Higgins Hoi Polloi is published seasonally to bring you the latest news, views and muse from the auspicious suburb of Higgins. For those of you wondering where this utopia is, it's in West Belconnen in the Australian Capital Territory.
To access each article, click on a heading below. Click here to view previous editions.
In this issue
Comments and contributions to this website can be emailed to us at editor@higgins.org.au. Please let us know whether you are from Higgins, or just an envious outsider.
Please note, the content of this website may, or may not, be factually correct. If you have an issue with our website, please email the lovely ladies on our helpdesk . They will be more than happy to hear from you.
Missy Higgins, the singer formerly known as Rachel Smith... Searching for a more catchy stage name, she chose to honour the great man after doing an assignment on him for Year 9 history. |
 Jonathon Higgins, the butler from Magnum PI... Originally to be called Jonathon Scullin, the actor insisted his character's name be changed (for obvious reasons). |
 The
Higgins Boat - the boat credited with winning World War 2 - was named
after the great man. The Higgins Boat could travel on water AND land.
So could Henry apparently.
|
 Henry
Higgins, from George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (and My Fair Lady), was
originally intended to be a great socialist like his namesake; a man
who stood up for equality and education for all. The misogynistic
snobby character has been attributed to typographical errors and a bad
case of Chinese whispers. |
 The
Higgins Mouse - a long-tailed jumping mouse and the ONLY mouse endemic
to Tasmania. The man who first identified it was so enamored by Higgins
after visiting his aunt one summer holidays he named the mouse after
our suburb.
|
 And
…..it is rumoured that Glenn Shorrock's mother had her baby
induced so that he be born on Henry's birthday, in the hope that he
would grow up to be just like the great man. |
As a birthday treat, why not download your very own cutout Henry Higgins dressup doll.
This month we talked to local Higginsonians, 'Priscilla W' (she's actually our local chemist) and the much loved Boniwell Bear. This is what they had to say:
Priscilla W
Q. What do you love about Higgins?
Priscilla: Conveniently located, spacious parking lot for cars and
trucks & children's riding track, very nice friendly people.
Q. How could we improve it?
Priscilla: Perhaps more police surveillance to reduce incidents of
theft and break-ins. And definitely a friendly, economical, café
shop.
Q. What is your favourite romantic thing to do in Higgins?
Priscilla: Down the underpaths….?
Q. If Higgins had a flag, what should it look like?
Priscilla: A combination of the pics children have done on the walls of the Higgins shops.
The Boniwell Bear
Q. What do you love about Higgins?
Boniwell Bear: I love this street. I can't get enough of it.
Sometimes I just sit all day watching it. Sometimes at night too.
Really it's riveting. Especially this bit straight in front of me. I
often don't even turn my head because what's straight ahead is so good.
That could be a moral for life you know. I'm really a very happy bear.
Q. What is the most romantic place in Higgins?
Boniwell Bear: Actually I don't have time for romance but some of
the talk I hear around here late at night makes me think the swings
must be very erotic.
Q. How would you improve Higgins?
Boniwell Bear: Really I wouldn't change much. I'd like more people to come and talk to me though. This interview has been nice.
Q. If we had a flag what would it look like?
Boniwell Bear: I think an arch of grey bitumen with some light
cement-grey (like the gutters) and then red on the outside (like the
red scoria that's so popular in Higgins frontyards at the moment). Yeah
Awesome.
Thanks to all the talented Higgins fans for their excellent entries in our Higgins poetry competition. Apologies to those not included (including the notably RUDE entry from Scullin).
Start
writing now to enter the Higgins short story competition. The story
must make some mention of Higgins to be eligible. Email entries to
editor@higgins.org.au
Shanty of Higgins (Harriet from Bateman's Bay)
Arr the rolling hills of Higgins be
The place I most want to see
A friendly face and a cup of tea
Some fish-o-king and greenery
When I cross Kingsford Smith a feeling of glee
As I leave behind the Hawker bourgeoisie
The good folk of Higgins will let me be
And on that note we all agree
Chorus- Oh the land of Higgins, where the IGA sells all you need
I'd give all my land down in Batemans Bay
Just to see its old Gumtrees again
And as for Scullin (I slap my knee)
It can't compare to Higgins you see
It's a matter of topography
And our founding fathers legacy
Rif: Three cheers for Henry!
Repeat chorus, first verse, chorus.
XX
Higgins Rap (Billy Shiraz-Compton no fixed address)
Shoutin out to the people of Higgins
Shoutin out to the people of Higgins
Wakin up in the foggy light
Pull on my tracky-daks feel alright
Mum,'s got the telly on - been on all night
Get meself some brekky, I like vegemite.
I'm headin to the shops, the mall's alright
Hangin in the food court maccas and Sprite
Might go to Kippax, If I can't get a ride
Skate down the drain past the new school site
Nothing goin on but that's alright
i've gotto update my facebook site
Got some new pics from Saturday night
That'll give me mates a fright.
Shoutin out to the people of Higgins
Shoutin out to the people of Higgins
Annie from Chifley
'this is a wonderful celebration of the Hoi Poloi in its real sense.
Congratulations. And note that I also have made some grammatical errors
so i can be as hip as you.
Emma from interstate
Dear Higgins info/website officer,
I recently spent a couple of week at Higgins at thought it was a
magnificent place! I felt such positive energy in the surrounds... it
was just heavenly! I just wanted to comment on how fantastic your
website is, I will be a regular visitor to the site now that Higgins
is my #1 favourite place in Canberra.
A Green Scene
dearest lovely appreciators of Higgins,
Since it is world environment day I'd just like to add a special pat on
the back to Higgins which stands up very well as a green suburb. I have
been living in Higgins for many years now and seen solar water and
electrical facilities popping up all over the roofs. Apparently we have
the most of any Canberran suburb! Not bad for the 'wild west' as my
sister calls it. I have also heard there are some significant catches
of Indian Mynah bird in Higgins- This is excellent as it brings the
native birds back. Imagine the paradise of rosellas and galahs that
would return if they could. Well done Green Higgins.
Belinda Trumper (Green MLA Higgins and environs- self appointed)