Parliament of Australia: 20th Anniversary 1988 - 2008

Australia's Parliament House - 20th Anniversary 1988 – 2008

Australia's new Parliament House, designed by Romaldo Giurgola of Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects, was opened on 9 May 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

About the House magazine – special edition

The June 2008 issue of the About the House magazine is a special edition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Parliament House. Highlights include feature articles on:

Pride of Place – Twenty years after the opening of Parliament House and many still think it looks as good as new. For the 10,000 men and women who transformed a Canberra hill into a national icon, it's a place they revisit with pride.
Best of the best –To bring the vision of architects Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp to reality, thousands of men and women contributed their skills and hard work to the Parliament House project.
Views of the hill – Three leading Australian architects have their say on Parliament House and its enduring legacy.

About the House is a free magazine on the work of the House of Representatives, including news and features on the public inquiries being conducted by House of Representatives committees. To order your free copy email: liaison.reps@aph.gov.au or phone freecall 1800 139 299.

Parliament House Open Day –
10 May 2008

Parliament House Open Day

Poster Competition Gallery

Pride of Place Documentary

A 40-minute television documentary, Pride of Place, about the men and women who designed and built Parliament House, premiered at Open Day.

Copies of the documentary on DVD or video are now available for $19.80 (including GST and postage). Email liaison.reps@aph.gov.au or phone freecall 1800 139 299 to order or for more details.

Pride of Place Documentary

A 40-minute television documentary, Pride of Place, about the men and women who designed and built Parliament House, premiered at Open Day.

Copies of the documentary on DVD or video are now available for $19.80 (including GST and postage). Email liaison.reps@aph.gov.au or phone freecall 1800 139 299 to order or for more details.

The documentary was produced by the Liaison and Projects Office, Department of the House of Representatives in association with Broadcasting Content, Department of Parliamentary Services.

Parliament Open Day – 10 May 2008

On 10 May, the doors of Australia's Parliament House were opened to the public. Over 8000 people visited and enjoyed tours of the building, the Senate and House of Representatives Chambers, the Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet Room.

The Open Day co-incided with the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Parliament House. The focus of the day was to pay tribute to the men and women who built Parliament House.

20th Anniversary ceremony

A ceremony was held in the Great Hall of Parliament House to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the official opening of Parliament House.

The ceremony paid tribute to all involved in the building of Parliament House and included performances by Corroboree College, Voices of Canberra choir, Elektra, and Dein Perry's Tap Dogs (pictured right).

View the 20th Anniversary Photogallery.

Schools' Poster competition

A School's Poster competiton was held in conjuction with the 20th Anniversary of Parliament House. The theme of the posters was "It's Our House".

Winners were announced on Open Day. Congratulations to:

First place: Carey Baptist College, Canning Vale, Western Australia
Second place: Diamond Creek East Primary School, Diamond Creek, Victoria
Third place: Regents Park Primary School, Regents Park Queensland

Thank you to all who entered this competition. View a selection of the posters from all States and Territories at the online poster gallery.

For further information contact
Liaison and Projects Office
Department of the House of Representatives
Phone Freecall: 1800 139 299
Email: liaison.reps@aph.gov.au