At the end of last year Trish Smith wrote about The Third Place – the theory that you need your home, your office, and then somewhere else. Trish’s article came to mind when I found myself quite taken with Gallery 4 at the Australian National University (ANU) Drill Hall Gallery.

When I first enter an exhibit, I feel compelled to walk straight to the back. It helps me get an overview of what lies ahead and an overall sense of how much brain capacity is necessary to fully appreciate the whole exhibit. And so I found myself in Gallery 4, before having seen the current exhibit.

I was first amused by the assortment of chairs and tables available, I took note of two artworks and then was completely transfixed by Sidney Nolan’s bush panorama painting extravaganza Riverbend (1964/65). A permanent feature of Gallery 4, Riverbend spreads over nine large canvases. The colour, which is amazingly accurate, soothes and carries your eyes across each panel before the river seemingly fades gently from view. I gravitated towards one of the chairs on offer, appreciated the soft hum of the air-conditioner for completing my cool retreat from the outdoor heat, and got lost in the river before me. Of course Ned Kelly features (it is a Sidney Nolan work after all) but I was able to float further down the river away from him and listen to the other stories that the landscape had to tell.

Eventually, coming out of the river I took in the rest of the Drill Hall Gallery and succumbed to the beautiful wooden floors creaking appreciatively as people immersed themselves in the exhibits. Located at the Australian National University, it has a unique feel compared to other galleries. Originally a battalion headquarters, the hall was given to the ANU in 1969 and its university setting has seeped into the feel of the place making it reminiscent of a one room school house. It’s wonderful too that somewhere so close to the city centre makes one feel far removed from any hustle and bustle.

My Third Place, that I didn’t know I needed, is at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery and I invite you to visit, it’s delightful.

The ANU Drill Hall Gallery is located on Kingsley Street, off Barry Drive in Acton. Opening hours are 12 -5pm Wednesday to Sunday and admission is free.