At my Suitcase Rummage stall in May 2016, I invited visitors to tell me how they would describe Canberra as a character in a book. I had some incredible responses, which really gave me some food for thought for future stories. I tried to encourage entries with a mocked up Canberra doll on hand, complete with local teams colours. Interestingly, Canberra seemed to be described in equal measure male and female.
Virginia won a free book with her entry:
Canberra is like the younger brother, who is a bit shy but secretly creative.
I hadn’t never found myself thinking of Canberra that way, but I suppose we are often the quiet little brother at the Australian family dinner table, fleetingly displaying our true creative flair.
However, there were some other amazing entries.
Shyness was a typical attribute, with Tabitha suggesting a literary Canberra would be:
an introverted friend that enjoys coffee and art galleries.
Shane thought Canberra would be:
a shy teenager with overbearing parents giving him a bad reputation.
Ash described:
a socially aware man with man-bun and beard, who loves his coffee and doesn’t how to head-check.
Similarly, Oliver thought our Canberra would be:
a cultural, artsy being that encompasses life from all over the nation.
Rach suggested Canberra is like a classic spy character:
a bland guy on the outside, but full of intrigue!
Maxx also thought Canberra would be:
cold, but full of warmth.
Ayu suggested Canberra would like:
wholesome fun, and she would enjoy good convo over warm drinks.
Recent arrival Kathleen noted that Canberra is:
full of roundabouts, but each turn leads somewhere new and interesting.
Sharon had Canberra as a cheeky child:
a puddle jumping, sunny, wondrous itty bit of a thing.
Dean decided that Canberra is:
fun, frosty and cultural demeanor meant he or she would have to be frosty the snowman.
Finally, Isabelle saw our city as:
the quirky cousin at a family dinner.
Thanks everyone for your entries, and for coming to say hello at Suitcase Rummage.
This is a lovely description
“Sharon had Canberra as a cheeky child:
“a puddle jumping, sunny, wondrous itty bit of a thing.””
It’s the Canberra you are only aware of if you live here. Thank you Sharon.