By George Noda, Tavuli News
Old Parliament House Canberra
As a camera operator for Tavuli News, most of my days are spent looking through a viewfinder and framing stories as they happen. Whether I am filming in the studio or out in the community, my job is to capture the “now.” However, during a Solomon Islands media delegation to Australia in December 2025, I had the rare chance to shift my focus toward something very different. I focused on the past.
The highlight of our trip was visiting the Old Parliament House in Canberra. This historic building served as the home of Australia’s Federal Parliament for more than 60 years, from 1927 until the new Parliament House opened in 1988. Today, it stands as a national heritage site and the home of the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD).
The moment I stepped inside, the “boring” expectations vanished. The old walls and high ceilings felt alive. I found myself drawn to the offices of former Prime Ministers. To a camera operator, these are not just rooms. They are sets full of visual stories. I looked at the desks and meeting tables, imagining the leaders who once sat there making nation-changing decisions.
Before this journey, I knew very little about Australian history. Walking up to the grand building for the first time felt surreal. As a member of Gen Z, I admit I expected it might be just another boring tour. Instead, I felt a surge of curiosity. I was stepping into the place that symbolizes Australia’s democratic journey and preserves the stories of its leaders.
Even the smallest details caught my eye. I noticed the intricate patterns on the carpet and the way the afternoon sunlight slanted through the windows. Everything seemed to have a purpose. Inside the museum, guests can walk through the original House of Representatives and Senate chambers. Standing in those rooms, I could almost hear the echoes of members passing laws.
While our media tour included visits to tech giants like Google and Meta to learn about the digital future, the Old Parliament House left the deepest impression on me. It was quiet and reflective. The museum plays an important role in educating young people about civic responsibility through interactive exhibits and school programs.
Seeing where decisions were made gave me a deeper appreciation for the work of any government. It served as a powerful reminder that as journalists and camera operators, we are not just filming daily events. We are documenting the first draft of history.
Walking through those halls taught me that history is not something stuck in a book. It is all around us. What we capture today through our lenses will soon become the history of tomorrow. This experience has made my work back home feel even more meaningful. I know that the footage I shoot in the villages and communities of the Solomon Islands will one day contribute to the story of my own country.
About the Author
George Noda is a Camera Operator and Assistant Visual Editor at Tavuli News in Honiara. Since joining the team as a cadet in 2022, George has become a key part of the newsroom, filming main bulletins and traveling to communities to capture field stories. A creative at heart, George also has a passion for audio production and composed the current news bed for Tavuli News.
