3. Culture, commemoration and national capital awareness

Section 6 of the Act provides for the National Capital Authority:

5. to foster an awareness of Canberra as the national capital.

Output 2: Promotion and awareness of the significance of Canberra as the national capital

Overview

The Australian Government is committed to a national capital that embodies our heritage, aspirations, unity and values, and is worthy of pride for all Australians. The capital, as the Seat of Government, centre of national administration, location for national institutions and reflection of national life, should be such that all Australians can appreciate it.

The Authority is charged with developing an understanding and appreciation of the role of Canberra as the national capital. The responsibility complements and informs the Authority's other roles of planning, capital works and land management and provides an excellent balance to the cultural programs of the national cultural institutions.

The Authority takes a strategic approach to fostering an awareness of the capital through research; by encouraging participation, appreciation and celebration in the national capital; by providing information and education about the capital; and by promoting the attributes of Canberra that are of national significance.

Key initiatives and achievements

Key initiatives and achievements during 2007-08 were the development of virtual online tours of the National Capital Exhibition and National Carillon; and the success of the Travelling Exhibition and Showcase Canberra.

Online virtual tours

The Authority developed two new online virtual tours during the year and complemented the existing range of online educational resources. The virtual tour of the National Carillon was launched in September 2007. It was developed in-house and offers a new opportunity to interact with this unique instrument. The virtual tour provides people with the opportunity to not only see this amazing building but also to interact with it.

In May 2008, the virtual tour of the National Capital Exhibition was released. This tour was developed to provide visitors and teachers with additional tools to help them discover Canberra's history; it is a useful pre-visit experience for the thousands of students who visit the National Capital Exhibition each year.

The new online virtual tour takes the story of Canberra to the world.

Travelling exhibition

The Story of our National Capital, the Authority's travelling exhibition, follows the journey of Australia's national capital and showcases its unique history, purpose and the plans for its future. It comprises a large visual display, short film and interactive postcard activity asking Australians for thoughts on their national capital. The Story of our National Capital is linked to the Authority's primary and secondary education resource kits.

In 2007-08 the travelling exhibition continued its tour of regional Queensland and this year also included regional venues in Victoria (see Table 12).

Approximately 31,000 people visited the exhibition at venues throughout Queensland and Victoria. The exhibition was used by the ACT Government's Live in Canberra team to promote and inform Australians about Canberra.

Showcase Canberra

In December 2007 the Authority hosted a reception for the diplomatic corps at Commonwealth Place. The concept of Showcase Canberra, an pilot program to highlight countries with which Australia shares a diplomatic relationship, was launched at this event.

A number of missions have participated in the Showcase Canberra pilot program by promoting their culture, trade and tourism opportunities at the Showcase Gallery in Commonwealth Place.

The Museum of Chinese History's travelling exhibition, Bridge of Memories - exploring identity, diversity, community, was held in April 2008, to coincide with the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.

The Royal Danish Embassy received over 4,500 visitors to their exhibition and supporting speaker program, Dreams on Wheels, held in the Showcase Gallery in May 2008.

With the growing expectations and excitement surrounding the twenty-ninth Olympiad, the Chinese Embassy installed an exhibition, One World One Dream, focusing on the city of Beijing and preparations for the Olympics. Some 1,000 Canberrans and visitors enjoyed the exhibition.

International relationships

The Authority's engagement with the diplomatic corps was significantly enhanced in 2007-08 through an expanded range of activities. Induction tours of the national capital were provided to the newly accredited Heads of Mission of China, Denmark, Israel, Austria, India and Nepal. Flag raisings were held at Commonwealth Place for the United States of America and Peru to commemorate their national days, and Denmark and Nepal to celebrate the opening of their embassies in Canberra.

The National Capital Exhibition was the venue for a photographic exhibition of Maltese migration to Australia, which was opened by the Prime Minister of Malta in August 2007. The Authority held a special recital at the National Carillon for the Norwegian Embassy on 4 September 2007 to mark the anniversary of the death of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

A publication, Ties that Bind, was developed to aid foreign states wishing to offer gifts of physical works of commemoration to Canberra.

Capitals Alliance

The Capitals Alliance, formed in 2001 between Ottawa, Washington DC, Brasilia and Canberra, has conducted rotating meetings providing the opportunity to create linkages and encourage the sharing of visions and ideas for national capitals in the twenty-first century.

The Capitals Alliance meets approximately every 18 months with the last meeting, combined with the first Alliance conference, hosted by the Authority in Canberra during January 2007. That event attracted 170 delegates. Since then Alliance members have maintained a regular exchange of information and introduced routine teleconference meetings. Members of the Alliance have produced a joint paper - Capitals Alliance Snapshot - on their respective governance arrangements and have developed a joint members' website at capitalsalliance.org, where resources and information can be shared freely worldwide. The Alliance has received requests
for planning advice or information from the capital cities of South Africa (Tshwane) and Afghanistan (Kabul).

In March-April 2008, Alliance members participated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Capital City Symposium to explore key aspects of capital city arrangements and governance. Authority officials spoke on a variety of topics including governance, national programming and place making, commemoration, hosting embassies, and the approval process for national interests. All costs were reimbursed by the UAE.

Visiting delegations

The Authority provides information and detailed overviews of the national capital for visiting dignitaries, officials and international students. Presentations by Authority staff primarily address the planning, development and promotion of national capital cities. Delegations from seven countries visited the national capital in 2007-08 (see Table 13).

Events in the National Capital

During 2007-08 the Authority planned and managed several successful events in the national capital. They included Australia Day Live 2008, Australia Day in the National Capital, Tropfest, Summer in the Capital, the Canberra Biennial and the inaugural Winter in the Capital event program.

Australia Day Live 2008

Australia Day Live, now in its fifth year, was held on Australia Day eve, Friday 25 January 2008. Australia Day Live, produced in partnership with the National Australia Day Council, was staged on the lawns of Federation Mall in front of Parliament House in Canberra. Australia Day Live brought together the 'Australian of the Year Awards' with a free public variety concert.

Channel Nine broadcast the concert live nationally, reaching 364,000 viewers throughout Australia. A delayed broadcast of the Australian of the Year Awards reached an audience of 345,000. A total of 709,000 people watched the concert and the awards ceremony.

The live event incorporated the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards by the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP. The Prime Minister announced the Young Australian of the Year, the Senior Australian of the Year, the Local Hero, and Lee Kernaghan as the Australian of the Year.

A live audience of 35,000 people enjoyed the Australia Day Live concert, which included many popular Australian performers. Local sponsors MIX 106.3, WIN Television, The Canberra Times, Australian Capital Tourism and the Pavilion on Northbourne supported Australia Day Live. The Authority's cash contribution to Australia Day Live was $440,000 (including GST), with site management, marketing and graphic design services provided by the Authority. The Authority's in-kind contribution to the event was valued at $156,200 (including GST).

Australia Day in the National Capital

The Authority partnered with the ACT Government and National Australia Day Council to deliver the 2008 Australia Day celebrations.

The ACT Government presented a Children's Festival in Commonwealth Park, which attracted more than 7,000 people, incorporated stage performances by the Bananas in Pyjamas and ABC for Kids. Activities included farmyard animals, games and rides.

Activities ranged from citizenship and flag raising ceremonies to an Aussie barbecue. Throughout the day 15,000 people were attracted to Commonwealth Park. The Australia Day celebrations culminated in a fireworks finale over Lake Burley Griffin which attracted 37,000 people and incorporated national attractions such as the Captain Cook Memorial Jet and the National Carillon. The Authority provided in-kind venue management services in Commonwealth Park throughout the day.

Two other events - Park Alive '08 (in Glebe Park) and Cotter Bush Picnic (at the Cotter River reserve) - were also marketed as part of the two-day Australia Day program.

Tropfest

Tropfest is the largest short-film festival in Australia. The festival attracted entries from throughout Australia and a shortlist of 16 finalist films was screened live at the principal festival site in Sydney. This screening was simultaneously broadcast to venues in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, as well as eight regional sites around the country.

The Authority hosted the Canberra screening at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park on Sunday 17 February 2008, attracting the largest audience outside of Sydney with 20,000 people.

The Canberra screening of Tropfest was funded through support from principal local sponsor, TransACT Communications; major local sponsor, the Australian National University; and local supporters, Service One Members Banking, WIN Television, and FM 104.7.

Summer in the Capital

Summer in the Capital enhances an understanding of the role of the national capital by increasing appreciation of and participation in a range of Authority-managed public venues and facilities.

The program was presented over two months, offering both entertaining and educational experiences and promoting a variety of venues on National Land. Events included family days showcasing Commonwealth Park, walking tours of Anzac Parade, National Carillon events and open-air cinema at Commonwealth Place. The February program was delivered with significant support from Service One Members Banking - the major sponsor of Summer in the Capital.

In total, over 9,000 people attended Summer in the Capital events. The program was funded through sponsorship from Service One Members Banking, Mix 106.3 and The Canberra Times.

Canberra Biennial

The Canberra Biennial - City of Architecture + Design 07 - held in November 2007 explored the role of design in sport through public displays, fashion parades, lectures, tours and activities. A partnership between the Authority, the University of Canberra and the ACT Planning and Land Authority, Winning by Design: Designing for Sport in 21C, was the second time the biennial had been staged.

The theme of the biennial aimed to highlight the relationship between sport and spectacle. The Authority provided event management and staffing for Design InTENTS, a three-day event promoting the interaction between sport, health, design and the community at Commonwealth Place as part of the festival. The event included an 'Xtreme' fashion parade by Canberra Institute of Technology design students, extreme sport demonstrations, and an art and design market place.

Winter in the Capital

In July-August 2007 the Authority piloted the Winter in the Capital event program. Building on the success of Summer in the Capital, the program was conceived as a way of encouraging visitors to enjoy the Parliamentary areas during the winter months. The Winter in the Capital program consisted of:

• Sunday Bike Days
• Vintage Village Fair
• The Capital Drive-In
• Winter Night Markets
• Discover Anzac Parade
• Capital Chats
• National Carillon Winter Recitals and Tours.

As well as Authority events, promoters, attractions and national institutions also listed activities in the Winter in the Capital program, which contributed to two months of lively activity throughout the capital.

The Winter Night Markets at Commonwealth Place were an enormous success attracting more than 15,000 people over three nights. Over 19,000 people attended Winter in the Capital events.

Launches

In 2007-08, the Authority launched a number of key projects, namely:

• media launch for the Winter in the Capital program of events on 6 July 2007
• unveiling of the Women Artwork at Reconciliation Place on 11 July 2007 by Senator for the ACT, Gary Humphries
• media launch of the National Carillon Virtual Tour on 10 September 2007 by the (then) Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the Hon Jim Lloyd MP
• launch of Canberra Biennial - City of Architecture + Design 07 program of events on 9 November 2007 at Design InTENTS
• media launch for the Summer in the Capital program of events on 4 January 2008.

Venue management

The Authority encourages, approves and regulates events and temporary traders on National Land managed by the Authority including Lake Burley Griffin.

Events on National Land

The Authority helps event organisers by advising on the availability and suitability of venues and by providing access to power, water, public toilets, car parking and other services. The Authority markets open space venues on National Land with the aim of encouraging use of the venues by a wide range of groups and to promote the Parliamentary Zone as a place of the people.

In 2007-08 the Authority provided permits or letters of confirmation for 944 events and activities, including weddings, protests, launches, sporting activities and commercial filming. This represented a 17.5 per cent increase on 2006-07(see Figure 5).

Significant events held on public National Land over the period 2007-08 included:

• Anzac Day Commemorative Celebrations (Anzac Parade)
• Australia Day Celebrations (Lake Burley Griffin and Commonwealth Park)
• Australia Day Live (Parliamentary Zone)
• Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay (Parliamentary Zone, Commonwealth Place and Rond Terrace)
• Carols by Candlelight (Commonwealth Park)
• Celebrate in the Park (Commonwealth Park)
• Elton John - Rocket Man Solo Tour (Commonwealth Park)
• Floriade 2007 (Commonwealth Park)
• Foreshore Summer Music Festival (Commonwealth Place)
• National Autumn Balloon Festival (Parliamentary Zone)
• Opera by the Lake (Rond Terrace)
• Powderfinger/Silverchair - Across the Great Divide Tour (Parliamentary Zone)
• Skyfire (Lake Burley Griffin and surrounds)
• The Million Paws Walk (Commonwealth Park)
• Tropfest Short Film Festival (Commonwealth Park).

Temporary Traders on National Land

The Authority issued 23 permits for temporary traders to conduct concession services on National Land during 2007-08. These traders included mobile coffee outlets, ice-cream vendors, various food and beverage concessions, and amusement rides. Temporary traders also provided services during Authority-conducted events.

Lake Users Group

The Lake Users Group comprises key users of Lake Burley Griffin, including sporting bodies, regulatory bodies and community groups. The group was formed in 2004 so that key users could liaise routinely with the Authority on issues relating to Lake Burley Griffin. The group meets quarterly and is chaired by Mr Tony Blunn AO.

Outreach

The Authority's program of reaching out to the community to foster an awareness of Canberra as the national capital covers a broad spectrum of promotion and awareness strategies, projects and services.

National Capital Exhibition

The National Capital Exhibition tells the extraordinary story of Australia's national capital. Through its interactive displays, the exhibition illustrates Canberra's history, its vital role as a symbol of Federation, its growth and development, as well as incorporating the exceptional design of the national capital.

Spectacular panoramic views of Lake Burley Griffin, the Parliamentary Zone and the Captain Cook Memorial Jet can be enjoyed from the exhibition's balcony.

Visitation for 2007-08 was 275,844 people (see Figure 6). The exhibition's visitors comprised:

• 65,528 school students, predominantly from interstate
• 50,800 international tour group visitors
• 4,092 domestic tour group visitors
• 155,424 independent travellers.

In November 2007 the National Capital Exhibition, Blundells Cottage and the National Carillon renewed their Tourism Accreditation with the Australian Capital Tourism Corporation. This accreditation is achieved by meeting National Tourism Accreditation standards and results in increased consumer confidence in the level of tourism experience being provided.

In November 2007 the National Capital Exhibition won the award for Heritage and Cultural Tourism in the Canberra and Capital Tourism Awards.

Blundells Cottage

Blundells Cottage, located on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin in the Central National Area, was built around 1860 as part of the Campbell family's 'Duntroon' estate. Blundells Cottage, built to house tenant farmers, displays a collection depicting a typical workers cottage dating back to around the late 1800s.

Entrance fees to the cottage are $7 for adults, $5 for children and concessions, and $15 for families.

During 2007-08 Blundells Cottage attracted 3,494 visitors comprising 752 school students and 2,742 independent travellers.

National Carillon

Located on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin, the National Carillon was a gift of the British Government to the people of Australia to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the national capital. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially accepted the carillon on 26 April 1970.

The carillon building comprises three main levels. The first level, the George Howe room named after the long serving carillonist, houses the main instrument called the clavier. The second, the bell chamber, houses the 55 static bronze bells which are played by the clavier, and the third is a function room named 'Chimes'.

Throughout 2007 Chimes was used for a range of Authority functions and meetings and was promoted to government agencies, private companies and the public.

Regular recitals were played on Sundays and Wednesdays during winter (June to August) and Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and public holidays throughout the remainder of the year. From March 2008 recitals were played on Sundays and Wednesdays only.

In 2007-08 the recital series Stillness and the Night was held in December and January on Tuesday evenings. The recitals proved popular, with up to 200 people attending each performance.

The National Carillon hosted Christmas Carols with Sing Australia on 19 December 2007; an audience of approximately 240 people enjoyed the performance. On Christmas Eve, a special Christmas recital was held.

On 24 April 2008, local carillonist Lyn Fuller played a special recital to celebrate the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Canberra. This recital used musical pieces from all over the world to celebrate this international event.

In February 2008, Ann-Kirstine Christiansen from Denmark was guest carillonist at the National Carillon as part of the Authority's Visiting Artist Exchange Program. Ms Christiansen performed recitals for Stillness and the Night and the Valentines Day program.

In May 2008, the Authority facilitated a sponsorship with Colliers International and the Molonglo Group to support the National Carillon recital program in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Friends of the Old Parliament House Gardens

The Friends of the Old Parliament House Gardens promote and preserve the Gardens. The Friends Program was launched in December 2004, with Mrs Tamie Fraser AO and Mr Richard Broinowski as joint patrons.
The Friends Program was suspended in March 2008 pending the Government response to the inquiry into the role of the National Capital Authority.

Adventure in Citizenship

Adventure in Citizenship is an initiative of the Rotary Clubs of Canberra Inc. and Canberra Woden Inc. and the Authority, with assistance from the Parliamentary Education Office.

Adventure in Citizenship aims to improve community awareness of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship and to develop an understanding of how our country is governed at the national level. Rotary clubs around Australia sponsor Year 11 students to spend a week in Canberra, during which time they participate in a number of activities including Parliamentary role plays, focus groups examining topics of national interest, meeting a Member of Parliament or Senator and visiting national institutions.

The 2007-08 program attracted 45 delegates from around Australia to Canberra for a week in August. The Authority provided two half days of activities for the delegates, focusing on the role of our national capital. These included a tour of the National Capital Exhibition, a soapbox activity and mystery bus tour of the Central National Area.

The Authority provided administrative and financial support, including postage for letters inviting all Rotary clubs in Australia to take part in the program and backpacks for each delegate. The Authority contributed $3,465 (including GST) towards the Adventure in Citizenship project.

Authority volunteers

The National Capital Authority Interpretive Volunteer Program was established in August 2000 to complement the Authority's awareness of Canberra as the national capital. Since this time the program has been expanded to include the Horticulture Volunteer program and Event Volunteer program.

Interpretive volunteers

Interpretive volunteers share their time, skills and knowledge, to develop their understanding and appreciation of Canberra as the national capital which they pass on to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the capital. At 30 June 2008 there were 26 active interpretative volunteers.

Volunteers continued to be rostered as interpretive guides at the National Capital Exhibition and at Blundells Cottage, to assist school groups and other visitors appreciate these facilities. Volunteers also provide tours of the National Carillon.

Volunteers provided visitors and locals with informative walking tours of Anzac Parade, the Old Parliament House Gardens and the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin.

The Anzac Parade Walks scheduled as part of the Authority's 2008 Summer in the Capital program were very successful with increased numbers over the previous year.

Horticulture volunteers

Horticulture volunteers undertake supervised defined activities in the Old Parliament House Gardens, such as deadheading of roses and other flowering plants, weeding and maintenance of garden beds. Horticulture volunteers assist in the Old Parliament House gardens on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Since the horticulture volunteers began shifts in July 2005 the program has grown substantially. At 30 June 2008 there were 47 active horticulture volunteers.

In March 2008 horticulture volunteers were involved in the first of three 'Garden in Depth' presentation sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to build a greater appreciation for the volunteers of each section of the Gardens.

The activities the horticulture volunteers have undertaken have made a tangible difference to the experience of visitors to the Gardens.

Event volunteers

In 2007-08 the Authority's event volunteers' ongoing commitment of time, knowledge and assistance ensured the success of the Authority's events programs.

More than 20 event volunteers assisted with visitor services at Australia Day Live, Australia Day celebrations, Summer in the Capital, Winter in the Capital and Tropfest. The public response to the volunteers has been very positive.

Education kits

The Authority has developed four online education resource kits, which are available at http://education.nationalcapital.gov.au.

Two - A Look into the Past, an online education resource for Blundells Cottage and The Story of our Nation's Capital - are aimed at primary school students. The other two - The National Police Memorial education resource and Reflections of a Nation: the history and design of our national capital - are aimed at lower to upper high school students.

Each resource informs students about aspects of Canberra's history and the role of our national capital through interactive activities linked to Australian state curriculum. In 2007-08, 11,263 people accessed the education portal, an increase of 23 per cent on 2006-07.

Library

The Authority Library is located at the Royal Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter building, 2A Mugga Way, Red Hill.

The library holds a collection of specialist materials covering the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban development, environmental planning, local history and cultural awareness and serves as a rich resource for study of the planning and development of the national capital.

The library also holds reports from the Authority, the National Capital Development Commission and its predecessors, as well as a photographic collection containing over 25,000 images in print, slide and transparency formats.

The Library is now open by appointment one day each month.