To mark the 30th anniversary of “CityNews”, social historian and journalist NICHOLE OVERALL has written an eclectic history of Canberra and beyond over the past three decades. Here is 2011.
FOR Labor and PM Julia Gillard it’s “the year of decision and delivery” – more or less.
That carbon tax that wouldn’t be introduced under a government led by said PM – was it a “core” promise though?
“Historic betrayal; we’ll get rid of it”, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott huffs.
NSW Labor’s Kristina Keneally claims another first – first female premier not elected premier.
Grange-drinking, “unbackable favourite” for three years, Barry O’Farrell is elected NSW Premier – three years apparently his magic and not-so-magic number (out by 2014 courtesy of ICAC and an “unremembered” bottle of wine).
In contrast, the ACT is all over the gender-balance thing – yet another female Chief Minister elected: Katy Gallagher, following Jon Stanhope’s exit having clinched the title of longest-serving (though lucked out on one of his much-loved statues it seems).
Apocalypse, then? – flooding across Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland, followed up in the Sunshine State with Tropical Cyclone Anthony. Meanwhile, Perth is beset by bushfires. And there’ll be another government levy added for that; you’re welcome, Australia.
Canberra’s quirkiness on show once more – a coin commemorating itself, the Big New House on one side, on the other, a kangaroo apparently flattening a second kangaroo (though not in the better known Boxing style) …
In a second such mystery, “Penis Owl” dominates the Belconnen skyline – only ever intended to be a bird says artist Bruce Armstrong, his inspiration the collective noun for a bunch of them: that is, a “parliament of owls” …
Showing how much they love us, Lizzie and Phil visit Canberra again (14th time, mind you) – just missing almost-as-popular Prez Obama when he visits for the 60th ANZUS alliance back-slapping.
Also over from the UK, British Chancellor of the Exchequer and Minister in the governments of the Iron Lady herself and her successor John Major, Lord Norman Lamont, for a chat at the National Press Club on the EU’s problem of having “too many opinions”.
We become World Champs in netball – by one point against arch-rivals in everything, New Zealand.
But not football, Matildas out of the Women’s World Cup, thanks, Sweden (but our “Golden Girls” will be back!).
Generating tears of a different kind – the 50th anniversary of Canberra’s second worst air disaster: in 1961 the city was shocked when a Viscount Airliner on its way to the capital crashed into Botany Bay. Fifteen passengers and crew were killed, nine of whom, ACT residents.
And Australia’s oldest ever passes away – Miriam Schmierer at 112, equalling the record of Myra “Nicky” Nicholson, of Victoria, made her long-awaited entrance to the Pearly Gates in 2007.
The full collection of Nichole Overall’s “CityNews” anniversary columns can be seen here.
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