Charles Scrivener at the surveyors' campsite

A posed shot for the historic record, taken at the surveyors' camp, February 1909. Charles Scrivener is seated at right. In producing the final survey, Scrivener was acting on the memorable instructions of the new Minister for Home Affairs in the Fisher Labor Government, Hugh Mahon, provided on 21 December 1908: ' … the surveyor will bear in mind that the Federal Capital should be a beautiful city, occupying a commanding position, with extensive views, and embracing distinctive features which will lend themselves to the evolution of a design worthy of the object, not only for the present, but for all time...' It was a visionary brief!