Media Releases
28 April 2008
$4.3 MILLION BOOST FOR CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
Canberra's centenary celebrations will be well supported by a $4.3 million boost in funding over four years, as part of the 2008-2009 ACT Government Budget, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced today.
"This announcement sends a clear message to the Canberra community, the Commonwealth Government and the private sector that the ACT Government is serious about grasping the opportunities presented by the centenary of the nation's capital," Mr Stanhope said.
"We are developing an exciting, well-coordinated and managed program of celebrations that not only showcases the Capital but leaves many enduring benefits for this city and the Canberra community.
"It is fitting we make this commitment in 2008, which not only marks the five year countdown to the centenary year but also a century since the Yass-Canberra area was selected by the Australian Parliament as the site for the new federal city."
The funding will support the continued scoping and feasibility work, which has already begun, and will allow for additional staffing resources to bolster activities in the areas of community engagement, marketing and promotion.
Among the projects for the 2008-09 year will be a community survey to continue the engagement of Canberra's residents and ensure the planning is reflecting community expectations.
Another project to be delivered is a curriculum unit to teach ACT students the story of how and why Canberra became the nation's capital.
"It is vitally important that our own students are aware of the capital's history and it is my hope this unit of work will ultimately move beyond the ACT, to the schools of Australia," Mr Stanhope said.
"I am hopeful that in the coming months we will secure an agreement with the Commonwealth Government and this funding will also support the development of joint governance arrangements.
"The ACT Government is looking forward to engaging the Commonwealth in a true partnership to deliver a program of activities in 2013 worthy of the National Capital."
For more information about Canberra's centenary celebrations visit www.canberra100.com.au.
