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CABL_ 1 G BEr_, FORE M. IDiNLGHT 23 APRIL
FOR PRESS: BRITISH GIFT TO CANBERRA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mvr John Gorton
An Australian firm, Messrs Cameron, Chisholm and
Nicol of Perth, has won the competition conducted by the British
Government to select a design for a structure to house a carillon in
Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin.
The carillon and the structure to house it will be built
on Aspen Island in the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin. The cost
will be met from a gift of Fœ ( stg. ) 200, 000 made by the British Government
in 1963 to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Canberra.
Six firms of architects, three British and three
Australian, were invited to compete in a limited design competition.
The British firms were Messrs Ahrens, Burton and Koralek of London;
Messrs Eldred Evans and Denis Galley of London; and Messrs Robert
Maguire and Keith Murray of Richmond, Surrey. The Australian firms
were Messrs Cameron, Chisholm and Nicol of Perth; Messrs McKay
and Cox of Sydney; and Messrs Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and Woolley
of Sydney. Their designs were assessed by Lord Holford ( a past
President of t-he Royal Institute of British Architects); Sir Donald
Gibson ( Director-General of R.=-search and Development of the British
Ministry of Public Buildings and Works and former President of
R. I. B. A. and Sir John Overall ( Chairman of the National Capital
Planning Committee, Canberra).
The assessors, in commenting on their unanimous
choice, stated
" The winning entry is a design which is simple, ingenious and
impressive. From the point of view of playing the carillon
and hearing the bells from all sides, the design is convenient
and practical The three triangular elements reflect the
geometry cf the layout of Canberra, and as a monument
possesses a timeless quality.
The Government is naturally delighted that an Australian
firm has won the competition. It is a happy omen that this British gift
to our National Capital will be designed by Australians.
The carillon and its structure will be a notable additioin
to the National Capital and all the designs which were submitted to the
assessors will be brought to Canberra where arrangements will be made
for their display, after they have been on exhibition in Australia House.
CANBERRA, 24 April, 1968