Tim the Yowie Man leads us into the seemingly unassuming yellow-ochre bagged-concrete building nestled between Capital and State Circles in Canberra, revealing its history dating back to its construction around 1910 or 1911.
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00:00 Plastered in graffiti and perched beside a busy road here in the Parliamentary Triangle,
00:06 many passers-by believe that this building is actually a public toilet or perhaps an electrical
00:12 substation. However, it's neither. It's an historic building that dates back to the planning days for
00:20 the Federal Capital. In fact, it's recognised as the earliest still-standing building constructed
00:27 specifically for the Federal Capital. Between 1910 and 1912, a government surveying camp
00:37 was set up around here and they soon realised they needed somewhere safe to store their plans,
00:43 their equipment from vermin, water and fire. And so, this concrete stronghold was built.
00:51 It survived all the other tents and temporary structures in the camp and is now the most
00:56 tangible reminder of that historic surveyor's camp. So, what's inside now? The National Capital
01:05 Authority, who are current custodians of the building, recently allowed me a peek inside.
01:10 Now, far from holding any precious documents today, it's filled with cobwebs, a broom in one
01:15 corner and a rudimentary bench in the other with a few props that I'm advised aren't original from
01:21 the site. There are also indications there was once a fire inside, possibly the result of vandalism
01:27 several decades ago. So, although there may not be much inside it now, it's fascinating to know
01:34 that this modest structure once held the blueprint for the Canberra we love today.
01:40 Another little-known secret of the Parliamentary Triangle.
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