GG opens Aussie Google HQ

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Welcome to the Jungle — Google Australia's new lobby.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
The Governor-General makes an entrance.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Karim Temsamani, general manager of Google Australia and New Zealand, makes his announcement that Google will digitise archive issues of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age dating back to the late 1800s. This will include original photos and advertisements.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
The Governor-General gives her official address.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Google Australia's head of engineering, Alan Noble, announces that Canberra's bus network as well as Sydney's light rail and monorail timetable information will be available on Google Maps later this month.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
The opening was signed off by the Governor-General.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Googlers were placed at strategic locations to interact with the Governor-General.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Presumably what Google's offices will be like once the celebrations die down.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Inspecting some of the local Google doodles.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Unique touches are made throughout the offices, such as using a bathtub complete with rubber duckies as a conference room desk.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Another of the briefings for the Governor-General on the tour.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
As expected, Google's office comes with a games room.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
One of the lighter moments during the YouTube part of the tour.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Blow-up reptiles come fitted standard with any Google Australia office.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Learning about Google Wave.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
There are some things that defy explanation, like why are there three members of Thomas the Tank Engine on the wall and no picture of Ringo Starr?

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
The Governor-General using a Google Android phone.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Don't you have a tent in the middle of your office?

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
Google Australia's tech support team show off their gear.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett
The upside-down meeting room is another of the office's unique touches.

Published: June 1, 2009 -- 05:49 GMT (22:49 PDT)
Photo by: Chris Duckett/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Chris Duckett

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The Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, officially opened Google's new Australian offices at a ceremony held in Sydney this morning. ZDNet.com.au was there to see the unique features of this new building.

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GG opens Aussie Google HQ

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