Place Identification Number

MSO0006

Site Category

Historical European Site

Site Type

Building

Location

Block 38 Weston, ACT. Cotter Road, Weston, ACT 2611

ANU Heritage Classification

Exceptional

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Ownership

Australian National University

Heritage Listings

ACT Heritage Register (Nominated)
Commonwealth Heritage List: Place ID - 105309
National Trust of Australia (ACT) Classification List: Classified

History

The 9 inch Oddie Telescope was a gift of Mr James Oddie, an astronomer at the first municipal observatory at Ballarat, Victoria. A Grubb Parsons instrument, the Oddie was likely to have been manufactured around the 1890s in Dublin.

The Oddie Telescope was the first telescope to be installed on Mount Stromlo (1911) and the first Commonwealth Structure to be built in the ACT. Initially used to test the conditions for a possible observatory, the telescope site is located at the northern end of the ridge, set on a high point of Mount Stromlo. Throughout the 1930s the Oddie Telescope was used for stellar spectroscopy. At various times, the Oddie building has been used to house observers and caretakers of the observatory and in more recent years it served an educational function.

Physical Description

To house the Oddie telescope a masonry structure was built, and is the earliest built structure on the site. The building is cruciform in plan, with a central circular wall upon which the metal dome (5.5m diameter) is set.

The dome of the telescope structure was destroyed in the 2003 bushfires, although the solid concrete walls with the iron dome rim remain. All the windows were destroyed. The cast iron telescope mounting structure remains on a concrete plinth. The metal dome bearings and pulleys from the telescope structure are in the ruins. There is significant cracking to the concrete wall at dome support openings. The internal raised timber flooring and associated steps have been burnt out.

Sequential Summary of Use

1911-2003: Observatory telescope and educational facility.

Statements of Significance

CHL Criteria A: The place has significant heritage value because of the place’s importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia’s natural or cultural history:

The ruins of the Oddie Telescope building with its small scale, the cruciform layout of the remaining concrete walls, the remaining steel base of the dome mechanism, and the concrete plinth with the remnant cast iron telescope mounting structure, is an extant feature of the first site development reflecting 1911 technology.

Mount Stromlo Observatory Precinct is significant as the earliest example of Commonwealth scientific endeavour located in Canberra and demonstrates the role the Commonwealth has played in scientific research, from the period shortly after Federation. The creation of the Australian Capital Territory provided a focus as the location for such activity and the Observatory is associated with the early period of the development of the national capital. It reflects both the Commonwealth's interest in science and a vision for Canberra as the location for scientific institutions as well as general government administration. Mount Stromlo Observatory is one of a number of scientific buildings or complexes commenced by the Commonwealth in the Territory.

The pattern of the precinct layout remains a feature of the cultural landscape. This is reflected in the arrangement of buildings and building ruins in their function areas, with some separation by landscape spaces; a pattern that has been reinforced in the siting of new developments during the life of the complex. Staff housing on the southern slopes of the mountain, administration buildings at the south-eastern area of the ridge and the telescope buildings in staggered locations along the western face of the ridge, with the Directors House centrally located as a focal feature on the ridge spine; all contribute to the significant layout. The workshop and accompanying utilitarian buildings, such as fuel stores, were discreetly located beyond the ridge on the western slope. The layout on the mountain takes advantage of spectacular views and informal tree plantings, with simple paths, and stone retaining walls. The landscaping pattern close to the Administration Building, Directors House and staff housing, is more formally arranged and with a greater variety of exotic trees and plants.

Mount Stromlo Observatory Precinct is significant for its outstanding scientific research in optical astronomy and astrophysics, as well as telescope design and engineering achievements.

Evidence of the bushfires of the 18th January 2003, constitutes historical significance.

Attributes

The ruins of the Oddie Telescope building, including the remaining steel base of the dome mechanism, concrete plinth, and remnant cast iron telescope mounting structure.

The pattern of the precinct layout with the arrangement of buildings in function areas with separating landscape spaces: staff housing on the southern slopes, administration buildings on the south-eastern area of the ridge; telescope building in staggered locations on the western ridge face; and the Director's House on the ridge spine.

CHL Criteria B: The place has significant heritage value because of the place’s possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia’s natural or cultural history:

Mount Stromlo Observatory Precinct is a rare example of an optical observatory complex in Australia (the only other Australian complex of comparative size, being the Siding Spring Observatory). Although many of the building are in ruins, it is rare in its array of historical telescope building structures.

Attributes

The ruins of the Oddie Telescope building, including the remaining steel base of the dome mechanism, concrete plinth, and remnant cast iron telescope mounting structure.

CHL Criteria H: The place has significant heritage value because of the place’s special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Australia’s natural or cultural history:

The place is significant for its strong association with scientists who have made a substantial contribution to astronomy and astrophysics such as W.G. Duffield, R. Woolley, C.W. Allen, L.G.H. Huxley, R.G. Giovanelli, D.F. Martyn, B. Bok, O. Eggen, D.S. Mathewson, A.W. Rodgers and J.R. Mould. The grave of Walter Duffield and his wife commemorates the pioneer astronomer. T he remains of the Oddie telescope structure retain the association with the Oddie family.

Attributes

The remains of the Oddie telescope structure.

Conservation Documents

Tanner Architects (2004) : Conservation Management Plan: Mount Stromlo Observatory, Australian Capital Territory.

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Consultation Requirements

Department of Environment and Water Resources
National Capital Authority
ACT Heritage
National Trust of Australia (ACT)

Works and Activities

Currently restoration works are being undertaken at Mount Stromlo to repair much of the damage caused by the 2003 bushfires. Detailed information about these works can be found at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics homepage.

http://www.mso.anu.edu.au