Higgins News in Brief
- Casino mooted for
old school site as revenue raiser for locals. Plenty of room for
helipad to attract high rollers. Dog walkers expected to protest.
- Higgins Puma cover up claimed by local scientist. Could explain lack of reported sightings.
- Trouble
in paradise - lightning strike demolishes tree in Nicholas street;
house destroyed by fire in O'Sullivan Street; post office box exploded
at Higgins shops. Jealous Scullinites, or just a bad trot?
- Higgins resident becomes first Prius driver (in Higgins).
- Higgins fences used as training ground for fence artists.
With design now perfected, artists shifting to inner north.
- Poplar tree fluff falls like sneezy snow. Photinia flowers force hay fever frenzy. Fank god it's finished.
- Tractor
donated to residents of Higgins (for personal use) by machinery giant,
Caterpillar. Executives changed company name to
'Higgins' after
a top feed at Bilbys Burrow.
- New Higgins tractor presents garaging problem for Higgins residents.
Photoessay
- Frontyard Sculptures of Higgins
Continuing our
celebration
of the more artistic and expressive residents of Higgins, this edition
we look at what people choose to display in their frontyards. (If
anyone from Home Beautiful mag, on seeing these, is inspired to do
another story on a Higgins home give us a call....)
   
   
  
   
Step Back in Time to Higgins 1989
Polloi asked former Higgins resident Gerry (not actual photo) to tell us what it was like growing up in  Higgins in its early days. This is what he had to say.....
Higgins was awesome to grow up in during the 70s and 80s! Mum and Dad
built their house in Kriewaldt Circuit in 1971 for about $9000 during
the final Government land auction, having been narrowly beaten to their
choicest block, helping raise it to a record price. The builder
then reduced the entire block to the lowest point, possibly creating
the lowest block in West Belconnen ! My parents built a
contemporary house with 1 bedroom, bathroom and ensuite and the slab
for the remaining three bedrooms. When the remaining 3 bedrooms
were built some 3 years later, during a building boom, they cost more
than the original dwelling!
I, my parents and my older brother lived at the bottom of the oval,
near the underpass, so there was lots to do, with the spoon drain
running the full length from the shops, down the reserve, to Kippax
ovals. It was great for riding, skating or skateboarding down
(probably still is). Being so close to the oval was great for all
manner of "backyard" sporting, as well as things like flying kites,
boomerangs or frisbees... My neighbour had a long, straight
driveway - fantastic for playing cricket, though the two nettle bushes
on the other neighbour's front yard were strictly "6 and out!" (I was
pretty handy at climbing in and retrieving game balls).
The former bus terminus/interchange next to the shops was briefly a BMX
track, before the housing development went over the top of it.
The takeaway was great, as was the deli, chemist and newsagents...
though there wasn't a great deal more at the shops during that time...
there might have been an small Post Office? 
When I was younger, some friends and I briefly experimented with WD40
and matches in the grass verge near the underpass, with some disastrous
results - playing with fire is seriously uncool. It wasn't long
after that that I lost a childhood friend, and Higgins Primary
schoolmate, to a similar bout of foolishness...
Mum and Dad were always very involved in the Higgins Primary School
P&C whilst my brother and I attended - It always seemed an enormous
school during my time there. We always seemed to be up at the school
doing landscaping, concreting etc. The school used to run movies
in their hall on a Saturday afternoon, with one or two features and a
number of cartoons. I have very fond memories of seeing
Battlestar Gallactica several times!
I used to be a scout in the Higgins Scout Troop during the early 80's,
meeting in the Higgins Community Centre at the shops, but I think that
was a short-lived troop. We ran several car washes at the local
Shell service station.
We moved away at the end of the 80s, to the far end of town... but I
still get back occasionally - though the place has shrunk considerably
since I grew up there...
Higgins Home Beautiful House of the Month
Hoi
Polloi was not surprised to find a Higgins home as House of
the Month in the May edition of Home Beautiful Magazine. We've
known for a long time that Higgins houses are better than anywhere else
on the planet. We've put the photos from the article below but if
you want to read the full article click here. Home Beautiful writes 'A fearless approach to audacious hues converts a staid Canberra house
into a place of fun and whimsy '. Pure art.
    
 ...we wonder what is behind the strategically placed umbrella that the photographer did not want us to see!
New Study Shows Higgins Residents Happiest in Canberra
A recent study has shown
that Higgins residents are a happier bunch than the rest of Canberra,
with better physical health and a much higher degree of long-term
fulfillment. 
Scientists at the Australian Institute for the Measurement of
Population Contentment (AIMPC) have used the latest infrared satellite
imaging to measure happiness across the nation’s capital.
It is no surprise that the suburb of Higgins was found to shine
brightest as the hotspot for contented residents. Interestingly,
a particular deficiency was noted over Scullin and parts of Page.
To
'ground truth' their study, the AIMPC undertook an extensive field survey
to measure residents’ happiness, life expectancy, and performance
at work, school, and sport. Again, Higgins residents came out leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of Canberra.
In a statement, Bob Stoboleton, chair of the AIMPC, said, ‘Whilst
previous studies have suggested that wealth is only weakly linked to
happiness, it is expected the release of the AIMPC study will send
Higgins property prices skyrocketing.’
Following the release of the report, the Dalai Lama is now planning a
trip to Higgins in an attempt to learn some of the secrets of
contentment from Higgins residents. The Pentagon has also
directed officials of the US Army to study our suburb as part of their
recent push to develop happiness and resilience in war-weary
soldiers. It is expected that the Australian Army will follow in
their footsteps shortly.
(The Hoi Poloi is extremely excited by this development and will be on the 'beady' for any strange looking visitors.)
Wind in the Willows Meets Higgins
Since
the arrival of our fantastic new café in Higgins
‘Bilby’s Burrow’ the Poloi has had the idea of taking
the character of the Bilby and inserting it into a scene of Wind in the
Willows to help get a feel for his character. What would our little
Higgins, animal be like if he could talk with those other famous
English toffs? Well, let’s see…
Badger, Toad, Ratty and Moley have come over to visit Higgins and have just knocked on Bilby’s burrow door…..
Toad: Hello ol stink
Bogan Bilby: Gday kids. Good to have you here. I’ve gotta helluva
line up for youz guys. We’re gonna hit the drains on our
mini motorbikes, do some circle work on the oval in my Uncle’s
Ford, take a case of ‘Mother’s’ and go get smashed
down by the river, shit I don’t know what else.
Toad: Good heavens that’s sounds smashing eh what. What do you think lads? Up for some wild down under action?
Ratty: Ooh drains!! Can we do a bit of sailing down them?
Badger: Hmm, better brace ourselves lads, I’ve a feeling there might be weasels around here!
Moleys. Oh goodness I should have stayed at home. I need a cup of tea!
Bogan Bilby: No wuckers Molers. Want some Bacardi Breezer in that?
Moley: Ooh just milk and 1 please.
Bogan Bilby. Well I might wet my whistle if you don’t mind. Its been a big day down at the mall.
Toad: Ooh I’d love a ride in your automobile Bilby? Can we can we please?
Bogan Bilby:
Right On Toadface. You guys just chip in for petrol we’ll grab
some takeaways and head down to me mate dingo’s den.
It’s just an ex govvy but he’s done it up real nice.
You’ll love it.
To be continued…..
Higgins Vineyard to Challenge Casino Bid for Old School Site
Some fans of Hoi Polloi have countered the casino bid for
the old school site with a proposal for a community vineyard. They feel the soils here are suitably
dry, and enriched with layers of aged dog poo, making them ideal for grenache or pinot
grigio. A chateau of similar style to ‘Pemberley’ would complement the
current ambience of Higgins.
Got any other ideas for the old school
site? Send them into editor@higgins.org.au These guys received our latest Higgins teatowel for their efforts.
Search for the Quintessential Higgins Theme Song
Once
again Hoi Polloi were indundated with entries to our Song Competition.
Higginsonians it seems are bursting into song to express their
love for the suburb!!
This month's winner is here for you to listen to and love....
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Dont Fence Me In
D
OH GIVE ME LAND, LOTS OF LAND
UNDER STARRY SKIES ABOVE.
A7
DON'T FENCE ME IN.
LET ME DRIVE THROUGH MY PARK CHUCKING
DOUGHIES ON THE MUD
D
DON'T FENCE ME IN.
D D7
LET ME RIDE MINIBIKES CROSS ABANDONED SCHOOLS
G
WATER MY GARDEN BREAKING ALL THE RULES.
D
B7
RENT MY GOVVY HOUSE TO A BUNCH OF TOOLS,
E7 A7 D
DON'T FENCE ME IN.
G
JUST TURN ME LOOSE LET ME TURBO MY HYUNDAI
D
UNDERNEATH THE WESTERN SKIES
G
WITH MY MATE BRUCE LET ME WANDER OVER YONDER
D A7
FOR ME BURGERS AND ME FRIES.
D D7
I WANT TO RIDE ON THE RIDGE WHERE MACGREGOR COMMENCES.
G G7
BURN UP SOME RUBBER TILL I LOSE MY SENSES D B7
I CAN'T LOOK AT CYCLISTS AND THEIR TROUSER OFFENCES.
E7 A7 D
DON'T FENCE ME IN. |
Top stuff!! Below is our runner up. Our
winners received a Higgins tshirt and shopping bag respectively.
Keep your entries coming and you could win a prize too.....
The Winding Gum Lined Streets of Higgins
Whenever I feel like
prancing
Or doing some funky
dancing
I take my itchy feet
Down the winding gum
lined streets
Of Higgins
Don’t need no Manuka
or Turner
When I’ve got the
great Ashburner
Of all Canberra I would rather
The simple pleasures
of Pennefather
Theres none come close
to beat
The winding gum lined
streets
Of Higgins
They’re the envy of
all the town
Admirers come from all
around
Some’ve even used a
GPS
To map the ones they
like the best
Oh the winding gum
lined streets
Of Higgins
So next time you’re
planning a do
Be it a birthday or
romantic woo
Get your fish n chips
to go
And wine and dine ‘em
el fresco
Theres no fancier
place to eat
Than the winding gum
lined streets
Of Higgins.
Higgins Souvenirs Now Available 
Say it loud, say it proud.
Share your love for Higgins with those around you with one of our
much sought after, limited edition t-shirts, tea towels and shopping
bags. Stubby Holders coming soon.
To order just send an email to us. Pay by paypal and we'll post
it out to you (or hand deliver if you live around the corner!)
This
months
Competition
Email us at editor@higgins.org.au
and tell us where it is. If you dont
know, take a walk around your suburb and keep your eyes peeled. You
could win a prize.
Letters
to the
Editor
Hi there, Last year I collected some seed pods from the trees in the shops
and I was wondering what type of tree they are?
Ed:
Nope, sorry guys. No idea. You've uncovered a weak point in
the brains trust here. Anyone who knows? Write in for a prize.
 Dear Editor
I quite like your website. Does not persuade me to move from Griffith (where the
park across from my house has quite long weeds), but is good fun.
Ed: Hmm. I bet you dont have anything as good as Higgins Hair
Design in Griffith though! Come and try one of our local
hair styles. Fashions come in 30 year cycles you know.
Hi Ed,
We have just discovered the Higgins Hoi Polloi - and love it.
It is very exciting to see our lives recorded for future generations to
learn from and wonder at.
It is clear that you have your finger on the pulse, so I was hoping that you
might make mention of the Higgins reference in the May issue of 'Home
Beautiful'. This quote quite possibly sums up Higgins, "A fearless approach
to audacious hues converts a staid Canberra house into a place of fun and
whimsy." (You never know what goes on behind closed doors or behind the
paling fence)
Ed: Yes, I couldn't have said it better myself. Viva Higgins.
If
you've something to say to us, please email editor@higgins.org.au
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