Australia Day 2001 Report
Australia Day 2001 in the National Capital will long be remembered. This year for the first time, the Capital celebrations took place in the Parliamentary triangle and the large crowd witnessed one of the best fireworks displays seen in Canberra.
The Great Aussie Breakfast featured a hot air balloon display which provided a spectacular start to the day. The Citizenship Ceremony provided a great deal of excitement and emotion as people from many different origins made their pledges to our great nation.
The Flag Raising Ceremony was held in a spectacular setting between the two groups' international flags with the backdrop of Lake Burley Griffin, ANZAC parade, the War Memorial and Mount Ainslie. It was a magnificent event with thousands of people attending.
A cricket match was held in the Parliamentary Precinct and was the centre-piece for celebrations throughout the day. Captains Allan Border and Greg Matthews joined players representing past, present and future men and women cricketers.
Other activities and events were celebrated throughout the day. Festivities such as sheep dog trials, jazz near the High Court, a children's hideaway, poetry, a celebration of Australian Motoring, special tours of the Parliamentary zone institutions were all followed by a party on the promenade and a spectacular fireworks display.
Mrs Marjorie Turbayne MBE OAM (President)
Australia Day in the National Capital (Inc)
Old Parliament House
Parkes, ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6273 2369
Facsimile (02) 6273 2364