To mark the 30th anniversary of “CityNews”, social historian and journalist NICHOLE OVERALL has written an eclectic history of Canberra and beyond over the past three decades. Here is 2007.

JANUARY

A CSIRO “doomsday” report commissioned by the Iemma NSW government predicts significant temperature rises – almost 2 degrees Celsius by 2030 – and “a decrease in rainfall of up to 40 per cent over the next 70 years”.

Many in Canberra might appreciate it being a bit warmer: according to the BoM, “record-breaking temperatures” were a feature of the year (1.8 per cent above the historical average while February was the “stormiest month on record).

FEBRUARY

Stormy weather indeed, but thanks to the continuing drought, ACT water restrictions – in place since 2005 and upped to Stage 3 at the end of ’06 – remain in place for the foreseeable future – no car washing, window cleaning, emptying or filling of pools, or watering lawns – even poor old plants only a dash of greywater at intervals.

MARCH

Happy birthday you, Big Beautiful Bridge! The 75th for one of the great engineering marvels of the world, Sydney Harbour’s ultimate adornment.

APRIL

States and territories want “harmonisation” to “build a more efficient federal system” (oxymoron, anyone?). A proposal put to the Council of Australian Governments at its Canberra congregation: “mutual recognition” of drivers’ licences and vehicle regos – by the end of year. 

Tragically, ACT’s Chief Police Officer Audrey Fagan, 44, having served 26 years with the AFP and recipient of the 2004 Australian Police Medal, takes her own life following a review of the treatment of detainees in Canberra police cells.

MAY

In growing artistic argy-bargy, the Chief Big Wig, Jon Stanhope, really stokes the fire with the unveiling of a $72,000 life-size statue of Al Grassby, controversial former Whitlam Minister for Immigration (and the Mafia, according to Piers Akerman, of the “Daily Tele”, not a fan of the CM or “kiddy parliament”).

JUNE

“Ship happens” alright. The enormous Japanese freighter Pasha Bulker spends 25 days where it shouldn’t be – on a Newcastle beach, stranded after freak storms.

In a local nod, Queanbeyan nicknames its unusual new state office building after the ship.

JULY

Honouring those who serve and protect the “Australian Capital Territory and the nation”, a plaque is dedicated to No. 28 City of Canberra RAAF Squadron, formed in 1983, based at Fairbairn and then HMAS Harman. 

AUGUST

“How to be a good Aussie”: government-proposed 42-page booklet of “Australian facts and values” requiring at least 12 out of 20 to make the grade eg, Wally Lindrum was a billiards wizard. More interestingly, he was named Walter Albert “to have the initials of the state he was born” – how’s that for patriotism!

SEPTEMBER

Somewhat behind the ACT’s progress on women leaders, Queensland gets its first female premier: Anna Bligh sworn in on Peter Beattie bowing out. Something of a year of resignations: Steve Bracks in Victoria also did it, enter John Brumby, as did NT’s first Labor and female Chief Minister (2001), Clare Martin – Paul Henderson up.

OCTOBER

2006 Census analysis reveals “there are more cars on Canberra’s roads than ever before”.

Forrest has the highest rent/mortgage repayments ($416pw/$2817pm), Queanbeyan’s median rental 29 per cent less than the ACT at $185pw (no aspersions to be cast, thank you!). Canberra also boasts the highest sports participation rate in the country, walking the most popular recreation activity (and clearly needing to drive to where they’re going for walks).

ACT also up (again) to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as “one of the treasures not only of Australia but of the entire urban world” (no hyperbole there). True recognition of poor old Walter and Marion Griffin’s vision for our “First City” shelved once more (subsequent efforts will be similarly doomed).

NOVEMBER

The debate-generating annual portraiture competition of the National Portrait Gallery commences. The inaugural winner: Robert Scott-Mitchell with “Lindy Lee – Birth and Death, 2006”.

DECEMBER

Despite protests from the Government of Indonesia since 1975 that the Australian-based journalists known as the Balibo Five were killed in crossfire in the East Timor invasion, an inquiry determines they were murdered by Indonesian troops to prevent disclosure of the conflict. 

“Kevin ’07” defeats John W Howard for the main prize – Labor even taking the second-longest serving PM’s own seat of Bennelong.

Brendan Nelson becomes Chief Opposer, three votes more than Mal Turnbull; Julie Bishop his faithful deputy (for now, at any rate), and first female in the role.

The full collection of Nichole Overall’s “CityNews” anniversary columns can be seen here.

2006… ‘Clickbait’ is the new ‘yellow journalism’