Hidden Canberra

Peter my apologies for not getting back to you - still learning - Ann

canberrahidden says...
Rosi, I hope that you check back on this page. In my recent book, A Story of Capital Hill, which at some time in the future I want to put on the web, I do have some information about the Post WW2 Hostels - Hillside and Capital Hill on Capital Hill. My husband lived at Capital Hill Hostel. Some information is now on-line in the NLA newspapers' collections. If you go to the contact page you will find my e-mail and I can give you further information. Alan Foskett has also written on the hostels post WW2 and some before. This is a period of our history that should not be forgotten. Ann

Thanks for the reply but I did not find your e-mail .
Rosi

Lisa Frey says...
Wow! What an interesting site! My husband and I had the opportunity to stay at Duntroon in the Crowley room in 2005, a rare treat. We heard the stories of hauntings from the woman who checked us in and gave us a brief tour of the house, but we laughed them off. My husband, a US Marine, left early (around 6:00 am) to go visit the Marines at the US Embassy. A short time later, I felt him return to the bed so I rolled over, saying "that didn't take long". I was stunned to find myself completely alone. The fire had gone out; the space heaters were off (my husband said he didn't touch them) and the room felt excessively cold. I got up, quickly dressed and went downstairs for tea while I waited for my husband to return. Though my husband said I was probably dreaming, I believe with all my heart that I had a ghostly encounter. The staff agreed and told me of the "bottom shaped" dent in the bedcovers that they found regularly despite the room being unoccupied and the mattress being new. Overall, it was an eerie and delightful event that made my trip to Canberra that much better!

Hi Lisa,
The woman who leaves the indent is Marrianne Collison-Campbell, the mother of Sophia Susannah Campbell. She still walks the place protecting her beloved Campbell name. A descendant once stated that Marrianne (allegedly) "Would kill anyone who disgraced the Campbell name, even her own children".

Thanks Peter, I also note that you send a facebook comment too and somehow I managed to lose it. Thankyou for your comment. The local history of Canberra is a passion of mine - because it is in danger of being lost. Ann

Peter Holland says...
What a lovely site! thank-you very much for allowing us an insight of a canberra that we would never have seen if not for this site.

Rosi, I hope that you check back on this page. In my recent book, A Story of Capital Hill, which at some time in the future I want to put on the web, I do have some information about the Post WW2 Hostels - Hillside and Capital Hill on Capital Hill. My husband lived at Capital Hill Hostel. Some information is now on-line in the NLA newspapers' collections. If you go to the contact page you will find my e-mail and I can give you further information. Alan Foskett has also written on the hostels post WW2 and some before. This is a period of our history that should not be forgotten. Ann

Rosi says...
What an interesting site. I used to live in Canberra from 1950 - October 1960 and I am stil trying to get more information and fotos about Capital Hill the camp were the people lived with there familes when they came from europe. Maybe someone can help me.

Thankyou Lisa for your interesting story of meeting the Duntroon house ghost. The ghost stories on the web are those collected by Maree who is the person who designed the web for me. I haven't met the Duntroon ghost, but have met some in the Institute of Anantomy and other places Thankyou for sharing.

Wow! What an interesting site! My husband and I had the opportunity to stay at Duntroon in the Crowley room in 2005, a rare treat. We heard the stories of hauntings from the woman who checked us in and gave us a brief tour of the house, but we laughed them off. My husband, a US Marine, left early (around 6:00 am) to go visit the Marines at the US Embassy. A short time later, I felt him return to the bed so I rolled over, saying "that didn't take long". I was stunned to find myself completely alone. The fire had gone out; the space heaters were off (my husband said he didn't touch them) and the room felt excessively cold. I got up, quickly dressed and went downstairs for tea while I waited for my husband to return. Though my husband said I was probably dreaming, I believe with all my heart that I had a ghostly encounter. The staff agreed and told me of the "bottom shaped" dent in the bedcovers that they found regularly despite the room being unoccupied and the mattress being new. Overall, it was an eerie and delightful event that made my trip to Canberra that much better!