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DonateLife Week: How organ donation gave John anotherChance
Heart and kidney transplant recipient
John Lafferty knows better than most that one decision can change everything. As DonateLife Week approaches, he’s sharing his story in the hope it inspires more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors.
For John, every bike ride is a reminder of the gift he has been given.
Not long ago, the Canberra local wondered whether he would ever ride again. Today, he’s back in the saddle, cycling more than 100 kilometres a week as he prepares to compete in the Australian Transplant Games.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for the 55-year-old, who underwent a lifesaving heart and kidney transplant in 2024 after years of battling polycystic kidney disease.
“It’s completely changed my life,” John says.
John’s journey began with a diagnosis that had already affected generations of his family.
Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is a hereditary condition that causes fluidfilled cysts to develop on the kidneys, gradually reducing their function.
His mother and grandmother both lived with the disease, and eventually John did too.
By 2021, both of his kidneys had failed and were removed, leaving him dependent on haemodialysis while he waited for a transplant.
The treatment, with its demanding
schedule, quickly became the centre of his life.
“Dialysis is four hours a day, three days a week. You’re tired after it, and just as you’re recovering, you’re tired because you haven’t had it again yet. It takes up all of your life,” says John.
As if losing his kidneys wasn’t enough, the strain of long-term dialysis also took its toll on his heart.
By late 2023, doctors determined John would need not only a kidney transplant, but a new heart as well.
He was airlifted to Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital and placed on the transplant waiting list.
Then came the call.
“It’s daunting,” he says.
“You’re excited, but you’re also sad because somebody has passed away.”
Within hours, John was on his way to Sydney.
Originally, doctors expected to perform the heart transplant first before deciding whether to proceed with the kidney transplant later.
Instead, both operations were completed during a gruelling 14-hour surgery.
John spent more than two weeks in hospital before remaining in Sydney for another three months as doctors closely monitored his recovery.
Like all transplant recipients, the journey didn’t end after surgery.
About six months later, John experienced an episode of organ rejection, something doctors say is common following transplantation.
Fortunately, it was detected early
during routine monitoring and quickly brought under control.
Today, his focus has shifted from simply surviving to making the most of the second chance he has been given.
Cycling has once again become a major part of his life, and this year he’ll take part in the Australian Transplant Games, an event celebrating active living after transplantation.
But while John is enjoying life again, he never forgets the person who made it possible.
“I think about my donor constantly,” he says.
In Australia, donor families and recipients remain anonymous, but they can exchange letters through DonateLife.
John chose to write to his donor’s family and later received a heartfelt reply.
“The message I received back was amazing,” he says.
“It helped them to know what had happened and that their loved one’s donation had made a difference.”
That connection reinforced something John already knew. Behind every transplant is a family making an incredibly generous decision during one of the hardest moments of their lives.
Now, John hopes to honour that gift by giving back.
He has recently become a DonateLife volunteer, sharing his story with the community and encouraging more Australians to consider organ and tissue donation.
As DonateLife Week runs from 26 July to 2 August, he’ll be visiting local businesses and helping raise awareness across Canberra.
“What we’re really trying to do is get people talking,” he says.
“We want people to register, but we also want them to have that conversation with their family.”
It’s a message John believes is just as important as signing up.
Although Australians can register their decision to become an organ and tissue donor, families are still asked to confirm that decision if donation becomes possible.
Without knowing their loved one’s wishes, some families choose not to proceed.
“It’s much better if you’ve already had that discussion and your family really knows that’s what you want to happen,” John says.
Despite widespread public support for organ donation, only around one in three Australians are registered.
At any one time, thousands of Australians are waiting for a life-saving transplant.
One organ donor has the potential to save up to seven lives and improve many more through eye and tissue donation.
John also wants to dispel one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding donation.
People often assume they’re too old or too unhealthy to become a donor.
His own family’s experience proves otherwise.
“My grandmother was 78 when she passed away,” he says.
“She’d been on dialysis for 18 years and had polycystic kidney disease, but they were still able to use her corneas.
“No matter how broken you think you are or how old you think you are, there may still be something you can offer.”
John himself has also become a donor.
Although his diseased heart could no longer sustain his own life, healthy heart valves were able to be donated to help someone else.
“I got to pay it forward straight away,” he says.
As DonateLife Week encourages
Australians to register and start conversations with those closest to them, John hopes his own story serves as a reminder of what’s possible.
“If my story encouraged just one person to register, it would mean everything,” he says.
“Only a small percentage of people who register are able to become organ donors because of the circumstances in which they pass away.
“But one donor can save multiple lives and change many more.
“That one decision could give someone else the same second chance I’ve been given.”
DonateLife Week runs from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 2 August. Register as an organ and tissue donor in just one minute at donatelife.gov. au or through Medicare, and most importantly, let your family know your decision.
John Lafferty is sharing his story this DonateLife Week to encourage more Canberrans to register as organ and tissue donors.
When the ball doesn’t bounce
wi NICOLE LAWDER FORMER ACT MLA AND DEPUTY OPPOSITION LEADER
Apparently Freddie Mercury of Queen wrote “We Are the Champions” about football, and in Canberra in winter there’s a feast of football around town, from the Raiders and Brumbies right down to juniors. Sadly, we’ve heard quite a lot lately about sportsgrounds: lack of maintenance, not enough grounds to go around, and even e-bikes and motorbikes tearing them up. That means disappointment for scores of children, parents and o cials when games can’t go ahead. It also
means we, the ratepayers, eventually foot the repair bill — money that could have been spent on something else in the ACT.
I chatted recently to James Milligan MLA, Member for Yerrabi and Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, about some of the issues plaguing our sports fields. If you’ve had a Saturday morning footy game cancelled because the ground’s underwater — again — you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.
The problem, in short: our ovals are tired. Fields that don’t drain properly turn into small lakes after rain, and instead of a day’s delay, clubs can be locked out for a week or more — training cancelled, games washed out, and yet the invoice for hiring the ground still turns up like clockwork. One club, Mr Milligan says, was billed in full for a field it couldn’t set foot on. Try explaining that one to under-12s.
Layer on top of that the damage done by e-bikes tearing up ovals across the territory — enough of a problem that the AFP has stood up a dedicated task force — and you’ve got sporting infrastructure under real strain, with more than a decade passing since any serious investment went into fixing the surfaces themselves.
To his credit, Mr Milligan didn’t just come to vent. Back in February, he moved a motion in the Assembly — which passed unanimously — calling for an independent audit of sporting infrastructure right across the ACT. The idea: get an unbiased picture of what’s broken, what’s needed and where, by talking to the associations, clubs and everyday users who know these grounds best. The audit is due to report back in March next year.
Here’s my worry. Five months on from that motion passing, the government still hasn’t gone to tender,
still hasn’t locked in budget costings, and is apparently waiting on other reviews to land first. Do the maths on tendering, consultation and drafting, and there’s precious little runway left to produce something thorough by March. A rushed report helps nobody — least of all the clubs still filling in rain delay forms.
None of this is a simple fix. As Mr Milligan points out, we’re not rebuilding every oval overnight — more a fifteen-to-twenty-year job, prioritised sensibly and done in the open. But that only works if the audit gets moving. Hopefully Estimates hearings over the next couple of weeks will provide some answers — or, perhaps more likely, bureaucratic double-speak non-answers. That’s one thing this government is a champion at.
You can listen to my full chat with James Milligan on the Bite-sized Politics podcast on Spotify.
Stitches. Breaks. Fractures. Wounds.
Free services from Canberra’s Walk‑in Centres.
Canberra’s five Walk in Centres are open seven days a week and offer a range of free services.
Know where to go for your health care. canberrahealthservices. act.gov.au
World cup a success, Wallabies improve and don’t sell historic military heritage sites
wi
BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD FORMER ACT OPPOSITION LEADER
Well done to the Poms for winning a thrilling playo for third against France at the World Cup. They could, and perhaps should, have won against Argentina but, for some inexplicable reason, after scoring the goal at the 55-minute mark, the coach put on a defensive lineup and did not attack. In any sport, once you get in front, you up the pressure and try to score again. Attack is always the best form of defence.
Someone who appreciates this is Canberra’s very own Laurie (“the Lord”) Fisher, former ANU captain and coach, Brumbies coach, coach in Ireland, and forwards coach for the Wallabies, who sent him and coach Joe Schmidt o in style with a 57-10 thumping over Italy. Laurie has made a great contribution to rugby in this country, and he should get an Order of Australia for it, in my view.
The Wallabies are gradually improving so as to be a real contender for the World Cup next year. I would suggest some consideration be given by the ARU and ARL to the NRL giving one-year leaves of absence to its top three star players so they can play in the World Cup next year. I’d suggest they get paid $2 million each for playing. I’d play Payne Haas at
either number 8 or 7 (openside breakaway), Nathan Cleary at fiveeighth and Reece Walsh at fullback.
I usually agree with my old mate and fellow Parliamentary Sports Club colleague, former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, but his support for selling o over 60 defence establishments is hard to support. Some of them, sure. However, selling the historic Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is not only stupid but amounts to cultural vandalism. These historic sites are slap bang in the middle of our largest cities. Their value is priceless. The government hopes to get $1.5 billion if all the sites sell. In the grand scheme of things, that’s chicken feed. It would not even buy a single frigate, and I’ve seen some estimates that the sale proceeds might be as low as $190 million.
These sites are reminders of our colonial heritage. I know Sydney’s Victoria Barracks also plays host to various sporting and other events. I’ve played about six charity games of parliamentary rugby there, including a game against the famous Ella brothers. They are also green sites in big cities and open spaces we all need.
I recall well, and commend, BLF champion Jack Mundey, who used his union, the BLF, to save The Rocks in the early ‘70s. Well done to him, and we are all the better for it. I hope the CFMEU does the same to save Victoria Barracks and the other historic military sites. The sale will raise very little money for defence. The government needs to cut some other programs to find the money.
How to win lotto
by GEORGIA CURRY
The odds of winning Division 1 in Lotto are about eight million to one, but what if you were a mathematician and knew exactly how many combinations were needed to rig the system?
It’s been done before and suddenly, maths becomes really interesting.
It’s happened here in Australia (mathematician Stefan Mandel won 14 international lotteries by figuring out how to buy every possible number combination) and also in Ireland with mathematician Stefan Klincewicz, who’s the subject of a documentary at ANU called Beat the Lotto
So we got on the phone to a local mathematician quick smart.
Katharine Turner is Associate Professor at the ANU’s Mathematical
Sciences Institute and she’s crunched the numbers.
“In the ‘90s, mathematically [Lotteries] created this loophole by having too few balls and that the number of combinations you needed was a lot less,” Professor Turner said.
“It cost less to buy all those combinations than you would get from the jackpot. So all [lotteries] needed to do was add a few more balls and all of a sudden that was no longer possible.”
Lotteries have also limited syndicates as a result of these two mathematicians buying every single combination.
“They just increased the number of balls,” Professor Turner said. “In 1992, it was 36 balls and you draw six of them and the probability of a ticket winning was about one in 1.9 million-ish.
Theatre Classes for All
probability.
“Since then, they’ve been gradually increasing the number of balls so that the probability of winning is so low that the number of tickets you would need to buy is unfeasible. Even if you could buy all the tickets, for Lotto in Australia you would need a bit over 8 million.”
I wonder what the probability is of having two scheming mathematicians who are both called Stefan.
“A few extra balls doesn’t sound that much but it grows exponentially,” Professor Turner said. “From 36 balls to 47 balls, it’s more than five times harder.
“With the Powerball, which is the one that gets even bigger, they have seven balls instead of six, which dramatically changes the odds because you need all seven to match rather than six. So that makes it much more unlikely.”
For those playing at home, the term for all of this counting, arranging, and analysing is “combinatorics”.
“It’s basically the maths of counting and if you talk to any mathematician, they’ll tell you that counting is hard,” Professor Turner said.
“Because you have to think about all different ways that things could intersect like the probability of getting three numbers versus four numbers. You have to make sure you don’t over-count the different arrangements of things. You may think that the probability
is easy because as long as it’s done fairly, which it should be, everything is equally likely. But you have to count how many different ways you could draw six balls out of 36.”
Maths is starting to look very enticing.
“It’s sort of like a really fun game where the stakes are really high,” Professor Turner said.
“Occasionally I have fun thinking about the combinatorics of problems but not from the standpoint of winning the lotto. It might be more about what’s the optimal way to play a board game, which is a bit more mundane.”
Mathematicians may seem like mild-mannered academics, but just take a look at the scheming Stefans who rorted the system.
“People have a thing in mind of what a mathematician will look like or what a scientist will look like, and the truth is that they have the same span of personalities as any other profession,” Professor Turner said. “We’re just human.”
If you want to see how mathematician Stefan Mandel rigged the lotto, Beat the Lotto is free and screens on Thursday 23 July, 6.30pm at ANU Cinema, Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre.
Professor Turner will also give a pre-screen talk about the “birthday paradox” that will blow (or expand) your mind.
To register for a free ticket: maths.anu.edu.au/beat-the-lotto
Mathematicians have tried and succeeded in winning Lotto using their knowledge of
Arthur Boyd, Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre (tapestry workshop), Lurdes Serra (weaving drawer), The Wolf of Gubbio with St Francis in a bent tree (detail), 1974, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1975, Arthur Boyd’s works reproduced with the permission of Bundanon Trust
Every step for Dainere: Jarrett runs to keep little sister’s legacy alive
by BERNIE RYAN
When 31-year-old Jarrett Anthoney was 14, he and his family faced the unimaginable when his 11-year-old sister, Dainere, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
For Jarrett, his parents, Stephen and Yvonne, older sister, Nalani, and Dainere, their lives were forever altered.
And in the years that followed, they dedicated themselves to supporting Dainere and each other through arduous treatment regimens, constant travel and long periods away from Canberra.
“Dainere was required to go to Sydney for treatments and care because there were no facilities or specialists in
Canberra,” says Jarrett.
Dainere faced incredible hardship, knowing she had brain cancer and feeling frustrated, with no longer being able to enjoy things like sport and school.
“Despite this, she decided that something more needed to be done about childhood cancer,” says Jarrett.
“So, Dainere started writing a blog of her treatments and that blog became the book she published with her Starlight Wish.
“It was called You Have to Go Through a Storm to Get to a Rainbow,” he says.
Jarrett says Dainere’s intention was to make people aware of her story
and childhood brain cancer, so that perhaps a cure could be found.
“Dainere didn’t want others to suffer like she did,” says Jarrett.
At 7:25pm on 24 June 2013, Dainere finally lost her valiant battle with brain cancer.
She was 15 years old.
Jarrett had just turned 18.
In the four years between her diagnoses and heartbreaking death, and despite her own suffering, Dainere raised a lot of awareness, and a lot of money, to make a difference.
“She also left a very big list of ideas for our family and because of Dainere’s bravery … and all her wonderful ideas, our family decided to continue that legacy for her in memory of her,” says Jarrett.
Dainere’s Rainbow was subsequently established, 8 February 2014 on what would have been Dainere’s 16th birthday.
As of 30 June 2026, Dainere’s Rainbow has raised $806,646.
“100% of funds go directly into research, drug trials and supporting families,” says Jarrett.
Before Dainere’s death, Jarrett, decided that he too wanted to raise money.
It was the beginning of 2013, a year after doctors had told Dainere she would likely survive for only another year, and, of course, Jarrett asked his wise little sister for ideas.
“Why don’t you do that through something you’re good at? You’re good at running!”
So, that’s what this big brother did.
In 2013 Jarrett competed in his first City to Surf and used the fundraising opportunity to raise $52,150.
“To this day, I still haven’t come to terms that’s what was raised that year,” he says.
“I’ve competed every year since except for one of the ‘virtual’ years during COVID and have now raised over $110,000”, he says.
Jarrett will compete again on 9 August to continue his little sister’s legacy.
But before he does, he will travel to Sydney on Friday 24 July for the NSW/ACT Young Achievers Gala where he has been nominated for a Ministry of Health Achievement in Health Award for his work with Dainere’s Rainbow.
Jarrett has been nominated for, and won, numerous awards over the past 13 years.
“What we do is in memory of Dainere, for Dainere’s Rainbow,” he says. “So, it’s an absolute honour to be nominated, and acknowledged for something like that.”
“Each step I take and every donation you make is a gift of hope, possibility, and precious time for families fighting this devastating disease.”
“Every stride I run is for my selfless, inspiring, and courageous sister Dainere, for all the children we have lost, for those fighting today, and for those who will face this disease in the future.”
To support Jarrett and Dainere’s Rainbow, go to daineresrainbow.
Jarrett Anthoney will once again take on the City2Surf to raise funds for childhood brain cancer research in memory of his sister, Dainere.
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email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field
GIVIT donation of the week: Small bookshelf
GIVIT is working with an organisation that provides programs for women to help them learn the skills they need to live a full and meaningful life. They are currently seeking support for a mother and her children who are starting over after overcoming many challenges. This mum is finally moving to a new home after experiencing domestic violence and homelessness, as well overcoming challenges related to alcohol and drug use. She is now determined to create a safe, stable home for herself and her children and is focused on their wellbeing. The family needs support to furnish their new home, so GIVIT is requesting a small bookshelf. This simple donation will help mum get organised. When filled with books, this donation can also greatly help with the children’s literacy and wellbeing. Generous Canberrans can donate a small bookshelf or fund the purchase of this item. 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: ‘bookshelf’ and Suburb: ‘Throsby, 2914’.
Red Dove Op Shop
The Red Dove Op Shop will be open Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 August, 9am–1pm, at Tuggeranong Uniting Church, Comrie Street, Wanniassa. Browse winter clothing, bric-a-brac, linen, books and jewellery, with great prices and regular specials. Enjoy morning tea and homemade treats. EFTPOS is available, with easy parking and access.
Friends ANBG Thursday Talks
Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens will host a Thursday Talk on 30 July featuring Dr Bruno Ferronato, ecologist and turtle specialist, presenting TurtleWatch ACT: Citizen Science, Monitoring and Conservation of Turtles in Canberra. The talk will be held at the ANBG Theatrette, opposite the ANBG Visitor Centre, 12:30–1:30pm. Bookings: trybooking.com/DKXYN. Gold coin, note and EFTPOS donations support Friends’ special projects at the gardens.
Christ Church Hawker coffee and op shop
Christ Church Hawker will host a coffee and op shop morning on Saturday 1 August, 9am–12pm, at the corner of Beetaloo Street and Belconnen Way, Hawker. Browse trash and treasure, camping gear, books, games, puzzles, craft items, pre-loved clothing and a well-stocked cake stall. Free tea, coffee and COVID-safe biscuits will be available for all visitors. For enquiries, call 0428 266 658.
Healthy environment livecast
The ACT Human Rights Commission will host a free livecast on Tuesday 28 July, 6–7:30pm, exploring outdoor air quality and the right to a healthy environment in the ACT. The session features Commission President Dr Pene Mathew and includes time for community questions. For more information, visit hrc.act.gov.au.
Winterfest
I Progetti will present Winterfest on Saturday 1 August, 3pm, at St John’s Anglican Church, Reid. Celebrate the beauty of winter with a concert featuring Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian music, along with a few musical surprises. Entry is by donation, with all proceeds supporting St John’s Care to help people in need of shelter and warmth.
Conder Craft Group
The Conder Craft Group meets on the first Thursday of each month, 1–3pm, at the YWCA Mura Lanyon Community Centre, Sydney Nolan Street, Conder. New members are welcome to bring along sewing, knitting or other craft projects to enjoy in a friendly group. Cost is $3. For more information, call 0406 380 508.
Hymnfest and Tea for MND
Yarralumla Uniting Church will host Hymnfest and Tea for MND on Sunday 9 August, 2–4pm, at Denman Street, Yarralumla. Enjoy an afternoon of singing, fellowship and afternoon tea, with all proceeds supporting MND NSW and families affected by Motor Neurone Disease. For more information, email Bronwyn at solfamax@gmail.com.
Sahaja Yoga meditation
Sahaja Yoga offers free Thoughtless Awareness meditation classes every Wednesday, 6–7pm, from March to the end of November, at the Erindale Neighbourhood Centre, corner of Sternberg Crescent and Comrie Street, Wanniassa. No exercises are involved, and all are welcome. For more information, call 6257 2057 or visit meditatecanberra.com.au.
Roberto Palacios Huaraca, Captain Pablo Gustavo Porteros Barragan, Minister Michael Pettersson, Chiaka Barry MLA and His Excellency Mr Vitaliano Gaspar Gallardo Valencia
George Tomlins, Angela Harrison, His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, Deniz Bekir, Luis Ernesto Molina Cardona and His Excellency Mr António Manuel Luvualu de Carvalho
Rick Wilson MP, David Smith MP, His Excellency Vitaliano Gaspar Gallardo Valencia, Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chiaka Barry MLA and Jonathan Muir
Ljubinka Milla Petkovich Portocarrero, Jeremy Green, Chiaka Barry MLA and Jonathan Muir
His Excellency Mr Pham Hung Tam and Eduardo Jose Cardoza Mata
Steven Bartlett and Marcin Kawalowski
His Excellency Mr Nicola Lener, His Excellency Mr Davaasuren Damdinsuren and Dulamsuren Javzandulam
Giovanna Gorvaña, Eloisa Vidurrizaga, Julissa Grande, Roger Stephenson, Lucia Gamarra Cuba, Will Hazell and Natalie Chen
The 205th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Photos Wilson Au Yeung
Honey, I shrunk Canberra
by GEORGIA CURRY
A touch of Hollywood has zhooshed up the scale model of Canberra, located at the National Capital Exhibition, using the same model makers who built Heath Ledger’s armour in Ned Kelly and props in Queen of the Damned Canberra’s miniature scale model was in dire need of an upgrade, built in the ‘80s and lacking new landmarks such as the Australian War Memorial extension, the Red Shed, Light Rail, several diplomatic embassies, and the “fly swat” Manuka Oval lighting.
So, who better to add 74 new miniatures than film and TV model-maker, Roger Mitchell of Cineart Studios, who also happened to fabricate Belco’s phallic Powerful Owl (size doesn’t matter, no job too big or small).
The old panorama was built in pre-Internet times.
“Because they didn’t have satellite back in the day, they flew over with planes, took photos
and then made the map from that,” Roger said. “When we used geospatial mapping with Google Earth and mapped it, it wasn’t quite right so we had to just morph it into how they had done it, it was really finicky.
“We kept true to the old model. When they first made it, they made it really well, but they made it with what they had back in the day, whereas we’ve got 3D printers now.”
Our bright red light rail trains were replicated using 3D printers. However some landmarks, such as the Captain Cook Fountain, had to be made by hand (using material such as fishing line and wire).
The three-month reno was made even trickier because Roger and four other specialists had to balance on planks suspended half-ametre above the miniature city. They were also restricted to working weekends to avoid school excursion crowds.
There were also a lot of repairs made and missing pieces replaced due to thousands
of visitors’ hands poking the model over the decades.
Canberra’s general aesthetic was also improved with new mini trees, an updated Captain Cook Memorial Jet, and the addition of several apartments and commercial buildings in Civic.
The scale map is so detailed that it includes every single light rail stop and every single sculpture along ANZAC Parade.
The National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point is open seven days a week. Info: nca.gov. au/attractions/national-capital-exhibition
Specialist model makers revamp the old 1980s scale model of Canberra at the National Capital Exhibition.
This week, Jeff Popple reviews three new books about spies, Indigenous history and a stolen Picasso. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Stalin’s Apostles by
Antonia Senior Hodder
& Stoughton, $34.99
The Cambridge Five spy ring of Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, John Cairncross and Anthony Blunt have long fascinated spy watchers, novelists and the public. The revelations in the 1950s, and onwards, that a group of well-todo Cambridge graduates had become radicalised while at university, and subsequently spied for Russia, astounded the British establishment and caused serious ructions with the Americans. It also led to the death of hundreds of people battling Soviet Union domination in Europe. Antonia Senior’s exemplary account draws on recently declassified files, and a mass of other resources, to provide a comprehensive and compelling story of the five spies. Highly recommended.
The First Inventors by
Billy Griffiths, Larissa Behrendt & Sean Ulm
Allen & Unwin, $36.99
Based on the successful SBS television show, The First Inventors is a fascinating account of how Indigenous people have managed and engineered the Australian landscape for over 65,000 years. Using modern research techniques and ancient memory systems, it provides an interesting history of Indigenous innovation and design that enabled the survival and resilience of cultural knowledge. From the first arrival of ancient seafarers to Australia through to the use of fire and water irrigation to shape the landscape, The First Inventors is a revealing and thought-provoking analysis of Indigenous culture and history. An important book that deserves to be widely read.
The Picasso Ransom by A. T. Prewett
Macmillan, $34.99
In August 1986, Picasso’s Weeping Woman was stolen from the National Gallery of Victoria. The painting was later recovered, but the culprits were never identified. In The Picasso Ransom, debut author A. T. Prewett provides an amusing take on the robbery. Frustrated by funding cuts to the arts, and ministerial mismanagement, retirees Phoebe, Eva and Dave decide to take matters into their own hands and set out to conduct the ultimate caper. Full of rich Australian humour and sarcasm, likeable characters, and a lot of wit,
The Picasso Ransom is an enjoyable read that barrels along at a sprightly pace. Good fun.
Bonjour monde! Campagne du mois du voyage en France et au Portugal
O cial Launch - Bastille Day 14 July 2026
From Sunday 1 July 2026 - Monday 30 August 2026
$600 per couple / $300 per person available from 1 July - 31 August 2026
O er is valid on all new booking for Scenic River & Ocean Cruising
France & Portugal months, an annual event has become a legendary celebration to the rich cultures, fine cuisine, and storied histories of France and Portugal.
Experience the magic of these regions like never before, delivered by Scenic’s signature all-inclusive, ultra-luxury river cruise experts.
PLUS: Bonus Luxury Hotel Night Stay*
For a limited time, enjoy a bonus luxury hotel night stay* on selected 2027 France river cruises. Will sell out – subject to availability.
Bordeaux - 1 night PRE or POST tour accommodation in at Grand Hotel Intercontinental Bordeaux
South of France - 1 night PRE OR POST tour accommodation in at InterContinental Lyon - Hotel Dieu
Paris (Seine) - 1 night PRE OR POST tour accommodation in at Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra
* terms & conditions apply
Izzard and the Bard
by GEORGIA CURRY
Eddie Izzard is an interesting character: she’s transgender, a stand-up comedian, dyslexic, and a Shakespearian actor poised to play 23 roles in Hamlet at The Playhouse (31 July-1 August).
Just like the bare stage that Izzard will perform on (no prop, no sets), Izzard bares her soul a little about what drives her.
“At seven years old, I saw a play, mum had died a couple of years before, and I saw a play and I thought, I really want to be on stage,” Izzard said from her Sydney hotel room overlooking the Opera House. “It was probably swapping the affection of my mother for the affection of the audience.”
That first play was one of Shakespeare’s tragedies – perhaps Macbeth but she can’t recall – and Izzard felt overwhelmed.
“I remember being intimidated by it, dyslexic with my difficulty getting words from the page through my brain and out of my mouth in a coherent way,” she said.
Flash forward to 2026 and Izzard has just completed a triple-extended solo runs of Izzard – The Tragedy of Hamlet in New York, Chicago and London.
Her choice of performing on a blank canvas is to let Shakespeare’s words and pure storytelling take the spotlight.
“Visceral is the word that I lean into,” she said. “I’m sure that Shakespeare wanted people to feel hatred, and anger, and joy, and sadness, and really get the emotions, and get the play, as opposed to be leaning to their neighbour and going, ‘What’s he on about?’”
If you’re expecting to see the stand-up comedian Izzard in this play, it will only be fleeting.
“When it’s right, and the audience is right, I make the comedy zing for that five per cent of the time,” she said.
“But the drama kicks and punches hard and when Ophelia is losing it, it’s not well written. She sings a lot of songs, which do not give her the chance to really show that she is destroying
herself. The way that we do it, it is emotive, it is dark and scares me sometimes.”
British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard takes on Hamlet at The Playhouse.
What’s on!
The Michael Jackson HIStory Show
28 AUG
Don’t miss your chance to see The Michael Jackson HIStory Show – returning to Australia in 2026 to commemorate 30 years since Jackson’s final, groundbreaking world tour: HISTORY. Get the full MJ concert experience with Garth Field – electrifying in his role as Jackson – plus international live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes and state-of-the-art production. Limited tickets remaining so book early to avoid disappointment!
Canberra Theatre, Friday 28 August, 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
FUN
Junior Zoo Keeper
25-26 JUL
Come and celebrate, and contribute to, amazing conservation efforts happening around the world with the Junior Zoo Keepers at the National Zoo & Aquarium.
National Zoo and Aquarium, 25-26 July; nationalzoo.com.au
SPORT
Raiders double header
25 JUL
Another Canberra Raiders double header at GIO Stadium has arrived, as the NRL side face the Tigers, while the NRLW team takes on the Sharks on Saturday afternoon.
GIO Stadium, 25 July; raiders.com.au
FOOD
The Forage
1 AUG
Canberra’s original street food event showcasing local restaurants, bars, food trucks artists & performers. Emu Bank Inlet, Saturday 1 August; theforage.com.au
COMMUNITY
Light Up Lyneham
1 AUG
A winter celebration of community at the Lyneham shops, featuring live music and entertainment, community stalls, and the highlight sunset lantern walk led by the brilliantly lit Canberra Mountain Lion to the specially illuminated local wetlands and back. Lyneham Shops, Wattle Place, Saturday 1 August
Find more listings at canberradaily.com.au
HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP?
Contact Anand on 0432 887 457 or anand@newstimemedia.com.au
Now sh wing
The Odyssey (M)
Beginning with text on screen explaining “In a time of apparent magic...” we are then on a beach where a large, wooden horse lies in the shallows. In Ithaca, Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) kingdom is overrun by a mob of would-be suitors who aggressively court Odysseus’ wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) to claim the throne in his absence. On another beach, the aged Odysseus spends his days with the beautiful Calypso (Charlize Theron) where he starts to remember who he is and the events of the Trojan War.
The Odyssey is the foundational bedrock of genre film and other media. The structure, characters, creatures, conflicts, and themes have been retold over thousands of years, to the point that the story is ingrained in our collective consciousness. The movie is definitively told through the
minimalist and restrained viewpoint of its director, taking a tale of high fantasy and grounding it to the perspective of a fallible soldier who must reconcile his actions in war during the long journey home and back to himself.
Packed with an ensemble cast known for playing comic book characters derived from Greek mythical archetypes, Matt Damon’s Odysseus confidently steers the ship and leads the charge. Robert Pattinson chews the scenery as the dastardly leader of the suitors, and Tom Holland is suitably cast as the ambitious but inexperienced king-in-waiting. Director Christopher Nolan’s usual muffled sound mix and muddy action sequences are unfortunately present here.
Verdict: A refined adaptation, with the usual strengths and shortcomings of its director.
- Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.
health & wellbeing
Why do we avoid the doctor when we know we shouldn’t?
with DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
Most of us know the advice, see your GP regularly, get your skin checked, book the colonoscopy when your doctor recommends it, pay attention to unusual symptoms. And yet many people delay, sometimes for months or years. Why do people do this and how
do we encourage others and ourselves to do what we have been advised to do?
Firstly, people are not ignoring their health because they are careless or unintelligent. More often, they are avoiding it because of very understandable psychological processes. One of the most common reasons is fear. When something might be wrong with our body, the possibility of a diagnosis can feel overwhelming. In psychology we call this avoidance coping. If we don’t book the appointment, we don’t have to confront what might be found. For a short time, avoiding the issue can reduce anxiety but the relief is temporary.
Another factor is optimism bias, the belief that bad things are more likely to happen to other people than to us. This bias is surprisingly powerful and can lead people to underestimate genuine risks such as melanoma or bowel cancer.
There is also the issue of discomfort and embarrassment Some medical procedures feel intrusive or awkward such as a skin check involving having your body examined or a colonoscopy involving a preparation that many people dread.
Time and busyness play a role too. People prioritise work, family responsibilities and daily tasks ahead of their own health. Many tell themselves they will book the appointment “when things settle down”. But life rarely becomes less busy, and preventive health checks slide down the to-do list.
Another barrier is normalisation When symptoms appear gradually, fatigue, changes in digestion, unusual moles, people often adapt to them. Instead of seeing them as warning
signs, they become part of everyday life.
Finally, there is a desire for control Some people feel that once they enter the medical system, they may face tests, treatments or decisions they feel unprepared for. Avoiding the first step can create the illusion of maintaining control over the situation.
Understanding these psychological barriers is important because it helps us respond with compassion rather than judgement. If you recognise yourself in any of this, a few strategies can help:
1. Reframe screening as self-care rather than something to fear.
2. Book the appointment before anxiety has time to build.
3. Talk openly with your GP about your concerns. Doctors are very used to discussing fears, embarrassment or uncertainty.
4. Bring someone along for support to make the process easier.
5. Remember the goal of screening is reassurance and early detection.
One in 15 million: Mum delivers rare quadruplets
by LAINE CLARK, AAP
A proud mum of four, Jenitar Na’amoana didn’t plan on having any more children.
When she fell pregnant it was a surprise, however, the big shock was still to come.
In what is believed to be an Australian first, Ms Na’amoana, 34, has defied the odds and delivered four naturally conceived, identical girls.
The quadruplets emerged from a “one in 15 million” pregnancy, splitting into four from a single
fertilised egg.
Ms Na’amoana quickly became a mother of eight after delivering her girls by C-section at just over 28 weeks at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital surrounded by a huge support team.
“This is unheard of ... we don’t think it has ever happened in Australia,” the hospital’s Alexa Bendall said.
“There may have been a couple of cases elsewhere in the world and when I say a couple, literally two.”
Ms Na’amoana was still breast feeding the youngest of her four children when she was told she had again fallen pregnant.
They got the surprise of their lives when told their “little miracle” would be a medical marvel.
“When they went along and found out they had four babies instead of one they were quite shocked,” Dr Bendall said.
The pitter patter of tiny feet is about to get a lot louder in the Na’amoana household after the 14 July arrival of Emily, Harriet, Catherine and Alexa - the latter named after Dr Bendall.
The obstetrician has been caring for Ms Na’amoana since she first discovered the surprise news of her bundles of joy.
“They are very special. We are very excited to be able to care for this amazing little family, well big family now,” Dr Bendall said.
“One is named after me which is such a beautiful tribute.”
The pregnancy was considered very high risk but Ms Na’amoana had “taken everything in her stride from day one”, Dr Bendall said.
“We have never seen a spontaneously conceived pregnancy of this type with quads, and she has somehow dodged every complication and risk for both herself and her babies to be here today, with four gorgeous newborn girls.”
The girls are expected to spend an extended period in the hospital before being allowed home but their long-term outlook looks really good.
The family have set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help care for the girls with money going towards medical, travel and everyday living expenses as well as a van “with at least 10 or 12 seats”.
Alexa Bendall says it’s a “beautiful tribute” to have one of the girls named after her.
Comprehensive Care, Right from the Start with Dr. Maryse Badawy
Services include
• Women’s and Men’s health
• Paediatrics
• Sexual health
• Mental health
• Skin conditions
• Cardiovascular health
• Endocrine and Metabolic health
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• Neurological presentations
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• 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)
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• Master of Family Medicine Dr. Maryse’s qualifications
• Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine
• Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
• Member of Australasian Menopause Society
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What’s really in your vape? Visiting UK expert sounds alarm
by BERNIE RYAN
The sight of people holding something to their mouth and puffing out plumes of smoke is something we have become used to.
The negative health and associated effects are also not breaking news.
Health workers across the globe have for decades continued to wage a David and Goliath war with the cigarette industry marketing machine in what must have appeared a longterm vain attempt to emphasise the significant health and economic impact that smoking represents.
On 17 July, however, in some good news for the collective Australian David in this battle, the office of the Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon.
Mark Butler, issued a press release with some encouraging news.
“Smoking and vaping rates are declining or stable, according to the 2025 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s long-running comprehensive study on smoking, vaping and drug use, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey,” it reads.
“Daily smoking rates among people aged over 18 years or more have fallen to a historic low of 5.8 per cent, well below the government’s 2025 target of 10 per cent.
So, Australians seem to be taking action to look after themselves and reduce the significant and preventable strain on the nation’s healthcare system.
Yet what about those ‘other’
cigarettes? The ones that seem to emit even more ‘plumes’ as they pass by than the much-maligned tobacco cigarette.
In 2003, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik designed the first e-cigarette device as a smoking cessation aid to help people quit traditional combustible cigarettes, using water vapour to deliver the nicotine.
According to Professor Clive Page OBE, from the UK, who was recently visiting Australia, “… the starting point, I think, was not unreasonable.”
Professor Page is widely respected in the UK and internationally as a leading expert in pharmacology and respiratory diseases.
He argues, however, that as ‘Goliath’ took more of a beating in recent decades than their bottom lines would like, the tobacco industry have considered how to expand their market and moved into e-cigarette or ‘vape’ manufacturing.
In doing so, he believes they deviated from the original saline carrier designed to help people quit smoking, to flavoured products, which are appealing.
“But … the colourings, and the flavourings …are actually largely food colourings and food additives,” he says.
“So, they’ve only really been assessed as to their safety as things added to food which you ingest.
“You don’t put them in your lungs.”
Professor Page says that his colleagues around the world continue to report increasing levels of serious lung injuries from vaping, or EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury), particularly in young people.
“It’s actually because of all the additives that are put in there that have never been tested for safety by the inhaled route,” he says.
Professor Page, who specialises in developing medicines and testing them for their safety in respiratory medicine, would like people to understand how vulnerable their lungs are.
“Once lungs are damaged, they do not regenerate like the liver and some other tissues in our body.”
Therefore, he maintains that inhaling myriad chemicals, such as colourings, flavourings, chemicals released when cheap components are subjected to heat, benzoic acid and vitamin E acetate, is an unacceptable exposure, even in non-nicotine vaping products.
Minister Butler says that whilst recent data on smoking and vaping is encouraging, more needs to be done.
“These results show our world-leading vaping reforms are making a difference, but we know there is still more work to be done to protect Australians from the harms of smoking and vaping,” he says.
And whilst regulators have a role to play, the truth is that in a David and Goliath battle that affects Australians’ health, each Australian has the opportunity to decide what goes directly into their own lungs.
Anyone seeking help to quit smoking or vaping can call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848), visit quit.org.au, or download the free My QuitBuddy app.
www.michellerichardshearing com.au
michellerichardshearing
@michelle_richards_hearing
Local care. Expert solutions.
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.
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.
Discovering your personal style
One of the first questions I ask a new client isn’t, “What style do you like?” Instead, I say, “Tell me about yourself.” How do you spend your weekends? Do you love entertaining or prefer quiet evenings at home? What do you wear when you feel most like yourself?
At first, these questions often seem unrelated to interior design, but I’ve found they’re some of the most important conversations we have. Your home should be a reflection of who you are, not a collection of trends you’ve saved on Pinterest.
Your home should reflect your personality
Today, we’re surrounded by more inspiration than ever before. Instagram, magazines and beautifully curated homes make it easy to admire countless styles. The downside is that many people become
overwhelmed. They love a little bit of everything, yet struggle to make decisions for their own home.
The result is often a home that doesn’t quite feel connected. When you understand your own style, decisions become much easier.
Look beyond interior design for inspiration I often encourage clients to look beyond interiors for the answer.
Open your wardrobe. Which clothes do you reach for time and time again? Chances are, the colours, textures and shapes you naturally gravitate towards in fashion will also appear in the home you’ll feel most comfortable living in. It’s less about matching your sofa to your outfit and more about recognising the values behind your choices.
Design your home around the way you live
The same applies to how you live. If your happiest moments involve family dinners around a large table, your home should celebrate gathering. If you recharge with a quiet cup of coffee and a book, creating a peaceful corner filled with natural light might matter more than having a formal sitting room.
Stop designing for other people’s approval
This is also why I encourage clients not to worry too much about whether other people will like their home. Design is deeply personal. The home that feels perfect for one family might not appeal to another, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Your personal style creates a timeless home
When your home reflects your personality, values and lifestyle, something shifts. The space feels authentic. Decisions become more confident. Your home develops character that can’t be bought from a showroom or copied from social media.
Good design isn’t about following someone else’s formula. It’s about understanding yourself first, because when your home tells your story, it becomes timeless.
Interior Design: Studio Black Interiors. Photo: Adam McGrath
RENOVATE TO STAY OR SELL
If your home no longer suits your needs but the thought of selling, moving, or renovating feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. At Renovation Matters, we help Canberra homeowners unlock the true value of their homes through thoughtful, cost-effective renovations that add comfort, function, and style — all delivered with the expertise of some of Canberra’s best tradespeople.
Renovate to sell: We guide you through strategic upgrades that help you sell faster, for a higher price, and with minimal stress — with funding available until settlement.
Renovate to stay: Love where you live? We can help you update your home for comfort, style, and functionality. From decluttering and updating key rooms to managing trusted trades on your behalf, we handle it all with care, clarity, and a personal touch.
“I had a fantastic experience working with Renovation Matters to get my house ready for sale. They did an excellent job with the renovations—everything was completed to a high standard and on schedule. The team was professional, reliable, and Kim kept me informed throughout the whole process. Communication was always clear and prompt. Kim’s management skills are exceptional. She is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is compassionate, professional, thoughtful, clever, and brilliant at her job. I highly recommend Renovation Matters and Kim to anyone needing quality renovation work.”
homes for
or
Family haven in Hackett
Hackett 13 Prell Place
Offering space, flexibility and a coveted Inner North lifestyle, this expansive Hackett home is designed to grow with your family.
Positioned on a remarkable 1,400sqm block in a quiet cul-de-sac, the property combines generous indoor living with exceptional outdoor space. The main residence features multiple living areas, a light-filled open-plan kitchen and family room, four bedrooms, a separate study and a privately positioned main suite complete with walk-in robe and renovated ensuite. Adding to the home’s appeal is a fully selfcontained flat with its own entrance and private
yard, providing an ideal solution for extended family, older children, guests or potential rental income. Despite the additional dwelling, there’s still an abundance of backyard space, established gardens and a swimming pool for the whole family to enjoy.
Located just moments from Hackett Shops, Blue Gum School and the walking trails of Mount Majura Nature Reserve, this is a rare opportunity to secure a home that offers both lifestyle and versatility in one of Canberra’s most tightly held suburbs.
Auction Wed 12 Aug, 6pm
Agent Nic Salter-Harding Mob 0412 600 085
LJ Hooker Dickson 6257 2111
5 Bega Place, Narrabundah
11 O'Shanassy Street, Curtin
74 Lyttleton Crescent, Cook
19 Harbison Crescent, Wanniassa
31 Oodgeroo Avenue, Franklin
3 Cooee Rise, Lawson
40 Bambridge Street, Weetangera
18/4 Lady Nelson Place, Red Hill
151 Bettong Avenue, Throsby
10/50 Ellenborough Street, Lyneham
41 Kosciuszko Avenue, Palmerston
12/24 Forbes Street, Turner
13 Banks Street, Googong
11 Magnolia Close, Jerrabomberra
14 Mackennal Street, Lyneham
105 Rob Riley Circuit, Bonner
$1,658,000 Hive
$1,580,000 Hayman Partners
$1,400,000 Onyx
$1,400,000 McCann
$1,395,000 Stone
$1,380,000 PRD
$1,300,000 Bastion
$1,275,000 Blackshaw
$1,230,000 LJ Hooker
$1,180,000 LJ Hooker
$1,160,000 Homeplus
$1,125,000 Independent
$1,110,000 White Rhino
$1,070,000 LJ Hooker
$1,010,000 Home by Holly
$990,000 Stone
715/25 Challis Street, Dickson
26 Stanner Circuit, Bonner
76 Must Circuit, Calwell
8 Shearer Place, Kambah
2/3 Charles Place, Gordon
10 Killard Street, Queanbeyan
45 Corringle Close, Amaroo
$900,000 Home by Holly
$885,000 New Door Properties
$871,600 Jonny Warren
$821,000 Ray White
$820,000 McIntyre Property
$800,000 Ward
$790,000 Town Residential
19 Agnes Avenue, Crestwood $790,000 Home by Holly 26 Casuarina Street, Rivett
$760,000 Blackshaw
10/2 Eldridge Crescent, Garran
94 John Gorton Drive, Coombs
115/61 John Gorton Drive, Wright
208/55 Currong Street, Braddon
8/25 Frencham Street, Downer
$750,000 Maloneys
$745,000 Cream Residential
18/27 Cunningham Street, Kingston $740,000 Purnell
4 Mundang Crescent, Ngunnawal
35/109 Woodberry Avenue, Coombs
14 James Street, Googong
$719,000 Distinct
$695,000 Ray White
$655,000 The Property 214/45 Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin
Introducing Grove.
Grove is a boutique release of architecturally designed townhouses within one of the region’s fastest-growing masterplanned communities.
A thoughtfully crafted collection of 2 and 3 bedroom residences, Grove o ers a fresh approach to townhome living, shaped by natural materials and grounded in a design philosophy that celebrates simplicity, comfort and connection. Positioned alongside open green space and moments from Googong’s evolving town centre, Grove delivers everyday convenience without compromising its natural surrounds.
Whether you’re stepping into your rst home, starting a new chapter or seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle, Grove sets the foundation for living well, every day.
Key Features:
• 2 & 3 bedroom architecturally designed townhouses
• Hybrid timber ooring inspired by natural grain
• Modern stone-style benchtops with durable nishes
• Quality kitchen appliances and functional layout planning
• Light- lled living spaces designed for comfort
• Private courtyards or terraces to extend living outdoors
• Secure garaging and practical storage solutions
• Focus on natural textures and long-lasting materials
• Close to schools, childcare, shops and lifestyle amenities
• 25 mins to Canberra CBD*
Artist’s Impression
Trades & Services Guide
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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
Sometimes in today’s modern world we can forget the beauty in artisanal craftsmanship. Get in touch to start your dream project today.
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✓ Bedheads and Wall Upholstery Call or email us today! 0422 073 665 / 6181 3511 toni@twinstitchupholstery.com.au
news briefs
Canberra United saved as date set for ALM team entry
The future of Canberra United has been secured, with a new owner found for the two-time A-League Women champions.
After two years of uncertainty, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced on Friday that Australian Sports Group (ASG) has taken charge of Canberra’s licence.
ASG has an exclusive option to introduce an A-League Men side in the Australian capital for the 2028/29 season.
“Canberra is home to a thriving football community – a huge participant and passionate supporter base who have made Canberra United one of the most strongly supported A-League Women teams for the past 18 years,” said ASG chief executive Theo Fotopoulos.
“We’re thrilled to be leading the next generation of professional football in Canberra, taking on the ownership of the Canberra United
women’s team with a renewed focus on growth and investment, and progressing towards an integrated professional club with the introduction of an A-League men’s team in season 2028/29.”
The only standalone women’s team across the A-Leagues, Canberra’s existence has been under threat for the best part of two years after the club’s previous backers, Capital Football, opted against continuing to fund the team.
The club has been propped up by the ACT government over the past two years, and the APL’s lengthy wait to find new ownership has previously prompted fierce criticism from Canberra United captain Michelle Heyman.
“This is an exciting next step for professional football in the ACT and highlights the growth opportunity for the A-Leagues and football in Canberra,” said APL chair Stephen Conroy.
“We’d like to acknowledge the Canberra football community and the ACT government for their strong and ongoing support of Canberra United.”
Truck driver dies in second Hume Highway crash in 17 days
Barely a fortnight after six semi-trailers were destroyed in a fiery crash near Goulburn, the same stretch of the Hume Highway has claimed a truck driver’s life.
Around 4:10am on Friday 17 July, a road train carrying groceries broke down near Breadalbane Road, 32 km south-west of Goulburn, and stopped in a traffic lane.
The 31-year-old driver left his vehicle, activated its hazard warnings, and alerted other drivers over his two-way radio.
A B-double carrying aerosol cans, struck the stationary truck from behind.
Both vehicles caught fire and were destroyed.
The driver of the second vehicle died at the scene.
The surviving driver sustained minor cuts and other minor injuries, and was taken to Yass Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours. The aerosol cargo raised concerns about toxic smoke, and had still not been extinguished this morning.
The fatal crash occurred 17 days after six semitrailers were destroyed in a collision at the nearby Windmills Rest Area on 30 June. All six drivers escaped that crash without injury.
6175 8800 | sales@newstimemedia.com.au
Young’s season over as Raiders keep finals hopes alive
Canberra’s season is still alive, but star forward Hudson Young’s 2026 is over after a devastating left Achilles injury in the 34-24 win over South Sydney.
Young pushed off with no-one around him in the 55th minute and clutched his lower leg before being assisted from the field.
The up to eight-month recovery ahead of the NSW second-rower for the rupture will also rule Young out of the World Cup for Australia.
Young’s teammates hung on despite a Rabbitohs rally at GIO Stadium on Saturday as the late run of last year’s minor premiers at an unlikely finals berth went into overdrive with a third consecutive victory.
Coach Ricky Stuart, who confirmed the rupture, said Young’s misfortune was a massive blow.
“I feel for him personally,” Stuart said.
“He is such a massive part of our team.
“It hasn’t hit him yet, but he misses the rest of the season and misses the World Cup. I’ve been there personally and it hits you in the next couple of days, but he’s got the right people around him.”
Spain win World Cup with substitute’s extra-time goal
This is how good Spain were at the World Cup: Not even Lionel Messi had any answers. And when it was over, Spain walked off with the trophy. Messi simply walked off in tears. Spain are back atop the soccer world for a second time, after Ferran Torres’ first goal of this year’s World Cup — unquestionably the goal of his life — gave his country a 1-0 win over now-dethroned champion Argentina in the final on Sunday (Monday AEST).
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population. Maybe not by them, but certainly for them. The goal came with Argentina down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in regulation following a reckless tackle. Tempers flared then, and flared again after the final whistle with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and players from both sides engaging in what appeared to be some pushing and shoving.
PUZZLES & STARS
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
You’re changing whether you’re paying attention or not. Paying attention lets you have a say in who you become. To avoid drifting into becoming something you never consciously chose, make sure you’re the one steering. Then the growth is emerging instead of happening to you.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
Some people have a quality of attention that makes the moment feel fuller than usual. When they’re with you, they aren’t rushing ahead, checking out or dividing their attention. They are there. That presence changes the experience of time itself. Seek such people. Be such a person.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)
BRAIN BUSTERS
1 The German word, sechzehn, represents which number between 1 and 50?
2 The musical, The King and I, is based on a bestselling novel by which author?
3 What are the two primary components of rose gold?
4 The first novel in the Harry Potter series is titled, Harry Potter and the what?
5 The eruption of which volcano completely buried the city of Pompeii?
SOLUTIONS
Are you thinking too small? The way to test it is to see how big you can make things in your imagination. Pretend you have more resources. Pretend you trust your ability more. And then ask: How big can I make this? Let life show you what you are capable of.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)
Humility is strength in disguise. One of its greatest forms is intellectual humility. People who assume they already know stop looking. But when you accept that there’s always more to learn, even familiar places reveal new dimensions. Success will come from checking your own assumptions.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
Are your wishes practical? Well, the realms of reality are different for each person. What’s within reason for you is outrageous to another. The only question worth asking is whether the dream is big enough to excite you. Walk toward what you want, and reality will expand to meet you.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
Independence is admirable, but it isn’t always the smartest move. Outsource tasks – because it’s good to give someone else an opportunity to feel connected to you. Some relationships deepen not because of what you give but because you let someone give something to you.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)
The first version of a relationship might become a template. Today’s “sure, I can do that” becomes tomorrow’s job description. Habits you establish now may be the default for years to come, so it’s important to set them according to your strengths, desires and boundaries.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)
Identity can work more like preference than philosophy. It’s like tasting food. You don’t decide if you’re a cilantro person. You eat cilantro enough and, one day, you think, “I guess I like this.” Now you keep coming back to something. It fulfills a need, even if you don’t yet know what that need is.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
Imitation is the flattery that feels like an insult. Being copied can be irritating when someone is taking your ideas. Yet the act of copying also acknowledges you’re worth copying. Someone will mimic you this week. What it really means is you’re doing something noteworthy and it inspires people.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
Spend as much time thinking about how people will experience your work as you do creating it. Whether you’re giving advice, making art, leading a meeting or writing an email, the delivery will be part of the gift. This week, a small shift in tone or presentation will make all the difference.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
You know what’s worth jumping into and what to avoid at all costs. This keeps you productive and purposeful. Like a diner who leaves room for dessert, you leave room for fun, and so you shall have it. You also have a sensor for when the fun has hit critical mass and when it’s time to bail.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
The person who understands the assignment will have the greatest impact. You want that to be you. Leaders have an assignment, too: helping each person contribute their strengths. Knowing when to lead is a strength. Knowing when to support someone else’s leadership is one, too.
DIFFICULTY RATING
BE THE REASON SOMEONE ELSE GETS A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
SCAN TO REGISTER
