Page 961 - Week 03 - Thursday, 28 February 2013

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MS GALLAGHER: I thank members for giving me the indulgence on the last sitting day prior to Canberra’s 100th birthday just to quickly run through what is on for Canberrans over that centenary birthday weekend. I urge all members and hopefully many, many Canberrans to come out and celebrate this milestone in our city’s history.

We are in the second month of the centenary year and I think the celebrations are going just as we had hoped. There is a lot of pride in the city; there is a lot of activity underway. People are getting involved in the activities that have been on already. The sports, particularly, have been very popular.

The long weekend leading up to 12 March is and traditionally has been the time for Canberra families to head down for their last weekend at the coast before the weather cools down. But I think this long weekend will be different and there is so much for people to do.

On the Friday there will be Enlighten in the parliamentary precinct; the short movie competition, Lights! Canberra! Action! is on; the GWS Giants will be playing Essendon at Manuka under lights in the NAB Cup, and the famous Spiegel Garden will be in full swing.

On Saturday the Brumbies take on the Waratahs at Canberra Stadium. Mr Smyth’s favourite, the balloon spectacular, will light up the skies in part of the city, our beautiful town hall, the Albert Hall, will host the roaring twenties dance, and Shakespeare’s classic Henry IV will hit the stage at the Canberra Theatre Centre.

On Sunday the biggest race day in our city’s history featuring the Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes and the ACTAB Canberra Centenary Cup will draw a big crowd at Thoroughbred Park. There will also be the 50th anniversary of the Veteran and Vintage Car Club of the ACT, and the National Film and Sound Archive is preparing a stunning night of film and music which will present the premiere screening of the newly restored footage of the naming ceremony for the national capital on 12 March in 1913.

Monday 11 March is the big day of celebrations and it starts at midday and runs right through until late at night. There will be multiple stages all around the lake providing a great mix of music from folk, jazz and contemporary pop—probably Mr Hanson’s favourite—the best local and Indigenous performers and the world premiere of the Centenary Symphony.

Members interjecting—

MS GALLAGHER: Yes, I must say, I like contemporary pop; I am a bit of a top 40 girl. Therefore, I just presumed it would be Jeremy’s favourite, too.

MADAM SPEAKER: This is still question time; it is not a conversation on music.

MS GALLAGHER: The only ticketed event is the World’s Longest Bubbly Bar, and, for a nominal fee, thousands of people will be able to sample locally produced


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