Skywhalepapa enthrals Canberra crowd – even as winds keep him grounded

Thousands gather before dawn for the official launch of beloved Skywhale's new companion

Many cities have patron saints. In Palermo in southern Italy there is a story that a vision of Saint Rosalia, a young hermit, saved the city from a plague. In Berlin, you can see a black bear everywhere you look: on the city's coat of arms, on street signs, as statues like teddy bears telling visitors they are welcome.

Around the world, part of living in a city is to believe in mythical creatures or visions that bring you salvation or protection. In Rome, perhaps most famously, there are Romulus and Remus, who were rescued by a she-wolf. One of the local football clubs, AS Roma, plays with a she-wolf on their badge, her teats clearly visible, just over the player's hearts.