ArchivesACT has chosen files documenting the relocation and renovation of the Civic merry-go-round as its Find of the Month for March.
Archives said the merry-go-round opened in the city centre on Canberra Day 1974, however by that time it had already been operating in Melbourne for nearly 60 years.
“So why would the Commonwealth purchase and transport ageing amusement equipment of this type and set it up in the middle of Canberra?”, ArchivesACT asked.
“The decision was not without its detractors and there was some opposition from locals in Melbourne to the carousel leaving their city,” it said.
Archives said the attraction went up for auction on 28 September 1973 when it wasn’t working and was still located at the Fun Parlour on the St Kilda Esplanade in Melbourne.
“Mr James Pead, Chairman of the ACT Advisory Council, John Brigg the Assistant Director of the City Services Branch of the Department of Capital Territory and M Cantalli an engineer from the Traffic Branch inspected the merry-go-round,” it said.
“Their report considered that the merry-go-round was in fairly good condition and could be brought back to good working order with some restoration.”
Archives said the carousel, originally known as ‘Weniger’s Steam Riding Gallery’, was thought to hold historical significance due to the builder of the steam engine that originally powered it, Herbert Thomson, who designed and built one of the first steam powered cars in Australia.
“The purchase didn’t go unnoticed and generated quite a bit of commentary in the Melbourne newspapers, the day following the auction the Melbourne Sun newspaper reported that ‘efforts will be made to keep the St Kilda merry-go-round in Victoria’,” it said.
Archives said the merry-go-round needed repairs and maintenance in order for it to be operational for its official opening on 13 March 1974, which was achieved largely due to the efforts of many volunteers.
ArchivesACT’s Find of the Month for March can be accessed at this PS News link.
