CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher presented special medallions to three 100-year-old Canberrans today, as she urged everyone in town to come to the city’s birthday party on March 11.

“The stage is set for the biggest birthday party Canberra has ever seen. It’s now up to Canberra to come to the party,” Ms Gallagher said.

The Chief Minister said the event had been years in the planning, with about 500 artists, hundreds of volunteers and 20 cultural groups coming together to create a birthday party like no other.

“It starts at midday around Regatta Point, with lots of interactive fun for everyone, especially for kids and families, and goes till late that night, so anyone from the region who doesn’t have a public holiday on March 11 can still attend.”

In a ceremony at Jindalee Nursing Home this afternoon, Ms Gallagher presented silver Centenary Medallions to Ms Luigia Martiniella and Ms Ella Mary Griffins, both 100, as well as Mr Kim Tae-woo, who turns 100 in June.

They are among 15 older Canberrans to receive the special one-off medallions from Ms Gallagher today.

Local people older than 100 or turning 100 this year are eligible for a Centenary Medallion, which will also be given to any babies born on the big day, Monday, March 11.

The silver medallions are decorated on one side with a golden image of the Centenary flower, the Correa ”Canberra Bells”, and on the other side the Foundation Stone on which Lady Denman, wife of then governor-general Lord Denman, stood in 1913 to announce the city’s name.

For information on applying for the Centenary Medallion, visit canberra100.com.au or phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.