I've spent a couple of days in Canberra visiting Bec and Max and staying with them out in Dunlop, but the main purpose of the trip was to attend today's launch of a database, produced by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) of which I am a Fellow, at a breakfast in of all places Parliament House. It took quite an effort - and borrowing Bec's car for the day - to get to Parliament House for the 7.15 am start. I actually sat next to some interesting people at my table. Next to me, for example, was the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Finance Minister, Senator McCormack, and I also talked extensively with a Treasury official, Anne Scott, and a senior staff member (deputy secretary no less) in the Industry ministry.
After that successful, but tiring, launch I spent the next couple of hours at the RAI's HQ discussing research strategies / needs before heading to the National Portrait Gallery nearby. They had a special exhibition called in the flesh, where most of the exhibits dealt with peoples' psychologies and behaviours: reflection, acceptance, alienation, restlessness, transience, intimacy, empathy, vulnerability and transition. Moreover, many of the pictures & sculptures depicted people starkers often several times human size. One pregnant women stood tall next to an equally challenging hairy bloke who seemed to ahve some primeval presence.
That done I met up with Bec, whose office is situated nearby in the Treasury building. We had pre-booked something I'd long wanted to do: take a Segway ride. Well, he we are close to the start of our adventure. I'd really like to buy one of these for roaming around Armidale, but they're expensive and cannot be used in many situations. So, perhaps an electric bike might come first. Anyway, we had a great ride for about half an hour around the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
AS
After that successful, but tiring, launch I spent the next couple of hours at the RAI's HQ discussing research strategies / needs before heading to the National Portrait Gallery nearby. They had a special exhibition called in the flesh, where most of the exhibits dealt with peoples' psychologies and behaviours: reflection, acceptance, alienation, restlessness, transience, intimacy, empathy, vulnerability and transition. Moreover, many of the pictures & sculptures depicted people starkers often several times human size. One pregnant women stood tall next to an equally challenging hairy bloke who seemed to ahve some primeval presence.
That done I met up with Bec, whose office is situated nearby in the Treasury building. We had pre-booked something I'd long wanted to do: take a Segway ride. Well, he we are close to the start of our adventure. I'd really like to buy one of these for roaming around Armidale, but they're expensive and cannot be used in many situations. So, perhaps an electric bike might come first. Anyway, we had a great ride for about half an hour around the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
AS
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