David Williams reflects again upon how a major event can transform a location's popular image. He notes that major events are drivers of tourism, investment and population growth. He comments on the investment by many cities into convention centres and associated tourism services.
David Williams details how major events help locations to refashion their image and rejuvenate infrastructure. He cites Brisbane's example in discussing changes underway in both Glasgow and the Gold Coast in preparation for hosting the Commonwealth Games. He adds that the Gold Coast faces particular challenges to incorporate cultural elements into its Games program.
David Williams outlines his return to Queensland in 1989 to head the new Queensland Events Corporation for the state government, by then led by Labor premier Wayne Goss. He describes the state government's eagerness to capitalise on successful events such as the Commonwealth Games and the 1988 World Expo. He explains that within four years he had been appointed as a Director General in the public service.
David Williams describes how he accepted a position in 1985 as head of the Department of Sport & Recreation in Tasmania under Liberal premier Robin Gray. He recalls how he had gained a reputation in sports management after involvement in the staging of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and on the committee organising Brisbane's bid for the 1992 Olympics.
Ian Brusasco outlines his maiden speech in the council, soon after he returned from visiting sporting facilities around the world including Greece, where he addressed the need for better sporting facilities in Brisbane and proposed Brisbane should nominate to hold the Commonwealth Games.
Sallyanne Atkinson reflects on the Brisbane bid for the 1992 Olympics and the Australian Olympic bids more generally. She describes the impact of the bid on Council operations.
Sallyanne Atkinson describes her decision to stand down from the safe Indooroopilly Ward and run for the Lord Mayoralty in her mid-thirties. She describes her campaign and the major issues.
Brian Head recalls his arrival in Brisbane in 1982, and the concern with the apparently unassailable Bjelke-Petersen regime. He briefly discusses the eventual downfall of the Bjelke-Petersen Government, and the election of the Goss Government on a reform platform. He discusses his position as the first head of policy in the Premier's Department in 1990, and discusses the selection process in the context of the post Bjelke-Petersen merit-based appointment system. He also mentions the gulag to which many senior Bjelke-Petersen public servants were sent by the Goss Government.
