Flamin' Galahs

Ah, Canberra, the heart of a nation so often glossed over in the consciousness of half of Australia and pretty much the rest of the world. A small sedate city of suburban avenues and leaf lined circles, a paradoxical powerhouse of the Pacific where nothing much seems to happen (ooh, eloquent today innit). Yet for a few moments this week this glorified country town was feeling the power and playing out its role as the heart of a nation on the periphery of the world.

The Olympic flame, and all the nonsense which comes with it, trawled round the city streets on Thursday and it was kind of apt that, for a symbol which has brought chaos and unrest to cities around the world, nothing much happened here in Canberra. Sure, there were thousands of Chinese supporters bussed in so that they could stick two fingers up at the Tibetan supporters, a slightly edgy atmosphere, and a whirlwind of helicopters, police and random hangers on. But it passed without major incident. “Canberra shows the world how it’s done” proclaim the organisers. Yup, a great symbol of peace, harmony and freedom surrounded by dozens of police, crack Chinese paramilitaries, numerous official vehicles, and protected by miles of fencing. I don’t even think my weeks’ worth of ironing could be more ironic.



From symbols of peace to memories of war, and that most nerve tingling of unique Australian occasions, Anzac Day. Being un-Australian I didn’t feel too guilty for staying in bed and missing the dawn service but visited the War Memorial later in the day. Despite being un-Australian it’s hard not to get caught up in the eerie mix of solemnity, pathos and national pride when you see the thousands upon thousands of lost lives etched onto the walls of the memorial. These days we live in a lucky country for sure.

When Canberra isn’t at the heart of the nation, the ceremonies desist and it fades away in the national consciousness, it remains a special place for those in the know, a city of often captivating beauty, blessed by an exquisite natural environment and often stunning sunsets! Here we go again… this time taken from the northern shores of Lake Burley Griffin…