Local celebrations a huge success
The year long celebration of our Centenary of Federation is fast drawing to a close. Across the nation, Local Governments and their communities have undertaken a variety of projects to celebrate our 100 years of nationhood. Communities have come together to celebrate this milestone – to look back on past achievements as well as conflict and struggle – and look to the future, to build a stronger, more inclusive society.
Many communities have used the Centenary as an opportunity to recognise the diversity of the backgrounds of people that have made their locality what it is today. As a result, numerous projects celebrate these differences and the contributions all groups have made. They recognise how we, as a nation, have come together to make Australia the great place it is.
Kodja Place, the major Federation project undertaken by the Shire of Kojonup in Western Australia is an excellent example of this. Kojonup’s $2.1 million Aboriginal Heritage and Interpretive Centre presents the story of coexistence between the local Noongar people and European settlers.
When complete, Kodja Place will be a world class exhibit centre with universal appeal as it explores the changing relationship between Noongars and non indigenous community members in Western Australia’s second oldest inland town. From the tin huts of the Noongar housing reserve, where the walls did not reach the floor and there was only one blanket per family, to modern day heroes like footballer Stephen Michael, Kodja Place is a warts and all appraisal of the relationship between the two cultures, the community’s commitment to reconciliation and a celebration of Aboriginality.
Outside the building a large rose maze has been planted. Comprising some 1,500 Australian bred varieties, the maze presents the stories of three fictional women over the past ten decades – one Noongar, one Italian and one British.
On 1 December, residents of this small agricultural town in the Great Southern district of WA, celebrated the Centenary of Federation with a sneak preview. The Centre is nearing completion and will be officially opened in March next year.
Centenary of Federation celebrations have also provided many opportunities to recognise the contributions of individuals within communities. One of the two national projects undertaken by the National Council for the Centenary of Federation, ‘Peoplescape’ was officially launched on 25 November.
Earlier this year, Australians were asked to nominate their own personal hero. This hero could be a local community figure, a family member or someone with a state, territory or national profile. Those selected were then invited to decorate a life size, person shaped ‘canvas’, to represent their hero.
Installed on the lawn slopes of Parliament House, this stunning community artwork has proved to be a fitting finale to the year’s celebrations.
From the outset, the National Council for the Centenary of Federation made it clear that the involvement of Local Governments was vital to the credibility and eventual success of Peoplescape. To this end, the National Council invited every Mayor or Council leader to be involved in the project by nominating a figure for inclusion in the Peoplescape.
Adorning the lawns of Parliament from 25 November to 4 December, Peoplescape was a massive salute to community endeavour and achievement.
Providing a wonderful celebration of people who have made Australia what it is today, figures represented Dr Victor Chang, Ian Thorpe, Prime Minister John Howard and the Governor General. Artists, Margaret Preston, Arthur Boyd and Albert Namatjira, plus big name stars such as Nick Cave, Russell Crowe and Kylie Minogue were included.
However, most of the figures to go up on the expansive manicured lawns of the National Parliament were of ordinary Australians who have done extraordinary things. Many were people nominated for their work in education, health, local sport and the area of community service, providing a snapshot of Australian achievement across the spectrum of society.
