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It seems there were several children's parties on HMAS Canberra in December 1931. - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16818779 I bet this is the Officers' children one on Saturday 12 December (SMH 14/12/1931 p.3 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16814285). " ... ... A large crane, in which the little guests were given rides .... ... "

beachcomber australia Thanks for those articles! It was definitely the children's Christmas party and judging by these articles, you're probably right, it looks like it was the one on Saturday afternoon for the Officers' children. Great work beachcomberaustralia! Woudn't it be wonderful if we could identify some of those children? It was 81 years ago, perhaps some of them may still be around and remember this event... We also have an image of the kids on the slide which we will be uploading today so watch this space.

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Hmm - this is going to sound REALLY geeky and picky - I need to get a life! ... 1931 date may be wrong ... The Harbour Bridge behind is not very completed for "December 1931" - they would be flat out completing it in three months for a March 1932 opening. I think from the state of the decking and pylons, that this might be December 1930. Also compare with this October 1930 photo - I had a look at Trove for children's parties in December 1930, but no luck so far.

beachcomber australia Not at all, we also enjoy being geeky and investigating these images and we always appreciate feedback from our followers! So, we know for sure that the Dutch navy visited in October 1930 and that it was their first visit. The DE RUYTER image above, shows the first part of the deck being lowered. In the image of the children in the crate, there are quite a few more deck pieces. Another bit of information, this image bit.ly/MfsM5h is from the same day (as you can see the lady in the white outfit and hat in both images). The inscription in the lower part of the negative says 'Xmas party 1931'. Perhaps more research into the Sydney Harbour Bridge will confirm, because I do see what you mean, they would have had to rush the last few pieces for the March 1932 opening!

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Thanks for the extra photo - it is really difficult to argue with the photographer's own signature date! The wikipedia article has a useful history and dates of construction. The two "creeper cranes" seen here are particularly good indicators of progress. Also on the page is a photo (from the AWM) of the HMAS 'Canberra' going under the bridge in 1930 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#Construction Whether 1930 or 1931, this is still a wonderful photo!

The aircraft captured in the photo are likely Charles Kingsford Smith in his Fokker Trimotor (Fokker F.VIIb/3m) "Southern Cross" (VH-USU) and either "City of Sydney" (VH-UPI) or "City of Brisbane" (VH-UNJ) belonging to New England Airways. Both Avro 618 Ten ("Avro Ten" or "Avro X") aircraft (license-built Fokker Trimotors) escorted Kingsford Smith's "Southern Cross" during the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening celebration. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Virtue#New_England_Airways_.2...

According to Trove, this was 22 November 1934. The ship is HMS SUSSEX. trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17117333 and photos trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1140559

HMS SUSSEX details - www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-Sussex.htm