In January 1924 the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established at Mount Stromlo in Canberra.

The site was described by the newly appointed director, Walter Geoffrey Duffield, as a dream; set high among the rocks and lizards and miles from anywhere. Overlooking nothing but empty plains and the Brindabella Range, it was the perfect place for astronomical research and discovery.

Duffield, by all accounts, was a man on a mission. A scholar who had waited 18 years to see his Stromlo dream come to fruition, he was eager to commence his work and was disappointed when he arrived in Canberra in November 1924 to discover little to no work had been undertaken. The site was plagued with multiple setbacks and bureaucratic delays.

Further down the road, the Capital’s new hotel “Hostel De Luxe” was also under construction and Duffield and his wife, Doris; daughter, Joan; and two sons, Peter and Michael, took up residence in November 1924 - one month before the hotel’s official opening. They were the first to sign the guest register.

By January 1926, the Duffield’s occupied a suite of six rooms and a makeshift observatory was established from the hostel’s pavilion.

In December 1926 the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was at last completed and the arduous task began of relocating equipment by horse-drawn cart – 11km as the crow flies and 200 meters in altitude. The family moved into the Director’s residence in 1928, which became a key social venue for Canberra, hosting beautiful musical evenings for prime ministers, politicians and even royalty.

The Duffield’s played an active role in early Canberra life. Walter and Doris played in the Stromberra Quintet – credited with performing Canberra’s first philharmonic concert and became involved in the local community through Rotary. His daughter Doris was the first president of the Canberra Mothercraft Society.

Today, Mount Stromlo Observatory remains a beacon of astronomical discovery. From pioneering research to educating the next generation of astronomers and ongoing scientific endeavors.

The centre runs regular public or private stargazing tours. You can find out more by visiting their website here.

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