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by BERNIE RYAN
Many Canberrans are inspired to step up further and make a difference in their community at Christmas time.
And the team from The Reindeer’s Retreat, in Narrabundah, make it easy to do that, whilst immersing yourself in the magic of Christmas.
The Christmas experience store, open from October through December, is a self-funded social enterprise.
It currently employs four staff who may have survived domestic and family violence or who are living with neurodiverse or other medical conditions, and provides them with a
flexible environment sensitive to their needs and goals.
Owner Adele has also always loved Christmas and believes everyone should have access to its joy.
“Since I was a child, Christmas has been about connection and community,” she says.
And in a fortunate twist of fate last year, Adele’s hairdresser knew that she needed to introduce her to another client, Pene! And it’s clear why.
Not only did Pene’s 23-year-old daughter Ainsley become one of the store’s valuable retail and admin assistants, but Pene is now employed as Store Manager year-round.
“I was on board with Adele’s vision
from the beginning,” she says.
Ainsley, who lives with neurodiversity, previously worked in retail environments where she often experienced discrimination and exclusion.
“But being here, she’s thrived and I’m not sure she could have foreseen what she was capable of otherwise”, says Pene.
Pene started as a volunteer but said it was important that the store stayed open all year. So, she offered to help Adele.
This January, Christmas will be
packed away again, for the store to reopen in February as the Goodie Locker gift store.
Both Adele and Pene stress that The Reindeer Retreat also exists because they simply love Christmas.
“It’s just joyful,” they say unanimously.
The Reindeer’s Retreat is located at 45 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with Sunday visits available by appointment and for workshops. For more information, visit reindeersretreat.com.au
Ever since Lewis Carroll sent a curious girl tumbling down a rabbit-hole — and later crawling through mirrors and over chessboards — Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass have inspired a century and a half of adaptations, from films and ballets to operas and television. Cirque Alice, coming to Canberra Theatre in January, turns Carroll’s madly logical fantasia not into a caucus-race, but into circus.
“It’s the Olympics of circus,” creative director
Ash Jacks says. “We concocted a beautiful show that’s Alice in Wonderland reimagined through the lens of cirque: acrobatic feats of wonder and outrageous stunts, a kaleidoscope of colour and a wonderful soundtrack. We could let our minds and our hearts run wild with colour, creativity, action, music, costumes, and characters. We really can’t wait for people in Canberra to see the show.”
Cirque Alice features 26 artists from six continents. The Queen of Hearts becomes a hand balancer who contorts her body atop
two-metre canes, in a scene of avant-garde card costumes and dramatic choreography. A Mongolian contortion group creates the sinuous Caterpillar. Tweedledum and Tweedledee appear as an explosive Icarian games duo who juggle each other with their feet. Audiences will also see the world’s fastest roller-skaters; a head-to-head acrobatic couple fresh from a global Got Talent win; rola bola; speed juggling; and more.
“They’re doing the unimaginable — things that are absolutely crazy in the best way,” says Layla Schillert, the 19-year-old soprano who sings the role of Alice. “It keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It’s thrilling — your heart will race nonstop.”
Alice is Schillert’s first big part: literally so, in one scene. Early in the play, Alice grows and shrinks like a telescope.
“I’m hooked into a harness, I fly up into the air, and my skirt grows out beneath me. I get to sing in the air. It’s magical.”
Raised in a musical family “where everyone sings”, Schillert discovered in high school that musical theatre “lit a little fire inside [her]”. Recommended for the role by Hamilton and Six star Chloé Zuel, she still cannot quite believe her luck.
“It’s such a blessing that they were willing to
take a chance on me being so young,” Schillert says. “I’m loving it. It’s honestly so much fun. It’s been a huge learning opportunity for me. It’s super special to be playing the character that the show is about — it’s her journey. I feel very lucky to be in a position where my character is such a huge focus. It’s a great learning opportunity, and I’m loving every second.”
The international cast has become “one big family”, Schillert says, drawn together from Mongolia, Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Tanzania, Peru, the USA and more.
“All these cultures coming together to create something beautiful and magical… I feel honoured to work alongside them and learn from their artistry.”
visits Sydney and Adelaide before Canberra.
The Australian Arts Review described it as “breathtaking, captivating, spectacular,” and ArtsHub as “a show not to be missed — a joyous and enthralling evening of entertainment”.
“We concocted a beautiful show that’s Alice in Wonderland reimagined through the lens of cirque: acrobatic feats of wonder and outrageous stunts”
From the makers of The Illusionists, Circus 1903, and Le Noir, the show premiered in Brisbane, toured to Singapore, and
The appeal, Jacks says, crosses every age group. “My three-year-old loves it, and so does my football-loving blokey husband. It’s got something for everyone. Honestly, anyone with a heartbeat will love the show.”
Cirque Alice comes to Canberra Theatre from 22 to 31 January 2026. To book tickets, visit canberratheatrecentre. com.au/show/cirque-alice-2026
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Local charities Slabs for Heroes and Pam’s Pantry are assembling Christmas hampers for families doing it tough across Canberra, Murrumbateman, and Yass, with the help of Capital Football and Basketball ACT.
Slabs for Heroes’ Roseanne Howes and Pam
Zielke (of Pam’s Pantry) work year-round with schools and medical practices to identify families in need. Between them, they support families dealing with disability, mental health challenges, domestic violence and homelessness.
This Christmas they will prepare hampers for more than 50 children through one domestic violence service alone, along with dozens of others across the region.
“We work with people who have experienced more than most of us could ever imagine,” Ms Howes said. “When people donate to us, they can see exactly where it goes. That’s why so many are happy to help.”
Working with the Rose Bush and Inner North pantries and HelpingACT, they put together non-perishable food hampers and Christmas hampers, then reach out to community sporting organisations to see if they want to help.
Capital Football has donated around a dozen kit bags, boxes of near-new footballs, and 20
family passes to Canberra United home games.
CEO Samantha Farrow said her organisation was glad to donate gear that can no longer be used in competition.
“These jerseys are older designs or sponsors, but they’re in great condition. We’d much rather see them go to good use than be thrown out and go into landfill,” she said.
“I hope it makes a difference to families in need, and they feel people out there support them and try to help where we can.”
Basketball ACT has also donated boxes of basketballs.
Ms Howes said something as simple as a ball or a match ticket can change a child’s Christmas.
“People don’t have spare cash to go anywhere, so kids don’t get to do anything over the holidays,” she said.
“Being able to go to the footy will be huge — and we’ll include a little extra so they can buy a drink or an ice cream.”
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My old mum (who used to do Country Party leader Artie Fadden’s typing in the old Parliament House in the late 1940s and early 1950s) used to say, “Never get between a Labor politician and a good perk.”
The most recent example is ALP Minister for Communications Anika Wells spending $100,000 on a short trip to New York, which it seems could have been done just as easily via a video call. She spent $39,000 on her own travel.
Even if she went first class, that’s hard to justify — a Qantas first-class return fare to New York is currently around $25,000. It makes my old mate Bronwyn Bishop’s $5,000 helicopter ride to attend a party event look like chicken feed by comparison. And Bronnie lost her speakership over it.
I must say, I’ve always found Labor to be quite hypocritical when it comes to using other people’s money on dubious lurks and perks. My old mum used to say she thought it was because, in the old days, many of them came from poor backgrounds and once they got into Parliament they were like kids in a candy shop.
The latest incident has reignited the issue of travel rorts. I should add that it’s certainly not confined to one side of politics. But members of any parliament need
to be careful and mindful of that old adage: Would this pass the pub test?
In the ACT Legislative Assembly 25 years ago, we had a basic rule: if you, as a member or minister, were flying less than three hours, you were meant to go economy. Anything over three hours and you could fly business class.
I recall that some MLAs would occasionally choose economy class even for journeys over three hours. For example, in 1999 independent MLA Dave Rugendyke and I flew cattle class to Port Moresby for a conference. At least these days a member can’t earn frequent flyer points for o cial travel. (Credit where it’s due — the ALP’s Lindsay Tanner got rid of that rort in 2010.)
The only controversial issue over member travel that I recall
was a study trip to Europe by two members to look at sexual slavery, and even then, the concern was more about taking sta than the travel itself. By and large, our own little parliament has been pretty good in that regard. I can’t speak for the present Assembly, of course, and it’s probably about time the local media covering the Assembly took a closer look. It would be worth investigating and doing a story on how the current lot have been travelling — literally and figuratively.
Federally, though, it seems the entitlement mentality is alive and well. All politicians should remember that it is a privilege to represent your constituency — state or federal. It is not your money; it is the people’s money, and you have a duty to spend it wisely, not on yourself.
Local organisations, neighbourhood groups and creative community members are invited to take part in UPSTAGEING Canberra, our first largescale Creative Ageing Arts Festival, launching in
March 2026.
Proudly presented by COTA ACT, the festival celebrates the bold, brilliant and diverse creative expression of older Canberrans. From theatre and visual arts to dance, music, film and hands-on workshops, UPSTAGEING is all about amplifying creativity in later life - and giving every older person the chance to shine.
To help bring community-driven ideas to life, the festival is o ering a series of small seeding grants of up to $250, generously sponsored by Arcare Aged Care, for activities and events held between 20–29 March 2026. You don’t need an ABN or a formal organisational structure - just a great idea that connects people, celebrates creative ageing and takes place right here in the ACT.
Grants are open to ACT-based groups and organisations, including schools, retirement
villages, aged care facilities, multicultural associations, arts collectives, sporting clubs, Community Sheds and informal neighbourhood networks. Activities should promote participation, creativity and community spirit.
Whether it’s an arts workshop, a performance, a storytelling project, or a neighbourhood collaboration, the possibilities are wide open. Ideas could include a Window Gallery Walk showcasing residents’ artwork, a Sit-Down Disco for people with limited mobility, a Living Library where seniors share stories with students or a School Choir & Grandparents’ Morning Tea celebrating intergenerational connection through song. Projects might explore memoir writing, cultural heritage, music-making, collaborative art installations, intergenerational conversations or any creative activity that highlights the rich experiences and/or talents of older people.
With Arcare’s support, UPSTAGEING Canberra is ready to help your idea flourish. Applications open now - get ready to celebrate creative ageing in your community. For more information, visit www.cotaact.org.au/upstageing
UPSTAGEING Canberra is offering community grants to support creative projects involving older people. Performances, workshops, exhibitions - if it celebrates creativity, ageing and community, we want to hear from you Apply now and help bring Australia’s first creative ageing festival to life.
Hosted in partnership with Arcare and the ACT Government, we’re providing small arts grants to help local organisations celebrate older Canberrans in their community.
by GEORGIA CURRY
There’s no room at the inn next weekend, with all Canberra accommodation booked out and room rates spiking to $500-$700 a night as an expected 45,000 people descend on the capital for the Spilt Milk music festival.
All budget options, such as youth hostels, were snapped up quickly and according to Canberra
and Region Visitor Centre, only a few motel rooms remain at exorbitant rates.
The home-grown festival has caused similar mayhem in Ballarat, where 40,000 people attended on Saturday 6 December, with some attendees paying thousands of dollars for two nights of accommodation.
There’s simply not enough beds in the capital across motels, caravan parks and shortterm rentals to accommodate festival goers. Campgrounds are probably your best bet.
This year’s festival is a significant homecoming as it marks a return to the birth place of Spilt Milk after a break last year. The festival was launched here in 2016 before expanding to Ballarat in 2019, Gold Coast in 2022 and Perth in 2023.
The organisers, Kicks Entertainment, have created a monster. The festival sells out within hours every single year of launching.
Considering many other music festivals are falling by the wayside (Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo), Spilt Milk seems to be the exception to the rule.
The Canberra-born festival is normally held in November and December each year, although the 2020, 2021 and 2024 festivals did not go ahead, the former two due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and the latter related to financial costs and fluctuating ticket sales.
Such is its success, the festival picked up a National Live Music Award in 2018, which recognises Australia’s diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene.
Crowd numbers at recent Spilt Milk have attracted tens of thousands of people. The 2023 Ballarat festival drew over 40,000 attendees, while the 2022 Canberra event had a crowd of about 45,000. National ticket sales were about 175,000 in 2023.
The Canberra economy is certainly not crying over Spilt Milk.
The sold-out Spilt Milk festival in Canberra will take over Exhibition Park in Canberra on Saturday 13 December.
VolunteeringACT hosted the 2025 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region at the National Library of Australia on Wednesday 3 December, marking International Volunteer Day and celebrating the outstanding contributions of volunteers across the region.
Trish Carling was awarded the Volunteer of the Year for her extensive and significant contributions to the Canberra community over 26 years through her active volunteering at Palliative Care ACT.
Since April 1996, Trish has consistently volunteered at Clare Holland House (the Hospice). Since December 2022, she has also supported the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Clinic and Support Group.
Trish provides meals and companionship to Hospice patients and their families. She also assists with laundry, flower arrangements, and supports the medical team. In the MND Support Group, Trish facilitates compassionate discussions for terminally ill members and collaborates with healthcare professionals to
enhance the experience for participants and their families. Additionally, as a member of the Palliative Care ACT
Voluntary Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2017, she advocated for volunteers’ needs and contributed to meetings and communications.
We are proud to acknowledge Trish as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. She embodies the spirit of communitymindedness, creating vital connections, reducing isolation, and being respectful that actively demonstrates everyone matters.
VolunteeringACT CEO Jean Giese said, “The Awards celebrated the extraordinary achievements of volunteers in the Canberra Region. The dedication of our local volunteers ensures that essential services thrive and the whole community is grateful for the contributions of every volunteer. We extend heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and highly commended recipients of the 2025 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region. Canberra is a better place because of each of you.”
Another special accolade, the 2025 Canberra’s Choice Award, determined by public voting and sponsored by
Inclusion Award
- WINNNER: Kent Brown (Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Club Kalina –Community Home Australia
First Nations Volunteer of the Year
- WINNER: Amy Minchin (Dream Danz Studios)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Canberra and District NAIDOC Aboriginal Corporation
- Board of Directors
Senior Volunteer of the Year
- WINNER: Dianne Brookes (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
- WINNER: Jan Elliott (Warrigal Stirling)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kathryn McQuarrie (Warrigal Hughes)
Young Volunteer of the Year
- WINNER: Ananya Banerjee (Fearless Women, Sakhi (Inc), Warrigal Aged Care)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amy Treloar (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Annamiek van Steensel (What Were You Wearing)
Community Support Award
- WINNER: Kids in Care ACT
Newstime Media (Canberra Weekly & Canberra Daily), was presented to Jaye Grieshaber.
Jaye volunteers as a photographer within the ACT rugby community. Through her storytelling, mentorship, and sponsorship of youth programs, Jaye plays an essential role in the growth and spirit of rugby in the ACT. The award winners in all categories are listed below.
Volunteer of the Year
- WINNER: Trish Carling (Palliative Care ACT)
Volunteer Team of the Year
- WINNER: ParkCare VisitorAssist Mentoring Team
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Volunteer Services Bus Drivers – Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Domestic Animal Services Volunteer Team Volunteer Leadership Award
- WINNER: Amanda Lillie (Canberra Health Services)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Frankie Taylor (Seahorse Playgroup)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Wendy Bullock (Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT)
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mums
Exercise Group Australia – Canberra Branch
- HIGHLY COMMENDED: St John’s Care Volunteer Team
Canberra’s Choice Award
- WINNER: Jaye Grieshaber (ACT and NSW Rugby Union)
We thank all our nominators, award partners, and sponsors for their generous support in our endeavour to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of our volunteers and volunteering teams in the Canberra Region.
Our 2025 award sponsors, partners and supporters included BlueArc IT Solutions, Burbirra Group, Canberra Labor Club Group, Community Bank Canberra and Regions, Moray & Agnew Lawyers, Newstime Media, Synergy Law, and Volunteering Australia. T: 02 6251 4060
E: comms@volunteeringact.org.au W: volunteeringact.org.au
by MARK PARTON MLA
When I was elected leader of the Canberra Liberals, the weight of responsibility hit me in a way I didn’t expect. On the morning of the leadership vote, my wife asked how I felt. I told her the truth: I felt sick. Not because I doubted our team, but because I feared letting people down. Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about carrying the hopes and frustrations of the people you serve. And right now, those frustrations are real.
Canberra has always been a city built on possibility, a place where families moved for stability, opportunity, and a fair go. Yet too many Canberrans now tell me they feel like they’re slipping backwards. They don’t stay awake worrying about politics. They stay awake
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worrying about the bills stacked on the fridge, the rising cost of keeping a home, and whether their children will have a future here.
A mother in Tuggeranong recently told me she lies awake wondering how she’ll pay her next rates bill. She worries her daughter will never buy a home, and that her elderly father won’t get surgery in time. That conversation wasn’t unique. It reflects a growing anxiety felt across our suburbs, an anxiety this government has stopped hearing.
After more than two decades in office, this government has lost touch with the people it represents. Families are paying more and receiving less. The ACT’s debt has climbed so high that one in every five dollars of revenue now goes to servicing it — money that should be supporting hospitals, schools, transport, and frontline services.
Housing is one of the clearest signs of a system failing the people it is meant to serve. It now takes two full-time incomes just to keep a roof over your head in Canberra. Young people are being pushed out of the city entirely, unable to compete in a market shaped by limited land release, slow planning decisions, and year after year of rising rates and charges. Renters are stretched, homeowners are stressed, and first-home buyers see the dream slipping further away.
Our essential services tell a similar story. If you need a GP, you wait. If you need emergency care, you wait. If you need elective surgery, you wait, sometimes far too long.
Our ambulance service has the lowest number of officers per capita in the country, and frontline health workers are stretched beyond capacity. Canberrans pay some of the highest costs in the nation for a system that too often leaves them at the back of the line.
Public safety is another growing worry. Every day in this city, assaults occur, cars are stolen, and homes or small businesses are broken into. Communities feel uneasy, and they feel unheard. People deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their neighbourhoods, but policing levels have not kept pace with need.
These problems are not inevitable. They are the consequence of choices: of prioritising attentiongrabbing projects over reliable services; of budgets that rely on continually increasing charges; and of short-term fixes instead of long-term planning. Too many major projects have cost more, taken longer, and delivered less than promised. Too often, responsibility has been passed on to taxpayers, tenants, small businesses, and future generations.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Canberra can again be a city where families thrive, where young people can afford to stay, and where services work when you need them. But that requires a change in direction and a government willing to listen.
The Canberra Liberals are focused on restoring that trust. We will prioritise what matters: making housing more affordable; strengthening frontline health services; improving community safety; ending waste; and restoring fiscal responsibility. We will put practical solutions ahead of ideology, and work constructively to achieve outcomes that serve all Canberrans, not just those who can keep meeting rising costs.
We will listen to families who feel ignored; to young people locked out of home ownership; to frontline workers under strain; and to small businesses struggling with higher fees and uncertainty. Canberra deserves leadership grounded in reality, respect, and common sense.
Canberra is worth fighting for. Its people are worth fighting for. It is time to focus government on what matters, rebuild trust, and reclaim Canberra for the people who live and work here.
by GEORGIA CURRY
Never before in the history of the National Gallery of Australia could you walk out of an exhibition wearing a new pair of sneakers decorated in Indigenous art, and that’s because the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial, After the Rain, has got legs.
Modelling a new pair of Volleys showcasing Aretha Brown’s bold artwork is National Gallery director Nick Mitzevich, who’s a walking, talking representation of Aboriginal enterprise.
Artists are in charge this time round – not the gallery – and they’ve delivered a show that spans meditative and intimate works to large-scale political pieces that all speak to renewal.
Indigenous dancers from the very
tip of Cape York travelled 3,500km to Canberra especially to open the exhibit, dancing beneath 500 suspended flying foxes made by WikMungkan artist Alair Pambegan.
Still looking upward, another ceiling is adorned with celestial bark paintings, Milniyawuy (Milky Way), by Yolnu artist Naminapu Maymuru-White.
Don’t rush through though, this artwork invites you to slow down and enjoy it in Yolnu time. Stretch out on a cushion and take in the ancient celestial sky.
Here the ancient collides with the new and Indigenous artists work with memory, material, technology and language. These cultural warriors span from up in the Torres Strait, right down to Alice Springs and to Melbourne Canberrans may remember the
last time Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira visited the National Gallery (his subversive portrait of Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart caused a sensation when Ms Rinehart requested its removal). This time around, his paintings greet viewers with intimate portraits of each participating artist.
His acclaimed great grandfather, Albert Namatjira, is at the heart of the exhibition in The House of Namatjira, where his watercolour landscapes hang on ochre-splashed walls alongside art by 57 artists who are his family and community. It’s a multi-generational tribute to Albert Namatjira as a pioneer of contemporary Indigenous art.
Not only is this exhibition one of the most significant platforms for First Nations art in the country, it is a moving one that speaks to both environmental challenges and queer Blak futures.
An unexpected addition at the
end of the exhibit is a display of First Nations furniture design and fashion by Blaklash.
Again, walking out of a gallery with a coffee table is a first. Artists have developed parallel projects to support merchandise, Aboriginal enterprise and creative industry pathways. This not only inspires bespoke xmas gifts for us but also supports agency, entrepreneurship and long-term impact for Indigenous people and communities.
After The Rain is timed to capitalise on the gallery’s highest peak of visitors during the summer holidays, with an expected 200,000 visitors to visit. Opening weekend is tomorrow (Saturday 6 December), 10:30am-5pm. Meet the artists, join a workshop, listen to a panel talk and gather in the gardens for music and carols – Blak Christmas style. Exhibition runs until 26 April 2026. Program: nga.gov.au/ events/opening-weekend
community noticeboard email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field
GIVIT is an ACT Government partner working with an organisation that provides settlement services for migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants in the ACT region. They are seeking support for a person with disability who has been living with chronic pain and isolation. This lady was born with sickle cell anaemia and has been suffering from chronic, unpredictable pain. She he has been doing everything on her own in an electric wheelchair, managing daily tasks while waiting for surgery that may restore some mobility. She is determined to stay active by doing volunteer work and hopes to work in an office someday. This organisation is seeking the donation of a basic stationery pack to help her manage volunteer work, training and other personal tasks. Generous Canberrans can donate a stationery pack or fund their purchase. 100% of your financial donation will be used to purchase what’s needed. To help please visit: GIVIT.org.au/what’s-needed, search; Location State: ‘ACT’, Keywords: ‘basic stationery pack’ and Suburb: ‘Reid, 2612’.
While viewing the Belconnen Christmas lights on 18–20 December, drop into 8 Chomley Court, Evatt, to explore the Christmas Labyrinth in lights at Mosaic Baptist Church from 8–10pm. Wander the labyrinth, reflect on the meaning of Christmas, and step inside for a photo in provided costumes. Free entry.
The Braidwood Book Fair returns over the January long weekend, Thursday 22 to Monday 26 January 2026, 9am–4pm daily. Browse fiction, non-fiction, puzzles, records and more. All welcome.
Beginner-friendly yoga and meditation classes will commence in the first week of January 2026 in Harrison (Gungahlin). Sessions run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:15–7:15pm, covering yoga poses, breathing practices and guided meditation. Meditation-only classes are also available for those who prefer not to do yoga. Bookings essential via sdmission.org
See in the New Year with family and friends at the New Year’s Eve Bush Dance on Wednesday 31 December from 8pm at the Yarralumla Woolshed, Cotter Road. Enjoy live music by Stringfiddle with calling by Don Richmond. No dance experience or bookings needed. Tickets via TryBooking or at the door: $35 general, discounts for members, groups and students, under 18s free. Tea, coffee and cordial provided; please bring a plate for a shared supper. Details: monarofolk. org.au/events/new-years-dance or 0413 295 004.
Submissions to our free Have You Heard community noticeboard are reserved for charity, not-for-profit and community organisations. Deadline for submissions is 10 days prior to the Thursday edition date. Email your submission with essential details – who, what, where, when, cost, contact details – to news@ newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject heading. Flyers and attachments not accepted. Due to space restrictions, please keep it brief. Please note: publication in print is not guaranteed.
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ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
Two opposing desires burn in you. For instance, you want intimacy but also protection for your heart. Or you want to be seen, but you also want the comfort of total privacy. It’s your week to pick a direction. It is then that you’ll be able to get down to work and start creating momentum.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
You may feel limited by your role as the pillar in someone else’s story. Separate being steady from being stationary. I am steady because I’m centered, not because I don’t change. This gives you permission to grow, shift and evolve without feeling like you’re abandoning anyone.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)
1 The glockenspiel belongs to which section of the modern orchestra?
2 The Vortex is a 1920s play in three acts by which English writer and actor?
3 What is the capital city of Guyana?
4 Cornelia, Pompeia and Calpurnia were all married to which famous Roman, born in 100 BC?
5 Havarti cheese originated in which country?
The work of being a good partner is never finished. You show up, and that’s what matters. Let yourself recognise that effort. Then you can clearly see your own goodness when you need to boost your self-esteem. Important things aren’t always praised, and doing this for yourself is fortifying.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)
Something you believed has now proven to be untrue. When a belief falls away like this, it clears emotional and mental space – almost like bulldozing a shaky old shed to make room for a real home. This week, you’ll be adopting a new and empowering worldview or self-concept.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
What you do to soothe your soul and build your emotional core counts, but this is not all your job to do alone. Let people contribute to your wellbeing simply by loving you, supporting you, listening, sharing life with you. Accept the gifts without feeling you must reciprocate them.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
Most people never see that you’re the one who quietly thinks ahead, smooths edges and keeps everything flowing. From the outside, it just looks like things went well, not that you worked hard to make it go well. This week, you’ll be acknowledged and paid for your invisible labour.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)
The way you interact is not calculated, so you don’t realise all you’re doing when you respond to others. But your natural intelligence and years of navigating complicated people with a soft touch have you being incredibly precise and skillful this week without even trying.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)
Small, repeated behaviours might look trivial or silly from the outside. But if they matter to someone, they aren’t silly at all. Rituals create emotional safety, continuity and meaning. People care deeply about the little patterns this week, so don’t skip or dismiss them. Enjoy them.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
Helping is instinctive for you, and you probably don’t even think of it as extra effort. You don’t do it for praise or expect a reward. But the reward still comes: Folks respect you. They sense your competence, love your reliability and need your integrity. They’ll offer something in return for your care.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
This week, you’ll have something to express that is bigger than words. If emotion is an ocean, words are just boats on the surface. Your vibes travel. Your tone reads. You may also turn to action or art to say what you need to say. The depth of what you feel will be received.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
Your role as a host extends beyond your own home. Wherever you go, you make people feel welcome. They’ll come to you for everything and, for some reason, you don’t feel pressured. Your creativity turns any moment into an opportunity for something genuinely interesting to unfold.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
You surprise yourself: A thought catches fire and is out before you had time to polish, analyse or fully understand it. It’s a rare flash of impulsive passion, so just go with it. Speaking from the heart lifts your confidence, and the thrill isn’t in how others receive it. It’s in the freedom of saying it at all.
Christmas Pudding Burnt Basque Cheesecake
This festive fusion is unlike any Christmas dessert we’ve seen so far. Created by SBS Food Editor and recipe innovator, Camellia Ling Aebischer, this recipe folds memorable festive flavours into creamy, decadent Basque Cheesecake.
Ingredients
750g cream cheese
200g caster sugar
30g flour
300ml thickened cream
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 x 410g jar fruit mince
1 tsp mixed spice (optional, for a stronger Christmas pudding flavour)
Method
Pre-heat your oven to 2000 fan-forced or 2200 conventional.
In a large bowl, place cream cheese and sugar. Beat with electric beaters or using a stand mixer until well combined.
In a small bowl, add flour and about half the cream. Mix together to form a smooth paste. Add the remaining cream and whisk until combined.
Stir the cream mix through the cream cheese until combined. Then stir through the beaten eggs.
Finally, fold through the fruit mince and spice (if using) until almost incorporated. A few streaks should remain.
Prepare a 20cm high-walled cake tin. Line roughly with baking paper by first scrunching the paper, then placing the single sheet into the tin and pressing it gently into the corners.
Pour the cheesecake batter into the tin, then bake for 45-60 minutes. Check at 45 minutes, you want the top to be a dark golden brown but not blackened. Cook time varies and may take slightly over 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool
completely to room temperature, for about 2 hours. Refrigerate uncovered overnight to chill completely before serving.
Gingerbread cake
1¼ cups plain flour
¾ cup self-raising flour
1 tsp bi carb soda
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
A festive showstopper with all the flavours of Christmas in one spectacular dessert.
Prep time: 1hr
Cook: 1hr 25min
Serves: 10-12
Eggnog Ice Cream
600ml thickened cream
1 cup full cream milk
2 tbsp bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional)
1 cinnamon quill
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp mixed spice
¾ cup dark brown sugar
need to create an unforgettable Christmas. With butchers, greengrocers, delis, seafood specialists, bakers, fl owers and boutique stores all in one convenient location, your festive shopping becomes easier, fresher and far more enjoyable.
125g butter, melted
¾ cup treacle
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
Whether you’re planning the perfect glazed ham, a seafood feast, a stunning grazing board or simply stocking up on fresh summer produce, the Markets’ long-standing local traders are ready to help you make it special.
Italian Meringue
1 ½ cups caster sugar
There’s something special about Christmas at the Fyshwick Markets. The early mornings, the buzz of shoppers fi lling their baskets, the smell of fresh seafood and baked goods; it’s a festive tradition Canberra has loved for more than 50 years.
6 large egg yolks, reserve egg whites for meringue
1 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup water
6 egg whites
3 tsp lemon juice
Method
This season, the Markets are once again your one-stop destination for everything you
2 tsp vanilla extract
You’ll fi nd premium cuts of meat, vibrant seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and pastries, handmade treats, fresh blooms for your table and so much more; all sourced with care and delivered with the friendly service the Markets are known for.
Eggnog Ice Cream
Whisk cream, milk, bourbon (optional)
And because we know the lead-up to Christmas can be hectic, the Fyshwick Markets make the experience simple and stress-free. There’s tonnes of free parking, easy access
and spices together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until mixture just comes to the boil, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat. Set aside for 10 minutes to infuse the flavours. Remove and discard cinnamon quill. Meanwhile, beat egg yolks, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl with electric beaters until pale in colour and thickened. Mixture should fall in thick ribbons when lifted with the beaters. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the warmed cream mixture. Pour egg yolk mixture into the saucepan containing the warmed cream and heat over mediumlow heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 10-12 minutes or until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Ensure that it doesn’t boil. Remove pan from the heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Cover the surface of the custard with plastic wrap. Cool for 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight.
Gingerbread cake
throughout the precinct, and plenty of spots to grab a co ee or bite to eat while you shop. Spend the morning gathering everything on your list, enjoy the atmosphere, then head home ready to celebrate.
To make Christmas shopping even easier, the Markets will be open every day from Thursday 18 December, with extended early openings: 6am on the 22nd and 5am on the 23rd and 24th; perfect for early risers, seafood lovers and anyone wanting to beat the rush.
This festive season, shop local, support Canberra traders, and experience the magic of Christmas at the Fyshwick Markets.
Grease and line base and sides of a 13.5cm x 28.5cm x 7cm loaf pan with baking paper. Sift flours, bi-carb, ground spices and cocoa into a large bowl and whisk in sugar until there are no lumps of sugar. Whisk warm butter and treacle in a jug or bowl until smooth. Whisk eggs and milk in a separate jug. Pour treacle/butter mixture along with combined egg milk into flour mixture and stir with whisk until smooth. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool. Cover and set aside until ready to assemble, preferably overnight. To assemble
Merry Christmas from the Fyshwick Markets 36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609 W: fyshwickmarkets.com.au
Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced.
Churn cold eggnog custard in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions until soft serve consistency and spreadable but not runny. Meanwhile, cut cake in half horizontally. Grease and line all sides of same loaf pan with baking
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM THURS DEC 18 - CHRISTMAS
MON 22: 6AM - 5.30PM TUE 23: 5AM - 5.30PM WED 24: 5AM UNTIL CLOSE
CLOSED FROM DEC 25 - JAN 1
REOPEN ON JAN 2, 2026
paper extending sides by 5cm. Place bottom layer of cake in the base of pan, cut side up. Spread ice cream on top. Top with remaining cake half, top facing up and press down onto ice cream. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the freezer overnight.
Italian Meringue
Allow reserved egg whites to come to room temperature. Place sugar and water in a small saucepan over a medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a rapid simmer. Without stirring, brush down sides of saucepan with a wet pastry brush to remove any sugar crystals. Place a sugar thermometer in pan whilst continuing to heat until it reaches soft ball stage 116C (240F) on thermometer. Remove from the heat and stand for 5 minutes. Place egg whites and juice in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until egg whites are thick and white. Very slowly, drizzle in hot sugar syrup while mixer is beating and meringue
becomes thick and glossy. Continue to beat after syrup has been added until firm peaks form. This should take about 10 minutes. Lift loaf onto a serving platter or board and remove baking paper. Spread meringue all over, forming peaks and swirls. Use a kitchen blowtorch to lightly scorch the meringue. Cut into thick slices and serve immediately or keep in the freezer until ready to serve up to 3 days.
time out
by BERNIE RYAN
In a world that often prioritises romantic relationships, the value of deep, platonic friendships can sometimes be overlooked.
Research shows, however, that non-sexual relationships are key contributors to personal growth,
emotional wellbeing and even long-term relationship success.
In an era of escalating isolation, mental health issues and stressors, the Mental Health Foundation of Australia emphasises that genuine adult friendships are a strong predictor of wellbeing.
‘Overall, genuine friendship positively impacts us throughout our lifetime.’
Platonic, or non-sexual relationships, are something that 29-year-old local photographer Rowena Yates also values.
“They have always been incredibly important in my life, and I actually think more so for me than what we class as romantic relationships,” she says.
So, following some significant life events during 2022, Ms Yates decided to explore this via a podcast.
And in March 2024, the first episode of Platonically Yours aired.
The series is dedicated to celebrating and discussing platonic love, friendship, and community. It features discussions, interviews, and book club
episodes about building strong, non-romantic bonds and combating loneliness.
“I think it’s especially important to connect with those that we disagree with … there was so much division going on at the time I started thinking about the podcast,” says Ms Yates.
“It was just so overwhelming … I wanted to put something positive out.”
Ms Yates knew she would need some support, however, especially with hosting, and said it was an easy choice to ask her close friend, Sami Harper.
“We went to school with each other, and we’ve been really lucky in that we’ve been able to watch each other grow and change throughout our different seasons of life”, she says.
“Sami is a great storyteller … and her curiosity is something that I’ve always admired and loved. I knew she would be a perfect fit.”
Ms Harper is also delighted to co-host what she consistently refers to as ‘Rowena’s brainchild’.
“I love speaking to different guests about their experience of platonic love, whether it’s more broadly or directly in response to … their friend that we have on the recording,” she says.
Platonically Yours is currently streaming on a variety of platforms to 24 countries and counting!
The ACT Government, in partnership with Screen Canberra, has launched a new Screen and Games Fund to strengthen Canberra’s growing screen sector and support the city’s rapidly expanding digital games industry.
The fund will target investment across three streams — Film/TV, Games, and Direct-toAudience productions — to drive innovation,
support local creators, and stimulate economic activity.
Michael Pettersson MLA, minister for business, arts and creative industries, said the initiative recognises Canberra’s strong base of digital talent.
“Canberra is home to one of Australia’s highest per-capita concentrations of games creators,” he said. “We want to back our local developers to take their products to the next level.”
Mr Pettersson said documentary, television and feature film production have steadily grown in Canberra, creating jobs and contributing to Canberra’s reputation as a creative hub. Direct-to-audience content, including YouTube productions, will also be eligible for support.
The fund complements ACT Government investment in Screen Canberra’s programs and industry development work.
Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman said the fund reflects the modern screen
landscape.
“With specific streams for Games, Directto-Audience and Film/TV, we are focusing our resources on production — creating jobs and delivering results,” she said. “By extending financial backing to digital games, we are creating a holistic ecosystem that supports creators across every screen.”
CanDev organiser Jarrod Farquhar-Nicol said the funding would help local game developers build sustainable studios in the ACT.
“With a very generous 1:2 expenditure ratio, this fund will help game developers stay in Canberra and build their studios here,” he said.
“It heralds a new era of support for Canberran game developers.”
Applications open on 11 December. Guidelines will be available on the Screen Canberra website: screencanberra.com.au
The Capital Region Farmers Market will relocate this weekend from their home ground at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), due to the arrival of the Spilt Milk
Festival in Canberra.
“But there’s no use crying over Spilt Milk, instead we’re relocating our farmers, growers, producers and makers over to GIO Stadium for our Away Game,” said Capital Region Farmers Market Manager, Sarah Power.
“This is a big undertaking for us, and our producers really need your support now more than ever, as selling their summer produce at this time is critical.
“Our farmers and growers in particular have been working tirelessly on their summer harvest and can’t wait to share the bounty with our loyal Market shoppers who we hope will make the move out to GIO Stadium with us for this one weekend of the year.
“And we hope to also make some new friends with locals in the Bruce and Belconnen areas who may not have previously shopped at our Farmers Market,” Sarah continued.
Away Game will welcome a huge range of Market farmers, producers, makers and all their best and freshest produce to the stadium, and organisers are confident the Market will really showcase the best summer produce and festive foods.
“We’re just at the start of summer now and already our growers have fresh, tasty cherries, stone fruit including peaches, apricots, plums and nectarines, summer salads and farm-fresh veggies.
“Plus, we’ll have all the festive foods and Christmas fun including fresh Christmas trees, seasonal smallgoods, fresh seafood and Christmas treats including puddings, mince tarts and more,” Sarah continued.
As an extra special treat for those who visit GIO Stadium for Away Game, the Market will be awarding two very lucky winners with door prizes of $500 vouchers to spend at Market, so all their festive food needs will be taken care of this year.
Capital Region Farmers Market’s Away Game will be held on Saturday 13 December at GIO Stadium in Bruce, 7am – 11:30am. The Market will return to its regular location at EPIC on the following Saturday 20th December, with the last Market for 2025 a special Christmas Eve Market at EPIC on Wednesday 24 December, 7am – 11:30am. For more information, visit capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
A park in Queanbeyan becomes a wood near Athens this month, as Echo Theatre revives its outdoor staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream after last year’s successful production.
Believed to have first been performed in 1595/96 for a wedding, Shakespeare’s beloved comedy deftly weaves together quarrelling fairies, young lovers at cross-purposes, love potions gone wrong, rude mechanicals, and Bottom making an ass of himself. Its mix of magic and mischief, moonlight and moonshine has inspired painters, composers, and opera-makers — and, as director Jordan Best argues, it remains
irresistible.
“I never get sick of watching it. It’s such a funny, fun and beautiful story. I can’t see why we wouldn’t bring it back. The characters are recognisable; there’s magic, love, ridiculous misunderstandings, and the most magnificently terrible play within a play you’ve ever seen.”
Best — who also appears as Titania and Hippolyta — says Dream is “the perfect play for a summer evening”: accessible and fast-moving.
“I call it gateway Shakespeare. The story is easy to follow. So many jokes sound like they could have been written now. Comedy writers today would kill to write a character
as beautifully drawn, within the first four lines, as Bottom.”
Echo’s production embraces the feel of a travelling troupe of
players. All props and costumes are second-hand, recycled, or repurposed; a patchwork tent becomes the cast’s entrance;
actors pull their outfits from a communal box; and the whole aesthetic leans towards colourful, lightly clowning fun.
The play will be staged in Aunty Louise Brown Park, outside The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. The audience can bring their picnics and enjoy the show, while actors move through the crowd.
“It’s not the same as sitting in a theatre and it feeling important and structured,” Best says. “It’s a much looser and wilder kind of experience.”
Shakespeare, Best notes, is surprisingly well suited to the outdoors.
“It’s not about costumes, the sets, props or lights. It’s about the words and the actors. That becomes obvious when you’re performing outside, because there is no set and there are no lights; it is just the words and the actors.”
Performers might have to pause the show while a giant flock of cockatoos flies overhead, or cars drive by — but the space becomes part of the performance, Best says.
In fact, an outdoor, informal venue approximates the Elizabethan theatres: most of the audience stood under the open sky, and actors competed with orange sellers and inclement weather for the attention of the groundlings.
“You can actually see the audience,” Best says. “You can see their reactions. They become much more involved in what’s happening because you can talk to them. The whole thing is alive.”
What stays with Best from last year’s performances is the children for whom Dream was their first Shakespeare.
“Kids would concentrate
on what was happening, get distracted, and do handstands. At the end of it, they were helpless with laughter, watching Pyramus and Thisbe [the play within the play]. That’s their first experience of Shakespeare: not the boring thing you study at school, but amazing characters and ripping good stories.”
‘Tis almost fairy time.
“What better way to finish off a year that has felt like 25 years rolled into one, than to sit out under the stars and be entertained?”
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, presented by Echo Theatre, directed by Jordan Best, Aunty Louise Brown Park, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 13–21 December. Pay What You Feel. Bookings: (02) 6285 6290 or theq.net.au/whats-on/amidsummer-nights-dream-202
We’re proud to announce that Weston Cruise & Travel, part of the Chris Watson Travel Group, has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 10 Travel Agencies, winning the prestigious 2025 Gold Choice Award.
This honour celebrates our commitment to:
Exceptional customer service
Deep travel knowledge and expertise
Unmatched care for our local community
Tailor-made travel experiences designed just for you
Blending rst-hand experience with professional expertise, we craft holidays that truly stand out. As a Gold Choice Award winner, our team explores places like Iceland, Africa and Alaska to bring you the latest travel knowledge and inspiration.
This week, Je Popple reviews three enjoyable Australian co ee table books for Christmas. More of Je ’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
by Smita Kunvarji
Simon & Schuster, $36.99
Based on the SBS TV show Great Australian Road Trips, this marvellous book follows four celebrities, including Claudia Karvan and food critic Melissa Leong, as they take on six iconic Australian road trips. From the wild west coast of Tasmania to southern New South Wales to the red centre of Australia and beyond, the trips traverse some of the most beautiful parts of Australia. Full of hidden gems, useful tips, interesting locals and vivid photos, it is a captivating guide that is told with good humour and cultural insight. A great Christmas present that will inspire you to set out on your own adventure.
PIX edited by Margot Riley NewSouth, $59.99
From 1938 to 1972, the pictorial news magazine PIX entertained and shocked Australia with its stories and photos about everything from sexy scandals to fashion to politics and the rise of popular culture. What was most distinctive about the magazine was its compelling black and white photos that helped to reshape Australian photojournalism. This latest excellent publication from NewSouth showcases more than 250 striking photos from the magazine that reflect three decades of changes in Australia. There is also a fascinating essay on PIX and its legacy. With its stunning photos and insightful captions, PIX makes for a terrific present and fun postChristmas lunch reading.
National Library of Australia, $39.99
Local author Robert Macklin’s The Man Who Planted Canberra is a lavishly presented book about a true Canberran visionary. From humble beginnings in London, Charles Weston went on to become a major figure in British gardening before coming to Australia in 1896. In 1901, he took on the massive task of transforming the limestone plains of Canberra into a horticultural wonder. Overseeing the planting of over 3 million trees and shrubs, he created a thriving garden city that still inspires. Filled with an abundance of photos and illustrations, this is a beautiful book that is enhanced by Macklin’s engaging prose and observations. Recommended.the Nixon presidency. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly released tape recordings, many made secretly by Nixon, Dobbs provides an intimate and absorbing narrative of the last hundred days of the A fascinating and informative read.
After punching a rude deacon, exboxer Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is assigned to a church in upstate New York led by the very difficult Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). During a Good Friday mass, Wicks suddenly dies and renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in to the case!
After the divisive Star Wars:
The Last Jedi, writer-director Rian Johnson gave his answer to the long tradition of the English murder mystery popularised by maestro Agatha Christie. Like Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 remake of The Murder on the Orient Express, 2019’s Knives Out followed
suit with an all-star ensemble and a famous private detective called in to assist police in solving an impossible murder mystery. Where 2022’s Glass Onion made a social commentary on the Trump administration, this outing explores the social effects of hate speech enhanced via an echo chamber and the healing power of letting go.
The forceful Wicks preaches angrily from a twisted world-view, demonising and excising those who don’t fall in line with it. Wicks’ closest followers turn out to be the prime suspects, as Wicks has spent considerable time with his flock in the confessional. Surprisingly, the story rests solidly on Josh O’Connor’s shoulders, with our lead detective entering only when events are heavily underway. Detective Blanc is suitably within the tone of the movie. Less slapstick than the previous outing, the mystery unfolds within the world of a regional English whodunnit, mired in
the Roman Catholic faith. Verdict: An excellent mystery espousing the importance of grace.
An elderly couple, Larry and Joan, argue on their way to a family party. Soon in the afterlife, Larry (Miles Teller) finds himself in an airport-like limbo, having to choose a location to spend eternity. Opting to wait for his wife, Larry is shocked to find that, on her arrival, Joan’s (Elizabeth Olsen) first husband Luke (Callum Turner) appears after spending the last 67 years waiting for her as well.
The simple high concept asks the audience: What would you do in this situation? Here, Joan must choose to spend the rest of her eternity with either her husband of 67 years, who has provided a family but is very agitating or choose her first husband, who was unfairly taken away from her
in their youth. The tone of the movie is like 60s TV comedies, I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970) and Bewitched (1964-1972), zany, screwball, but earnest. Larry has lived his life competing with the shadow of Joan’s first war hero husband. Joan was left heartbroken over the loss of a potential future with Luke, who waited for Joan’s eventual arrival for a second chance at love and an afterlife.
All actors are strong, bringing humorous and dramatic shades to their characters as they fully explore their options. Some faith and chance could have been exercised to trim down an indulgent third act, and to add a bit of romance instead of some very pragmatic problem solving.
Verdict: A very affecting romantic comedy, exploring the various types of love.
Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net. Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.
wi DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
For many people, small talk feels anything but small. The thought of chatting to a stranger at a work event or party, a parent at school pick-up, or a neighbour in the lift can trigger dread, awkwardness, and the sudden urge to look very busy on your phone. But small talk isn’t pointless chatter, it’s the social glue that helps build connection and belonging, and like any other skill, it can be learned.
Why it matters: Small talk serves a genuine purpose. It helps us connect, create rapport and show warmth. These brief low-stakes interactions are the first step toward building relationships with colleagues, neighbours, or new friends. At work, they foster collaboration and teamwork, in the community, they make us feel part of something larger. People who engage in small talk often report feeling happier, more connected, and less lonely. Even a quick “How’s your morning going?” can lift your own mood as well as someone else’s. Small talk also communicates that we’re approachable and kind. When you engage, you’re saying, I see you, and you matter enough for me to stop and talk. That simple human exchange has more emotional weight than we often realise.
Why we struggle: People often avoid small talk for a few reasons. Some feel socially anxious or fear saying the wrong thing. Others see it as fake or superficial. Neurodivergent individuals may find it exhausting because of the unspoken social rules involved. And introverts might simply prefer deeper conversations. But small talk has an important purpose as a warm-up act for real connection. The function challenge: Work or formal functions can be especially uncomfortable. You’re surrounded by people you may not know very well and expected to be socially on. There’s pressure to appear confident and engaging, even if you’d rather be home in your pyjamas. It can feel risky, what’s friendly versus too familiar? For example, you might find yourself standing at a networking event with a drink in hand, trying to join a group already deep in conversation. Do you interrupt? Do you smile and nod? In these moments, it helps to start small,
comment on the venue, the food, or the purpose of the event. These kinds of remarks are safe, friendly and open the door for others to respond. If you find crowds daunting, arrive early while the room is quieter, or pair up with a colleague or friend who’s good at introductions. And remember, even the most outgoing people feel awkward sometimes, they’ve just learned to push through it with a smile and a few go-to openers. Shift your mindset: Instead of seeing small talk as meaningless or about impressing people, see it as an opportunity to be seen as approachable and kind. When you shift from “What should I say?” to “How can I make this person feel comfortable?”, the pressure eases. Like any skill, comfort comes with practice. Try chatting to the barista, saying hello to a neighbour, or making small comments at work. Every brief exchange builds confidence and makes the next one easier.
by Michelle Richards, Director & Accredited Hearing Specialist — Michelle Richards Hearing, Dickson
Hearing is something most of us barely think about — until it begins to slip. Unlike sudden changes in vision, hearing loss often creeps in quietly over many years, making it easy to overlook and even easier to dismiss. Yet hearing is one of the most important senses we depend on for communication, connection, safety, confidence, and quality of life.
As a clinician I see every day how profoundly hearing a ects the way we live, socialise, and participate in our families and communities. Understanding how hearing works— and why it sometimes doesn’t—can empower you to make informed decisions about your hearing health.
Hearing is an intricate process involving several parts of the ear working together.
• The outer ear collects sound and directs it down the ear canal.
• The middle ear contains the eardrum and three tiny bones — the malleus, incus, and stapes — that amplify sound.
• The inner ear houses the cochlea, a delicate organ filled with hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.
• These signals are then sent to the auditory nerve and interpreted by the brain.
When any part of this system is disrupted, hearing becomes less clear.
Sensorineural hearing loss: The most common type, caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Common contributors include ageing, noise exposure, genetics, certain medications, and illness. This type is usually permanent but can be e ectively managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss: Occurs when sound cannot e ciently travel through the outer or middle ear. Possible causes include earwax blockage, fluid behind the eardrum, perforated eardrum, and ear infections. This type is often temporary and medically treatable.
Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both sensorineural and conductive components.
Signs you may have hearing loss
Hearing loss rarely presents as “going deaf.” Instead, people commonly notice:
• Needing the TV louder than others
• Struggling to follow conversations in restaurants and other social situations.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or missing out, being embarrassed to ask.
• Feeling tired or overwhelmed after social interactions.
• Di culty hearing women’s and children’s voices.
• Feeling that people “mumble” Family members usually notice changes before the individual does. Why early action matters
Untreated hearing loss a ects more than just hearing — it impacts overall wellbeing. Research consistently links unmanaged hearing loss with:
• Social withdrawal
• Increased falls risk
• Cognitive decline
• Reduced independence
• Tinnitus
• Mental fatigue
The brain thrives on sound. When sound input decreases, the brain’s ability to process speech can decline over time. Early support helps keep auditory pathways active and makes
rehabilitation smoother and more successful.
Modern Hearing Solutions
Today’s hearing technology is remarkably advanced. Many devices are:
• Rechargeable
• Discreet
• Wirelessly connected to phones and TVs
• Equipped with AI-driven noise reduction
• Capable of personalised adjustments for di erent environments
As an independent provider, Michelle Richards Hearing is not owned by or tied to any manufacturer. This means I can o er genuine choice across a wide range of brands and technology levels tailored to your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget — including private/self-funded, pension (HSP), and DVA pathways.
What to expect at a hearing assessment
A comprehensive assessment includes:
• A discussion of your hearing concerns and understanding your ear health
• An examination of your ears
• A full diagnostic hearing test
• Explanation of your results in clear, plain language
• Personalised management options Take the first step
If you’ve noticed changes — or your family has — booking a hearing assessment is a simple place to start. Many people tell me they wish they had done it years earlier.
I would be honoured to support you on your hearing journey.
Michelle Richards Hearing — Ethical. Local. Independent.
Located in Dickson, Canberra. Book online at michellerichardshearing.com.au or call 02 6281 0222
by KAT WONG, AAP
Australians’ diets could worsen if corporate interests are allowed to dominate food policy, experts warn.
The newly appointed National Food Council will gathered in Canberra for the first time this week to develop a plan aimed at boosting the security and resilience of Australia’s agricultural and food supply systems.
But the federal government has been accused of stacking the council with food business executives, which could lead to the creation of policies that favour corporate interests over public health, nutrition and environmental sustainability.
More than 200 people, including top nutrition and public health experts such as University of Adelaide scientist Fran Baum, have signed an open letter to the prime minister outlining their concerns.
“If you want to continue having a food supply system that is basically making Australians unhealthy, then this is great,” Professor Baum said.
“If you want to change that, then you need to dramatically reduce their (corporate) numbers and bring a whole lot of others into the debate.”
Members of the council include some from academia, such as Curtin University Associate Professor of supply chain management Elizabeth Jackson and University of Queensland’s food and beverage accelerator director Christopher Downs.
However, it also features figures such as the CEO of Grain Trade Australia, a policy director from the National Retail Association, the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance’s chief executive, and an executive chairman of Bega Group, which owns its cheese brand alongside Zooper Dooper, Vegemite and more.
“So much on the shelves is ultra-processed foods, which are very profitable for these companies,” Prof Baum said.
“We’re seeing food as an export commodity when we should be looking at it through the ways it can contribute to environmental sustainability and support the health of Australians.”
Studies published in The Lancet found Australians were already some of the biggest consumers of ultra-processed foods, which are associated with conditions including high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
While some have argued individuals should take responsibility for their diets, Prof Baum says policymaking bodies such as the National Food Council must play a critical role.
She compared the situation to seatbelt regulation - telling people to wear their seatbelts did not create significant changes in health outcomes, but policy reform did.
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by KATINKA VAN DE VEN & NICOLE LEE
December is a perfect storm for anyone trying to cut back on drinking. Between end-of-year deadlines, work parties, family gatherings and school events, alcohol is suddenly everywhere.
It can make drinking feel not just normal, but expected.
But if you want to drink less (or not at all) this silly season, you don’t have to rely on willpower alone. Having a plan can help.
Some evidence suggests when goals are focused on how you’ll approach something – such as a notdrinking strategy – rather than what you’ll avoid (alcohol), it’s easier to follow through.
So here are some simple strategies, backed by evidence.
1. Make a plan
When making decisions, our brains tend to prioritise immediate goals over long-term ones. Scientists call this “present bias”.
But if you plan when you will and won’t drink in advance, you reduce the need to make this decision in real time – when alcohol is in front of you and your willpower may be lower, you’re more driven by emotion.
Look ahead at your calendar and choose your drinking and non-drinking days deliberately. Committing to the plan ahead of time reduces the chances of opportunistic drinking when social pressure is high.
2. Track your drinks
Tracking when and how much you drink is one of the most effective and well-supported strategies for reducing alcohol use and staying motivated.
You may be surprised how much tracking alone can change your drinking, simply by being more mindful and helping you understand your patterns. It doesn’t matter how you do it – in an app, a notebook or even on your phone calendar. There are lots of free, evidence-based apps, such as Drink Tracker, that can help you track your drinking and drink-free days.
3. Try zero alcohol drinks
For many people, the rise of alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits has made it much easier to enjoy the ritual of drinking at social events, without the intoxication.
Maybe someone talks you into “just a splash” – or one drink somehow becomes five – and you tell yourself: “Oh well, I’ve blown it now.”
But a slip is just a slip – it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your goals. You can reset straight away, at the next drink or the next day.
6. Set up accountability
Letting a friend or partner know that you are trying to drink less helps you stay accountable and provides support.
7. Have responses ready
People may notice you’re not drinking or are drinking less. They may offer you a drink. Try a simple “I’m good” or “I’m pacing myself tonight”. Work out what feels OK to you – you don’t need to give long explanations.
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But they’re not for everyone – particularly those who find the look, smell and taste of alcohol triggering. Know yourself, see what works, and don’t force it if it’s not helping reach your goals.
4. Slow the pace
If your aim is to cut back, try alternating each alcoholic drink with something non-alcoholic.
Water is best, but zero, low or non-alcoholic drinks can still reduce how much you drink overall.
Eating something healthy and filling before and during drinking is also a good idea. It prevents rapid spikes in blood alcohol levels, as well as slowing the absorption of alcohol into your system.
Eating well can also help calm the cravings for sugary, fried and salty foods that are often triggered by alcohol.
5. Beware of an all-or-nothing approach
Don’t fall into the “goal violation” trap (sometimes called the abstinence violation effect). That’s when slipping up makes you abandon your plan altogether.
8. Be kind to yourself
When you’re making a big change, it won’t always go smoothly. What matters is how you respond if you slip up. Shame and guilt often lead to more drinking, while selfcompassion supports longer-term behaviour change.
Instead of seeing a slip as failure, treat it as information: What made it hard to stick to your goals? What could help next time?
December doesn’t have to derail your goals
Change comes from consistent small steps, even during the busiest month of the year. Focus on developing a relationship with alcohol that you are in control of, not the other way around.
If you are trying to make changes to your drinking, talk to your GP or check out free evidence-based resources such as Hello Sunday Morning, SMART Recovery and the Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
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After failing to photograph a group of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, I took a rest. Out of nowhere, this cockatoo flew back above me and said, ‘I’m here, take a photo of me!’
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by JACOB SHTEYMAN, AAP
Surging home prices have wiped away the benefits of three interest rate cuts to new buyers, new data reveals. Across Australia, home values grew by one per cent in November with the median dwelling now worth $888,941, property analytics firm Cotality reported on Monday.
That follows a blistering result in October, when prices rose at 1.1 per cent rise, and 0.8 per cent in September. However, Cotality research director Tim Lawless said the slightly reduced November figure could signal a shift in momentum.
“It really looks to be a very mixed result, two-speed market that’s starting to emerge once again,” Cotality research director Tim Lawless said.
On a monthly basis, growth in Sydney slowed from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent, while Melbourne fell from 0.9 per cent in October to 0.3 per cent in November.
Meanwhile, the mid-sized capitals picked up.
Brisbane became the second Australian city to break the $1 million median home price barrier, up 1.9 per cent to $1,015,767, with Adelaide up by the same amount and Perth accelerating to 2.4 per cent.
Price growth in Canberra, Hobart and Darwin also grew up by one per cent, 1.2 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively. The housing price rises come at the same time as a resurgence in inflation, dashing hopes the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates again.
Economists and bonds traders are increasingly predicting that the central bank could even hike rates next year. “You’d have to argue Sydney’s affordability and serviceability challenges will be shining through here and probably putting a natural ceiling on how high prices can go,” Mr Lawless said.
“This may be the first sign that the markets are starting to respond to this renewed acceptance that that interest rates aren’t likely to fall further from here, at
least over the next six months.”
Already, the impact of 75 basis points of cash rate cuts since February are wearing out.
Mr Lawless calculated the cuts increased the borrowing capacity of a median income household by $55,000, but home values have since risen by $60,000.
For renters, the outlook continues to be one of worsening affordability.
Rents are rising across every capital city, with the national rental index five per cent higher over the past 12 months - the highest annual rate of growth in a year.
“It’s definitely bad news for renters, and it comes at a time when vacancy rates are just holding around that 1.5 per cent mark, which is virtually at record lows,” Mr Lawless said.
Australia faces an ongoing supply shortfall and feasibility constraints for developers are hampering government policies to boost the stocks of social and affordable housing and build-to-rent.
Demand is expected to soften somewhat as migration levels normalise and renters increasingly form larger household sizes or stay in the family home longer to accommodate higher rents.
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