High Commission of Australia, London
| High Commission of Australia in London | |
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| Location | London WC2B 4LA 51°30′46.4″N 0°6′56.6″W / 51.512889°N 0.115722°W |
| Address | Strand |
| High Commissioner | John Dauth |
The High Commission of Australia in London is housed in Australia House, a building that also accommodates other Australian federal and state government agencies, including the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, part of King's College London.
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[edit] History
A major landmark on Strand, London, construction on the building by the Dove Brothers commenced in 1913, but was delayed by World War I. It was officially opened by King George V in August 1918. The cost of the triangular shaped land was £379,756 and building and other associated costs brought total expenditure to about £1 million. It was designed by the Scottish architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and his son, who won a competition (Arthur Streeton and Bertram Mackennal were amongst the judges).
Although an Official Secretary had been appointed to London as early as 1906, the High Commission to London was the first Australian diplomatic mission and one of the most prominent in London.
The building's grand interior was used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as the site of Gringotts Bank.
[edit] Modern use
Government agencies within the High Commission include Austrade, Defence, Materiel (CONDMAT), National Library of Australia and Public Affairs/Media/Cultural.
[edit] Elections
Australia House is usually the single largest polling station in Australian federal elections, with more votes being cast at the London polling station than at any polling station in any of the Australian States or Territories.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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