24 February 2009

What most inspires you about Canberra history?

| johnboy
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The Chiefly Jon Stanhope reports that Fraser, Wanniassa Hills and Yarralumla Primary Schools as well as Canberra High are going to have a stab at teaching local Canberra history to their students.

Apparently this was prompted by the impending 2013 centenary of the city’s founding, although one hopes the curriculum isn’t being messed with just because of the movement of the stars.

If all goes well (and apparently the tykes have reportedly favourably on the relevancy and enjoyability of the units so far for the little that’s worth) then they plan to send it to schools all over Australia for the consideration of inter-state teachers.

But I found this bit to be intriguing:

    “There is no doubt that learning about Canberra’s inspirational history will help a new generation of Australian students better understand their nation’s capital while tuning into the excitement of our centenary celebrations,” Mr Stanhope said.

So what parts of Canberra’s history do you find to be the most inspirational?

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The guy who drove a car right through the glass doors at the front of of parliament house. I don’t think he even wanted anything, he was just a bit messed up. And now we get to look at all those beautiful waist-high concrete pillars whenever we go past. Lovely!

The ANU explosion a few years back now that spewed so much toxic chemicals that the entire university, basically all of Acton, had to be evacuated. Oh but it was fine the next day, nothing to see here! (yup I was a student there at the time and felt totally safe)

Speaking of ANU, didn’t an ANU student once do doughies in the Duntroon parade ground leading to RMC mobilising, digging in and locking down the entire campus? Nobody could get in or out for an entire day.

I also love the tent embassy. Why don’t they ever get invited to art exhibitions and concerts like the other diplomats do?

The Night of the Long Prawns would have to be up there…
http://moadoph.gov.au/exhibitions/online/dismissed/prologue.htm

I know JB said move along, but I saw this and it made me think about earlier in the thread…

I have been wondering for some time about the Tunnel through which Parks Way passes at Acton. I have been through said tunnel countless times, as have most of you, I am sure. I have also been in “Acton Underhill”, the underground storage facility which ANU operates. It is located directly above Parks Way, between the roof of the tunnel and the ground surface.

So, I want to know,

– When was it built? The lake was flooded in about ’63, and I see no reason for it to have existed before this..

– How was it built? I am guessing “cut and cover”, which would have been an awesome cutting before the built it back up.

– Why can I find so little about it on the web? I am guessing again, that it is where the alien bodies are stored, or it connects to the Secret Bunker under the lake.

While probably unsuitable for e young audience there’s plenty of material available for a ‘criminal history’ of Canberra. For example, the Civic siege in the late 1970’s. A young bloke broke up with his girlfriend and took mit so well he went into the old barber/gun shop upstairs in East Row. After asking for a rifle and some rounds he loaded these and started threatening all and sundry. To prove he was serious he fired a few dozen rounds into the police cars being used to block traffic. I recall the warnings broadcast on TV and radio advising people to stay out of civic brought the biggest crowd into the area that had been seen in East Row in many a year. All ended well when the gunman rang one of the local radio stations (2CA or 2CC, can’t recall which) to tell them his story. They arranged for his girlfriend to vist the bloke and bring the saga to a close.

There’s also the Jolimont Ctr seige in the 90’s where an employee of Parkwood eggs drove his ute thought the Ansett (?) office at the front corner of the building. The gas tanks he’d apparently wired to explode failed to go off but he did stalk the building for a while before fatally shooting himself in the building’s foyer.

Add to that the murder of Ricky Conway (read the book “An Almost Perfect Murder”, the AFP lead investigator in the case is a relation of mine) and several other similar acts and you’d have a massive history. Now I think of it this could be a book in the making….

This might get the memories of some people going. Legend has it that Yarralumla there is a rather large diamond buried under a tree in the Govenor Generals back yard, The legend goes like this:

‘In 1826, a large diamond was stolen from James Cobbity, on an obscure station in Queensland. The theft was traced to one of the convicts who had run away, probably to New south Wales. The convict was captured in 1858, but the diamond could not be traced; neither would the convict (name unknown) give any information, in spite of frequent floggings.

‘During 1842 he left a statement to a groom, and a map of the hiding-place of the hidden diamond. The groom, for a minor offence, was sent to Berrima gaol. He was clever with horses, and one day, when left to his duties, plaited a rope of straw and then escaped by throwing it over the wall, where he caught an iron bar. Passing it over, he swung himself down and escaped. He and his family lived out west for several years, according to the Rev James Hassall who, seeing him live honestly, did not think it necessary to inform against him. I have no reason to think he tried to sell the diamond. Probably the ownership of a thing so valuable would bring suspicion and lead to his re-arrest.

‘After his death his son took possession of the jewel, and with a trusty aboriginal set off for Sydney. After leaving Cooms for Queanbeyan they met with, it was afterwards ascertained, a bushranging gang. The aboriginal and his companion became separated, and finally the former was captured and searched, to no avail, for he had swallowed the jewel. The gang, in anger, shot him. He was buried in a piece of land belonging to Colonel Gibbs, and later Mr. Campbell. I believe the diamond to be among his bones. It is of great value. My hand is enfeebled with age, or I should describe the trouble through which I have passed. My life has been wasted, my money expended, I die almost destitute, and in sight of my goal. I believe the grave to be under the large deodar-tree. Being buried by blacks, it would be in a round hole. Believe and receive a fortune. Scoff and leave the jewel in its hiding place.

‘Written near Yarralumla.’

If the story is untrue, the deodar is not. The tree is considered to be the finest of its kind in the Commonwealth. No attempt has been made to uproot it, for the owners of Yarralumla have always thought more of this grand old tree than the chance of treasure among its roots, and they have left the jewel – if any – in its hiding-place. Many thousands of deodars growing throughout the country have been planted from the seeds of this famous old-timer with its absorbing tale of mystery.

Whilst i have cut and pasted this, the story is still cool and should be more well known.

I suggest we get back on the topic of Canberra history now people.

Jim Jones said :

p1 said :

They still teach religion. I’d put that in the same class as any of those ones.

Actually, I’m pretty sure Jebus was a Zombie, what with all the rising from the dead and stuff.

And he wanted people to eat his flesh and drink his blood, which would explain the highly viral nature of the whole thing.

And he was most probably black! Just to upset all the anglo non-Darwinians.

p1 said :

They still teach religion. I’d put that in the same class as any of those ones.

Actually, I’m pretty sure Jebus was a Zombie, what with all the rising from the dead and stuff.

And he wanted people to eat his flesh and drink his blood, which would explain the highly viral nature of the whole thing.

They still teach religion. I’d put that in the same class as any of those ones.

Actually, I’m pretty sure Jebus was a Zombie, what with all the rising from the dead and stuff.

monomania “Next you’ll be teaching them astrology, palmistry and phrenology as a means of engaging them in the “real” world.”

and the “real world” is such a charming place to engage. You do know the “real world” is a fantasy world controlled only by your ability finance it. It can be anything you can afford.

> Next you’ll be teaching them astrology, palmistry and phrenology as a means of engaging them in the “real” world.

They still teach religion. I’d put that in the same class as any of those ones.

nyssa76 said :

Woody, good for you mate. My taxes pay for education too.

Now for the reality:

1. They’re engaged in the history of Canberra
2. It’s a topic they like
3. It includes components of geography and literacy

Reality: Ghosts? zombies? witches? elves and fairies.

Next you’ll be teaching them astrology, palmistry and phrenology as a means of engaging them in the “real” world.

Gungahlin Al said :

There is a tunnel under Northborne Ave (thanks NCA)

What the?? Where?

And what’s this Ma-nooka nonsense? Never heard anyone pronouce it that way.

Apparently it runs under the Melbourne building and some of the others and is accesible through some buildings basements. I have only seen a couple photos and this is coming from a mate in NCA as he said that it falls into their juristiction and they are now responsible for its upkeep.

Loose Brown said :

That we are a totally planned city that is the head of government for one of the most politically stable and longest lasting democracies in the world.

I believe P.McGuinnes referred to Canberra as a ‘dysfunctional socialist utopia’. Heh heh.

Dear God, I have an evil doppelganger!

My guess is that Paddy didn’t venture far enough out of the devil’s triangle to see the real Canberra.

Beserk Keyboard Warrior6:47 pm 25 Feb 09

justbands said :

> and the queen saying ‘marn-ukka’ instead of ‘ma-nooka’…

Who does pronounce it “Ma-nooka”??

The Maori, when speaking of the native N.Z tree that Manuka was named after.

Woody, good for you mate. My taxes pay for education too.

Now for the reality:

1. They’re engaged in the history of Canberra
2. It’s a topic they like
3. It includes components of geography and literacy

Gungahlin Al5:47 pm 25 Feb 09

There is a tunnel under Northborne Ave (thanks NCA)

What the?? Where?

And what’s this Ma-nooka nonsense? Never heard anyone pronouce it that way.

sepi said :

Finnegans and the ANU Bar both had that wierd thing of being a bar opposite a gym.

So the rows of drinkers can watch the rows of treadmillers and vice versa.

And both sides can pity the other for their boring loser timewasting.

or…..both sides look at the other and think “now….that’s what I really should be doing right now”

Finnegans and the ANU Bar both had that wierd thing of being a bar opposite a gym.

So the rows of drinkers can watch the rows of treadmillers and vice versa.

And both sides can pity the other for their boring loser timewasting.

some history of motorsport in canberra should be included….such as the former speedways at mt ginn and tralee….the former dragway….the shortlived v8 supercar race etc

Finnigans was always peaceful because the drunks had a forged steel hammer.

There’s a lesson there for us all.

Oh so many memories (some of them missing).

I used to love the Terrace Bar, and the Asylum, and the Circus (going a bit further back). Hell, even Zorros and the Terminus had their moments.

Sorry, I meant peaceful!

johnboy said :

Nothing in this world more inspiring than drunks smashing hammers around trying to play nails.

I hope there’s room in the syllabus for that chapter of our history.

hehe! If there isn’t there should be.

It was a pretty paceful place pretty much all of the time so maybe the youngsters could learn a lesson about how to behave when you’re out for a drink.

Start ’em early I say!!!

Nothing in this world more inspiring than drunks smashing hammers around trying to play nails.

I hope there’s room in the syllabus for that chapter of our history.

…oh and Finnigans Bar too.

Three words…

Bird Man Rally (technically two words)

AngryHenry said :

Four words…

Metal For The Brain

You da man!

Four words…

Metal For The Brain

the noo zullanders – whence hails the town after which it is named – pronounce it ‘ma-nooka’…

and i am aware, ta thumper, that ‘wick’ is olde englishe, but ye olde englishe-ers would [have] pronounced it ‘ick’, the ‘w’ silent – ie ‘fish-ick’. any ideas, anyone? linguists, mebbe?

Oh, on the subject of Canberra history…..sadly, my father-in-law passed away recently. Amongst his belongings is a heap of old pics of Canberra. Not as old as the ones being featured here recently, although still very interesting. There’s several for example of Parliament House being constructed. Once I’ve scanned them in, I’ll email you some for possible inclusion on RiotACT johnboy.

> and the queen saying ‘marn-ukka’ instead of ‘ma-nooka’…

Who does pronounce it “Ma-nooka”??

old canberran2:21 pm 25 Feb 09

Here’s a pic of the first ballot paper and it’s actually just over a meter long. The counting of the votes was a complete shemozzle as well.

What’s so special about a tunnel under Northbourne Avenue, if in fact, one exists.

I just like tunnels, that’s all.

I too get fed up with people saying Canberra has no soul, that it’s boring, no entertainment etc etc.

Me too. And I have lived in quite a few places, so feel able to comment intelligently.

well may we say ‘god save the queen’, because nothing will save the governor general.

and the queen saying ‘marn-ukka’ instead of ‘ma-nooka’…

and why isn’t it pronounced ‘fish-ick’?? anyone know?? why do we voice the ‘w’?

old canberran1:35 pm 25 Feb 09

p1 said :

The length of the very first ballot paper for Self Government. It inspired me to leave.

Does anyone have a picture of that paper? It was almost a metre long….

My doctor who is ex Canberra has a copy of it framed and hanging in her waiting room. I’ll take a photo and send it to JB.
What’s so special about a tunnel under Northbourne Avenue, if in fact, one exists.

I too get fed up with people saying Canberra has no soul, that it’s boring, no entertainment etc etc. My answer to them is if you don’t like it go back to wherever you came from.

The length of the very first ballot paper for Self Government. It inspired me to leave.

Does anyone have a picture of that paper? It was almost a metre long….

There is a tunnel under Northborne Ave (thanks NCA),

Really? I have been under Northbourne Ave in a stormwater drain, but don’t think I knew about a tunnel.

My vote for history is the Fairbairn Bomb Dumps from WWII

And the Birdman Rally, although that is more of a vote to reinstate it, rather then teach about it.

I think I remember both Fred Daly and Al Grassby being crowned. They meant nothing to me at the time though. I loved Rolf Harris, and Norman Gunston was nothing less than a hero.

R. Slicker said :

R. Slicker said :

BerraBoy68 said :

What about all the kings of Canberra that were crowned each year? I recall Rolf Harris, Norman Gunston and Ol’ Mr Daley. Actually I was knighted by Rolf when he was king (along with several hundred other folk) so you may call me ‘Sir Berraboy’

Also Dennis Lillee.

When Fred was crowned a special flag was produced showing a cartoon depiction of Fred which ran foul of the flag protocol people.

In case anybody was wondering, “Fred” refers to Fred Daly, not Fred Nile.

R. Slicker said :

BerraBoy68 said :

What about all the kings of Canberra that were crowned each year? I recall Rolf Harris, Norman Gunston and Ol’ Mr Daley. Actually I was knighted by Rolf when he was king (along with several hundred other folk) so you may call me ‘Sir Berraboy’

Also Dennis Lillee.

When Fred was crowned a special flag was produced showing a cartoon depiction of Fred which ran foul of the flag protocol people.

BerraBoy68 said :

What about all the kings of Canberra that were crowned each year? I recall Rolf Harris, Norman Gunston and Ol’ Mr Daley. Actually I was knighted by Rolf when he was king (along with several hundred other folk) so you may call me ‘Sir Berraboy’

Also Dennis Lillee.

jube_V8Fairlane_235kw9:28 am 25 Feb 09

BerraBoy68 said :

What about all the kings of Canberra that were crowned each year? I recall Rolf Harris, Norman Gunston and Ol’ Mr Daley. Actually I was knighted by Rolf when he was king (along with several hundred other folk) so you may call me ‘Sir Berraboy’

Grasby was king one year as well (and well before Sonic’s time). I am not saying this was a good thing, btw.

Woody Mann-Caruso9:21 am 25 Feb 09

Tie it in with the paranormal side of Canberra and the kids LOVE it.

My tax dollars at work. Do you teach them about reiki and UFOs as well?

Lots of history here. SFA of it is ‘inspirational’ so far.

And it had treehouses!

Weston Park when it was a water park! Awesome!

Couple of interesting things about Canberra are:

We had an wartime internment camp in Fyshwick,
There is a lot of Cold War architecture in and around and under Canberra,
The porn is not as full on as what you find in Sydney,
Lake Burley Griffin used to be a racecourse,
If all the bodies buried at the Cotter stood up they would need a local member,
There is a tunnel under Northborne Ave (thanks NCA),
There is a heap of old forgotten pioneer cemetaries in our suburbs
and a couple of stupid laws (You are required to fire a warning shot when approaching an intersection but it is illegal to discharge a firearm in public, work that out).

Can you stop running with the shit comics already, Jb?

They add nothing and take away lots.

Deckard said :

Roadrage77 said :

And I’m sick of the Canberra has no soul cliche!!

Agreed. How does one qualify that a city actually has a soul? It is a tired statement and the haterz should try a bit harder.

I find it inspiring that people take the time to dig up Canberra’s history – mundane and important – and then share it with those of us who are interested.

There’s plenty of worthwhile history around here, just check the cave paintings at Yankee Hat in Namadgi for a start.

Cool! What would you include as the highlights Nyssa76?

I already teach Canberra History to my students. Not many of my colleagues find it interesting enough to do so.

Tie it in with the paranormal side of Canberra and the kids LOVE it.

Will PC Chieftain want to include Indigenous history ?

I assume not, as 2013 is the Centenery Celebration.

That should make the traditional paying of respect to land and elders at every gathering sound a tweeny bit hollow.

But hey, Kevin sort of said sorry.

Roadrage77 said :

I love Canberra but unfortunately no history = no soul.

Canberra has almost 100 years of history – and then there’s the history of the local area before then. Like the interesting stories about drownings and murders in Ginninderra Ck.

I think that the history’s just not that easy to find. I’m sure it’s all tucked away in some library or ACT govt office. Maybe some kind of museum or website could be the answer – if there isn’t one already that I don’t know about.

And I’m sick of the Canberra has no soul cliche!!

GardeningGirl10:41 pm 24 Feb 09

niftydog said :

sepi said :

Has Parlt Hse captured and killed all the massive bogong moths?
You just don’t see them around now.

They sprayed chemicals, then lots of magpies died. Then some bright spark had the idea of turning off half the exterior lights. They’re still there, trust me. I’ve spent time crawling amongst the carcasses in the deep recesses of that building.

I thought they sprayed for lawn grubs.
The bogong moths are a seasonal special at a restaurant in Manuka.

Don’t forget the flooding disaster, too.

Actually Canberra has a lot of history in a short time. From a political point of view we have the death of Ben Chifley and the dismissal, the opening of both houses of parliament and Ainslie Gotto. Then there is the lake, Winchester, self government, the implosion and the busfires and … Shit!! A whole lot of disasters!! It’s almost perverse to love the place. Still there is plenty of time left for you youngsters to make history, probably not before 2013. Lets make a bit more effort before 2113.

Oh, what about the torch relay wherein Granny was nearly arrested ….

I remember when John Knight died. That was really sad. That was definitely a part of our history. Oddly enough I think of him more often when I read his name on a building plaque than when I visit the memorial park.

old canberran9:08 pm 24 Feb 09

Gungahlin Al said :

BTW, Griffin designed Leeton and Griffith.

Sure – as is pretty obvious from the street layout. But neither of which are cities.

On the street layouts, it’s kind of like the Brady Bunch Movie where every design the architect dad does is just a recycling of the design of their house… 🙂

Al, I was correcting an incorrect statement (#19) made earlier that Griffin didn’t design Griffith. That’s all.

monomania said :

“Wasn’t Kerry Packer the Goanna of the National Times. (sorry youngsters who haven’t lived a little history) Maybe I wouldn’t have said that pre-paddles in every ambulance.”

Yes he was the ‘Goanna’, and identified himself as such -doesn’t actually make him guilty of the allegations though. Even at the time it seemed unlikely that he would need to make a little extra cash dealing drugs. He was undoubtedly ruthless though, as was his father.

Wasn’t Kerry Packer the Goanna of the National Times. (sorry youngsters who haven’t lived a little history) Maybe I wouldn’t have said that pre-paddles in every ambulance.

The RiotACT yes, obvious suck but…)

Seriously, how about the old Royal Canberra Hospital implosion? There’s a bit of history that should never, ever be forgotten in this town. A populist Cheif Minister, bullying her public servants into doing a quick and dirty spectacle, who employed contractors of dubious standing, and encouraged all and sundry right into the blast zone… criminal.

54-11 said :

“I’ve never heard the Packer story before. Any more info?”

It was in a book called ‘The Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer’ by Paul Barry. Kerry was an 18 year old schoolboy. He claimed that the other car drifted across the road and hit him, and the story received no publicity.

In fact the IIRC the woman who was with him that night died recently.

I’ve never heard the Packer story before. Any more info?

I-filed said :

(I-field)”When the young Kerry Packer killed a couple of locals on Northbourne Avenue and his dad paid them off a motza and he got off scot free, and it was never put on any official record.”

That was on Northbourne? I thought it was on the highway somewhere, coming back from the snow.

.

Or perhaps the City Fathers deciding to honour a corrupt old paedophile (Gus Petersilka) with TWO memorials in Civic.

When the young Kerry Packer killed a couple of locals on Northbourne Avenue and his dad paid them off a motza and he got off scot free, and it was never put on any official record.

Twas Lozza who dropped the Winfield Cup, so take that slur off ole Smell Myfinger.

I love Canberra but unfortunately no history = no soul. All we really ever had were the ’03 fires but since they’ve been well and truly trumped by recent events doon sooth we really have nudda.

That this place is as parochial as any other country town and that for many, many years Canberra has prided itself on nepotism. The internal phone directories of every single ACT Govt. Department are instruments that can be used to research one’s family history.

What about all the kings of Canberra that were crowned each year? I recall Rolf Harris, Norman Gunston and Ol’ Mr Daley. Actually I was knighted by Rolf when he was king (along with several hundred other folk) so you may call me ‘Sir Berraboy’

Gungahlin Al6:49 pm 24 Feb 09

BTW, Griffin designed Leeton and Griffith.

Sure – as is pretty obvious from the street layout. But neither of which are cities.

On the street layouts, it’s kind of like the Brady Bunch Movie where every design the architect dad does is just a recycling of the design of their house… 🙂

I reckon the kiddies should be forced to learn that spit of Paddy McGuinness’ on Canberra off by heart. It was a classic.

When the Stanhopless government came to power – how can one forget 🙁

Holden Caulfield5:40 pm 24 Feb 09

PM said :

Pot Belly – the last bastion of ‘Sesame Street’ 🙂

Haha, you don’t hear it called Sesame Street much these days.

The Wicked Lady was the best. 😉

Mal Meninga is truly inspiring. Not that I needed much inspiration to stay out of ACT politics!

sepi said :

Has Parlt Hse captured and killed all the massive bogong moths?
You just don’t see them around now.

They sprayed chemicals, then lots of magpies died. Then some bright spark had the idea of turning off half the exterior lights. They’re still there, trust me. I’ve spent time crawling amongst the carcasses in the deep recesses of that building.

old canberran5:31 pm 24 Feb 09

The length of the very first ballot paper for Self Government. It inspired me to leave.

Incidentally they better hurry up with this history thing. There’s not too many of us old buggers left to tell ’em what really happened.
BTW, Griffin designed Leeton and Griffith.

Roundabouts!

Al Grasby statue.

Pommy bastard5:20 pm 24 Feb 09

Gungahlin Al said :

I love that the Concord’s maiden flight from London came to Canberra (along with Granny, I saw it take off from Scullin School). Which means that the poms must have thought that Canberra was about as far as physically possible from England on the globe – not a bad thing…

I beg your pardon?

Has Parlt Hse captured and killed all the massive bogong moths?

You just don’t see them around now.

Gungahlin Al said :

I love that a teetotalling administrator who introduced a failed attempt at prohibition got a pub named after himself.

I love that the Concord’s maiden flight from London came to Canberra (along with Granny, I saw it take off from Scullin School). Which means that the poms must have thought that Canberra was about as far as physically possible from England on the globe – not a bad thing…

I love that it was designed, making it the only such city (Griffith doesn’t count) in Australia, and despite the best (?) efforts of numerous planners and administrators since, still works very well as a planned city.

A slight correction – the Riverina town planned by Burley Griffin is Leeton, not Griffith.

Steady Eddie5:07 pm 24 Feb 09

johnboy said :

Who can forget getting MLA’s elected in 1989 from both the Abolish Self-Government Coalition AND the No Self Government Party?

. . . and the No Self Government MLA (Craig Duby) becoming a minister in Trevor Kaine’s government.

Mal Meninga’s political career was pretty cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt–SGmIKIQ

If I looked a little further before posting I would have found that che preempted me by about 4 years. That must make it more historic.

http://aph.gov.au/library/pubs/RB/2006-07/07rb06.htm

Bogong Moths all over Parliament house is a vaguely ridiculous problem that has some very local character. I like the amount of detail they put into this before reaching the conclusions that they did (just scroll to the bottom). Maybe someone had to go to the pub…

(Not really sure that it counts as history but the story came quickly to my mind when I saw the topic. Google produced this and I had to share it.)

I believe it was Laurie Daley who did the dropping

Gungahlin Al4:37 pm 24 Feb 09

the whole city didn’t start getting built until Dame Patty Menzies lost her temper about having to push her grandchildren’s prams around on dirt tracks

Well that was worth naming a pair of buildings after her at the very least…

Pommy bastard said :

The fact that it’s so short, therefore easy to learn about .

I like this.

It’s not true (I spent far longer than I’d care to remember studying it in Art History at the ANU), but it’s got to be the best reason anyway!

Pommy bastard4:28 pm 24 Feb 09

The fact that it’s so short, therefore easy to learn about .

That we are a totally planned city that is the head of government for one of the most politically stable and longest lasting democracies in the world.

I believe P.McGuinnes referred to Canberra as a ‘dysfunctional socialist utopia’. Heh heh.

But personally I think the most inspiring thing about Canberra is the whole city didn’t start getting built until Dame Patty Menzies lost her temper about having to push her grandchildren’s prams around on dirt tracks.

Who can forget getting MLA’s elected in 1989 from both the Abolish Self-Government Coalition AND the No Self Government Party?

The painting of Canberra Stadiums grass. Inspirational and artistic.

Todd Carney’s efforts in All Bar Nun should also get a special mention along with painting the grass green – very Alice in Wonderland.

Pot Belly – the last bastion of ‘Sesame Street’ 🙂

I thought Mal dropped it on Canberra Avenue in Queanbeyan

When Mal Meninga broke the Winfield cup in half by dropping it out of a convertible on Northbourne Avenue.

Minor point, we don’t measure time by the movement of the stars.
(At least, not in any particularly useful way across a four year timespan)

We measure it by our movement around a star.

Otherwise it sounds like just tweaking the curriculum for astrological reasons (eg: keeping the skybeard happy).

Gungahlin Al3:56 pm 24 Feb 09

I love that a teetotalling administrator who introduced a failed attempt at prohibition got a pub named after himself.

I love that the Concord’s maiden flight from London came to Canberra (along with Granny, I saw it take off from Scullin School). Which means that the poms must have thought that Canberra was about as far as physically possible from England on the globe – not a bad thing…

I love that it was designed, making it the only such city (Griffith doesn’t count) in Australia, and despite the best (?) efforts of numerous planners and administrators since, still works very well as a planned city.

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