Winning Moves spokesperson Dale Hackett and Mr Monopoly at the Canberra Monopoly launch. Photo: James Coleman.
The waiting game is officially over.
Canberra’s very own version of Monopoly launched at the National Museum of Australia today (20 March) to an excited crowd of representatives from various local institutions, schoolchildren on excursion, and members of the public chaffing at the bit to buy their own set.
The man himself, Mr Monopoly, turned up for the occasion, brought up to the peninsula’s jetty by GoBoat (that should be a hint).
Dale Hacket from Winning Moves, the Australian manufacturer and distributor for Hasbro, said it was not even his most impressive entry.
“He’s a well-travelled man. He’s also very rich, so [he’s arrived in] everything from helicopters to a Lamborghini in Dubai when we launched that edition,” Dale said.
The game has been nearly a year in the making.
In June last year, Winning Moves asked Canberrans to submit their ideas via email or Facebook for what they wanted to see on a locally themed Monopoly game. The result was “hundreds of suggestions” for “things we did know about, and things we didn’t”.
“This is where it got tough, because there are so many locations that could feature, and there are only 22 spots on the board,” Dale said.
“We did take quite a lot of feedback from tourism boards and local businesses, but most importantly, the general public.”
There’s already a ‘Monopoly: Australia Edition’, as well as individual games for Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – Dale apologised for the delay in getting to Canberra.
Canberra Monopoly is available to buy at the National Museum of Australia and the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, as well as various online outlets. Photo: James Coleman.
“Canberra was the last major city we’ve got to,” he said.
“I am sorry it’s taken this long, but it took a lot of consideration to make sure we got this right.”
Winning Moves also approached Visit Canberra with the idea, just as the ACT Government’s tourism agency was brainstorming “creative ways” to turbocharge local tourism in the wake of COVID.
“We, of course, embraced it,” executive branch manager Jonathan Kobus said.
“We immediately knew it was going to be such a great way to promote the range of experiences that people can have in the city, and also provide an opportunity for the businesses and attractions to be a part of it and see themselves reflected in the board game.”
Winning Moves confirmed it wasn’t a matter of votes, or ‘pay to play’, but rather the “passion of the suggestions” that decided who made the final cut.
So without further ado, here’s the list:
- Brown: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Cockington Green Gardens
- Light blue: Canberra Theatre Centre, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery
- Pink: Yarralumla Play Station, GoBoat, National Dinosaur Museum
- Orange: Floriade, Enlighten, Canberra Balloon Spectacular
- Red: Canberra Outlet, Old Bus Depot Markets, Westfield Belconnen
- Yellow: BrodBurger, Mooseheads, AKIBA
- Green: Canberra Airport, University of Canberra, Royal Australian Mint
- Dark blue: Australian War Memorial, Parliament House
- Local icons (in place of the railway stations): Belconnen Owl, Telstra Tower, Lake Burley Griffin, GIO Stadium Canberra
- Utilities: Icon Water, ActewAGL.
National Museum of Australia Director Katherine McMahon. Photo: James Coleman.
National Museum of Australia Director Katherine McMahon said it was “not only exciting, but also a real honour” to be on the board.
“It takes me back to all the memories I have playing Monopoly not only as a kid, but I’ve got a 16-year-old daughter, and she constantly asks me to play Monopoly with her,” she said.
“We’ve already had people pre-ordering the board game online at our museum shop, and there’s a big line of people buying it now.”
Brodburger said it was “so excited” to feature among the yellow squares.
“A game close to our childhood and our hearts, it fills us with so much joy knowing that we get to be a part of so many Canberran’s memories who’ll play the game with family and friends, with our name on it,” the company posted to social media.
Canberra Monopoly is available to buy at the National Museum of Australia and the Canberra Region Visitors Centre, as well as various online outlets.
Want to win your own Canberra Monopoly? We have six up for grabs; sign up to our daily digest to go into the draw. Winners will be contacted via email on 27 March.
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