ArchivesACT has looked back in time at the days before ACT self-government for its ‘Find of the Month’ for September, uncovering the Minutes of the Territory’s many and varied Advisory Committees that took the place of government before 1989.
On its website Archives said its Find highlighted a group of records revealing some of the issues occupying the minds of officials and residents of the Australian Capital Territory between 1959 and 1974.
It said that when the Federal Capital Territory was established in 1911, the 1,921 people who lived within its borders lost all rights to vote in either New South Wales or Federal elections.
It said that between 1911 and the introduction of self-government in 1989 several models tried to give the local community a voice in decisions about local administration.
“From 1912 an Administrator was appointed by the Federal Government,” the Archives said.
“That role was eventually replaced by the three-man Federal Capital Commission, appointed by the relevant Minister,” it said.
“In 1930 the Commission was replaced by the ACT Advisory Council, which consisted of three people elected by the community and four nominated by the Government.”
The Archives said one of the subjects that earnt considerable coverage in the minutes was the fluoridation of Canberra’s water supply.
The Advisory Council lobbied to Government to fluoridate the water from December 1961 till May 1964 when fluoride was first added to water supplies in Canberra and Queanbeyan, it said.
ArchivesACT is always keen to help anyone with their own research and its ‘Request for Record’ service can be accessed at this PS News link.