At today’s Creating a Centenary of Innovation forum at Old Parliament House, a panel of international experts in creating celebrations talked about what to do for Canberra’s 100th birthday. I’m not sure how many people knew this forum was happening, but if Jon Stanhope says it was so, it must have been so.
The international experts included:
# Kate Oakley – recognised author and policy analyst, and the prime author of the Creative London report;
# Andrew Walsh – Director of London Millennium Celebrations and many other high-profile international events; and
# Rhoda Roberts – Creative Director of Parramatta’s Foundation Day Celebrations, and also creative director of the Awakening Segment of the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Reading between the lines, Mr Walsh seems to have been the main player and was reportedly very enthusiastic about the whole thing and, along with the Chief Minister, thinks the centenary will be “the ideal opportunity to celebrate Canberra’s achievements”.
I’m feeling quite enthusiastic about Mr Walsh’s involvement, especially after I found out the London Eye was one of their centenary projects. I would love to have a giant Ferris wheel in Civic (no, really — it’d just be like the merry-go-round only more grown up). Any other amusement park rides our government should consider building to celebrate on?