One of the special events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Parliament House will be a Constructors’ Cocktail Party on 9 May 5.30—7.30pm in the Mural Hall.

The event is being organised by former Parliament House Construction Director David Chandler OAM who led the building work from 1984 until completion. “This will be a special occasion where former members of the Parliament House Construction Authority, the architects, consultants, contractors and suppliers will be able to catch up and share their project experiences and renew old friendships,” he said.

David said the project’s construction brought together two companies, Concrete Constructions and John Holland. “These were two major competitors that formed a joint venture which drew people from all over the country”.

David managed an onsite workforce which exceeded 2,400 people at its peak. “A truly wonderful record for the project was it was conducted safely and without loss of life,” he said.

“The event will be a wonderful opportunity to gather many of the original workers together to celebrate the part they played in the construction of this magnificent building”.

Special guests who have already registered include the project architect Romaldo Giurgola AO and others such as Leo Galafassi from Ferrobeton— the company that processed and installed the 27,000 stones that make up the curved walls; Garry Danby from Danby Joiners who were responsible for the joinery in the Parliamentary Library; and Neil MacPhillamy who was the only member to be on the board of the Parliament House Construction Authority from beginning to end.

The Constructors’ Cocktail Party will also provide the opportunity for the DPS heritage team to start collecting personal histories from the constructors to contribute to recording and preserving the building’s heritage.

Did you work on the construction of Parliament House?

Tickets to the Constructor’s Cocktail Party cost $57.50

contact

David Chandler

or

Sean Cahill