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Theme: Beginnings Artist: Walter Burley GRIFFIN Birth/Death: 1876–1937 Title: Commonwealth of Australia Federal Capital competition: City and Environs Credit Line: National Archives of Australia In 1908, the Canberra site was chosen for Australia’s National Capital after years of contentious debate over proposals for some 60 locations. The Minister for Home Affairs, King O’Malley, declared it would ‘rival London in size, Athens in art, and Paris in beauty’. In 1912 American Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for the new capital was chosen from among 137 entries received in an international design competition. Second prize was awarded to Eliel Saarinen of Finland, and third prize to Alfred Agache of France. The only Australian entry, submitted by Walter Scott Griffiths, Robert Coulter and Charles Caswell was the choice of the Chairman of the Adjudicators. More details Click image to enlarge