How far will this go? Photo: ArchivesACT.
Another Canberra Day has passed by with a conspicuous absence. But not for much longer, according to the ACT Government.
You’ll remember it … In a suite of promises wheeled out ahead of the October 2024 election, ACT Labor tugged on the heartstrings of every Canberran over the age of 35 with an announcement it would bring back the ‘Birdman Rally’.
For those under the age of 35, here’s the brief: inspired by events overseas, and probably a weird thought in the middle of the night, local television station Capital 7 launched the Birdman Rally in 1985 as one of a series of events held across the city during the ‘Canberra Festival’ every March.
With a $10,000 cash prize as motivation, entrants had to construct a homemade flying machine with anything from old beer cartons to fibreglass frames and then place all their trust in it as they ran and leapt from a six-metre high launching platform at Regatta Point.
It was considered a win if you made it 50 metres though the air before crash-landing in the – at times, 2 degrees Celsius – water of the lake.
By the early 1990s, however, public liability and prize insurance were listed as reasons the organisers could “no longer sustain the high costs of staging the event”, and the Canberra Festival itself bowed out shortly afterwards in 1994 despite incredible public support.
The platform was set up near Regatta Point. Photo: ArchivesACT.
That was it, until 30 years later, in September 2024, when ACT Labor said it “will celebrate the quirky side of our city’s history by bringing back the Birdman Rally to Canberra Day”.
It wasn’t entirely out of the blue.
Earlier that year, in May 2024, the National Capital Authority (NCA) had responded to questions from Region about the prospects of a return of the rally.
“The NCA supports events that showcase Canberra as a wonderful place to live and visit, and a capital for all Australians,” a spokesperson said.
That went well. Photo: ArchivesACT.
So, that’s not a no. But now they’re back in power, where are ACT Labor’s plans up to?
We have good news, because the ACT Government has told us a “pilot event” is expected to be delivered “in the second half of the term of government”. That’s 2027 to 2028.
“Work has commenced,” a spokesperson said.
“Events ACT is working with stakeholders including the National Capital Authority and other jurisdictions to identify safety, accessibility, environmental and logistical issues for this study to consider, including engagement with the City of Melbourne who are currently delivering a Birdman Rally as part of the Moomba festival.”
On Saturday, 8 March, Melbourne City Council put on what it described as a “long-held Moomba tradition that sees courageous competitors hurtle themselves over the Yarra”.
The first Moomba Birdman Rally was held in 1976 and made a comeback in 2004 after a six-year break.
“Leaping into the unknown, they will hurtle themselves off the Birdman platform, aiming to be the victor and ‘fly’ furthest into the drink of the awaiting Yarra River,” the description reads.
Sound familiar?
The ACT Government says a “key consideration” for the exact timing of the event remains the water level in Lake Burley Griffin which has dropped by 500 mm due to upgrades at Scrivener Dam.
“The NCA has indicated that the lake’s water level will be lower than average for the duration of the project, which is set to be completed by mid-2027,” the spokesperson said.
How closely will the remake echo the heroism of the rally of old?
“Event ACT’s aim is for the rally to maintain its creativity and spectacle while adapting to current safety standards, insurance requirements, and environmental factors.”
Watch this space.
