The commencement of construction for Canberra was marked by a ceremonial event led by King O'Malley, who was serving as the Minister for Home Affairs. On a day filled with anticipation, O'Malley drove in the first survey peg, a significant action that paved the way for the future urban development of the city that was selected to be Australia’s capital in 1908. The decision to establish a capital city in Canberra was fueled by a need to compromise between Melbourne and Sydney, which were rival cities vying for this honor. The selection of Canberra was intended to represent a unified national identity, reflecting the character of the Australian continent, and the event of driving the peg was a pivotal moment in this national endeavor. With this act, O'Malley not only marked the beginning of construction but also symbolized the aspiration for a specifically planned city that would embody the ideals of the nation. Canberra was envisioned to be a beautiful garden city amongst the natural landscape, integrating wide avenues and green spaces, designed by the American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The act of placing the first peg transcended mere construction; it was about laying the foundational vision for governance, culture, and community in the fledgling capital. This moment was filled with both hope and the promise of a future that Canberra was expected to fulfill as the center of Australian political life.