YARRALUMLA.

Government House, set in 53 hectares of gardens, lawns and parkland at Yarralumla, has been the official residence of the Governor-General in Canberra since 1927, when the Commonwealth Parliament moved from Melbourne to the national capital.

It is here that the Governor-General meets with his Ministers in Executive Council, invests distinguished citizens with honours awarded under the Australian honours system, receives visiting heads of state, other dignitaries and the credentials of ambassadors to Australia, and entertains many Australians from all walks of life.

The Queen stays at Government House when she visits Canberra, as do most other visiting heads of state.

Government House is also a private residence. The Governor-General and his family have their own two-bedroom apartment in the building. Four members of the personal and domestic staff live on the grounds of Government House, including the Official Secretary.

The Office of the Governor-General employs around 85 people, including part-time staff, in Canberra and at Admiralty House, the Governor-General's official Sydney residence. They include staff in the Honours Secretariat and clerical, domestic and gardening staff.

The pastoral property of 'Yarralumla' dates back to 1828. In 1881 it was bought by Frederick Campbell, a grandson of the merchant, Robert Campbell, who built 'Duntroon' (now Royal Military College).

In 1891, Frederick Campbell built the three storey house that is now the main part of the residence. The Campbell crest of a bow and arrow, and the date, can be seen on the gables.

The Commonwealth bought 'Yarralumla' in 1913, after Canberra was chosen as the national capital site.

In 1925 work began to extend the house as the official residence for the Governor-General. A three-storey addition was built facing what is now Lake Burley Griffin, and a private entrance was installed in front of the 1891 house.

The Vista Suite, used by The Queen when she visits Canberra, was added above the private entrance in 1934 as a sitting room for Lady Isaacs, wife of the first Australian-born Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs.

In 1938-39 the house was again extended. The dining room was enlarged to seat 50 people at table, and the drawing room greatly expanded to accommodate up to 150 people at a reception. The imposing state entrance was built and more bedrooms were added upstairs.

In 1993 a new kitchen and services wing was added to the house. Two years later a new Chancery was opened in the grounds of 'Yarralumla', with offices for the Governor-General and his or her spouse, the personal and official staff. A new gardening complex was completed in 1996.

The current Governor-General of Australia is Sir William Patrick Deane. His wife is Lady Helen Evelyn Deane.

If you are interested, try the following link as it gives information on the role of the Governor-General of Australia.

An aerial view of Yarralumla, Government House, Canberra, ACT

Interior photograph of Yarralumla

Front view of Yarralumla

Another view of the front of Yarralumla.