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The articles that make up this book were originally published almost fifty years ago. between 1964 and 1966, as a regular column in the Canberra Times written by Charles Daley, appearing each Saturday under the title "As I Recall". The final article appeared on the day after his death on 30th September 1966, aged 79.

Covering a period from the days before Canberra existed to the 1960s, these articles give an unrivalled insight into personalities, places, events, folklore, and also provide background to a variety of policy decisions that have affected life in the 'bush capital'. Charles Daley, the author, had been intimately connected with Canberra from its very beginning, allowing him to comment with unusual authority on its history and development.

The articles were collected into a book entitled "As I Recall", published in 1994 by the Mulini Press in association with the Canberra and District Historical Society, with an introduction by the historian Chris Coulthard-Clark.

To commemorate Canberra's Centenary, "As I Recall" has been republished as an ebook. Follow the links on this page to get a copy in your preferred format.

Charles Studdy Daley was born in Maldon, Victoria, on 4th July 1887. In 1905, he joined the newly-formed Commonwealth Public Service, becoming a clerk in the Public Works Branch. He rapidly found himself involved in the complex business of putting Parliament's decision for a national capital 'on the ground', helping to select the site and organising the international competition to design the city, won by W. B. Griffin.

In 1921, he became Secretary of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee, and in 1924, of the Federal Capital Commission. He was awarded the OBE for his services to Canberra in 1927. In 1930, he became Civic Administrator (a sort of unelected mayor), and spent the rest of his working life at the heart of Canberra's administration.

Charles Daley moved to Canberra with his wife, Jessie, and young family in 1926, and the two of them rapidly began to play a pivotal rôle in the social and cultural life of the new city, being deeply involved in a host of organisations such as the YMCA, the Musical and Historical Societies, Rotary, the Girl Guides, the Motherhood Society, and much more. Jessie Daley died in 1943. Charles Daley retired from public life in 1952, but remained active in social and cultural activities until his death in September 1966.

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