Restoring Canberra's Historic Kingston Power House Steam Whistle
A call to revive the silent naval whistle for the upcoming Armistice Day centenary.
1A Silent Industrial Relic
The Kingston Power House in Canberra currently houses a silent steam whistle on its roof, which has remained inactive for decades. Originally installed in the 1920s, this industrial artifact served as the city's official voice during early Armistice Day commemorations. It now sits alongside a World War II-era air-raid siren.
2Origins of the Whistle
Thomas Trevillian, a worker at the power house, created the first whistle from scrap metal in 1921. This was soon replaced by a more powerful naval steam whistle salvaged from HMAS Australia before the vessel was scuttled in 1924. The naval instrument was designed to project commands across a warship.
3Canberra's First Official Blast
On November 11, 1927, the naval whistle sounded across the capital for Canberra's first large-scale Armistice Day commemoration. Prime Minister Stanley Bruce and Governor-General Lord Stonehaven attended the formal observance. The whistle marked the start of the ceremony and signaled the traditional two minutes of silence for the fallen soldiers.
4Evolution of the Mechanism
Sometime during the 1930s, the whistle was converted to operate using compressed air instead of steam boilers. Historical accounts remain divided on whether the original HMAS Australia whistle was modified or replaced by a Welsh mining whistle. Regardless, it continued to signal the working day until the power house closed in 1957.
5Call for Restoration
There is a proposal to repair the whistle in time for the 2027 centenary of its first official Armistice Day blast. Restoring the mechanism would provide a tangible connection to Canberra's history and the sacrifices of war. The author suggests this would be a fitting tribute to the city's growing national importance.
6The Parrot of Fleet Street
In London, a taxidermied African grey parrot named Polly became famous for mimicking the sound of champagne corks popping. During the 1918 Armistice Day celebrations, Polly reportedly mimicked 400 corks before fainting from exhaustion. His death in 1926 was covered by over 200 newspapers, including headlines in Australian media outlets like The Sun.
7Canberra's Humble Beginnings
In 1918, Canberra was a fledgling settlement of only 2,000 people, mostly living in construction camps. The end of the First World War saw little public celebration in the territory, with gatherings limited to shearing sheds and amusement halls. Official word of the Armistice arrived slowly compared to the excitement in nearby Queanbeyan.
8Honoring Ted Young
The Reid suburb recently celebrated its centenary, highlighting the story of war hero Ted Young. After losing both legs in the Kokoda Track campaign, Young returned to civilian life in Canberra. He played a vital role in establishing the Reid Preschool playground in 1945, navigating wartime petrol rationing to transport materials.
9Pioneering Accessibility
Ted Young’s return to his Commonwealth public service job was facilitated by the installation of a ramp at East Block. This is believed to be the first instance of wheelchair access provided for Commonwealth public servants. His story serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of veterans within the national capital.
10Queanbeyan's Ghost Sign
A mystery photograph of a faded ghost sign on a Queanbeyan wall was recently identified by reader Mark Handley. The sign belonged to a building that once housed a driveway for J B Young's Store. The site previously featured a dry cleaners and a supermarket, reflecting the changing commercial landscape of the region.
11Historical Commercial Context
During the 1960s, the J B Young's site was a bustling hub for local commerce. Delivery drivers used VW Kombi vans to transport goods to regional farms as far as Naas. The area was frequently congested during Thursday night shopping, requiring staff to manually direct traffic into the store's busy car park.
12Preserving Local Heritage
Whether through restoring industrial whistles or documenting ghost signs, these efforts preserve Canberra's unique social history. The stories of figures like Ted Young and the evolution of local infrastructure provide context to the capital's development. These tangible reminders ensure that the city's past remains visible to future generations of residents and visitors.
Original article: Canberra Times — Restoring Canberra's Historic Kingston Power House Steam Whistle