Canberra

As an Australian citizen, which I am, although I share this citizenship with NZ and Britain too, how do I feel about Canberra?

When I visited Canberra with the family in 1982, I came away feeling very proud of being an Australian citizen.   Patriotism was running high.

This visit did not start well, in fact it started very badly.   The journey along the Hume Highway, which is the main road from Sydney to Melbourne, and a dual lane express way, was a nightmare.   The maximum speed is 110 km an hour, and all vehicles travel at this speed, including the huge trucks, which also use both lanes.   The Hume Highway is in a deplorable state of disrepair.   We spent the whole time trying to avoid bumps and potholes, as well as keep out of the way of the trucks.   Scary!

The journey was then followed up with an altercation with a road rage maniac.   After running his red utility into the back of our van at a set of traffic lights in Canberra, he shouted abuse at us because we stopped when the lights were on yellow.   Then he drove his car around the corner at top speed and with tires screaming.  When we eventually found a police station, not well marked, we were waved towards a computer and told to report the incident on line.   No doubt we will hear no more, luckily our van was not damaged.   

I feel that Canberra needs to smarten up its act a bit.    It cannot just focus on the area that most important visitors see, which is the area around Lake Burley Griffin.    This area is beautifully planned with geometrical precision in its layout, with wide avenues and vistas.    The grass is manicured, and there is an abundance of trees so that it looks very green and lush.   The buildings show some of the best examples of Australian architecture, and there are grand public buildings and cultural attractions. 

But go out into the suburbs and there you see neglect, unkempt houses, gardens, parks and streets.   Are lawnmowers banned in Canberra, I wonder!   The neglect can also be seen in the city centre, i.e. the part that holds the shops and restaurants.   This area contains beggars and drunks sitting in corners.    Canberra is the seat of our Federal Government, should there not be a sense of pride in ensuring that the whole city reflects the same national pride as can be seen around the Government House, and in the National buildings.

Yet I found The National Museum of Australia fascinating and informative, and so much of it I understood because it happened in my generation.  The old Government House, contains much history, and the new Government House with its symbolism, displays and excellent collection of Aboriginal Art, is a great example of national pride and hope for the future.  

As we drove out on Anzac Parade, via the War Memorial, and with wonderful views of the new Government House, with the old Government House nestled below it, I did feel a sense of pride in being an Australian citizen.    

And forgot the scary trip from Sydney, the road rage maniac, and the neglect in the suburbs and in the city centre.