The records of the Building Workers Industrial Union reveal unique links between the Johnson family and the provisional Parliament House. Three generations worked on building it and/or within the building itself.
The story begins with the union's account of Henry Johnson's activities in Canberra:
Another link in the chain of those associated with the building of Canberra in the early twenties was broken recently with the death at Penrith in NSW of Mr. Henry Johnson.
Mr. Johnson came to Canberra early in 1923 as foreman on the construction work of Westlake Cottages and lived with other workers in tents in what was known as ‘The Tradesmen's Mess,’ close to where the Canadian Embassy is now located. For some years previously, he had taken up building in the Irrigation Area of Leeton and Griffith on his own account.
He made the journey from Griffith to Canberra—some 200 miles—by pony and sulky, averaging 28 miles a day, the last overnight stop being at Murrumbateman.
On completion of Westlake, he was appointed a senior foreman on the construction of Parliament House. Upon his termination of service with the Department of Works and Railways, Mr. Johnson again entered private contracting. Among the work carried out by him was the erection of the first terminal building at the airport and the residence for the Guard Serjeant at Government House. He was also responsible for moving the hall from Russell Hill to the Forrest Bowling Club. Outside Canberra, Mr. Johnson undertook the building of many of the houses and workshops at the mining township of Captain's Flat.
Whilst engaged as a foreman, it is evident from union records that Mr. Johnson, known as 'Harry,’ was a most popular boss. In 1924, he was elected as President of the Carpenters' Union District Committee and was a staunch advocate for local autonomy for his own committee (then part of the NSW Union), which was later given the status of a sub-branch and then a full branch. Many jobs in the growing township were voluntary efforts, and records show Harry as one of the guiding lights in arranging teams to work on the Friendly Societies Hall at Kingston.
Photographer: William James Mildenhall. NAA: A3560, 446
Fred Johnson, Harry's son, wrote to the union with further details. Fred also worked on building the provisional Parliament House, and later Fred's son worked on extensions to the building. Three generations of a family working on the one building must be a unique achievement in Australia's building industry.
A further link occurred when one of Fred's brothers became Manager of the Parliamentary Refreshment Rooms.
In his letter to the union, Fred added a footnote about himself:
Fred's association with Canberra went back to 1923 when he joined father Harry in the building trade. Like his father, he first lived under canvas at the Tradesmen's Mess. After completion of his building work on the Old Parliament House, Fred joined the Joint House Department, then transferred to the Department of the House of Representatives, working through the ranks to retire in December 1967 as Deputy Principal Attendant.
Adapted from On Solid Foundations: the building and construction of the Nation’s Capital 1920 to 1950 by David Andrew, Phil Johnstone and Alan Foskett.
