Today is Canberra Day, a public holiday in Canberra to celebrate the naming of Canberra on March 12, 1913, by Lady Denman, wife of then Governor-General Lord Denman.
I, however, am working today, and happily doing so. Canberra Day is of little significance to me these days as it isn’t even remotely close to the actual anniversary of the naming of Canberra (the ACT Government are moving it to the second Monday of March next year, but that’s still not good enough, it should be March 12 every year), and the Balloon Fiesta doesn’t coincide with it any more. I remember when the Balloon Fiesta was a nine-day event which wrapped up on Canberra Day. In recent years it has been moved to April, and now to add insult to injury, Chief Turnip Stanhope has shortened it to a four day event in a vain attempt to plug his budgetary disaster.
You would think that Canberra Day, being the official celebration of the birthday of Canberra would actually contain a celebration…but Skyfire (fireworks for those of you outside Canberra) was held nine days ago, the Balloon Fiesta has moved to April, the multicultural festival takes place during summer (I could be certain that it used to happen in March before the Stanhope government), and we don’t even have a re-enactment of the naming ceremony (could be a tad hard with Parliament House sitting there these days…but why not have it outside the Legislative Assembly).
As far as I’m concerned, Canberra Day is just another generic, pointless, public holiday, much like the Queen’s Birthday in June (she was born in April). I’m more than happy to work today as the day is now completely meaningless as a public holiday.
Apart from which, public holidays like this are strange…why would I want the day off today when nothing useful is open, when I can hang on to the day off for a day when I might actually have a chance of getting something done?
Perhaps somebody was right when they said I was born to be a nutty old man…I just think I’m being logical.
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Today is Canberra Day"
#1 Comment By mick On March 19, 2007 @ 8:58 am
Chillax mate.
It’s a day off.
It’s raining and storming and pefect for doing NOTHING.
Who needs a frickin reason for it.
We get Easter off as well. Are you going to complain that that is not on the right date either?
#2 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
No, Easter is set by a bunch of complex rules involving phases of the moon.
I’m enjoying my dat at work, but if you’rehappy with the day off then enjoy it. I’d be happier if the holiday fell on march 12, ditto for the Queen’s Birthday (just on her actual birthday of course).
#3 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
“I’m enjoying my dat at work”.
Listening to your Digital Audio Tape Samuel, or did you mean to type “enjoying my day at work” ?
#4 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
The latter John, although I wouldn’t mind a DAT player.
#5 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Good to hear that SOMEBODY is working during this “forced day
off” !
#6 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
It could be a problem if nobody was working today…for one thing 2CC would be playing their infinitely looping five minute ad break emergency tape all day…there would be no emergency services, no inbound international flights, nobody fixing bursting water mains. The country would not only grind to a halt, it would probably do itself a lot of damage.
That being said, if the local government could stop working and call an election straight away I would be very pleased…pity they don’t have that power.
#7 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
I might have a listen to The Drive Show at 3pm and see whether
Mike Welsh is on.
I’m betting he’s taken the day off because it’s “Canberra Day” – geesh !
#8 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
I’m tipping that Kris McKenzie does the show seeing as Mike Frame was on breakfast this morning (and for the rest of the week).
#9 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Ok.
#10 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
And as predicted…there’s Kris!
#11 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
He’s a good newsreader but not much chop as a presenter.
#12 Comment By John_Barnes On March 19, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
However, ‘having said that’ …. at least he doesn’t argue with, or insult his callers.
#13 Comment By John B1_B5 On March 19, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Ummm ….. he just got into a shouting match with some old battle-axe called “Dell” (over David Hicks).
#14 Comment By John B1_B5 On March 19, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
AND – after that ‘conversation’, Kris received his first death threat.
Seems somebody rang the switchboard and threatened to “put a bullet through his head” – (all over Hicks).
#15 Comment By Bearded Clam On March 19, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Personally, I would pay good money to attend a re-enactment of the naming ceremony.
#16 Comment By Samuel On March 19, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Kris has obviously made the big leagues John!
Bearded Clam, let Jon Stanhope know, I’m sure he’d be happy to organise anything which might help his budget.
#17 Comment By John B1_B5 On March 20, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
On the Hicks thing, here’s a possible scenario –
American Colonel – “Good news Mr. Hicks, you’ll be leaving this
place today.
Hicks – Good. Will it be by bus or car ?
American Colonel – I’m afraid it’s going to be in a hearse.
You were just found guilty by a military
tribunal, and you’re to face a firing
squad immediately. There’s one
waiting for you in the yard now.
To the firing squad, quick march !
Left right left right !
#18 Comment By Samuel On March 20, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
On “Material Support for Terrorism”? I think the maximum sentence for that is the time Hicks has already served.
Still, anything could happen in Guantanamo Bay.