John Overall interviewed by Mel Pratt in the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 2264419
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Overall, John, Sir, 1913-2001, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1973 July - Sept
- 2 tape reels (ca. 340 min.) ; 5 in.
- Series:
- Mel Pratt collection.
- Summary:
-
Sir John talks of studying architecture at Sydney Technical College; Robertson and Marks; Stevenson and Turner; enlistment in World War 2; 6th Australian Division; Royal Australian Engineers; experiences in the Mediterranean; the parachute battalion; South Australian Housing Trust; Overall and Walkley; Chief Government Architect for the Commonwealth; training in England; Commonwealth Dept. of Works; Wilfred Kent Hughes; National Capital Development Commission; Menzies; Mr Fairall; deficiencies in Canberra in the 1950s; Administrative Building; R.B. Lansdowne; Bill Andrews; Glen Rudduck; Neil Caffin; Clive Price; Peter Funda; three initial recommendations of the NCDC; Alan Fairhall; Menzies; establishment of the Commission as a statutory authority; relationship with the Dept of the Interior and Dept of Works; Mr McLaren; National Capital Planning Committee.
Overall speaks about "Tomorrow's Canberra"; the lake; private development; land development; 5 year programme; preoccupation with living conditions; Parliamentary Triangle; Parliament House; Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong town centres; Walter Burley Griffin; Y plan; rapid transit system; cars in Canberra; unplanned growth of areas around Canberra; success of NCDC; criticism by the public; Canberra's "lack of soul"; assessment of Canberra's architecture; Brazilia; Black Mountain Tower; Rocks development; National Trust; National Urban and Regional Development Authority; Cities Commission; Dept of Urban and Regional Development; personal interests; sculpture; Australian Institute of Urban Studies.
- Biography/History:
-
Sir John Overall made a significant contribution to urban living in Australia, firstly as Commissioner of the National Capital Development Commission, and then as Commissioner of the Cities Commission.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded at the National Library of Australia, 25 July and 24 September 1973.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary and transcript available.
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Pratt, Mel, -1986, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Mel Pratt collection.
This collection contains 99 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2043 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1973
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Leonard Huxley interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
- Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
- Oswald Woodger interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
- Hector Harrison interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
- Margaret Sutherland interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]