Page 5271 - Week 14 - Thursday, 19 November 2009
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was Jim Pead who was Chairman of the Canberra Commercial Development Authority, the body that designed and built the Belconnen Mall. It is interesting that, while so much else in Canberra has changed radically, the Belconnen Mall has served its purpose for this entire intervening time, and he would recognise instantly the building he helped to construct more than 30 years ago.
I was also interested to note his interest and impact in the media. As politicians, we are all, of course, interested in the media, but few of us would have the same impact as Jim Pead, who started his own newspaper to give a national voice to events. That paper, as noted by the Chief Minister, started with another prominent local, Ken Cowley, still publishes to this day, but it is known not under its original title of the Territorial but as the paper that is now known nationwide as the Australian.
As I looked at Jim Pead’s history, I was surprised to find his influence in unexpected places. One of those stories, along with the grand achievements of Jim Pead, shows another side to his influence. The story I uncovered is related to the carousel that we walk past most days in Petrie Plaza in Civic. This carousel is undoubtedly a landmark, and I had wondered about its origins. It turns out it very nearly was not a landmark. I quote from the Carousel Organ Restoration Group newsletter of April 2006:
The advice to the then Chairman of the Canberra Advisory Council, Mr Jim Pead, was that it was beyond repair and should be disposed of. Fortunately, Mr Pead sought a second opinion from Canberra organ enthusiast, Mr Terry Lloyd, who travelled to Melbourne to inspect the organ. His advice was that, despite it is deteriorated condition, the organ should be retained and brought to Canberra.
It is a great story from an amazing life. As we stand here in this Assembly, we thank Jim Pead. As we drive through Belconnen or walk through Belconnen Mall, we can thank Jim Pead. As we walk past the carousel and hear the music drift through Civic, we can think of Jim Pead and thank him for his contribution to Canberra. Mr Speaker, the Canberra Liberals offer their recognition for this important Canberran, and our sincere condolences on his passing.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens): On behalf of the ACT Greens, I rise to offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Jim Pead. Mr Pead was a prominent Canberran and we are saddened by the loss of a tireless and passionate advocate for Canberra.
A local businessman and public servant educated in Canberra, Jim was Chairman of the ACT Advisory Council from 1964 to 1974 and then President of the Legislative Assembly between 1974 and 1984. He played a key role in the furthering of democracy and local government in the ACT, including advocating for full self-government.
It was clear that he felt that control of the ACT should be in the hands of ACT residents as much as possible, and he was extremely vocal on the issue. He also expressed his frustration at the process for the Advisory Council, with things taken through federal ministers who had no responsibility to our electorate. In Reluctant Democrats, the Transition to Self-Government in the Australian Capital Territory, Jim said:
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