, lists of tenants |
Wallet 31 |
1917 – 1928 |
3 |
Photocopies and transcripts of documents relating to sewers (with plan), electricity supply, cottage construction and rental, removal of sheds from Parliament House site after construction finished, sheds for private houses, catering in camp messes, tennis courts |
Wallet 32 |
1917 – 1927 |
3 |
Manuscript notes; sketch map of central and eastern camp sites, Westlake camp |
Wallet 33 |
1918 – 1928 |
3 |
Photocopies of correspondence re employment, tenancy, map of school routes, post office near Power House, Power House cottages |
Wallet 34 |
1920 – 1927 |
3 |
Photocopies and transcripts of documents relating to bus service for Oaks Estate 1946, Yarralumla Nursery, recreation hall Duntroon, improving camp conditions, housing shortages for public servants arriving after 1927 |
Wallet 35 |
1913 – 1947 |
3 |
Photocopies of documents relating to transporting children to school |
Wallet 36 |
1913 – 1923 |
4 |
Photocopies and transcripts relating to health, disbanding camps |
Wallet 37 |
1918 – 1930 |
4 |
Photocopies of maps including school site at Duntroon, Power House cottages, |
Wallet 38 |
1916 – 1930 |
4 |
Manuscript notes, including list of tenants of Old Mess House Duntroon 1918, sketch maps of working mean’s lots at Acton, Duntroon camp 1920s |
Wallet 39 |
1913 - 1929 |
4 |
Transcript of Social Service Association first annual report, 1926, and constitution (35 numbered pages) |
Wallet 40 |
1922 – 1928 |
4 |
Transcripts of lists of people resident in the Territory, free bus passes issued to members of Canberra Brass Band and Canberra Philharmonic Society, |
Wallet 41 |
1913 – 1929 |
4 |
Photocopies relating to the Causeway, including a list of entertainments in the Causeway Hall 1926; sanitation reports on the camps 1927 (16 numbered pages); lists of employment and tenancies, Printing Office staff quarters, approved traders in camps, 1913 census |
Wallet 42 |
1913 – 1927 |
4 |
Transcripts relating to allocation of houses, weekly rentals, residents in various camps, bus passes 1927, residents of tenements, Arsenal town, expenditure estimates on camps 1927-1928, outstanding rents, improvements to camps |
Wallet 43 |
1915 – 1926 |
4 |
Photocopies of maps, mainly suburbs and camps |
Wallet 44 |
1917 – 1926 |
4 |
Photocopied plan of roads radiating from Capital Hill with degrees of angle, proposed route of suggested water main, roads to Civic and university area at Acton, and to Railway Place |
Wallet 45 |
1917 – 1927 |
4 |
Transcripts of minutes of meeting May 1929 and other documents relating to Social Service Association; documents relating to temporary accommodation for workmen 1928; lists of people working for Postal Department 1929 and where they lived; Arsenal camp |
Wallet 46 |
1914 - 1929 |
4 |
Photocopies of maps relating to site for National Museum of Australian Zoology 1926, railway line, recreation ground Acton, plan of schoolmaster’s residence Molonglo settlement |
Wallet 47 |
1915 – 1929 |
4 |
Transcripts relating to Arsenal: town plan, tenants, services etc. Other transcripts mainly a repetition of earlier material |
Wallet 48 |
1917 – 1929 |