Canberra Region

Background

Canberra is the nation's capital. Approximately 300 km south-west of Sydney and 675 km north-east of Melbourne, the site was chosen for the capital in 1908 by a Parliamentary Committee which examined a number of proposed sites in eastern Australia.

The city is based on a design by a Chicago-based architect, Walter Burley Griffin, who in 1911 won a world-wide competition for the design of the city.

Although Parliament first sat in Canberra in 1927, it was not until the early 1960s that the city really expanded. Lake Burley Griffin, the National Library, and the Mint were constructed at that time and a large number of Government Departments, including the Department of Defence, were relocated from Melbourne to Canberra.

Canberra is now the home of many buildings of national significance including Parliament House, the High Court, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery and the National Library. There are plans for other national institutions to be constructed in Canberra, including a National Museum.

Beautiful parks are a feature of the city's layout. Initially designed for a population of about twenty five thousand, Canberra now accommodates well over twelve times that number. This has been achieved by the establishment of satellite centres such as Woden, Belconnen, Weston Creek, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin. There are four distinct seasons in the ACT. Summer (December to February) temperatures sometimes reach the high thirties, and occasionally the forties Celsius (Fahrenheit 100 degrees).

Humidity is not normally a problem. Spring and autumn are regarded by the majority as the most pleasant seasons, with cool nights and many sunny days. The blossoms in spring and the leaves in autumn can be most spectacular. Overnight temperatures in winter can plunge to well below freezing and, while it occasionally snows, rarely does it settle on the lower ground. A cold westerly wind is not uncommon. The cold weather can start as early as April and extend through to October. Useful sites may include : ACT Home Page    Federal Home page   Canberra Tourism   Dept of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

The College

The Weston Creek site is located about eight kilometres south-west of the city centre of Canberra in the suburb of Weston. The site is just off Cotter Road to the west of the Tuggeranong Parkway, and near the Stromlo Pine Plantation. There are signs on the Cotter Road indicating its location.

The College is located in KirkPatrick Street off Cotter Road at Weston Creek in Canberra. It is a 20 minute drive from the airport.

Useful sites include : Canberra Overview  

Accommodation

There is no living in accommodation at the College. Accommodation for ADF personnel should be arranged by contacting the Defence Relocation Centre - Canberra and the Defence Housing Authority. Those participants from overseas should contact their High Commissions or Embassies well in advance for assistance in obtaining accommodation. This includes both temporary accommodation on arrival, if required, as well as a permanent residence.

A large number of properties become available in Canberra's rental market during the Christmas period with the diplomatic and defence communities contributing significantly to that turnover and providing many of the homes available for rent.

Sites which may be useful include : Citysearch    Canberra Tourist Agency    ACT Real Estate    Defence Housing Authority   Street Maps in Australia

Although the most convenient means of travelling to and from the College remains private car, the Project Team has successfully negotiated for the provision of a bus service. The service will commence mid January and will depart the Woden Interchange at 0740 and arriving at the ADC at 0751. In the afternoon the service will depart the College at 1710 destined for the Woden Interchange arriving at 1721. The service will be available at the commencement of the course.

Sites which may be useful include : Cycling in Canberra    Canberra Cycleways Map   Discover the Pluses of Buses   Canberra Taxi Cab Services

Education & Schooling

Education opportunities for students in the ACT are many and varied.

Schooling for International Students who have no English or English as a second language is available in several locations in the ACT. Eligibility may be governed by residential zoning. While information from previous participants is an excellent guide, it should be noted that government policy changes periodically.

Useful sites may include : Department of Education and Community Services   Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs

High Commissions or Embassies

There are many foreign Embassies, High Commissions and Chancelleries available, many only 15 minutes drive from the College.

Diplomatic sites for further information include : Canada, Germany, Fiji, India, South Korea, Thailand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Other diplomatic sites in Australia may be listed at Embassy World This site was valid as at Oct 01.

Tourist Attractions

Sites which may be useful include : Canberra Region Tourism Operators Association   Canberra Tourism

Shopping

Shopping centres include Woden Plaza (a 5 minute drive from the ADC) and Weston Creek (a 2 minute drive).

Sport

Many local sporting clubs and facilities are available in Canberra like rugby league, rugby union, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, ice skating, ice hockey, ten-pin and lawn bowling, swimming, volleyball, horse riding, etc.

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