Hundreds tumble down lawns before public is turfed out

Canberra: It is about as peaceful and playful as a protest can be. Yesterday hundreds of people took what may be their last opportunity to roll down the lush lawns of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra. Over the summer recess, it is expected the grassy area outside the nation’s seat of power will be fenced off due to security concerns. That means the time-honoured tradition of lawn tumbling will be no more for visitors to Australia’s capital. Yesterday more than 300 people protesting against the plan, and the odd pooch or two, took to the rainsoaked lawns for one last dizzying dash down the hill. Canberran Lorraine Palmer said it was important her family took the chance while they could. “The grandkids have got to go rolling down the hill, they won’t be able to do it after this weekend,” she said. The lawn roll was organised on Facebook by local Lester Yao for a few of his friends, but the event soon blew out. He said the day was more about fun than a protest.

“It’s good to see a bit of joy come back into the place. I think it’s a beautiful thing,” he said.

“Today is not about politics, its about a guy wanting to roll down a hill.

“It’s a really beautiful symbol of what our democracy is, to be able to say this is a freedom that we have.”

Despite the frivolity, the serious side of the mass roll was not lost on the crowd, with many venting their anger at the planned fencing. “We’re one of the few countries in the world where through our national parliament we can actually walk on top of our politicians, be on top of them,” protester Edward Patching said. “Today it seems we’re on our way to losing that. I think that’s unfortunate.” ABC