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Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments in Lyneham from $471,000.
Get a head start with a fully completed apartment in Canberra’s exclusive inner north.
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Gymnasium / Resident’s Lounge / Rooftop
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G17, 327 Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham (park on De Burgh Street)
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3/21 Albany St, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Find your home in Belconnen’s next chapter
Convenience, comfort and community right within and outside your doorstep.
As Canberra’s apartment market continues to evolve, buyers are increasingly seeking homes that offer more than just location, prioritising quality design, lifestyle convenience and spaces that support the rhythm of everyday living. In Belconnen Town Centre, The Markets Residences responds to that shift with a carefully considered residential offering positioned at the centre of one of Canberra’s most connected urban precincts.
Located directly opposite the iconic Capital Food Market, The Markets Residences brings together an exclusive collection of spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments, and a limited release of premium penthouses. Designed by Cox Architecture, the project combines architectural integrity with liveability, delivering homes that prioritise space, natural light and functionality in equal measure.
With completion anticipated by the end of 2026, The Markets Residences presents an opportunity to secure a home within a growing and well-connected precinct undergoing continued renewal and investment.
The diverse range of residences has been carefully considered to suit a broad range of buyers, from first-home buyers and professionals
to downsizers and investors, offering flexibility in both lifestyle and long-term value.
Each residence has been designed with liveability at its core. Generous open-plan layouts maximise natural light and create flexible spaces suited to both entertaining and everyday life, while thoughtful floorplans prioritise space, comfort and functionality.
Inside each home, premium inclusions reinforce the quality of the offering. Double glazing enhances thermal efficiency and acoustic comfort, while high-end custom joinery integrates storage seamlessly into the design.
Kitchens are appointed with premium Smeg Linea appliances, complemented by fully integrated fridges and dishwashers for a streamlined finish. Schweigen silent rangehoods provide high-performance ventilation, while bathrooms feature Villeroy & Boch tapware, bringing together craftsmanship and durability.
Throughout each residence, luxury vinyl
plank flooring adds warmth and resilience, while ducted heating and cooling ensures year-round comfort.
Beyond the private residences, wellness and lifestyle are embedded into the building itself, with exclusive access to an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, spaces designed for relaxation, recovery and everyday wellbeing. Looking ahead, EV charging provision for every apartment reflects a future-focused approach to urban living.
What residents will value most about calling The Markets Residences home is the balance it offers, the energy of living in a connected urban centre, paired with the comfort and privacy of thoughtfully designed spaces. Generous layouts, abundant natural light and premium finishes create homes that feel calm and considered, while the surrounding amenity makes everyday life easier, more connected and more enjoyable.
Belconnen’s appeal lies in the strength of
its amenity and accessibility. Directly across the road, the established Capital Food Market remains a cornerstone of the suburb’s identity, offering fresh produce, local providores and casual dining, while Westfield Belconnen is only moments away, delivering major retail, entertainment and everyday convenience.
The Markets Residences places residents within easy reach of some of Canberra’s major institutions, including University of Canberra, Australian Institute of Sport and Calvary Hospital Bruce, all within ten minutes. For professionals, students and healthcare workers alike, the location offers exceptional convenience, while for investors, this proximity supports strong rental demand and long-term growth potential.
Belconnen Town Centre offers a lifestyle shaped by accessibility and ease, one where daily routine becomes more connected and considered. Morning coffee at the market, a walk along the shores of Lake Ginninderra, quick access to groceries, retail and dining, and the ability to move through the suburb on foot all contribute to a way of living that feels both efficient and grounded.
It’s a precinct designed for convenience without sacrificing community. From lakeside walks and weekend breakfasts to evening dinners at local eateries, Belconnen has evolved into a destination where lifestyle and practicality intersect. With major retail, fresh produce and casual dining across the road, and key
“The Markets Residences presents an opportunity to secure a home within a growing and well-connected precinct ...”
institutions only minutes away, residents are positioned to spend less time commuting and more time living.
That combination of convenience, quality and community is what will define the experience of living at The Markets Residences.
To learn more about the exceptional offerings at The Markets Residences, please contact Keenan Veraar of LJ Hooker Project Marketing ACT on 0402 914 037 or email Keenan.veraar@ ljhookerprojects.com.au.
Ibbot Lane, Belconnen, ACT 2617
T: 0402 914 037
E: Keenan.veraar@ljhookerprojects.com.au
W: themarketsbelconnen.com.au
Canberra to have defibrillator in every suburb by end of year
by NICHOLAS FULLER
At Lake Tuggeranong District Park, a new defibrillator has been installed. By the end of the year, every suburb in Canberra will have such a publicly accessible device to save the lives of people who suffer cardiac arrest.
“Every second counts,” said Labor MP David Smith, who donated the money for the Tuggeranong device. “Accessible AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) across our suburbs aren’t a luxury, they’re lifesaving.”
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, bystanders are often the first rescuers — and the patient’s survival can depend on what happens before the ambulance arrives.
More than 30,000 cardiac arrests take place in Australia every year, but without access to a defibrillator, the survival rate is only 10 per cent. Defibrillation within the first five minutes increases the patient’s chances by up to 70 per cent.
“Even when AEDs are nearby, people can hesitate in an emergency,” Martin Fisk, CEO of St John Ambulance ACT, said. “We’re increasing access to life-saving equipment [and] building confidence in the community to use it. These devices are simple, safe, and can save a life in those critical first few minutes.”
Cardiac arrest occurs because of an electrical problem in the heart. Even healthy young people can suffer a cardiac arrest.
The AED administers electric shocks to help restore a normal rhythm. It guides the user every step of the way, instructing them how to administer CPR and when to apply the shocks. The device can give up to 300 shocks.
By the end of the year, Canberra will have more than 120 AEDs in public spaces.
The defibrillators are funded through the Street Beat campaign, a partnership between St John’s and Community Bank Canberra and Regions (a subsidiary of GoodLoop Mutual).
Each defibrillator costs $3,500. The appeal raises $2,500; the bank contributes $1,000 per unit to cover the cost of a weatherproof container and install the device.
“Every street in Australia should have one of these,” GoodLoop Mutual CEO Ivan Slavich AM said. “Our job’s not done once you get one in every suburb. We want them to be everywhere.”
Forty-seven publicly accessible AEDs were installed in Canberra in 2024 and 2025, including 22 outside Capital Chemist pharmacies.
This year, two philanthropists, Mat Franklin and Frederik Paulsen OBE, donated $350,000 to fund 77 more AEDs.
Mr Smith donated the money to establish an AED at the Learn to Ride Centre in Lake Tuggeranong District Park, Greenway, after seeing one in Deakin.
“I’d supported defibrillators rolling out to sports clubs, where it can sometimes be pretty obvious. But what became apparent is that the risk is greater, and if you don’t have access to a defibrillator within that first 10 to 15 minutes of a cardiac arrest, then your chances of survival are low. I saw an opportunity where I could make an affordable contribution to deliver something here locally.”
A Luxurious High Tea Experience, Right
Where Canberra Comes Together
Great Southern Land
with NICOLE LAWDER FORMER ACT MLA AND DEPUTY OPPOSITION LEADER
The electorate of Brindabella, in Canberra’s south and covering Tuggeranong, is to my mind the most beautiful part of the ACT. I am probably biased, having represented the electorate for three terms in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The southern electorate of Brindabella reminds me of the Icehouse song Great Southern Land — a 1982 classic that in 2014 was selected for inclusion in the “Sounds of Australia” registry at the National Film and Sound Archive.
Brindabella, like the other ACT electorates, elects five representatives at each election. At the October 2024 election, Taimus Werner-Gibbings was elected, the third election for which he had stood. I spoke with Taimus recently about his vision for Tuggeranong, and one of the areas he is most passionate about is public education. He sees it as an important social investment in the growth and development of our children — not merely a budget line, but a foundation for community.
Like any backbencher, Taimus knows he must work hard to represent his constituents, and sometimes that means applying persistent pressure — in a constructive way — on his own government’s ministers to secure action on issues raised with him. It can be a difficult road. You want to advocate for what your constituents care about, but you also need to be mindful of the party line and avoid
publicly contradicting a minister for whom a particular issue may not be a priority. Taimus understands the importance of finding answers for his constituents, even when those answers are not the ones they were hoping to hear. In our conversation, he also spoke about the importance of the committee system in the Legislative Assembly and the collaborative work done across political parties on committees.
Taimus has previously worked in the public service and for a number of federal politicians. In 2018 he founded Shakespeare by the Lakes, which stages free Shakespeare performances in outdoor spaces across the ACT. He is also a keen sportsman who by some weird coincidence, played for a while in the same AFL team as my son.
Taimus ran unsuccessfully in the ACT election in 2016 and again in 2020, narrowly losing to the Greens’ Johnathan Davis. His path to the 2024
ballot was characteristically eventful. While he won the Labor preselection ballot outright — defeating incumbent Mick Gentleman 44 votes to 32 — he was dropped from the ticket to satisfy Labor’s affirmative action quota requirements, before Chief Minister Andrew Barr intervened to restore him to the Brindabella ticket. He was elected, effectively overtaking the long-serving Gentleman as the second Labor representative in the electorate, along with Caitlin Tough, also elected for the first time after the retirement of Joy Burch.
His strong community roots, including through his children’s schools, put Taimus in a good position to understand the needs and concerns of his constituents. The next two and a half years leading to the next ACT election will demonstrate whether he can get some runs on the board for his community, and get re-elected, should he choose to run again.
GST savings on us.*
This End of Financial Year, make it a Mercedes-Benz with exceptional offers across the range. Until June 30, enjoy savings equivalent to the GST on select new models,* from $13,057 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and from $8,398 on the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e.
ISIS brides, Immigration and AUKUS
ACT
LEADER
I encourage readers to try to Google or get a copy of the cartoon (on ISIS Brides) in The Weekend Australian of 9/10 May if they have not seen it already. It’s a brilliant bit of black comedy. Why the Australian government went to so much trouble to bring these terrorists back to Australia and their poor (no doubt, in many cases, seriously radicalised) children is beyond me. Also, what’s the point when 3 out of 4
of the women were arrested as soon as they got here? I suppose a good roof over your head and three square meals a day is much better than living in a tent in the Syrian desert. It’s a shame about the children, but the mothers made their choice when they left Australia. Two of them even had Yazidi slaves. Charming. Just the sort of migrants we want!
One good thing to come out of the rise of One Nation is the fact that we now appear to be having the start of a real debate about who we want to see come to this country.
Most people I talk to want migrants who support Australian values, assimilate, abide by our laws, and contribute. We certainly don’t want people who wish to bring all their biases and prejudices to Australia and/or only come here
to get on the public purse and not contribute.
At least we are not as bad as the UK. Tony Blair did a number of things well, but opening the floodgates to anyone who wanted to emigrate to the UK was not one of them. Many migrants come to the UK simply because the welfare is so good and you, your wife, and six kids can live courtesy of the poor old UK taxpayer. The more kids you have, the more money you get — why work? I saw the other day that the UK government now spends more on welfare than it gets in taxation revenue.
I despair for the British, and there is a real chance that the country will cease to be a firstworld country soon. The social cohesion seems so broken that, sadly, many people there see some kind of civil war erupting soon.
Britain’s self-inflicted demise is probably good news for those Aussies who think we should get out of AUKUS. I think there is little chance the poor old Poms can ever keep their side of the bargain. Their submarine industry is a shambles, and they take three to four years to build one Astute-class SSN nuclear submarine. They can only put one SSN to sea at present.
Perhaps Australia and the US need to add Japan to AUKUS and call it JAUKUS. The Japanese at least seem to be serious about defending themselves and helping us do the same.
We very much risk going down the path of the Poms, so now is an ideal time to review our immigration policy and get the mix of migrants right.
with BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD FORMER
Ronald McDonald House
Gala
Ball
raises
over $640,000 for local families
Ronald McDonald House ACT & South East NSW welcomed hundreds of generous supporters, partners and community leaders to the 2026 Lexus of Canberra Ronald McDonald House Gala Ball last month, raising more than $640,000 to help fund their essential services & programs across ACT hospitals.
Held under the elegant theme of Rouge Royale, the annual Gala Ball brought together the Canberra community for an evening of generosity and impact in support of families with sick or injured children experiencing some of life’s most difficult moments.
Major partner Lexus of Canberra once again stood proudly beside Ronald McDonald House, continuing a remarkable 12-year partnership that has contributed more than $1.2 million in support. As part of the night, Lexus of Canberra gave away a brand-new Lexus LBX Luxury SUV, which was won by Laura from New South Wales.
At the heart of the evening were the powerful stories of three families that have all received direct support from the House, including one story of fiveyear-old Rory and his family, who spent more than 214 nights supported by Ronald McDonald House during his cancer treatment. Rory’s parents, Jennifer and Ben, shared how the support provided was “not a nicety, but a necessity” for their family and so many more like them.
CEO Eoghan O’Byrne said, “Our mission is simple... to keep families close when they are facing unimaginable challenges.”
“Right now, across our region, a parent is sitting beside a hospital bed worrying about their child, but also worrying about everyday things - and that’s where we step in, to ensure they don’t have to face these worries alone”.
In 2025, Ronald McDonald House ACT & South East NSW supported more than 4,000 families across its programs. This impact is made possible by the charity’s dedicated volunteers, whose compassion helps put families at the heart of healthcare every day. As demand continues to grow, the organisation remains focused on expanding services so no family is turned away in their time of need.
Laura, the winner of the new Lexus LBX Luxury SUV, with Eoghan O’Byrne (right), CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW, and Mirko Milic, Dealer Principal of Lexus of Canberra.
Photo
We choose to start our weekends on Thursdays, sometimes Wednesdays
You’ll find three warm and welcoming Keyton retirement communities in Canberra — Isabella Gardens in Isabella Plains, The Aerie at Narrabundah, and The Grove Ngunnawal — each with its own unique charm, set among beautifully maintained gardens and friendly, connected neighbourhoods.
Perfectly located across Canberra, each village o ers modern, low-maintenance homes and resort-style spaces that make it easy to live life your way.
Whether you’re after convenience, community or a quiet retreat, our villages help make your next step a confident choice, naturally.
The Grove Ngunnawal
The Aerie at Narrabundah
Isabella Gardens
Weakening clubs would weaken Canberra, ClubsACT warns
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Canberra clubs are warning that community sport, affordable gathering spaces, and local social support could be left to government and taxpayers if rising costs, regulation, and a slowing
economy weaken the sector.
“When clubs are weakened, Canberra is weakened,” ClubsACT
CEO Craig Shannon said. “Canberra’s clubs are the beating heart of local communities. They are part of the lifeblood – the arteries carrying
connection, local sport, hospitality, employment, and belonging. When the arteries weaken, the city weakens with them. Social cohesion erodes, and affordable places to gather disappear.”
But the hospitality sector is struggling because cost-of-living pressures mean fewer people are spending money in venues. Clubs are “facing a series of headwinds”: cost-of-living; international uncertainty and overseas conflicts; supply-chain pressure; rising operating costs; planning delays; and regulatory burdens. Two clubs have already closed in the past six months (Chisholm Vikings and the Hellenic Club’s City venue).
Clubs employ more than 2,000 people and put $40 million back into the community, Mr Shannon said. In tax alone, the sector pays as much as the full contribution of the tourism and events budget.
Clubs, he said, also provide financial and facility support to sporting groups and community organisations;
support older Canberrans and multicultural groups; host functions and performances; are affordable gathering places; and manage more than 500 hectares of green space used for recreation or sport.
“We’re a significant and fundamental part of the social cohesion fabric of the ACT,” Mr Shannon said. “Our role, both economically and socially, has to be protected and nurtured. If it collapses and withers, then there is going to be an on-cost to the ACT community and to the government, both economically and socially.
“No-one else is positioned to replace [the clubs sector] except government,” Mr Shannon said — which means that if clubs have to withdraw their support, taxpayers will have to “pick up the tab” for facilities and funding for sporting groups and community organisations.
Public sector employees are a large part of the clubs’ patron base; but AI could displace up to 30 per
Craig Shannon, CEO of ClubsACT.
cent of white-collar workers, which Mr Shannon believes would be disastrous for the ACT.
If those workers stop spending or lose their jobs, hospitality, tourism, clubs, and community organisations would feel the impact.
Canberra risks becoming the white-collar equivalent of a declining manufacturing town unless it prepares for AI-driven disruption to the public service and develops a long-term economic plan beyond Commonwealth spending, Mr Shannon has warned.
“My concern, having been an ex-union official and dealt with the collapse of steel and manufacturing in the 1980s, is I can see a similar situation coming to bear here.”
Canberra is unusually vulnerable because much of its workforce depends, directly or indirectly, on the public sector. Approximately 36 per cent of Canberra’s workforce is employed in the public sector, across
both the federal and ACT public services. 64 to 66 per cent of the workforce is employed in the private sector, but many of those businesses depend on the public sector.
“If we don’t have a sophisticated debate now about how we reskill and reform the public sector in terms of the impact of the AI tidal wave that’s coming, we could end up in the scenario that I saw with the steel sector,” Mr Shannon said.
“It wasn’t until a huge displacement of workers in the initial trend wave hit that people started to talk more meaningfully about how you address that problem with those workforces Canberra can’t afford to lose.”
Already, the APS is seeing significant voluntary redundancy rounds.
“We’re looking at a tsunami in terms of employment displacement in this town, and we have no replacement industry,” Mr Shannon said. “If Canberra economically, in terms of its workforce,
starts to fold in on itself, that’s going to take down the hospitality and tourism sectors with it.”
Mr Shannon said the ACT needs to invest more seriously in tourism and hospitality; speed up planning and development approvals; and stop treating economic policy as a set of separate silos. He also called for a long-term transition plan for clubs; better harmonisation with NSW; and a 20-year economic vision.
Mr Shannon said the clubs sector wanted to work with government to grow clubs’ capacity to deliver more to the community, and strengthen them as community hubs.
“We want a renewal of the club sector and make it sustainable and innovative and beneficial to the community for the next 20 years,” Mr Shannon said.
The Legislative Assembly’s inquiry into the future of the ACT clubs sector is expected to deliver its findings and recommendations by the end of June.
Mr Shannon welcomed the inquiry, but argued that clubs are still seen through the prism of gambling and alcohol licensing, while the sector is pleading to be treated as a component of the tourism and business sector. They want a separate Clubs Act like NSW, and ministerial and policy recognition beyond gambling reform.
“We’re getting to the end of the line here in terms of issues that need to be addressed by government jointly with industry, if the government is committed to keeping clubs as a sustainable sector in the ACT.”
Mr Shannon believes the ACT budget will test whether the ACT Government has a serious long-term plan for economic growth.
“Canberra’s selling points are largely tourism and hospitality and education,” Mr Shannon said. “Unless we defend those, the longer-term prognosis for Canberra would be quite dire.”
The White House across the road – What mum taught us about love
by BERNIE RYAN
As a little girl, I remember beaming with pride at my mum’s bedside when I presented her with a ‘very fancy’ pink and white crocheted toilet brush ‘lady’ and toilet roll ‘cover set’ from our St Patrick’s Mother’s Day stall.
Armed also with a cup of barely warm tea, and accompanied by my three younger siblings, we were determined to let Mum know how much we loved her.
In case our collective unruliness the night before may have caused her to forget.
Decades later, and as a young Mum of four myself, Mother’s Day remained
a delightful mix of similarly beloved handmade cards, woollen gifts, brekky in bed and a ban on cooking and washing literally anything.
We have never placed importance on the commerciality of Mother’s Day in our family.
Yet another legacy, created by Mum, year upon year, when her face would erupt in delight at “…the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” upon presentation of our latest work of art, or $2 Mother’s Day stall booty.
During the peak of my own motherhood frenzy, when we lived hours away from Mum, she would certainly receive a phone call, or, in those years when we were a bit
Mum with all of her kids now.
‘flusher’ and slightly more organised, a bunch of flowers would be delivered.
In retrospect, sadly, I think there were more off years.
With the mania that seemed an obligatory feature of raising children in a ‘two-parent at work’ household during the noughties, I guess I figured she would always remember on her own how much we loved her.
And anyway, I absolutely planned all kinds of things to do with and for her, ‘once the kids left school.’
Mum was always there. On the end of the phone, always. And in person, whenever she could.
Especially when I needed her. Which I think was a lot. I’m not sure I returned the favour as equally. She always understood that I ‘was busy’.
And by the end of 2022, my strong, capable, wise, smart, loving, generous, unique Mum, became suddenly ill with something that took my ‘always there for everyone’ Mama somewhere else.
It has been, and remains, heartbreakingly hard for us both.
And for my dad, siblings, and our combined close-knit family unit.
My husband is a saint. My kids are divine.
A still vaguely understood at best affliction has had Mum and I spending the last four years together in a way we never imagined.
For the most part of every week.
The last three Mother’s Days for us both have been spent in hospitals and aged care facilities between Canberra, Melbourne, and now Wagga, where Mum’s treatment is.
And where we have fought to
preserve her ability to delight in the one thing that she loves the most.
Us.
And as a reward, this Mother’s Day, we were able to bring Mum out for her longest outing yet.
Because, like little kids emptying our piggie banks for our crocheted gifts, we cobbled together our resources to rent a house across the road from Mum’s nursing home.
Which we call The White House. It is where we travel each week on a roster and it is decorated with Mum and Dad’s things.
This Mother’s Day, Mum sat across a kitchen table, ate home-cooked pasta and apple crumble, took video calls from grandkids and then had a long nap with Dad in ‘their room’.
Things we were told she would never do.
I asked Mum today what she thinks Mother’s Day is about.
She replied, “It’s about just honouring our Mums.”
Our Mum taught us that the most important thing to any Mum is just being there.
In whatever way we can. No matter what we have or have not done before.
And that love is not something you buy. It is a doing word.
I guess we are still those four little kids, though well into our fifties.
Still determined that no matter what has gone before, how hard these days are for us, or what else Mum has lost, she will at least never have the opportunity to forget how much we love her.
Digging up a desert
by GEORGIA CURRY
An 87-year-old jar of earth has been re-discovered in a shipping container at the back of CSIRO – a time capsule if you like – during an inventory of 19,000 unidentified historic soil samples.
This little piece of the Simpson Desert (ironically named after the inventor of a washing machine) was collected during a scientific camelled expedition, which remarkably ended up on YouTube.
The person who unearthed this long-lost jar of soil (don’t call it dirt) is Georgia Reed, manager of the Australian National Soil Archive.
“I was going through the shipping containers out the back and I knew there were historic samples but we didn’t have a complete inventory of what’s there,” Georgia said.
“I’ve got physical data cards with just sample numbers and I was looking through the images and saw the Simpson Desert. So I had a look and I actually found some matching samples, then I did more research online and found the original
publication and a map.”
Since 1939, this jar or soil has sat in storage, a tangible relic of the first scientific examination of the Simpson Desert.
The expedition, led by Dr Cecil Thomas Madigan, crossed the desert in 25 days.
“It’s a really famous expedition and it’s contributed to our understanding of the Simpson Desert,” Georgia said.
“The samples have only just been archived so that means they’re now available and a researcher can ask for a loan of a sub-sample and reanalyse those soil samples and compare them to current soil samples from that area. It would be a really interesting case study.”
This old jar of earth isn’t the only surprise in the National Soil Archive – it also holds a 100-yearold soil sample from 1926, a pure and unpolluted piece of South Australian soil.
“That’s pre-everything, pre-nuclear testing, pesticides, herbicides, before a lot of urbanisation and even before micro-plastics were introduced,” Georgia said.
“We’re thinking of putting a monitoring site where the 1924 samples were collected from, so there’s potential to go back to the same sites and then compare what’s changed over time.”
Many Canberrans would probably not be aware that we have more than 100,000 archived specimens collected from 23,000 sites across Australia.
And there’s still 19,000 more historic specimens in the backyard yet to be identified (volunteers are transcribing data cards as you read this).
Take a virtual tour of the Australian National Soil Archive: youtube.com/watch?v=2gSmzBfhO3Q
DADS CARING DADS
Digging up the past at the Australian National Soil Archive.
Photo: CSIRO/Stuart Walmsley
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GIVIT donation of the week: Pharmacy vouchers
GIVIT is an ACT Government partner working with an organisation that provides foster care, family support and disability services to children, young people and their families. They are currently seeking support for a foster family caring for children with medical needs and a history of trauma. This foster family is caring for two young children who had suffered extreme trauma and abuse. One of the children has complex medical conditions that require constant care, attention and supervision. Both caregivers had to stop working to take care of these kids, providing them safety and protection in the home. Providing care is a significant challenge without financial support, so GIVIT is requesting the donation of pharmacy vouchers for children’s medical needs. Your donation will mean a lot to this family as they continue to care for the children. Generous Canberrans can donate pharmacy vouchers or fund the purchase of these items. 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: ‘pharmacy vouchers’ and Suburb: ‘Turner, 2612’.
Community fundraising fair
Canberra Austral Asians Christian Church will host a community fundraising fair on Saturday 23 May, 2–4pm, at 36 Ringrose Crescent, Isaacs. The event will support the church’s expansion and community outreach efforts. Visitors can enjoy 3D toys, handmade cookies, photo shoots, essential oils and more. All welcome.
Friends ANBG Thursday Talks
Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens will host a Thursday Talk on 21 May at the ANBG Theatrette, opposite the ANBG Visitor Centre, 12:30–1:30pm. Andrea Wild, science communicator at CSIRO, will present “Awe and wonder in CSIRO’s collections”, exploring 15 million specimens ranging from bees to daisies and even an albatross. The talk will also feature her book, CSIRO’s A to Z of Biodiversity. Bookings: trybooking.com/DKZFY. Gold coin, note and EFTPOS donations support Friends’ projects at the ANBG.
Kippax Uniting Church market day
Kippax Uniting Church, opposite the Woolworths carpark, will hold its regular indoor marketplace on Saturday 16 May, 9am–1pm. Browse a hall full of preloved goods, community stallholders and children’s items, with Devonshire morning teas and a barbecue also available. A free jumping castle (weather permitting) and other children’s activities will be on offer as part of the May Family Fun Day. Cash and card accepted. Community donations are welcome on Friday 15 May, but no furniture please.
Autumn Colours Bush Dance
Bid farewell to autumn at the Autumn Colours Bush Dance on Saturday 23 May from 7:30pm at the Currie Crescent Community Centre, 11 Currie Crescent, Kingston. Dance to live music, with all dances taught and called so no experience is needed. Bring a plate of supper to share, with free tea, coffee and cordial provided. No alcohol permitted at the venue. Canberra Weekly readers receive entry at the member price of $20 per adult. For more information, visit monarofolk.org.au/autumn-colours-bush-dance/ or call Mark on 0421 814 718.
PUZZLES & STARS
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
When it all goes smoothly, you’re winning. But when you hit the part with friction and obstacles, you get even luckier. Too much ease is the enemy of progress creatively, professionally and personally. This week, you’ll be most inspired and motivated by the problem that needs a solution.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
You’re no stranger to the higher degrees of wanting, such as yearning, longing and desire. But you also know that often turning down the heat on those emotions, makes your life better. This week, it’s when you’re released from wanting that the thing shows up at your door.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)
BRAIN BUSTERS
1 Io is one of the moons of which planet?
2 The Desolation of Smaug is the second instalment in which movie trilogy?
3 Which British overseas territory is often abbreviated to TCI?
4 Florence Nightingale is often referred to as “The Lady with the” what?
5 Acai is a small purple berry that is native to which continent?
SOLUTIONS
There’s no need to spend money on products that promise to create higher levels of attractiveness as it’s easy for you to be the most attractive person in the room these days. All you have to do is be present – posture open, no device in sight, aware, observant and curious.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)
Big ideas have come to you in little ways – a glimpse, a glimmer, a silly little thought, an accident or a joke. Recently, one idea has stuck with you, and it’s not going away. The more you revisit it, the better it gets. Take it out of the abstract and into your reality. This one has legs.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
There’s a bit of a bottleneck building in your life – one tight spot where things get stuck. Work piles up there, energy backs up, and everything starts to feel slow. Instead of trying to fix everything, focus on that one spot. It’s likely very specific, even uncomfortable – action you’ve avoided.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
This week’s creative work involves a big project. While details matter, they don’t matter yet. Go in with broad strokes. If you dive into tiny details too early, you can spend a lot of energy on parts that might change anyway. Think of it like blocking out a painting before fussing with eyelashes.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)
You can care about a relationship and still be willing to let go of the version that doesn’t meet your standards. It’s less about rejecting a person and more about upholding an ideal and believing that anyone who wants to be a part of that will gladly rise to the occasion.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)
It may feel like it’s taking you a long time to learn a process, but it’s your ambition and impatience that makes it so. You’re right on time. When you move with measured pace, you learn thoroughly, follow all the steps in the right order and build with sturdiness and strength that will hold.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
There’s no benefit to being strategic with your affection, secretive about your feelings or stingy with praise. Just give. Even a small acknowledgment can take the edge off a tense moment. It helps both of you remember that the relationship is worth more than the problems that come up.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
It’s like beliefs have two forms: the idea in your head, and the version that shows up in your behaviour. Sometimes they match right away. Sometimes there’s a gap, and you only see it when life puts you on the spot. This week, action will be the mirror that shows you what’s real.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
The best gamble to take is the one that involves your own effort. When you invest in yourself, you either win or you learn. For things outside your control, do the research. Know your chances and make sure the prize is worth the risk. Slim odds are OK when you know exactly what they are.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
Socialising and networking will benefit you in exciting and unforeseen ways. You’re especially good in groups of complete strangers. It frees you to be whoever you want to be. You’re fun, you’re bold, and you’re lucky. Rack up the numbers – the more new people you meet, the luckier you’ll be.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Hecklers welcome, no joke
by GEORGIA CURRY
Hecklers can test a comedian’s mettle, but a crying baby can break them (remember when Arj Barker made headlines after asking a mother and her baby to leave his show), so Nappies and Comedy is rewriting the script.
Babies are not merely allowed at this show –they are invited guests (with VIP pram parking).
There’s not one single Big Ted or Wiggles skivvy in sight. In fact, it comes with a language warning because the jokes are geared toward adults and may include strong language (it may not be suitable for toddlers who are starting to pick up new vocabulary).
Comedian, midwife and mother, Sarah Stewart, can understand both sides of Arj Barker’s awkward predicament.
“I’ve been doing comedy for five years and I remember that whole incident with Arj, and I have to say I felt sorry for him because when you put a show together, it’s a performance –
you wouldn’t take a wee baby to a ballet or a Shakespeare,” Sarah said.
“So on the one hand, I felt some sympathy for him, but at the same time, as a midwife and as a mother, I thought it’s a real shame that new mums can’t take their babies to a show like that.”
So Sarah came up with Nappies and Comedy and the first show sold out faster than you can change a nappy. A second show is planned to allow sleep-deprived parents to have a laugh.
“These are judgement-free zones, so if you need to feed, change a blowout, or rock a screaming infant, you’re in good company – one of the comedians might even give you a hand,” Sarah said.
The line-up features some of Canberra’s best comedians – who are all parents – delivering unfiltered material about the beautiful, sleepdeprived chaos of raising tiny humans.
“It’s absolutely baby-friendly but it’s adult themes and adult content so I’m not taking any credit for teaching your child the F-word,”
Sarah said.
Sarah has just become a grandmother, so she’s in the throes of granny duty and she’s already got a great comeback line for tiny hecklers.
“Just shove a dummy in his mouth,” she said. “Or get that baby on the boob.”
Nappies and Comedy is at Canberra Bowling Club, 25 Hobart Avenue, Forrest, on Saturday 30 May, 3-4pm. Mums, dads, bubs and anyone else with wee babies are welcome. Tickets: trybooking.com/events/landing/1572747
Exploding nappies are okay at a Nappies and Comedy show in Forrest on 30 May.
Behind the honey jar at this year’s celebrations at Market
World Bee Day
This Saturday, the Capital Region Farmers Market turns its attention to the small yet mighty creatures that keep our food on the table – bees and pollinators. World Bee Day, recognised globally on 20 May, is being celebrated at the Market on Saturday 16 May, and there will be plenty packed into the morning.
Visitors can speak with honey producers and get an honest look at life inside a hive, from the people who know it best. Hear the stories and gain a real appreciation for what it takes to keep a colony thriving.
Stallholders will offer exclusive honey-themed produce and products made just for the day. From sweet to savoury, these are one-day-only offerings worth turning up early for. Bring the kids along for activities designed to
make the world of bees a little more tangible and a lot more fun. It is a great chance to spark some curiosity in our youngest Market-goers.
ABC Radio Canberra will be broadcasting live from the Market, so listen out for familiar voices and a bit of behind-the-scenes Market chatter.
While you are there, stop by the Rotary Club of Hall tent to hear about the community and humanitarian projects your weekly Market shop helps to fund.
World Bee Day celebrations take place at the Capital Region Farmers Market, Exhibition Park, Saturday 16 May, from 7am to 11:30am. For more information, visit capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au or follow the Market on Facebook or Instagram (@crfarmersmarket).
CELEBRATE
WORLD BEE DAY
And the importance of pollinators.
Saturday 16 May 2026 7:00am – 11:30am
• Meet beekeepers and farmers who rely on bees
• Try delicious honey-themed treats
• Enjoy entertainment, live music, facepainting and painting for the kids
• Speak to local growers about the importance of pollinating plants in Canberra gardens
Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell
• See ABC Canberra Radio broadcasting live at the Market capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Follow us on:
Capital Region Farmers Market will celebrate World Bee Day this Saturday with honey producers, family activities and special bee-themed offerings.
Booktalk
This week, Michael Popple reviews harrowing crime fiction reads by three talented Australian female authors. You can find more of Michael’s book reviews on his blog: unseenlibrary.com
Dark Sanctuary by
Sarah Barrie Harper Collins Australia, $32.99
When a criminal psychiatrist is brutally murdered, her death is linked to Dr Witcherton, a manipulative serial killer she kept in prison. As more bodies start to appear, three unconnected people: a single mother, a podcaster, and the detective who caught Witcherton, are dragged into the web of a new, deranged killer who enjoys watching them from the dark. Sarah Barrie continues to reign as the queen of sinister Australian crime fiction with her chilling new novel. Dark Sanctuary is a layered read that perfectly follows three damaged protagonists as they attempt to navigate the attentions of a monster. Tense, powerful and highly recommended.
The Graduate by Rebecca Lim Affirm Press, $34.99
Fei Fei Chou is an oddity amongst the graduates working for a prestigious Australian law firm, with rumours running wild about how she got the job. However, Fei Fei is more interested in revenge than her career, as she attempts to solve a monstrous crime committed decades before. To find answers, she’ll need to uncover the firm’s secrets, putting her in the crosshairs of everyone involved in a historical cover-up. The Graduate is a unique legal thriller with an interesting story behind it that will keep readers guessing. Filled with trauma and deceit, this is a compelling crime fiction debut from Rebecca Lim.
The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier Penguin, $34.99
When a murder is committed at the ostentatious house of a wealthy Kangaroo Island resident, the police are convinced that the killer is still on the island, and it falls to rookie cop Emily Quinn to investigate. However, Quinn is soon distracted by the arrival of her abusive ex-boyfriend, whose violent actions put everybody in jeopardy. Mercedes Mercier has written an addictive and exciting murder mystery with The Couples Retreat. Combining a captivating investigation narrative with strong depictions of Kangaroo Island and domestic violence, this is an intense book that is really worth checking out.
What’s on!
THEATRE
Dial ‘M’ For Murder
29 MAY – 6 JUN
Dial ‘M’ For Murder by Frederick Knott. A classic thriller made famous by the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the 1950’s. Prepare to be thrilled and shocked and, as always with a Tempo production, be entertained. Join us for this classic English play.
Belconnen Community Theatre, 29 May to 6 June; tempotheatre.org.au
Now sh
wing
The Sheep Detectives (PG)
COMMUNITY
Type 1 Diabetes Enlighten Gala
16 MAY
With great food, drinks, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to get involved, this is more than just a night out it’s a chance to share a meaningful experience with others while enjoying a well-curated and exciting event. All proceeds go to Breakthrough T1D Australia
Hellenic Club of Woden, Saturday 16 May; breakthrought1d.org.au
SPORT
Raiders vs Dolphins
21 MAY
The Raiders will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host the Dolphins in a Thursday night clash.
GIO Stadium, Thursday 21 May; raiders.com.au
SPORT
Brumbies vs Moana Pasifika
30 MAY
As they push for finals, the Brumbies host Moana Pasifika in the final match of the regular season.
GIO Stadium Canberra, Saturday 30 May, 2:15pm; brumbies.rugby
COMEDY
Lano & Woodley – In Space
30 MAY
Lano & Woodley are all alone on a spaceship. Or are they? Commander Col is focused on their important mission. Co-pilot Woodley … isn’t.
Canberra Theatre Centre, Saturday 30 May, 4pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
THEATRE
The Sapphires
30 MAY – 7 JUNE
Based on the incredible true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother, The Sapphires chronicles how fierce and fabulous Yorta Yorta women blazed a trail from their small town roots to the frontlines of Vietnam, belting out Motown hits for the American soldiers and breaking through barriers with every beat.
Canberra Theatre Centre, 30 May – 7 June; canberratheatrecentre. com.au
Find more listings at canberradaily.com.au
Contact Anand on 0432 887 457 or anand@newstimemedia.com.au
Outside the small English town of Denbrook, shepherd George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) reads a murder mystery novel to his flock of sheep. The next morning, the sheep find George dead outside his trailer. Devastated by his death, the sheep decide to solve the mystery on their own.
Children’s movies have become slick productions
over the years. From the dark and heavy 80’s through to the sickly sweet and vapid 00’s, it’s refreshing and surprising to find a gem that has the strengths of the eras. The movie’s stars are the sheep, impeccably designed covering several types of breeds, they are utterly convincing in their individuality. Sharing a mythology of an afterlife, the sheep experience themes of death and the pros and cons of remembering the ones they have lost. While the sheep are committed to finding the killer of their loved shepherd, they also must face life without him, and what that entails.
Like the sheep voice talent, the human characters are an ensemble cast. While set in the English
countryside, stars are from all over the world, with some accents more convincing than others. Emma Thompson’s turn as George’s sharply dressed lawyer is integral, but amazingly short, reminding us that this is an ensemble piece and there is no such thing as a small part.
The mystery is intriguing, leading the sheep to learn more about their dearly departed shepherd, the underbelly of their town, and their bittersweet relationship with their mortality.
Verdict: A surprisingly moving, charming family mystery adventure.
- Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.
Making lives better, one home at a time
This International Day of Nurses, Nurse Next Door Canberra is celebrating the dedicated team behind its mission of “Making Lives Better.” Led by motherdaughter duo Kylie and Jacinta Williams, the organisation focuses on providing compassionate, home-based care.
Registered Nurse Bonny Hudson and Enrolled Nurse Dipika Kapali exemplify this heartcentered approach. For Bonny, caring for a client in their home is a privilege that fosters deep trust and unique clinical connections. Dipika, who felt the calling to nurse as a child, finds fulfillment in long-term bonds—like helping a homebound client revisit a favourite riverside spot.
Nurses at Nurse Next Door Canberra are helping make lives better through compassionate care in the community.
Visit nursenextdoor.com.au or call 1300 600 247 to find out how they can help you stay in your own home, on your own terms.
Stepping up: The number you need to keep weight off
by JANE KIRBY, AAP
Dieters who want to keep the weight off should make sure they are walking 8,500 steps per day, new research suggests.
Experts who compared a group of people dieting and exercising with a group dieting alone or not receiving any treatment found daily steps were a crucial factor in preventing weight regain.
The research, being presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, will also be published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Marwan El Ghoch, from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, who led the study, said
around 80 per cent of people who initially lose weight tend to put some or all of it back on again within three to five years.
“The identification of a strategy that would solve this problem and help people maintain their new weight would be of huge clinical value,” he said.
Professor El Ghoch and colleagues in Italy and Lebanon analysed 14 existing studies on the issue to look for themes.
These studies included 3,758 people with an average age of 53 who were overweight or obese, from countries including Australia, the UK, US and Japan.
Overall, 1,987 people were on lifestyle modification programs, including eating healthily and
Personal Care
Complex Care
Respite Care
And more...
walking more.
Another 1,771 people were either dieting alone or not receiving any treatment and acted as the comparison group.
The programs had a weight loss phase, followed by a weight maintenance phase, where the aim was to keep the weight off in the long term.
A person’s daily number of steps was measured at the start of the trials, at the end of the weight loss phase (average 7.9 months) and at the end of the weight maintenance phase (average 10.3 months).
Both groups of patients were found to have a similar step count at the start (7,280 in the lifestyle group and 7,180 in the comparison group), indicating that they had similar lifestyles.
Researchers found that, overall, the control group did not increase their number of steps and did not lose weight at any time.
However, in contrast, the group following the lifestyle advice programs increased their step count to 8,454 a day by the end of the weight loss phase, losing 4.39 per cent of their body weight on average, or around four kilos.
At the end of the weight maintenance phase, these people were still walking and doing 8,241 steps per day.
They also kept off most of the weight they had lost (with average weight loss at end of trials being 3.28 per cent, or around three kilos).
Researchers concluded there was a clear link between increasing step count and preventing weight regain, though during the weight loss phase it was reduced calorie intake that seemed to play the biggest role.
New program helping young Canberrans break free from vaping
For many young people in Canberra, vaping has become an everyday habit — easy to access, widely normalised, and far harder to quit than expected. Health services across the ACT are increasingly seeing the impact, from ongoing coughs and disrupted sleep to anxiety and strong nicotine dependence.
In response, a new local initiative is offering something that hasn’t existed before in the ACT:
a dedicated, youth focused program designed specifically to help young people stop smoking and vaping.
Nicotine Knockout, based at Anglicare’s The Junction Youth Health Service, supports Canberrans aged 24 and under who want help reducing or quitting nicotine. It runs two separate programs — one offering direct support to individual young people, and another providing education in schools and community settings.
Nurse practitioner Diane Bowden, who works directly with young people in the program, says many participants are already motivated to quit — but need support that reflects the reality of their lives.
“Most of the young people we see don’t want to be vaping anymore,” she said. “They’ve often tried to stop on their own and found it incredibly hard. What they’re asking for is support that understands how nicotine fits into their daily life, their stress, and their mental health.”
While it is sometimes perceived as safer
than smoking, many vapes contain even higher concentrations of nicotine, making them incredibly addictive and able to cause serious, immediate, and sometimes irreversible lung damage.
Bowden says the way vapes are used plays a big role in addiction.
“For a lot of young people, vaping isn’t a standalone activity,” she said. “It becomes tied to studying, gaming, socialising, or managing stress. That constant access makes breaking the habit much harder than people expect.”
Nicotine Knockout takes a non judgmental, harm minimisation approach. Young people work with a multidisciplinary team — including nurses, GPs, mental health clinicians and youth workers — to develop an individual plan that may involve counselling, regular check ins, and access to free nicotine replacement therapies. Importantly, progress isn’t measured by immediate success.
Alongside the therapeutic program, Nicotine Knockout delivers evidence based education in schools and community settings. These sessions are delivered either directly to young people or to the educators and youth workers who support them.
Nicotine Knockout is free, confidential, and open to young people aged 24 and under.
Risk, roads and young men –National Road Safety Week 17-24 May
with DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
As a psychologist, I pay attention to patterns of behaviour, especially when they have serious consequences. One of the most consistent findings in road safety research is this: Young men are significantly overrepresented in road deaths. This isn’t just opinion, it’s what the data shows, both in Australia and internationally.
Psychology helps us understand why. It’s the science of behaviour, what people think, feel, and do, and when we apply it to road safety, we aim to understand what drives risky decisions.
We know young men are more likely to speed, take risks, and drive under the influence. Research
shows this is partly due to brain development. The areas responsible for impulse control and long-term thinking are still maturing into the mid-twenties, while the reward system is highly active.
Social factors also matter. Many boys grow up with subtle messages that risk-taking equals strength or status. Add peers into the mix and what feels like a small decision becomes something performative. A car can become a stage. There’s also an emotional layer. Young men are often less encouraged to talk about stress or vulnerability. Sometimes risk-taking isn’t just about thrill, it can be about coping, distraction, or proving something to themselves or others. So, what can we actually do with this knowledge?
For parents, this is where you are more powerful than you might think. You are shaping how your child understands risk, responsibility, and themselves. Start conversations early and keep them going. Talk about decision-making, not just danger. Ask questions like, “What would you do in that situation?” and help them
think things through.
Model what you want to see. Young people notice far more than we realise: the way you drive, your reactions to other drivers, even the risks you dismiss. Calm, controlled driving sends a powerful message about what being “in charge” actually looks like.
Build their identity around strengths that matter Reinforce that being responsible, thinking ahead, and looking out for others are signs of confidence, not weakness. When young men feel secure in who they are, they are less likely to prove themselves through risk. Help them navigate peer pressure with confidence. Rather than just warning them, equip them. Give them language, options, and permission to step away from unsafe situations. Knowing how to respond in the moment is incredibly empowering.
Set boundaries but explain the “why.” Limits around passengers, alcohol, and driving conditions are not about control, they’re about safety during a time when the brain is still developing. When young people understand this, they’re more likely to buy in.
We all have a role as a community. Call out risky behaviour (constructively) when you see it and praise safe driving. Ultimately, reducing road deaths isn’t just about rules, it’s about helping young people make better decisions in the moments that matter most.
WHERE CANBERRA Connects!
CO N T R IBU
www.michellerichardshearing.com.au
michellerichardshearing
@michelle_richards_hearing
Local care. Expert solutions.
If you’re experiencing hearing di culties or simply want to stay on top of your hearing health, Michelle Richards Hearing o ers the trusted, personalised care you’ve been looking for — right here in Canberra.
Proudly independent and locally owned, Michelle Richards Hearing is not part of a chain or franchise. That means you receive genuine advice, no sales pressure, just hearing solutions tailored to your unique lifestyle and needs.
Michelle Richards, a highly experienced Audiometrist with over 20 years of clinical expertise in adult hearing rehabilitation, is passionate about supporting people of all ages to live better through better hearing.
Michelle stays at the forefront of audiological innovation, o ering the latest hearing aid technology including discreet, rechargeable, and AI-powered options.
Whether you need a comprehensive hearing assessment, tinnitus support, hearing protection, or hearing aids, Michelle delivers expert care with a warm, community-focused approach.
Conveniently located in Dickson, Michelle Richards Hearing welcomes private, pension, DVA and Hearing Services Program (HSP) clients. Home visits are also available for those who are unable to travel.
No bees, no food: A celebration of bees
by BERNIE RYAN
World Bee Day is back at Canberra’s Capital Region Farmers Market on Saturday 16 May, with a full morning of activities celebrating the bees and pollinators that put food on our plates.
It was on 20 December 2017, following three years of international efforts, that the United Nations (UN) Member States unanimously approved Slovenia’s proposal that a World Bee Day should exist.
May 20 was subsequently proclaimed the date, and the Capital Region Farmers Market is ready to bring it in this weekend with lots of ‘buzz’.
But why exactly did the humble bee make its way into UN history?
Given that one in three mouthfuls of what we eat depends on pollination, and that food security, biodiversity
and ecosystem health all hinge on the health of pollinator populations, it made a pretty good case for itself!
Closer to home, and according to the Australian not-for-profit charity the Wheen Bee Foundation, ‘Two-thirds of Australia’s agricultural production benefits from bee pollination and the contribution of honeybees to agriculture through pollination services is valued at around $14.2 billion in Australia.’
Nearly 90 per cent of flowering plant species also benefit from pollinators.
So, there is a lot to recommend making a bit of a fuss about bees.
Organisers say that this year’s market program leans into the community side of the day, with hands-on activities for kids, expert beekeepers ready to talk shop, and a nod to the Slovenian heritage of World
Bee Day, with a honey breakfast of bread, apple and honey.
Market Manager, Sarah Power says that the event is about connecting with World Bee Day, and “…highlighting that we rely on pollination for our food.”
“If we didn’t have bees, we simply wouldn’t have food,” she says.
Thankfully, bees are getting a helping hand.
According to the Wheen Bee Foundation, ‘…there are approximately 49,800 registered beekeepers in Australia operating around 855,000 hives.
Canberra local Marquita Ruwette has one of them.
“My dad taught me about all creatures in the garden and their own unique importance to the environment,” she says.
“So, when my beekeeper friend asked me if she could place a hive in
my garden, it was literally my pleasure and I feel humbled to provide a safe haven and plenty of pollen for these little but mighty bees.”
The World Bee Day Market event will have something for everyone, “… there will be a family mural painting station where kids can use potato stamps to add to the Market’s community hive artwork, community stalls from ACT for Bees and beekeepers from the ACT Beekeepers available to answer questions,” says Ms Power.
Megan from Canberra Native Nursery will also be on site to answer questions about how to have a bee friendly garden.
The Capital Region Farmers Market is on Saturday from 7-11:30am at Exhibition Park, with access via Old Well Station Road, Mitchell.
Comprehensive Care, Right from the Start with Dr. Maryse Badawy
Services include
• Women’s and Men’s health
• Paediatrics
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• Kidney and Urinary health
• Lifestyle factors which result in disease
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Haematological conditions
• Ear, nose, throat and oral health
• Musculoskeletal presentations
• Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
• Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine ( Family Medicine)
• Master of Family Medicine Dr. Maryse’s qualifications
• Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine
• Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
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Tobacco giant asks Senate to make cigarettes cheaper
by BEN MCKAY, AAP
A previously secret parliamentary hearing has been released, revealing that tobacco giant Philip Morris used the occasion to lobby for cheaper legal cigarettes.
The company was on Monday controversially called to give evidence to a Senate committee into the booming illicit tobacco trade.
However, the session was held in private, with the broadcast cut, much to the disappointment of anti-smoking advocates.
An uncorrected proof of the transcript seen by AAP reveals Philip Morris executives argued the crisis would lessen if the government dropped taxes on its products.
“Today, the tax on a legal $37.95
pack of 20 cigarettes is at least $34, while illicit cigarettes sell for half this,” the company representative, who had their name redacted, said.
“If the parliament wants to materially reduce illicit tobacco and bring consumers back into regulated channels, that gap must be narrowed.” The same speaker also said that “on almost any street corner you can find a packet of comparable illicit product for between $12 and $25”. Philip Morris said it was “very credible” that all legal sales of tobacco would be unfeasible by 2030 unless excise was lowered.
The Illicit Tobacco & E-cigarette Commissioner estimates the illicit market makes up 50-60 per cent of all tobacco sales, comprising $4-7 billion of sales.
WIN! Pyrex prize pack WIN! a L’OR Barista Premium Latte Machine
Embrace the cosy comfort of autumn cooking with Pyrex Bake N Serve. Designed for effortless oven-to-table dining, this versatile range makes seasonal entertaining simple and stylish. Crafted from durable, highquality glass, each piece ensures even cooking while beautifully showcasing your favourite autumn dishes - from golden
roasted vegetables to hearty baked pastas. With easy-grip handles and a timeless, minimalist design, Bake N Serve transitions seamlessly from oven to table. Oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, it’s the perfect companion for warming meals, easy clean-up, and relaxed gatherings all season long.
ENTER TO WIN
To enter, email competitions@ newstimemedia.com.au with ‘Pyrex prize pack’ in the subject field. Tell us your name, full contact details (including street address) and your go-to coffee order. Entries close 9am Friday 22 May 2026 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person. Entrants must be aged 18+. To enter, you must be subscribed to a Canberra Daily newsletter.
Enjoy café-quality coffee at home with the L’OR Barista Premium Latte Machine. Designed to brew two espressos at once or a double shot in a single cup, this sleek matte machine also includes capsules and an integrated milk frother for the ultimate coffee experience.
Prize: L’OR Barista Premium Latte Machine and Pods Starter Kit (RRP $292.50)
ENTER TO WIN
To enter, email competitions@ newstimemedia.com.au with ‘L’OR Barista Coffee Machine’ in the subject field. Tell us your name, full contact details (including street address) and your go-to coffee order. Entries close 9am Friday 22 May 2026 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person. Entrants must be aged 18+. To enter, you must be subscribed to a Canberra Daily newsletter.
Explainer: Canberra’s missing middle housing reforms
by KAY COOMBE
Canberra has grown a great deal since its foundation stone was laid on 12 March 1913 by then prime minister Andrew Fisher. Back then our population numbered less than 2,000 residents. The needle didn’t shift much in the following decades due to the depression, two world wars and the delayed transfer of departments to the new capital. By 1945, our population numbered just 13,000.
Fast forward to 1966 and we’d grown to 96,000 and today we’re nudging close to half a million. By 2050, it’s projected there’ll be almost 700,000 people calling the nation’s capital home.
So where will everyone live? It’s a question currently generating discussion in the community following the recent tabling of a report by the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Environment and Planning entitled Missing Middle Housing Reform – Inquiry into Draft Major Amendment to the Territory Plan 04.
Middle housing refers to medium density housing such as townhouses, terraces, duplexes and low-rise apartments. They’re ‘middle’ because in size they sit between detached houses on single residential blocks and larger apartment buildings. Recommendations in the report seek to address a gap in the availability of middle housing options throughout existing Canberra suburbs. Hence the term ‘missing middle’.
As set out in the ACT Government’s Missing Middle Reform Comparison Table, a fundamental aspect of this would be ‘changes to the Territory Plan that would remove barriers in the planning system and encourage the building of new housing types like multi-occupancies, townhouses, terraces and low-rise apartment buildings that blend into existing neighbourhoods’.
Committee Chair Ms Jo Clay said “Key recommendations focus on increasing public, community and affordable housing supply, ensuring adequate infrastructure and amenity in denser
suburbs and establishing stronger monitoring of the cumulative impacts of the reforms for issues such as parking, urban heat, tree canopy and neighbourhood character.”
In a media release, Missing Middle report done – now pass the reforms, the Property Council of Australia welcomed the reforms and called on the ACT Government to move quickly to finalise and start the Territory Plan changes.
One group less supportive of the reforms is the North Canberra Community Council, which expressed concerns during the public consultation period in their NCCC Submission on Proposed Middle Housing Reforms.
More information, including a video and detailed design guide, is available here: planning.act.gov.au/ planning-priorities/missing-middle-housing-reforms
Canberra’s proposed missing middle housing reforms aim to encourage more medium-density housing across existing suburbs.
Hidden Charm in Holt
Holt 7 Kellerman Close
Hidden away in a peaceful pocket of Holt, this charming split-level home offers warmth, privacy and a relaxed lifestyle surrounded by established greenery.
Thoughtfully updated throughout, the three-bedroom residence blends character with modern comfort, creating a welcoming retreat that feels instantly like home. Hardwood timber flooring flows through the light-filled living spaces, while plush carpet adds comfort to the bedrooms. At the heart of the home is a renovated kitchen featuring stylish timber and white finishes, generous storage, gas
cooking and a large island bench designed for everyday living and entertaining alike.
The open-plan living and dining area connects seamlessly outdoors, where a raised timber deck captures the morning sun and overlooks beautifully landscaped gardens. Established trees create a sense of seclusion, while pebble pathways, veggie patches and a charming cubby house add to the home’s storybook appeal.
All three bedrooms include built-in storage and shelving, while the updated bathroom features a bath
and rainfall shower. Split-system heating and cooling ensures yearround comfort.
Positioned moments from Kippax Fair, local schools and the growing Ginninderry precinct, the home combines peaceful suburban living with everyday convenience. Quiet, cosy and full of personality, this Holt haven is designed for easy family living.
Auction Wed 3 June 6pm
View Sat 16 May, 10:45 to 11:15am
Agent Eoin Ryan-Hicks
Mob 0424 042 419
LJ Hooker Kippax 6255 3888
More than a home, it’s a community
Family owned and operated for over 35 years, The Grange retirement village enjoys an unbeatable location in the ACT. Set among the leafy, tree‑lined streets of Deakin and just 300 metres from local shops, the village is also close to medical facilities and essential services.
Enjoy a low‑maintenance lifestyle within a warm, welcoming community, supported by a range of quality facilities including an indoor heated pool and spa, library, hairdressing salon, community gardens, onsite dining, and a pet‑friendly environment.
24‑hour onsite emergency support provides added peace of mind. A trained staff member is always onsite to offer calm assistance, basic first aid, and to contact emergency services if required, remaining with you until help arrives.
Our spacious independent living homes feature:
• Modern kitchens with stone benchtops and stainless‑steel appliances
• Open plan living and dining areas
• Most homes opening onto a generous balcony or courtyard
• Contemporary bathrooms
• Internal laundry
• Heating and cooling for year‑round comfort.
For future peace of mind, The Grange also offers one‑bedroom serviced apartments located onsite. Should a resident’s needs change, they may choose to move from an independent home into a serviced apartment, where assistance is provided with cleaning, all meals prepared onsite, and heavy laundry such as washing and changing bedding and towels. Personal care is not provided; however residents are welcome to continue with their own preferred personal care provider if required.
Open Home Friday 10am to 12pm
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TIL I N G
Bathroom
Small
PROMPT RELIABLE
P: 0435 015 647
E: barric666@aol.com
www.barryrichardsceramictiling.com.au
ABN 609 0723 0907
Antoniak Tiling and Renovations
Email: Bantoniak051@gmail.com | 0417 092 760
Brodie Antoniak
Owner and contractor
ABN 14724243822
Reference available on request
U P H O LST E RY
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news briefs
Julie Bishop resigns as Chancellor of ANU
Julie Bishop has resigned as Chancellor of the Australian National University, seven months before her term was due to finish.
report found ANU Council approved the costcutting program without clear evidence it was needed or achievable, the ABC reported in March.
Renew ANU was expected to a ect hundreds of jobs. By September 2025, 399 redundancies had taken place, The Guardian reported, while the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said the university had lost more than 1,000 sta since April 2024.
Lonergan leads from front as Brumbies blunt Force
Ryan Lonergan has provided the spark to steer the ACT Brumbies to a much-needed 32-15 win against the Western Force in Canberra.
Going into the clash having lost six of their past eight games, the Brumbies needed a victory at GIO Stadium on Saturday to cement their position inside Super Rugby Pacific’s top six.
Captain and hal ack Lonergan was instrumental in achieving that, scoring a try, nailing two crucial penalty goals and registering 69 passes to help his side (29 points) leapfrog the Queensland Reds (27 points) into fi fth, with only two games remaining for the team.
One Nation eyes more seats after Farrer byelection triumph
One Nation has warned it is coming for more seats as the coalition picks through the rubble of a historic by-election result.
David Farley swept to victory in the sprawling southern NSW electorate of Farrer on Saturday night, ending the coalition’s 77-year reign in the federal seat.
“One Nation has reached the end of its beginning. We’re going through the ceiling from here,” he declared on Saturday night to a room that erupted in cheers and applause.
The former Liberal foreign minister’s departure follows months of criticism from sta , students, union representatives, and some politicians, who had questioned the university’s governance.
Ms Bishop’s term was marked by the controversial Renew ANU plan, which aimed to save $250 million in operating costs by 2026, including $100 million through salaries.
A secret draft Australian National Audit O ce
It is One Nation’s first federal lower-house election victory since the party was founded by Pauline Hanson in 1997 and she had a message for the major parties.
“We’re coming after those other seats,” Ms Hanson said.
