OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

K. Sources of Information
Part D – Appendices
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
375
Oral histories
Date of Interview Interviewee Connection with Old Parliament House
7 th November 1995 Mr Fred Johnston Employed at the time of the building of Old Parliament
House. 1924 worked in store room that was later the
garage. Responsible for looking after the fixtures and fittings
and signing out to the workmen on the building site.
25 th March 1996 Mr W H ‘Hec’
McMillan MBE
Work Old Parliament House 1939-1954 (Joint House Dept as
Clerk (1939 – 1946). Accountant and Asst Reporter Hansard
1946-1954
25 th March 1996 Miss Hazel Craig CBE Stenographer to 5 Prime Ministers. Working for Prime
Minister Menzies – ‘marvellous to work with’. Recalls VIP
visits by Generals Blamey and MacArthur.
3 RD April 1996 Margaret Gaffey,
Margaret Hyslop,
Margaret Kelly
3 rd April 1996 Mr Kenneth
Ross Ingram
Stenographers/switchboard operators. Reflections on the
Menzies era at Old Parliament House.
Father worked on Old Parliament House – tiler on bathrooms.
Ken at opening aged 13. Worked at Canberra Times.
Journalist. Office in Old Parliament House. Press Gallery in
OPH during Mr Ingram’s time was very small. Remembers Jo
Alexander, Jack Hewitt (AUP). Trained as a Hansard Reporter
in the Senate
17 th April 1996 Mr Rupert Loof Clerk of the Senate from 1955 to 1965. Present at the
opening in 1927
7 th August 1996 Mr Max Bourke Former General Manager at Old Parliament House.
3 rd May 1996 Jack Pettifer
Margaret Kelly
Jack Pettifer –Usher of the Black Rod. Parents
lived in Old Parliament House Caretaker’s flat.
Margaret Kelly, Member of Fadden’s staff. Worked at Old
Parliament House during WWII.
1996 Mr Jack Jenkins Joiner and Maintenance Officer.
18 th December 1997 The Hon Neil Robson Member of the Senate during the 1970s. MHA (Lib) Bass
(Tas).
13 th November 1999 Mr Noel C Hattersley ABC. Responsible for installing broadcasting equipment into
Old Parliament House.
20 th December 1999 Mrs Claire Craig Started working in Old Parliament House in 1940. Worked
for Sir Walter Cooper after the defeat of the Chifley Govt.
Donated silver ice jug and pewter mug. Worked in Eddie
Ward’s office in Sydney before coming to Canberra.
2 nd December 1999 Mr Jim Hourigan Cabinet Attendant – Cabinet Office.
7 th March 2001 Mr Joe Medwin Commander of Police operations for VIP visits. Head of motor
cycle escort for the Queen visit in 1854.
21 st May 2001 Patricia Ratcliff Worked for Justin O’Byrne, Tasmanian Labor.