Aldo Giurgola's contribution to Canberra's architecture recognised

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, today joined Aldo Giurgola and his daughter Paola in planting a Hoop Pine in the Central Valley of the National Arboretum.

"The Hoop Pine was planted to recognise the significant contributions Mr Giurgola has made to Canberra's architecture, as well as his role in the Arboretum's design concept," the Chief Minister said.

"In 1980, Mr Giurgola was selected as the architect for the New Parliament House project after he and his partners at Mitchell Giurgola and Thorpe Architects won the international competition to design the new building.

"Mr Giurgola has strong ties with the National Arboretum, and was a member of the jury that selected 100 forests 100 gardens as the winning design for the arboretum and gardens.

"There is no doubt about the legacy that Mr Giurgola has left for future generations of Australians. For Canberrans he will of course always be best known and most loved as the architect of one of this nation's greatest buildings which immediately became an iconic symbol of Canberra.

"Aldo Giurgola has received worldwide recognition for his contribution to design, teaching and writing about the importance of our built environment. It is therefore fitting that he also have his legacy to Canberra and the nation honoured here at our National Arboretum," the Chief Minister said.

"The 100 forests 100 gardens design is well under way, with 85 forests and approximately 36,000 trees planted so far.

"It is fantastic to see how the arboretum and gardens have grown out of the ashes of the 2003 Canberra bushfires that tore through the pine forests that stood here some nine years ago," the Chief Minister said.

"The tree we have planted today is the Araucaria cunninghamii, which is commonly known as the Hoop Pine.

"This Australian native is a unique species which gets its name from the criss-cross ridges or ‘hoops' its bark develops with age. Over time, this tree species also develops a straight trunk and attractive symmetrical shape which contributes to its magnificence, which is a particularly fitting tribute to one of the nation's greatest architects," the Chief Minister concluded.

Mr Giurgola has joined a number of iconic Australians and visiting dignitaries who have planted a tree in the National Arboretum's Central Valley.