My utopia

By Premasara Epasinghe

Utopia is a pleasant place,
But, how shall I get there?
Straight down the crooked lane,
And all round the square,

-Thomas Hood

I have been in Utopia, which Thomas Hood, described. (n. Utopia - an imagined perfect place or state of things. Utopian -adj: Name of an imaginary island, governed on perfect political and social system, in book of that title by Sir Thomas More -1816).

For me, Utopia in this world is the Continent of Australia. I specially enjoyed my visit to Brisbane, Melbourne and stayed for sometime in the capital of Australia - Canberra.

Canberra is a modern planned city. For its unique landscape, it has an international reputation. Since 1908, it has been the capital of Australia. Canberra is situated enclosed within New South Wales on a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River.

The area consists - Australian Capital Territory including the Port at Jarvis Bay. Extent of Canberra is 2432 sq km or 939 sq miles. The landscape of Canberra is a reflection of the inherent beauty of the sites plains, fringing woodhills and picturesque mountains.

It is one of the most beautiful, clean and planned cities in the world. According to history, three people were responsible for the establishment of this marvellous, breath-taking capital city - Canberra.

In 1909, Charles Scrivener selected the site for the capital. It was Walter Burley Griffin, who was instrumental in designing the city in 1912. Further you cannot forget Charles Weston, who was responsible in greening of the area and its surrounding area between 1911 and 1926. Weston was an English Horticulturist. Weston and his team supervised and regenerated the landscape with two million trees and shrubs.

In January 1901, Australian Colonies United to become a Nation. In 1908, Yass-Canberra district was chosen as the site for the National Capital. In 1913, the site was named Canberra, a term probably derived from "Kamberra" - a word used by local Aboriginal People. Canberra means "Meeting place".Burley Griffin, developed an ornamental lake along the Molonglo river. Today, it is called the Lake Burley Griffin.

It was completed in 1964. It is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic sights that I have seen. It is a breathtaking picturesque panorama.In the breathtaking sight of lake Burly Griffin, the spectacular Fountain sends 200 kilometres of jet water 150 meters. It is known as Captain Cook Fountain.

Canberra is a very open place, with fresh winds blowing across, unlike the fumes we experience in Colombo. Canberra is a made up beautiful city.

Parliament House in Canberra stands out as a unique, majestic structure. The 81 meters flag staff, which I presume, is the tallest stainless structure in the world. In the skyline stands the proud gigantic Australian flag. It is situated on a 32-hectare site on Capital Hill. Parliament is the meeting place of the Nation. The beautiful building was designed by Romaldo Ciurgola of Mitchell, Giurogola and Thorp architects.

There are two houses in the Federal Parliament. They are the Senate and the House of Representatives. When Parliament is in session the Gold Mace is placed on the Table. In the Senate the black rod is placed in a bracket.

Another site that attracts visitors in Canberra is the War Memorial. It was opened in 1941, to commemorate Australia's brave soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the First World War.

I was deeply moved, seeing the ANZAC Warriors - members of the Australian - New Zealand Army Corps (1914-1918).

The scenes depicted in the War Memorial and the War Stricken Sounds of the planes still echo in my mind. On 25th April ANZAC Day is annually commemorated here as the landing of the corps in Gallipoli.

Another site that I visited is Canberra's Telestar Tower. This rises above 195 meters above the summit of the Black Mountain. The magnificent Telestar Tower presents a 360 degree view of Canberra, which is undoubtedly a breathtaking experience.

Further, in the Telestar Tower there is space for Television and FM Radio Broadcasting and other engineering services are housed within the premises.During my stay in Canberra, I visited our High Commissioner, His Excellency Kusumsiri Balapatabendi, P.C. and presented to him my latest Book "Bradman Era".

When you compare with Sydney and Melbourne the number of Sri Lankans who reside in Canberra is comparatively small in number. Most of them are Government servants. The leading Government Offices and High Commissions are based in the capital Canberra. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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Australia is Commonwealth Country, occupying the smallest continent, south of Indonesia, between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, covers an area of 7,682,300 sq km, 2,966,136 square miles. Its capital is Canberra. Physically, Australia is the world's smallest, flattest and driest Continent.

Australia's modern history is relatively short. The first European Settlement was established by Britain on 26 January 1788. Six British Colonies new South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, came together in Federation to form a United Democratic Nation on 18th January 1901, Each Colony, became a state.