Members of the Queanbeyan public could be forgiven for thinking that there were council elections coming up during the festivities held yesterday to open the new Crawford Street Lifestyle precinct.
After a a vocal blast from the town crier Alan Moyse, (“a waste of ratepayers’ money,” a cross onlooker snapped) and a perfunctory acknowledgment of
the indigenous people that had some of them smarting (“I’m going home,” Aboriginal elder Matilda House told me just before the ceremonies began), Queanbeyan mayor Tim Overall (pictured) gave an exultant speech about his role in the precinct development.
Meantime, independent candidate in the elections coming up in September, Jamie Cregan, took advantage of the crowds braving the chilly weather to enjoy the face painting, music, sample bags and free food provided by Crawford Street shopholders to push his views on the development.
Up the road at Benedict House, the Queanbeyan Greens were spotted setting up for and afternoon fundraiser.
It was a jolly occasion, in which local businesspeople hoped to lure the public in after the long months of diminishing trade caused by the street work. They needed to do so –“it nearly sent me bankrupt,” said one.
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