NEWS RELEASES

December 4, 2001 (2:00 p.m. EST) No. 160

MANLEY ANNOUNCES GIFT TO MARK

AUSTRALIA'S CENTENARY OF FEDERATION

John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will present a special gift to Australia in honour of its Centenary of Federation. The gift, a stone pavement inlay designed by Ontario artist John McEwen, is based on the theme of diversity. It will be built into the newly created Commonwealth Place, in the heart of Canberra's Parliamentary Zone. The inlay depicts the night skies of the northern and southern hemispheres, joined together by a symbolic representation of friendship among peoples and nations.

"It gives me great pleasure to mark Australia's Centenary of Federation, on behalf of all Canadians, with this tribute to a long lasting friendship," said Mr. Manley. "The gift reflects the rich diversity of our two societies and reminds us that both countries share a similar past and have, for more than a century, developed along remarkably parallel paths."

The design was selected by a binational panel following a nationwide public competition in Canada. The inlay will be constructed from Canadian granite, then shipped to Australia, where it is expected to be installed early in 2002.

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A backgrounder is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jennifer Sloan

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Backgrounder

CANADA'S GIFT FOR AUSTRALIA'S CENTENARY OF FEDERATION

On January 1, 1901, the six colonies of Australia joined together under a federal constitution that divided powers between the new Commonwealth of Australia and the state and territorial governments. Australians have been celebrating their centenary throughout 2001.

Canada and several other countries are marking the occasion with gifts, such as Canada received when it celebrated its Centennial of Confederation in 1967.

The Canadian gift will be a stone pavement inlay that will be installed in the new Commonwealth Place development in Canberra's Parliamentary Zone. It is being fabricated in Hamilton and Mississauga using several colours and grains of high-quality Canadian granite. Installation of the 10 m x 10 m pavement inlay is expected to be completed in early 2002.

The gift's "diversity" theme was chosen by both countries in recognition of Canada's and Australia's common heritage. The winning design, selected by a binational jury, prominently features star maps of the night sky as seen from the northern and southern hemispheres. These are linked together by curved bands representing the bonds of friendship among peoples. The artwork will complete Speakers Square which will be the focal point of a new public amphitheatre in Canberra's Parliamentary Zone.

The winning design was created by John McEwen of Hillsdale, Ontario, one of Canada's leading artists. Mr. McEwen is a well-respected sculptor whose works are on display in museums, galleries and private collections across the country. Among his other commissions is the RCAF Hall of Tribute in the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa. Mr. McEwen visited Australia and displayed his work there during the 1982 Sydney Biennial.

The centenary gift project has been supported financially by the Departments of Canadian Heritage, National Defence and Foreign Affairs and International Trade, as well as by the Canada Council. The Canada Council and the National Capital Commission were advisers on the project and both the Canada Council and the National Gallery of Canada assisted in the judging of the design competition.

The Australian National Capital Authority, which has facilitated the Canadian gift initiative from the beginning, will manage the on-site installation phase of the project.