The Opening of Canberra, Australia's Capital City

Abstract

A documentary film recording the opening of Parliament House in Canberra on 9 May 1927. The ceremony is attended by the Duke and Duchess of York, Prime Minister Stanley M. Bruce, and Governor-General Lord Stonehaven. Dame Nellie Melba leads the Philharmonic Society choir in the National Anthem. The Duke of York formally opens the doors of Parliament House and delivers a brief address. The film also captures a religious service conducted by the Acting Primate of the Anglican Church and a review of 3,000 troops representing all units and battalions of the Commonwealth Defence Forces. This is a condensed version of the original footage, held by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA ID 10536). Cinematography by Bert Ive; produced by the Commonwealth of Australia, Development and Migration Commission, and Cinema and Photographic Branch. Show more