100 objects that tell the story of Canberra's first century have been locked away for another hundred years, inside a stainless steel sculpture that's been officially unveiled on City Hill.
The $200,000 obelisk is a centenary gift to the city from Canberra CBD Limited, which represents property owners in the city, Braddon and Turner.
Local artist Geoff Farquhar-Still was inspired by the Canberra Commencement Column which was meant to be built on the three foundation stones laid as part of Canberra's naming ceremony on 12 March 1913.
"What I was hoping to try and achieve," Mr Farquhar-Still explained, "was something that really sort of talked about the past ... and also potentially the future and bring a meeting place between those two things."
Images of Canberra
The sculpture rests on a concrete base clad in granite. It features acid etched images of Canberra and a row of tiles created by glass artist Liz Kelly that were inspired by the geometric designs of Walter Burley Griffin.
A mirror polished five-sided pyramid sits at the top.
"So this is the bringing together of a whole of of digital and analogue technologies in the one piece of work," said Mr Farquhar-Still. "It's been a real challenge."
Spectacular
The obelisk was officially unveiled by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher on the last day of the centenary year.
"We've grown up over the past 100 years," she said, "and having [the city] immortalised in this most spectacular column - it's lovely."
The 100 objects inside the time capsule were selected by a committee including representatives of Canberra CBD Limited and Craft ACT.
Canberra CBD Limited Chief Executive Officer Jane Easthope says every object tells its own story.
Rare
The collection ranges from rare and fascinating items, including a toe from the Skywhale prototype, to everyday pieces such as an ACT number plate and parking fine.
Anne Radimin, curator and exhibition manager at Craft ACT, says it the aim was to capture personal stories.
"The individual stories, why people love this place, what makes it special and yeah - what it says about living in Canberra today," she said.
Geoff Farquhar- Still and the other artists and technicians who worked on the sculpture had the opportunity to slip their own secret objects inside the time capsule.
"My wife and I are having a baby in June," he said. "We've written a letter to our daughter and included the ultrasound images.
"So maybe [in] a hundred year's time, you never know she might still be alive. Wouldn't that be amazing."
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