The story of two public servants – who were sometimes very ‘un-government’ in their modus operandi but who made unique and lasting contributions to our young nation and her capital, Canberra – is being told in a new website from the National Archives of Australia.

Ruth Lane Poole ruffled bureaucratic feathers as she offered frank opinion in her role as designer of the furniture and interiors of the new residences of the Prime Minister and Governor-General, The Lodge and Government House in 1927.

Charles Lane Poole brought principled scientific and professional ideals to his work as Commonwealth Forester and head of the Australian Forestry School, bringing him at times into conflict with his forestry peers.

The work of this unique couple is highlighted on the Uncommon Lives website and will be launched at the Archives in Canberra at 3.00 pm on Friday 10 November.

Following the official launch by Dr Di Langmore, General Editor of the Australian Dictionary of Biography, the website’s author, Dr John Dargavel, will reveal more of the life of Australia’s first Commonwealth Forester. Dr Dargavel is currently writing Charles Lane Poole’s biography.

Director-General of the National Archives of Australia, Ross Gibbs, said that launching the website on Charles and Ruth Lane Poole in East Block was fitting because of the connections between the building and the Lane Pooles’ role in shaping early Canberra. Work on East Block, now home to the Archives, began in 1925.

‘The following year East Block, new Parliament House and West Block were ready for occupation, and the government and public service began the slow and, at times, reluctant move from Melbourne,’ Mr Gibbs said.

‘In 1926, Melbourne-based Charles and Ruth Lane Poole were playing an active role in the construction of some of Canberra’s other early civic buildings.’

As Commonwealth Forestry Adviser, Charles Lane Poole had just successfully argued for the establishment of the Forestry School in Yarralumla. But by distinguishing graduates of state forestry schools from ‘fully trained men’, he offended the Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Forestry Commission, R Dalrymple Hay. Their conflict escalated until the Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher insisted that they ‘allow the matter to end’.

As ‘Furniture Specialist’, Ruth Lane Poole had just supplied a detailed outline of budgets and a timeline for furnishing The Lodge and Yarralumla. The Federal Capital Commission thought the cost was excessive, but a review by Cabinet found her original estimates were spot on the mark.

Early Canberra, and their respected fields of forestry and interior design, benefited greatly from the talents and passions of Charles and Ruth Lane Poole. The Uncommon Lives website brings to life the records about them, and provides a unique insight into early Canberra through letters, memos and photographs.