Adelaide

As a journalism student and all round 'chatter-box' it seemed inevitable that I would join the craze and start a blog. Experience has shown me that those deep and meaningful observations used in personal rants generally come at the most inconvenient of times-like when you're on a bus, at work, driving and ultimately experiencing life. So while I wait for my earth-shattering revelations to dutifully come to me, I'll post a column I wrote, which featured in the UniSA UniMag. Enjoy!

‘Mad March’

I love Adelaide in March. I love the atmosphere, energy and sense of anticipation that fills the air. I love how our streets become crowded with people from all walks of society; and with events such as the Fringe, Womad and Clipsal 500 injecting our city with culture and life, for once there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. With this in mind I got to thinking that perhaps Adelaide isn’t as lacklustre as perceived. While there’s no comparison to the cosmopolitan-esque lifestyle of Melbourne and star-studded streets of Sydney, I think it’s time we embraced Adelaide for what it is- and that’s not the city of churches.

Within the past month three of my friends have made the decision to move to the big smoke, Sydney. Admittedly, with more job opportunities and lifestyle choices, many have plans to do the same. Yet my point is, instead of rushing onto the next plane out of here, why not savour and appreciate all Adelaide has to offer.

One of Adelaide’s most exciting events in March is inevitably the Fringe, along with the magical, some-what surreal world in the Garden of Unearthly Delights; experience world-renowned comedy, theatrical and musical shows, or simply grab a drink and soak up the atmosphere. For music-lovers there’s Womad or the Future Music Festival, where international music and DJ acts get set to carve up Adelaide’s dance-floor, and of course, rev-heads can’t go past the Clipsal 500, three days of ultimate cars, beer and the all-important grid girls. Sorry, did anyone say there’s nothing to do in Adelaide?

You’ll notice how I haven’t mentioned anything about the pandas. No offence to Wang Wang and Funi, in fact I love the history these animals have brought to our state, but I just don’t think they should be placed at the core of Adelaide’s character and attractions. Whilst I was in Melbourne last weekend I noticed a billboard with a statement along the lines of ‘Sure, you’ve got the G, but we’ve got pandas.’ Tourism campaigns like this are essentially only going to reinforce the notion that Adelaide is a conservative, some-what mundane country-town to fellow Australians. In order to attract a wider demographic, campaigns should also focus on our lush wineries, serene beaches and popular festivals.

I say this because I truly believe that Adelaide is going places. You only need to walk down Rundle Street, filled with an array of trendy bars, cafes and designer stores such as Zimmerman, Sass and Bide and Alannah Hill, to think that hey, it’s not all that bad here. Now, all we need is a Tiffany’s!