Manning Clark House Inc

23/06/2026

Do you love history, ideas, books, music, art, conversation, gardening, or simply being part of a vibrant community? Manning Clark House is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us continue our mission of fostering lively cultural, intellectual and social life in Canberra.

As a volunteer, you could assist with events, welcome guests, help with administration, support marketing and communications, care for our beautiful heritage venue and gardens, or contribute your unique skills and experience. Whether you can spare a few hours a month or become a regular member of our team, your contribution will make a real difference.

Volunteering at Manning Clark House is an opportunity to meet fascinating people, support important conversations, learn new skills, and help preserve one of Canberra's most treasured cultural institutions.

If you'd like to be part of a community that celebrates ideas, creativity and civic engagement, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact us today by emailing: [email protected] to find out how you can get involved.

Together, we can ensure Manning Clark House continues to inspire generations to come.

31/05/2026

These are the formal words of the National Apology delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008.

For many Aboriginal people, and especially for members of the Stolen Generations and their families, these words carried deep meaning. They acknowledged a hard truth that had been lived for generations — the pain caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities and culture.

An apology does not erase the past, but it does matter when a nation is willing to name the wrong, speak the truth and say sorry.

This moment remains one of the most important in Australia’s reconciliation journey.

It is worth remembering. It is worth reflecting on. And it is worth continuing the work that must follow words.

29/05/2026

So good meeting Thomas Lovett today! This legend walked 900kms for Truth telling. Melbs to Canberra.

28/05/2026

The portrait is the friendship's most tangible monument. Arthur Boyd painted it during his six-month residency at ANU in 1971–72, visiting Manning and Dymphna Clark at their bush retreat at Wapengo on the NSW south coast.

In the portrait, Clark's figure merges with the landscape, even in the sky-blue and yellow-ochre of his clothes, and above the signature Boyd inscribed the words 'for Manning'.

The Clark house connection runs deeper than most people realise. Arthur and Yvonne Boyd painted tiles with flowers for the kitchen of the Manning Clark house, which Robin Boyd (Arthur's cousin) had designed. Arthur Boyd was a regular guest at the Clarks' home, which hosted a roll call of Australian cultural life between 1950 and 1980.
Both were named Australian of the Year. Clark in 1980 and Boyd in 1995, a striking parallel for two friends who spent their careers asking the same fundamental question about Australian identity.

Their shared vision placed them in the same generation of cultural nation-builders. Geoffrey Serle identified Boyd, Nolan, White and Clark as exponents of a "mature, unselfconscious way of being culturally Australian" and Clark consciously placed himself in that company.

28/04/2026

26/04/2026

Building optimism at Manning Clark house right now with Vanessa Couzens.

23/04/2026

Poetry Plus at Manning Clark House Inc tonight with the incredible Paul Collis, Paul Magee and Jen Crawford.

15/04/2026

Vale Brett Odgers OAM. We are so grateful to have had your support at Manning Clark House. We will miss you.

Brett Odgers was delighted at the prospect of receiving his Order of Australia Medal from the Governor General at a ceremony at Government House today, 16 April 2026.

Sadly, Canberra and the Walter Burley Griffin Society lost a tireless champion for the preservation of the Griffin’s legacy for our nation’s capital with Brett’s death on 6 April, just days short of the presentation of the medal. His wife, Jean, will now receive it in his stead.

Brett’s OAM honoured his service to history preservation, to planning, and to the community of Canberra.

As well as his long and active association with the WBGS, Brett contributed to a range of community, heritage, sustainability and planning related groups, programs and activities. He was also a generous benefactor.

Brett remained committed to campaigning to ensure the Griffin’s vision remained the driving force of planning for Canberra right up to his death. His generosity of spirit, dedication and the depth of his knowledge and experience were inspirational and will be sadly missed.

Governor-General of Australia National Capital Authority National Triangle