One would assume that, having worked through Monday and Tuesday, most workers would welcome a midweek holiday with open arms.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On this day in 1976, ACT Employers Federation director, John Dallas, vehemently opposed this idea, rejecting the ACT Legislative Assembly's proposal that Canberra Day be held on a Wednesday.
Mr Dallas, claiming that a midweek holiday would be expensive and disruptive, was adamant that the public holiday take place on a Saturday instead.
He threatened to call on the federation's members to withdraw their financial and physical support for Canberra Day the following year if the midweek holiday was approved.
He appeared extremely concerned by the proposal of a Wednesday holiday, stating that members would be asked to withdraw their support until "some sanity" was restored.
A Canberra Week Incorporated spokesperson said that the committee would push for Monday to be the day of the holiday, but even this proposal was only begrudgingly accepted by Mr Dallas, who said that the Employers Federation would be "forced" to accept Monday as the day for the holiday, with Saturday remaining as their much-preferred choice.
