Chief Ministers meeting for centenary

The Chief Minister brings the joyful news that planning has begun for Canberra’s centenary celebrations (media release below). The planning has kicked off today with a meeting of the Centenary Taskforce, including all our past (and present) Chief Ministers.

I’m nost quite sure what the significance of these four (yes it’s only been four before Mr Stanhope) attending, but it all sounds nice and fuzzy.

So when is Canberra’s centenary, I hear you asking. Well, it’s in 2013. That’s right, eight years from now. Anyone know what spectacularities are being planned that will take eight years to put into effect?

HISTORIC GATHERING OF TERRITORY’S CHIEF MINISTERS

Every chief minister in the history of self-government gathered today for the inaugural meeting of the Centenary Taskforce.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope invited all past chief ministers — Rosemary Follett, Trevor Kaine, Kate Carnell and Gary Humphries – to join him on a special taskforce to plan for Canberra’s centenary in 2013.

Mr Stanhope said the first meeting of the taskforce had been warmly cooperative and extremely productive.

“Everyone who has ever had the honour of being chief minister of the ACT shares a great and deep passion for this city and its community and a desire to make our centenary in 2013 a fitting and memorable occasion, not just for the national capital but for the nation,” Mr Stanhope said.

At today’s meeting the taskforce agreed that the centenary celebrations needed to involve the broader community and people from all ages and all interests, and to pursue not only memorable events, but also enduring and iconic legacies.

“Between now and Canberra’s next birthday, the taskforce will be seeking the input of all Canberrans in identifying how they would like to see the Centenary take shape and what kinds of permanent legacies they would like to see,” Mr Stanhope said.

“Last year I wrote to the Prime Minister, encouraging our two Governments to work together as partners to coordinate a celebration that is worthy of Australia’s national capital. Political differences must be put aside for an occasion of such significance, both for Canberra and the nation. And I am pleased that the Australian Government has agreed with that view. I hope to meet the Prime Minister soon to advance these discussions.

“The all-important public consultation phase will start next month. Details of how to become involved will be announced soon. After consideration all of the ideas raised the taskforce will assess the big priorities and focus its efforts for the coming years.”

Mr Stanhope said several important projects were already moving forward with their delivery timed to ‘connect’ with Canberra’s 100th birthday.

“By 2013 our International Arboretum will be fully established as a venue for major international events and celebrations,” Mr Stanhope said. “In our centenary year, our hope is that Civic and central Canberra will have reached its potential. The work underway through the Canberra Central Task Force will set the platform for that.

“The sky is the limit for what can be achieved in terms of city-wide centenary celebrations. They should involve us all, in our workplaces, our schools, our community and sporting clubs and it’s a party we should invite all Australians to share with us.

“Regular events such as Floriade, the National Multicultural Festival and New Year’s Eve will embrace the centenary theme.

“My wish is that 2013 becomes a significant turning point in the history of our special city. It will be a chance to re-establish who we are, to celebrate our ongoing maturity and look to the future to mark our significant progress as a still young but very proud global city.”