ARCHITECT’S FAMILY HOME SOLD AFTER 90 YEARS
The house at 19 Currong Street South has recently been sold – a home that had been retained by the same family for more than 90 years. This Type ‘L’ house, built around 1935, was architecturally modified from a standard government house by family member Cuthbert Whitley (See ADB entry at https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/whitley-cuthbert-claude-mortier-12021), a Senior Architect in the Works Branch of the Department of the Interior. The character of the 1930s heritage Canberra red-brick house – with its original kitchen cabinetry and fireplaces, the sash windows, art deco tiles and high ornate ceilings – has been retained and interwoven with new and updated elements.
While in charge of the Works Branch, Whitley was responsible for the design of numerous government buildings in 1930s Canberra and is well recognised for introducing modernist architecture to Canberra’s public housing after 1939. Some of the first government designed and built detached functionalist style houses in Australia were designed by Whitley. They exhibit the typical characteristics of the inter-war functionalist style, with asymmetrical massing of simple, cubic shapes, a flat roof concealed behind a parapet and the use of plain surfaces. Examples of these houses can be seen in Griffith and at 107 Limestone Avenue, Braddon.
Bearing in mind the key role played by public housing in the development of Canberra, these houses are also important for revealing Whitley’s aim and achievement, in furthering modernist architecture, the most important new style of architecture and design of the 20th century.
Reid Residents’ Association wishes the family well in their future. We will miss you as you have been part of the fabric of Reid for so long but we hope you will come back and visit your friends here.
We also welcome the new owners and look forward to meeting you at an RRA function soon.
RRA AGM – 30 March 2022
We are delighted to announce that Alicia Payne MP has agreed to be our guest speaker at RRA’s 30 March 2022 AGM. More details will follow in our February newsletter but please pencil in the date.
PILLAR SIGNPOSTS – ACT GOVERNMENT HERITAGE GRANT
An ACT Government’s Heritage Grant, in conjunction with TCCS funding, to revive Inner North’s pillar signposts (Phase 1) has almost reached the finish line. The tall posts at the intersections of Booroondara and Euree streets and Chapman and Elimatta streets have now been completely conserved and look refreshed and elegant. However, repainting the street names of the short post metal panels is still needed. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, we are seeking volunteers to help with repainting these panels. Guidance will be given by the Senior Conservator, Gillian Mitchell, who, even with the wet weather and COVID–19, has done a really terrific job. If you would like to be part of this project, please contact RRA on info@reid.northcanberra.org.au
The RRA will apply for grants next year to undertake Phase 2 of this project to conserve the remaining Inner North pillar posts. We are also hoping to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 with a BYO ‘curious’ parade and picnic in Dirrawan Gardens on Sunday 10 April during the ACT’s Heritage Festival (theme: ‘Curiosity’) which runs from 9 April to 1 May 2022.
Archiving REID’s records
We are working through the past records of RRA activities and would be very pleased to include any material you may have such as photos, letters, newspaper and magazine articles. The RRA goes back some 77 years and has been active on many fronts including issues and concerns not only in the Reid Housing Precinct and the suburb of Reid itself but also with what is happening around us. We are being advised by an experienced archivist and the collated material will be deposited with the ACT Heritage Library and Archive on open access.
FUNDING FOR REID UNDER THE AGE FRIENDLY PROGRAM
It was with great pleasure that the Reid Residents’ Association Committee received advice that Reid would get funding as part of the Age Friendly Program to improve footpath networks and promote accessibility for older Canberrans should ACT Labor be re-elected. The advice was that improvements from this funding would include installing crossings, ramps and refuge islands.
The Committee has written to Minister Davidson, Minister for Disability and Assistant Minister for Seniors, Veterans, Families and Community Services seeking a meeting. We would like to discuss how this funding could be used in Reid, particularly with reference to the increasing difficulty in crossing Coranderrk Street into Glebe Park by seniors and the disabled due to increased traffic volume.
THANK YOU TO REID RESIDENTS
Overgrown vegetation
You have probably noticed that some of Reid’s footpaths have been cleared of overgrown vegetation. Thank you to those residents who are keeping our beautiful suburb neat and tidy. This also helps pedestrians (including users of motorised wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices), cyclists and personal mobility device users having to move onto nature strips as they try by-pass the vegetation. Further information at https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/road-infrastructure-and-maintenance/communitypaths.
Extension of Reid Oval fencing along Limestone Ave
Petition to increase safety
Thank you, also, to those residents who have already signed this petition & to the principal petitioner, Gary Fan & the sponsoring petitioner, MLA Shane Rattenbury. You can access the petition and further information by focusing your smart phone on the QR below:
FIX-MY-STREET/ACCESS Canberra
Another thank you to residents who have been notifying Access Canberra or Fix-My-Street on the damaged footpaths and other municipal matters. If you have noticed a white mark (indicating need of repair) on the footpath outside your house and action has not been taken within the next six months, please notify the ACT Government and let us know too via info@reid.northcanberra.org.au
A reminder about Fix-my-Street: this facility enables you to contact ACT Government agencies to request municipal services. Reports can be made on a range of issues including abandoned shopping trolleys, damaged footpaths, potholes, graffiti, street lighting, street sweeping, fallen limbs of street trees and parking in excess of time limits.
The most urgent matters for attention include line-of-sight issues on roadsides, fallen trees and footpath trip hazards, while other matters go on scheduled works programs. Reports can be made via the website at www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/s/fix-my-street or by telephoning Access Canberra on 13 22 81. Reid residents are encouraged to continue using this facility to get matters addressed in Reid.
ACT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
The RRA Committee is working in cooperation with ACT Neighbourhood Watch Inc. Further information at www.nhwact.com.au. Reid crime statistics for August, September and October 2021.
| Ave/St | August | September | October |
| Ainslie | Theft of vehicle number plates | Burglary dwelling | Burglary dwelling |
| Ainslie | Assault causing GBH | Assault causing ABH | |
| Allambee | Theft of vehicle number plates x 5 | Burglary dwelling | Theft of vehicle number plates |
| Allambee | Burglary dwelling | Other property damage | Other property damage |
| Allambee | Other theft | ||
| Allambee | Assault other | ||
| Booroondara | Other theft | Burglary dwelling | |
| Constitution | Other theft x 2 | ||
| Constitution | Bicycle theft | ||
| Coranderrk | Theft of vehicle number plates | Burglary dwelling | |
| Currong | Other property damage | ||
| Elimatta | Theft of vehicle number plates | Other property damage | |
| Elimatta | Assault causing ABH | Other theft | |
| Euree | Assault other | Other theft | |
| Gooreen | Motor vehicle theft | ||
| Gooreen | Theft of vehicle number plates |
Paradoxically, homes ‘protected’ by trees and
shrubs as well as those with high fencing, are more
vulnerable to burglary. Trees, shrubs and high
fencing can be used by burglars not only to
conceal their presence from neighbours but also as
a jumping off point when breaking into the house.
Do yours need trimming?
In addition, hedges should not be above 1200mm
according to the Reid Housing Precinct’s entry in
the ACT Heritage Register.
See: www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/148474/462.pdf
CANBERRA NATURE PARK RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2021
The Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan 2021 was released on 15 November 2021 to guide management of Canberra Nature Park’s 39 nature reserves over the next 10 years. The Plan enables the Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians, land managers and the community to protect forest, woodland and grassland ecosystems and provide habitat for our native wildlife, including many threatened species. The reserves also protect significant cultural heritage sites.
See www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1899396/2021-CNP-Plan_FA4.pdf
Please note there are new codes of practice for dog walking, horse riding and bike riding included in the plan. These will ensure these activities are kept to designated tracks and trails to help minimize the impacts on the native flora and fauna the reserves set out to protect.
Dog walking and cycling are permitted in Mt Ainslie, Mt Majura and Mt Pleasant reserves, but horse riding is only permitted in the Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura reserves, not Mt Pleasant.
Dogs must be on leash, on a formal track or trail, and under control at all times in these areas. Dog access is also subject to Domestic Animals Act 2000 declarations, and dogs off leash or harassing wildlife can be impounded under the Act. The Act requires:
- dogs in public places [which includes the reserves] to be on a leash and under control of the carer
- the carer of a dog in a public place carrying equipment suitable for the hygienic disposal of faeces dropped by the dog and hygienically dispose of any faeces dropped by the dog.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN REID
If you are a member of an organisation holding indoor or outdoor activities in Reid, would you would like to publicise in our newsletters? We are keen to hear about what’s happening and happy to let others know particularly now that activities are getting back on track.
Reid Churches Information
St John’s Anglican Church: please see https://www.stjohnscanberra.org/ Please access the rose gardens from Amaroo Street or Anzac Park West while driveways works continue.
St Peter’s Memorial Lutheran Church: please see https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Religious-Organization/St-Peters-Memorial-Lutheran-Church-Canberra-333380853714732/
Canberra Korean Uniting Church: please see https://canberrakorean.uca.org.au/
REID TENNIS CLUB
Reid Tennis Club is open for play in line with the updated community tennis guidelines, i.e. no face masks required and when inside the clubhouse one person per 2 square metres. If you wish to play, please check the club’s website, email the club reidtennisclubact@gmail.com, or ring Terry Walker (0401 901 700) or Sue Willis (0434 982 924).
The ACT Tennis Awards were on 16 October 2021 and Reid Tennis Club walked away with three awards. Club President, Terry Walker, was awarded the prestigious 2021 Volunteer Achievement Award and Vice President and League Coordinator, Sue Willis received two awards: 2021 Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior and 2021 ACT Adult Club Player of the Year. Heartiest congratulations to you both.
TRADIES AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS WANTED
We wish to build a list of reliable, reputable tradies & other providers who offer their services to Reid & who may be interested in placing a small advert in our newsletter. Their name & details would have exposure to all Reid residents via both the newsletter and our website. If you can recommend such a business to us, or run one yourself, please contact us at info@reid.northcanberra.org.au.
RRA August/September 2021 Newsletter
Being mindful of COVID–19 restrictions, we chose not to hand deliver the Aug/Sept ’21 Newsletter. Residents who have provided us with their email addresses would have been emailed the newsletter. This newsletter (and all recent ones) can be viewed on our website but please let us know via the contact email below if you would like a printed copy.