• Mary Porter

Mary Porter AM MLA - Labor Member for Ginninderra

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THE PEARLY GRIFFIN: STILL GUARDING CANBERRA’S TREASURED COMMUNITY

    An ACT Government Media Release

    Katy Gallagher MLA, 7 December 2006

    THE PEARLY GRIFFIN: STILL GUARDING CANBERRA’S TREASURED COMMUNITY

    A unique slice of Canberra’s past was unveiled today when ACT Minister for Disability and Community Services, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA launched a social history of the old Griffin Centre.

    The Pearly Griffin: the history of the old Griffin Centre, was appropriately launched in the new Griffin Centre in Genge Street, Civic.

    The book, commissioned by the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services was edited by local writers Lizz Murphy and Sarah St Vincent Welch, and contains images from SeventyEight Commercial Photography. It tells the story of the old Griffin Centre and the Council of Cultural and Community Organisations who ran it, from its beginnings in the mid-1960s through to its demolition in 2005. It was the first of its kind in Australia.

    The book’s title comes from the name of the original emblem of the Centre — a griffin adorned with a string of pearls — drawn by Ian Mackay, a founding member of the Heraldry and Genealogy Society. Griffins are the guardians of gold or precious treasure.

    “It’s now 40 years since the opening of the original Griffin Centre,” Ms Gallagher said.

    “I am delighted that Ian Mackay’s quirky Pearly Griffin that signalled the beginning of community life in October 1966, along with the wonderful spirit of the Centre —lives on today in the new building, just across the way.”

    “The Griffin Centre and the Council of Cultural and Community Organisations nurtured a rich and diverse community and cultural life at a time when Canberra was fairly limited in social activities. Literally hundreds of organisations began life in the old Centre.”

    “I acknowledge the work of those people who were instrumental in establishing an essential meeting place for Canberrans. It is most appropriate that many of these memories and stories have been captured to become part of our collective heritage.”

    “The Griffin Centre has always been a place share ideas and common interests, to learn new skills and to provide help and information. A great many Canberrans have a connection here”.


    This document is also available on the Chief Minister's Media Release site

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