In his lop-sided dislike of statues of women in Canberra (CW 24 June 2021, p10), former ACT Chief Minister Gary Humphries is remiss in not remembering Marion Mahony Griffin. Marion’s 150th birthday on 14 February this year was headlined by Canberra Daily: Why Walter Burley Griffin’s other half was his equal.

Marion can truly be called the First Woman of Canberra, by her stunning artwork being a major reason for the selection of their submission as the winning design. Yet it took until 2013, for her to be recognised in the naming of the Marion Mahony Griffin View from Mt Ainslie.  

The only other recognition is the joint mural of Walter and Marion on an end wall of the Kingsborough development. This was a welcome initiative of the developer, John Gasson.

So it would be another welcome development for a statue of Marion Mahony Griffin, perhaps in the Parliamentary Triangle. To be reminded of why Canberra is the nation’s capital in the nation’s interest.

• – P. Graves (Chair Canberra Chapter, Walter Burley Griffin Society), Curtin ACT

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