Media Releases
12 March 2008
ACT MOTOR VEHICLES TO CARRY CENTENARY MESSAGE
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr and Centenary of Canberra Patron, Sir William Deane AC KBE today unveiled the first piece of memorabilia celebrating Canberra’s one hundredth birthday in the form of motor vehicle registration plates.
"It is fitting that today, Canberra’s 95th birthday, we unveil what will be the one of many highly visible projects to commemorate our centenary in 2013," Mr Barr said.
"These new Y-series plates carry the distinctive Centenary of Canberra logo, designed in 2006 by Ms Michelle Tickle with the tagline Celebration of a Century 2013.
"I understand 36,000 new plates are issued in the ACT every year so it won’t be long before we see the Centenary of Canberra message being spread locally and nationally as Canberrans travel to other states and territories."
Centenary of Canberra Patron, Sir William Deane AC KBE, was the first Canberra driver to receive the new plates during the launch on the lawns of Old Parliament House today.
The new plates were unveiled by Mr Barr and the Sir William on a series of historic and modern vehicles which have been specially chosen by the ACT Council of Motor Clubs to reflect motoring over the century.
The series included a 1913 T-Model Ford, the 1939 Chevrolet Pie Cart, an iconic vehicle in Canberra which serviced government office workers through the 1940s and 50s. In addition a 1955 FJ Holden, a 1977 Holden Torana and a 2004 Mazda MX 5 represent the more modern driving era. These distinctive cars and many more will be on display during the Shannon’s Wheels motor show on Sunday 16 March as part of the Celebrate Canberra Festival from 8-16 March.
"I have no doubt that regardless of the age or type of vehicle they drive, Canberrans will display these registration plates with pride and will happily play their part in spreading the word about what a great city this is and how important the celebration of its centenary will be," Mr Barr said.
The new plates will be issued to all motor vehicles registered in the ACT as of today through Canberra Connect shopfronts and the Dickson Motor Registry office.
