• Population rose by 21% in the ACT from March 2007 to 2017 (338,200 to 409,100) more than all other states and territories except for WA and on par with Victoria.
• Canberra is the top performing hotel market in 2017 so far in terms of revenue per available room and domestic tourists overnighting in hotels has risen 25% in 2017.
• Canberra is forecast to have the strongest growing housing market of all cities.
• The capital has received a range of international gongs in the last five years to do with quality of life, well-being, cleanliness, student rankings, education and most recently third in the Lonely Planet's top cities to visit in 2018.

You get the picture. Whether you love the nation's capital or not (and full disclosure, I do), an increasing number of people are choosing to move there, stay there and visit. This trend indicates that Canberra's reputation is changing among certain circles, most notably among its own residents, which I have witnessed first hand.

What had happened in that time to change the reputation of Canberra among its people and had this rubbed off on the rest of the country?

• 2013 Centenary: Similarly to changing the reputation of an organisation, it starts from within. The turning point was the 2013 Centenary. It was a year of celebrating the city’s beauty, people, highlights and achievements. Canberrans have become the city's biggest advocates.
• Progressive politics: From bike paths to renewable energy to late-night venues to smart city initiatives to pill testing at festivals (almost), the Government is willing to push the boundaries and this is gaining international attention. With a young, educated and increasingly diverse population, they have the luxury to do so.