Robert Haddon's views of Albany

While researching early images of King George Sound and Albany I stumbled across the work of architect Robert Haddon. He worked in Western Australia in the late 1890's for the Department of Public Works and painted a number of water colours of Albany and environs during this time. Later, he incorporated them into a series of calendar books which are held in the State Library of Victoria.  The images give us a glimpse of Albany just over one hundred years ago and his hand written 'notes of the day' give a fascinating peek into the mind of Haddon. Here are just a few of them, along side similar views today.

The Dog Head Rock, Albany W.A. 1896.

' "To forget" is as important an act as "to remember", for we sometimes cannot forget what we would, and often remember what were better forgotten.'

At Albany, W.A. 1896.


'If you purpose to strike hit the nail on the head every time; do not fatigue yourself with abortive effort.'

This is taken from further back 

The Post Office, Albany W.A. 1897.


'Beautiful building is Architecture, and the man who designs and plans and directs the technical and practical trades in the construction of such buildings is an Architect.'










As an architect Haddon argued for simplicity, balance and originality of design. He believed that a uniquely Australian architecture could be produced by the use of local materials and by sensitively responding to the environment and natural light. His paintings capture the time of transition between sailing ships and steamers, well before the huge diesel or gas/diesel powered ships we see today. Cars hadn't yet made their indelible mark upon the landscape and our lives,and trains were an important means of transport. Many of his paintings show pristine white beaches which can still be seen today in places where the land has been preserved from development.                

Now the home of University of WA Albany Centre

Sunset at Albany W.A. 1896.


'There is one hour of the day, one moment almost, when the exhaltation of the spirit is rendered most possible; it is the hour before the sunset, the moment before the close of another day at its passing.
Nature so often, in the sky, gathers up the full forces of her dramatic art at such a time. Then is the soul expanded, the heart enlarged, the spirit strengthened.
Then are we no longer men but Gods.
The limitations of time & space are forgotten, and with the fading of glorious light, we feel some of the exhaltation of eternity.'

Albany Harbour today

Here is a link to Haddon's calendar books through Trove.