Mount Stromlo History

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue54 1–31 August 2024

As part of the centenary of the establishment of the Commonwealth Solar Observatory, which became the Commonwealth Observatory, then Mount Stromlo Observatory, then Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, and now the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, we will have a bit of the quirky and unique history.

There are two books on the history that go a lot more in depth and are very interesting! In January 1924 the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established at Mount Stromlo in Canberra. The site was described by the first director, Walter Geoffrey Duffield, as a dream; set high among the rocks and lizards and miles from anywhere. Overlooking nothing but empty plains and the Brindabella Range, it was the perfect place for astronomical research and discovery.

Duffield, when he arrived in late October 1924, was eager to commence work. However, he was disappointed to discover little to no work had been undertaken. The site was plagued with multiple setbacks and bureaucratic delays (some things never change!) In town, Canberra's new hotel “Hostel De Luxe”, which would later be the Hotel Canberra and now the Hyatt Hotel, was also under construction. Duffield and his wife, Doris; daughter, Joan; and two sons, Peter and Michael, took up residence in November 1924 - one month before the hotel’s official opening. In fact, they were the first to sign the guest register. By January 1926, the Duffield’s occupied a suite of six rooms and a makeshift observatory was established from the hostel’s pavilion.

In late 1926 the Commonwealth Solar Observatory building was completed and the arduous task began of relocating equipment by horse-drawn cart – 11km from near Parliament House all the way up the mountain. The family moved into the Director’s residence in 1928, which became a key social venue for Canberra, hosting beautiful musical evenings for prime ministers, politicians and even royalty.

Brad Tucker

Image: Hostel No 1 circa 1924. Photo taken by Joan Duffield.