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by GEORGIA CURRY
For such a planned city like Canberra, it’s ironic that an unplanned skate park in Erindale is the most famous skateboarding site in Australia and now has newly-minted heritage protection.
This accidental skate park (“the Brick Banks”) has starred in international skateboarding magazines and videos more than any other place in Australia and now it’s cemented its place on the ACT Heritage register.
The unsung architects are a bunch of college students who were learning how to build curved brick
surfaces. So, if you’re an Erindale College alumni from the class of 1985, congrats, you’ve unwittingly created a wall that’s unparalleled throughout the world.
Now the Brick Banks are preserved for posterity alongside other Canberra icons such as the Civic Merry-go-round and Yarralumla Woolshed.
If you’re wondering why a plain brick wall is historically significant, ask vice president of Canberra Skateboarding Association, Woody (Brenden Wood), who nominated the site for heritage listing almost a decade ago.
“Erindale Banks are unparallelled throughout the world in terms of their uniqueness and profile in the skateboarding community,” Woody said.
“They were not purpose built for skateboarding – they were built by local technical college students who were learning to construct curved brick surfaces, which required a high degree of creative and technical achievement for that period – but by chance they are ideal natural obstacles that could not be accurately replicated in a purpose built skate facility.”
International skateboarding champs visit Canberra, not for Questacon, but for the Brick Banks’ unique
design in height, angle, and steepness.
The Brick Banks somehow became Canberra’s “defacto” street skateboarding spot at a time when skateboarding’s popularity was in its infancy.
Eventually, the Brick Banks were converted into Erindale Skate Park in the early ‘90s and modern concrete skate park features were added. Today, the Brick Banks are the last remaining curved brick structures from the original Erindale College and library precinct.
“Erindale Banks are unique and iconic enough to have attracted international coverage in skateboarding media,” Woody said. “The Banks are world renowned and considered an Australian Skateboarding landmark. Erindale Banks are still visited today by many Australian and international professional skateboarders that tour the country, including a visit by the world famous Tony Hawk in 1988.”
In other news, the ACT Heritage Council has reworded the heritage listed windbreak at the Former CS & IR Experimental Station in Bradfield Street Downer.
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My mum used to listen to Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” which was also covered later by other artists, including Dolly Parton.
Downtown, or Civic, is perhaps what many of us first think about when we think of the Kurrajong electorate, as it includes the city centre of Canberra. But it is more than that: it goes up to Watson, Lyneham, Dickson, then out to Narrabundah and Oaks Estate in the east, and other inner north and south suburbs.
I spoke recently with Elizabeth Lee MLA, Member for Kurrajong, about the issues facing people in her electorate, and you can listen to her comments on the Bite-sized politics podcast.
She stressed the diversity of the electorate, including university students at the Australian National University, older suburbs with ageing infrastructure such as streetlighting and footpaths, heritage values and challenges, but in contrast to that is urban renewal and densification, which is bringing new life, and new challenges to the electorate.
Of particular note is Oaks Estate, which is Canberra’s oldest suburb.
Oaks Estate is a unique village that was originally part of Queanbeyan, but it was amalgamated into the ACT in 1911 when it was determined the ACT border should follow the railway line and not the river. It covers 40 hectares and is bound by the Molonglo River to
the north, the Canberra-Sydney railway line to the south, the Queanbeyan River to the east and the Oaks Estate Road to the west.
In May this year, following lobbying from the Oaks Estate Residents Association, the ACT Legislative Assembly acknowledged the complex challenges facing the community, including socioeconomic disadvantage, poor health outcomes and geographic isolation. In response, it passed a resolution to develop a five-year strategic plan with actions to address the issues contributing to long-term disadvantage for residents. Although the motion passed unanimously, the subtext is that the Liberals, Greens and independents worked together to push the Labor government to finally commit to meaningful action for Oaks Estate.
According to the Oaks Estate Strategic Plan, which was developed
as a result of the Assembly resolution, around 375 people were living in Oaks Estate at the time of the 2021 Census, with a median age of 40, and a population made up of roughly 60% men and 40% women.
There were 160 dwellings in Oaks Estate, including 18 unoccupied dwellings. A third of the dwellings were separate houses (54), and the balance were semi-detached or apartments. More than half of the occupied dwellings (52%) were either owned outright (26) or owned with a mortgage (48). The Commissioner for Social Housing owns 77 dwellings (48%) in Oaks Estate, which provides housing for an estimated 17% of the people living in the suburb.
Will the Strategic Plan bring better services to Oaks Estate? We can be hopeful, but my own level of cynicism means I won’t be holding my breath.
Talpa Estate combines elevated views, peaceful surrounds and outstanding connectivity to Googong, Queanbeyan and Canberra. Talpa’s thoughtfully designed blocks offer the flexibility to create a home that suits your lifestyle whether you’re upsizing, planning for multi-generational living or embracing the outdoors with space to grow.
One lucky shopper will celebrate Christmas in style, taking home a brand-new Haval Jolion Lux thanks to South.Point’s festive giveaway.
Christmas at South.Point is set to be bigger, brighter, and more memorable than ever, with the launch of a major festive giveaway that is already turning heads. In partnership with National Capital Motors, South. Point is o ering shoppers the chance to take home an extraordinary present this Christmas Eve: a brand-new 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Lux, complete with paid stamp duty and 12 months registration.
This generous prize is part of the centre’s Win a Car Christmas Giveaway, running from 1 to 24 December, designed to bring excitement, nostalgia, and a touch of magic to the holiday season. Entry is simple: shoppers who spend $90 or more in participating stores during the promotional period can present their receipt at the Concierge Desk to go into the draw. A second prize, a children’s Ride-On Lamborghini, will also be awarded, ensuring younger drivers don’t miss out on the festive fun.
What makes this year’s giveaway particularly special is the attention to detail in the prize display. Both the Jolion Lux and the Ride-On Lamborghini have been wrapped to resemble nostalgic Matchbox cars, turning Centre Court into a striking visual moment. The display has already become one of the most photographed features in the centre, o ering a playful nod to childhood memories while anchoring the festive campaign in warmth and familiarity. For many visitors, spotting the giant matchbox-style displays has become a highlight in itself.
A festive season filled with wonder South.Point has long been known for its commitment to creating joyful and inclusive community experiences, and this Christmas is no exception. Beyond the major prize draw, the centre has been
transformed into a welcoming festive hub with activities and attractions designed for families, young children, and shoppers alike.
Santa Photography continues in Centre Court, o ering families the opportunity to capture timeless Christmas memories. Sensitive Santa sessions provide a calmer environment for children who need a little extra comfort, while pet-friendly sessions allow furry family members to be part of the celebration. Bookings are essential and available via the South. Point website.
From 18 to 24 December, children can channel their creativity at the Christmas Craft Station opposite Big W. This activity zone runs daily from 10am to 1pm, featuring hands-on experiences such as bauble decorating, cookie designing, and a rotation of festive art projects. The craft station is designed to be approachable and enjoyable for kids of all ages.
Adding to the atmosphere is a series of live Christmas performances from local community groups.
The Tuggeranong Salvo Brass Ensemble will perform each Saturday leading up to Christmas, filling the centre with classic carols between 10am and 12pm. The Tuggeranong Salvo Acapella Group also features in the line-up, performing on Sunday 21 December and Tuesday 23 December, bringing their signature harmonies to the heart of the centre.
Shoppers can also expect to see Mrs Claus roaming the centre from 18 to 24 December, delighting families with stories, conversation, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Her visits run between 11am and 2pm daily and have become a beloved tradition among regular South.Point visitors.
Giving back this Christmas
In the spirit of generosity, South.Point is proudly supporting The Salvation Army through its annual
Giving Tree initiative. Shoppers are invited to donate new, unwrapped gifts or non-perishable food items to support families experiencing hardship this holiday season. The Giving Tree is located opposite Target, making it easy for visitors to contribute as part of their shopping trip. Additional donations can also be dropped o at the Concierge Desk.
The centre is also hosting the Kambah Lions Club gift-wrapping station near Centre Court throughout the festive period. For a gold coin donation, shoppers can have their gifts beautifully wrapped, with all proceeds going directly to local community programs. It’s a simple way to save time while giving back to a meaningful cause.
A Christmas celebration for the whole community Every year, South.Point commits to delivering a Christmas program that blends fun, family-friendly activities with genuine community support. This year’s Win a Car Giveaway and nostalgic matchbox-style display o er a new layer of delight, giving shoppers a reason to visit, explore, and enjoy.
Whether doing your Christmas shopping, the Santa photos, a moment of Christmas crafting, or simply to take a photo beside the giant matchbox-wrapped prizes, the centre invites everyone to share in the festive spirit.
The major prize draw will take place in Centre Court at 2 pm on 24 December, and the winner will be contacted immediately following the announcement. With the Jolion Lux ready to hit the road, the lucky shopper will finish 2025 in style and start the new year with a brand-new set of wheels.
For full giveaway Terms and Conditions, visit www. southpointcanberra.com.au
Cnr Anketell and Reed Streets, Tuggeranong ACT 2900
T: 02 6293 1000
E: marketingmanager@southpointcanberra.com.au
W: www.southpointcanberra.com.au
with BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD
It seems to me the federal government would probably have preferred to do a deal with the LNP rather than the Greens to get their new Environment Protection Bill through the Senate last week, but the LNP appears to have missed a great opportunity to help create sensible legislation that would protect Australia’s long-term economic interests. To me, the critical element was the section allowing for fast-tracking important projects,
including new coal and gas projects. Even this government recognises the need to fast-track new gas projects, especially as gas is the main transition fuel that will keep the lights on during the government’s shift to renewables.
As a result of the LNP dropping the ball on this, we now have a situation where only renewable projects can be fast-tracked, while any new gas or coal projects will be subject to the usual lawfare attempts and delays by radical green groups seeking to block new developments — particularly those aimed at expanding our gas supply.
This means disastrous wind turbine and solar developments on arable land and in pristine woodland and forest areas that are home to many ecosystems and endangered animals like koalas can now be fast-tracked, with genuine objections
e ectively ignored in the process.
I wrote some time ago about how the LNP needs to handle the Senate. If Labor’s legislation is better than what the Greens are o ering, then pass it — if necessary, in its entirety. I’m sure that in this particular bill, had the LNP supported it with the gas and coal fast-tracking provisions intact, they could have negotiated other concessions from the government to improve di erent sections. Had they taken that approach, we would have ended up with far better legislation than what ultimately passed.
In the ACT Assembly, we would often object to a Labor bill but still allow it through, as it was better than nothing.
On another note, it was interesting to see Barnaby Joyce’s antics last week.
He is a very popular local
politician in the bush, and I have generally always liked his politics. My late wife was a great fan of his as well. However, although I played several Parliamentary Rugby games with him, I never really got to know him well for some reason.
Whatever Barnaby chooses to do — remain as an independent, join One Nation, or return to the Nationals after a sabbatical — doesn’t matter too much, so long as he votes with the Coalition on critical matters.
As for the LNP, I think they would be foolish to get rid of Sussan Ley. Aside from a few mistakes, she appears to be getting some runs on the board, and if the party gets behind her — much like the local Liberals seem to have rallied behind new leader Mark Parton — they may surprise themselves and perform far better than many people expect.
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BY FERDINAND VON SCHIRACH 26 NOVEMBER- 18 DECEMBER
For most Canberrans, Christmas is a time for family and celebration, but for those spending the break in hospital, Christmas can feel very different.
That’s why global fitness leader Viva Leisure has once again joined Canberra Hospitals Foundation’s GIVEMAS campaign, pledging to kickstart festive giving for children and adults in hospital over Christmas.
Hiit Republic National Manager Emma Stockbridge, part of the wider Viva Leisure group, says GIVEMAS is something both staff and members look forward to each year, “Canberra Hospital touches the lives of so many Canberrans
at some stage. Being part of the Giving Tree is our way of giving back to a place that supports countless local families.”
Across Viva Leisure’s Club Lime gyms and hiit republic studios, members have been donating a colourful mix of gifts, including puzzle books and journals, personal care sets, LEGO and beautifully handmade items.
“There’s a noticeable shift in the atmosphere the moment the Giving Trees go up,” Emma Stockbridge says, “Members and families across our community love taking part in choosing gifts to donate, and it creates a truly heartwarming sense of generosity.”
For Viva Leisure staff, delivering the collected gifts to the Canberra Hospital is a cherished annual event, “The hospital staff are always so appreciative, and we often share a few happy tears together.”
Canberrans who want to participate in GIVEMAS can:
• Adopt- a- ward to support a specific hospital unit
by JACOB SHTEYMAN, AAP
Governments of both persuasions have too often appointed friends to cushy board roles in recent years, evoking perceptions of nepotism and eroding public trust, a damning report has found.
The long-awaited review by former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs, which the government had sat on for two years before releasing it on Tuesday, recommended an end to politicised appointments and a move to an independent, meritbased process.
But the government snubbed the report’s 30 recommendations, instead releasing a seven-point framework which reinforces that ministers “have flexibility to implement selection processes suitable for sourcing the best candidates for appointments within their portfolio”.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher accused the former coalition government of overseeing a “jobs for mates” culture when she announced the review to strengthen the integrity of appointments in 2023.
The review found both the coalition and Labor have been guilty of appointing friends of the government to boards, “either as a reward for past loyalty or to ensure alignment with government priorities”.
• Donate to Canberra Hospitals Foundation Christmas Appeal, or
• Place a gift under a Giving Tree at participating Viva Leisure locations around Canberra.
Visit canberrahospitalfoundation. org.au/givemas wish lists and more information about how you can give back this GIVEMAS.
“All too often these appointments have looked like forms of patronage and nepotism that should have no place in the modern Australian society,” Ms Briggs wrote.
She found that even though only six to seven per cent of all board appointments could be described as political, as many as half were direct appointments by the minister.
That raised the perception among the public that all ministerial appointments were political and “contributed to a climate where public trust in government has been undermined”.
“In and of itself, that is a cause for concern in our Westminster system of government,” Ms Briggs said.
She recommended putting the appointment process at arms length of ministers by legislating consistent, independent standards for recruitment.
Politicians and staffers should be banned from being appointed within six months of leaving government positions and ministers should not be allowed from making direct appointments six months before an election, she advocated.
The extent to which ministers “gifted” positions to loyal followers in the dying days of a government was “shameless”, widely frowned upon by the public and brought governments into disrepute.
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Fiftieth anniversaries are normally golden — but for Canberra Potters, the leading ceramic arts organisation in the ACT, clay’s the thing.
Founded in 1975 by 13 graduates of the Canberra School of Art, the organisation, based at the Watson Arts Centre, has grown from a small support network into a fully integrated ceramics centre, with workshops, teaching studios, a glazing room, electric and gas kilns, a gallery, a retail shop, and accommodation for artists in residence.
“We are one of the few ceramic-specific organisations in Australia that offer this diversity of activity in one space,” says CEO Jessi England. “There’s a beautiful community that exists around it. Artists and teachers are very generous with their knowledge. There’s a lot of sharing of practice — coming together to fire, even to make together.”
Pottery is one of the oldest mediums and practices, going back thousands of years, Ms
England explains. Both its uses (functional, sculptural, conceptual) and methods (clays, glazes, firing techniques) are incredibly diverse:
“A huge amount of skill, science, and artistry happens in that form.”
To mark its 50th anniversary, the organisation has completed a new kiln shed, supported by ACT Government infrastructure funding.
TV shows like The Great Pottery Throw Down have made the broader public interested in pottery, and Canberra Potters is a place to learn the art. It runs 28 to 30 classes each week, as well as master classes, short courses, and intensives, catering for beginners through to advanced ceramicists.
“You can really just have a play, dip your hand in, have a bit of fun, learn something new, do something with your friends, even, or by yourself,” Ms England said. “If it’s something that interests you, you can continue to learn, whatever level you’re at — you can grow and develop, or just play.”
Not only is pottery creative, it is also calming
and enhances one’s wellbeing, Ms England believes.
“It’s a wonderful activity to work with your hands, your mind, your imagination. The art of being focused, learning, making is very grounding and connecting. If you’re doing something on the wheel, you have to be focused, otherwise you’re going to make a mess everywhere!”
Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson, open Tuesday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm. For more information, visit canberrapotters.com.au
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by NICHOLAS FULLER
ACT community organisations say they cannot keep up with rising demand as ACT Government funding fails to match the real cost of delivering essential services in the cost-of-living crisis.
The 2025 State of the ACT Community Sector Survey — released on Friday 28 November by ACTCOSS — found that cost-of-living pressures are driving more Canberrans to seek help for housing, food, energy bills, mental health, and family violence.
Four in five community organisations rely on ACT Government funding, and nearly three in five now identify it as their most important income source — up sharply from 39 per cent in 2022.
But only 7 per cent say their funding allows them to employ enough staff to meet demand, and just 9 per cent consider their arrangements sustainable.
ACTCOSS CEO Dr Devin Bowles said: “The ACT community sector is doing everything it can to deliver essential services to Canberrans, but it is
being asked to do more with less…
“The current funding model is not keeping pace with rising costs, growing demand, or the need for workforce stability.”
The survey found that 83 per cent of organisations experienced increased demand in 2024. More than half reported longer waiting times, while 52 per cent had more clients they could not support.
Poverty and disadvantage also surged, rising from 56 per cent in 2022 to 82 per cent in 2024.
The top three drivers of demand are cost of living (84 per cent); access to affordable housing/ homelessness (81 per cent); and lack of mental health support (71 per cent).
Dr Bowles said urgent investment was needed to prevent vulnerable Canberrans being left without support.
“At a time when the ACT Government is investing billions in built infrastructure, like the tram extension and theatre, our community’s social infrastructure
is fraying,” he said. “The ACT Government should increase its investment in social infrastructure through the community sector. If it does not, it risks having a city with shiny new transport and buildings filled with socially isolated, lonely people.”
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson said the findings showed the strain on the sector was “entirely predictable” during a cost-of-living and housing crunch.
“We can’t keep expecting community organisations to deliver more with less,” he said.
“The strain on our community services sector is reaching breaking point. If the sector collapses, it’ll be the ACT Government that’s on the hook to step in and deliver those services.
“We can all see the growing gap in our community between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’. A truly progressive jurisdiction would show more urgency in addressing that gap by investing sufficiently in social services.”
Mr Emerson said he would continue pushing for long-term, sustainable funding. His supply-andconfidence agreement with ACT Labor includes a review of sector funding ahead of the 2025–26 Budget.
The ACT Government has been asked for comment.
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by JACOB SHTEYMAN, AAP
Barnaby Joyce is being touted as a possible future leader of One Nation as the former Nationals MP weighs whether to join the minor party.
Following weeks of speculation, the New England MP last week announced his resignation from the rural party to sit as an independent.
He confirmed he was “strongly considering” making a return to the Senate and teaming up with
Pauline Hanson in One Nation amid a breakdown in his relationship with current Nationals leader David Littleproud.
Mr Joyce could eventually replace Senator Hanson in the upper house, Redbridge Group director and former Victorian Labor strategist Kos Samaras said.
He said it was unlikely Mr Joyce’s resignation would have any significant long-term impact on his former party.
But the pollster said the coalition was facing an “existential challenge” among voters which required difficult and complex solutions.
“If One Nation starts to permanently drag support from the Liberal Party, but also the National Party, we could see a situation where it starts to be competitive in the lower house, in regional areas,” he said.
Given Senator Hanson’s poor retention rate of elected representatives, questions are being raised about the potential political marriage’s longevity before it has even begun.
Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack had
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some doubts.
“That’ll be an interesting sort of clash of heads between two very much out there people in Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce. Is there enough room in One Nation for those two?” he said.
Earlier this week, Senator Hanson wooed Mr Joyce in her parliamentary office over a dinner of steak - seared on a sandwich press - pasta, salad and berry pie.
While the pair appeared to be hitting it off, Senator Hanson has more often than not fallen out with other One Nation representatives.
In the federal parliament, Malcolm Roberts remains the only long-term One Nation senator not to have defected from the party Senator Hanson started and that up until recently bore her name.
Former Liberal adviser David Gazard, now director of DPG Advisory Solutions, said Mr Joyce joining One Nation would be “the greatest train wreck of all time”.
“They are two figures that both want to lead and they won’t back down,” he told ABC News.
“Barnaby is about Barnaby and Pauline is about Pauline.”
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told ABC News she hoped Mr Joyce did not join One Nation, saying it was a party of protest and he would be unable to deliver political change there.
COTA ACT is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Positive Ageing Awards, celebrating the people, organisations, and services making Canberra a great place to grow older.
The awards recognise the contributions of seniors, community groups, businesses, and advocates who go above and beyond to support, include, and celebrate older people in our community. Categories include:
• The LDK Senior Achiever Award – celebrating the resilience and contributions of individual seniors.
• ActewAGL Positive Ageing Award for Diversity & Inclusion – recognising those creating welcoming, inclusive environments for seniors of all backgrounds.
• ACT Seniors Card Positive Ageing Award for Aged Care Businesses and Services –honouring businesses and services that deliver
exceptional care and support.
• LiveUp Positive Ageing Award for Education and Activity – highlighting initiatives that keep seniors informed, active, and connected.
• ACT Human Rights Commission Positive Ageing Award for Social Justice and Advocacy – acknowledging champions of seniors’ rights, dignity, and wellbeing.
• COTA ACT Outstanding Service Award – celebrating those who provide trusted, compassionate service that goes above and beyond.
COTA ACT CEO Jenny Mobbs said the awards are an opportunity to showcase the positive impact that older people and their supporters make every day in the ACT.
“These awards highlight the creativity, resilience, and generosity of our senior community, and the many individuals and organisations who are working to ensure ageing is a positive
Celebrating positive ageing in Canberra.
experience for all Canberrans.”
Nominations are open now until 31 October with winners to be announced at the 2025 Positive Ageing Awards Ceremony in November For more information or to submit a nomination, visit cotaact.org.au/events/awards
‘Didn’t get it right’:
by ANDREW BROWN
The head of the Bureau of Meteorology admits the agency did not properly rollout its controversial website overhaul, but is defending
the massive cost blowout.
Bureau chief executive Stuart Minchin faced a grilling at a late-night Senate estimates hearing on Monday after the organisation came under mounting pressure for its website redesign.
The original price tag of the change was $4.1 million, but was later revealed to be $96 million.
The bureau’s website, one of the most visited in Australia, has also faced criticism of not being as user friendly and not properly indicating the severity of storms.
Dr Minchin said the website redesign was part of a broader $866 million security and technology upgrade at the bureau dating back to 2015, with cost blowouts blamed on COVID and inflation.
“This cost reflects a significant investment required to fully rebuild all the layers of technology and system that underpins the website we needed to make sure it is secure and stable and can draw in the huge amounts of
data gathered from our observing network,” he told the hearing.
“However, the response to the launch of the new BOM website shows that we didn’t get it right for some sectors of the community.”
While there have been calls from users of the website for the old version to return, Dr Minchin said the previous iteration was not without its faults.
“I don’t accept that the old website was perfect. The old website was well known by people, but it had many improvements to make. It was also insecure,” Dr Minchin said.
Greens senator Barbara Pocock said the cost blowouts were a nightmare.
“As a case study of how not to do something really important. We need to learn that lesson,” she said.
“This project has been a nightmare, Harvard case study in contract failure and management of contracts, failure of leadership and completely unacceptable and unethical behaviour by the very big consultants who have been at the trough through BOM.
“There’s been a massive feeding on the public sector by the big consulting firms.”
- AAP
by Wilson Au Yeung
Send us your best shot of the Canberra region and you could be featured.
Email your photo to news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘Through the Lens’ in the subject line and a description about your photo.
When four-year-old Fletcher met Santa, he asked for monster trucks, drawing stuff, and more time snuggling his mum, Ali.
For this little Canberra family, Christmas will be spent in hospital. Heartbreakingly, it might be Ali’s last.
Instead of tinsel and festive cheer, Ali’s days will be marked by nurses, medical equipment and quiet hope for just one more good day with her boy.
Ali is the reason GIVEMAS matters.
In August, out of the blue, Ali became violently unwell, “Relentless vomiting,” she recalls. “I thought I must’ve had really bad food poisoning.”
The reality was far more devastating. Stage 4 signet ring cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive gastric cancer known for its near-silent progression, “It’s savage,” Ali says. “By the time it gets diagnosed, it’s usually too late.”
Looking back, she can see the subtle signs, like weight loss, fatigue and recurring irritable bowel syndrome. But as a newly single mum navigating
emotional upheaval, every symptom seemed easy to explain.
Now undergoing treatment and spending long stretches in hospital, Ali has found incredible support and care in the staff on Wards 10A and 14B, “They are a unique breed of special,” she says. “They have all made Fletcher and I feel cared for.”
These are exactly the moments Canberra Hospitals Foundation seeks to create through GIVEMAS.
Ensuring Ali and all Canberrans spending Christmas in hospital, feel support, comfort and care. GIVEMAS will guarantee Santa brings that monster truck Fletcher asked for.
When Ali is asked what she hopes her boy will remember from this time, her voice is quiet, “That he was loved so very much by his mummy.”
Ali has asked all Canberrans to embrace GIVEMAS this year, “Be generous with what you can, whether it’s money, your time or your care. It makes a real difference.”
‘Make the platforms safer’: What young people really think about the social media ban
by KIM OSMAN, LYNROSE JANE GENON AND MICHAEL DEZUANNI
From next Wednesday, thousands of young Australians under 16 will lose access to their accounts across ten social media platforms, as the teen social media ban takes effect.
What do young people think about it?
Our team of 14 leading researchers from around the country interviewed 86 young people from around Australia, aged between 12 and 15, to find out. Young people’s voices matter
The social media ban, which was legislated 12 months ago, has attracted considerable media coverage and controversy.
But largely missing from these conversations has been the voices of young people themselves.
This is a problem, because research shows that including young people’s voices is best practice for developing policy that upholds their rights, and allows them to flourish in a digital world.
There’s also evidence that when it comes to public policy concerning young people and their use of technology, discussion often slips into a familiar pattern of moral panic. This view frames young people as vulnerable and in need of protection, which can lead to sweeping “fixes” without strong evidence of
effectiveness.
‘My parents don’t really understand’ Our new research, published today, centres the voices of young people.
We asked 86 12–15-year-olds from around Australia what they think about the social media ban and the kinds of discussions they’ve had about it. We also asked them how they use social media, what they like and don’t like about it, and what they think can be done to make it better for them.
Some young people we spoke to didn’t use social media, some used it every now and then, and others were highly active users. But they felt conversations about the ban treated them all the same and failed to acknowledge the diverse ways they use social media.
Many also said they felt adults misunderstood their experiences. As one 13-year-old boy told us:
I think my parents don’t really understand, like they only understand the bad part not the good side to it.
Young people acknowledge that others may have different experiences to them, but they feel adults focus too much on risks, and not enough on the ways social media can be useful.
Many told us they use social media to learn, stay
informed, and develop skills. As one 15-year-old girl said, it also helps with hobbies.
Even just how to like do something or like how to make something, I’ll turn to social media for it.
Social media also helps young people find communities and make connections. It is where they find their people.
For some, it offers the representation and understanding they don’t get offline. It is a space to explore their identity, feel affirmed, and experience a sense of belonging they cannot always access in their everyday lives.
One 12-year-old girl told us:
The ability to find new interests and find community with people. This is quite important to me. I don’t have that many queer or neurodivergent friends – some of my favourite creators are queer.
Their social media lives are complex and they feel like the ban is an overly simplistic response to the issues and challenges they face when using social media. As one 12-year-old boy put it:
Banning [social media] fully just straight up makes it a lot harder than finding a solution to the problem […] it’s like taking the easy solution.
So what do they think can be done to make social media a better place for them?
Nuanced restrictions and better education
Young people are not naive about risks. But most don’t think a one-size-fits-all age restriction is the solution. A 14-year-old boy captured the views of many who would rather see platforms crack down on inappropriate and low-quality content:
I think instead of doing like a kids’ version and adult version, there should just be a crackdown on the content, like tighter restrictions and stronger enforcement towards the restrictions.
They also want to see more nuanced restrictions that respond to their different ages, and believe platforms should be doing more to make social media better for young people. As one 13-year-old boy said: Make the platforms safer because they’re like the person who can have the biggest impact.
Young people also want to see more – and crucially, better – education about using social media that takes a more holistic approach and considers the positives that using social media can have for young people. One 15-year-old boy said:
I’d rather [the government] just like implement more media literacy programs instead of just banning [social media] altogether, because it just makes things a lot more complicated in the long run.
As the teen social media ban edges closer and platforms start to implement the legislation, there are practical things children and teens can do to prepare for these changes.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article at theconversation.com/au
Experience the new Lexus LBX compact SUV. Enjoy a luxurious cabin with a 9.8-inch multimedia display, 18" alloy wheels , Lexus Connected Services, and wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay.
All proceeds support Ronald McDonald House ACT & South East NSW families of sick and injured children.
by GEORGIA CURRY
Burly tradesmen working in Hume, Mitchell and Fyshwick are befriending street cats during “smoko”, giving them pet names, food and a morale boost to Canberra Street Cat Alliance.
As the Canberra Street Cat Alliance launches its new premises in Crace, these rough-sleeping felines are dispelling the myth that street cats are “feral” or “pests”.
They’re just like your domestic cat – except homeless. Official legislation labels them “domestic unowned” or “semi-socialised”.
If you accompany Street Cat Alliance volunteers to Canberra’s industrial areas, you’ll find more than 90% are fostered, but a few “loners” are trapped, neutered and returned or sent to the “barn cat program” for unsocialised cats (cats are placed in barns or warehouses to help with rodent control).
But street cats still have an image problem and Vanessa Parton, president of Canberra Street Cat Alliance, is setting the record straight.
“Our mission is to humanely reduce the population of street cats in Canberra and the surrounding region,” she said.
“We work in commercial and industrial spaces and a lot of these businesses want the cats back for rodent control. They’ve also got existing relationships ... I go out and assess all the trapping jobs and you’ve got these big burly tradesmen saying ‘Oh, you’re going to bring him back, aren’t you? Lamington sits with me when I have my smoko.’”
Canberra cat colonies are given theme names such as a bakery colony called “crust”, “tart” and “loaf”; or a soft-drink colony litter called “Fanta”, “Sprite” and “Pepsi Cola”.
“So if anything happens and they’re trapped and taken to RSPCA, they ring me and say, ‘we’ve got Lexus’, we know exactly where Lexus is from because we’ve got a car colony,” Vanessa said.
“I love going out to the colonies at feeding time because you just see this swarm of cats come in to the people that they know and trust. These workers bring in cat food, some businesses have got kennels and beautiful little outdoor enclosures set up for their cats.”
Saturday 6 December @ 2.00 pm
More than 3,000 street cats have been fostered/de-sexed by the Canberra Street Cat Alliance since it started in 2014.
“That’s tens of thousands of cats that have been prevented from being born to a life on the street,” Vanessa said.
For the past 10 years, Canberra Street Cat Alliance has operated out of a storage shed in Queanbeyan.
Now, their new premises at Crace Business Park have a public shopfront to streamline intake, de-sexing and adoptions, with a capacity for 70 cats.
“Here is just a dream come true,” Vanessa said.
Street cats in the program are micro-chipped to Vanessa, who takes ownership of every cat.
“I think I own about 400 cats,” she said.
But there’s no money in it. Vanessa averages $180,000 in vet bills each year.
“My adoption fee is $375 for a kitten, $250 for an adult cat,” she said.
“My vet bills to de-sex a female cat is anywhere from $350 to $650, so I take a loss on every single cat that we help.”
Canberra Street Cat Alliance depends entirely on donations and volunteers (“street angels”), of which there’s a core group of 50.
Next on Vanessa’s wish list is her own vet clinic dedicated to street cats (the cost to de-sex cats has more than doubled over the past three years).
“We are working our bums off,” the retired public servant said. “I love what we do, I am so proud of this organisation and what we achieve. It keeps me off the streets.”
To make a donation or volunteer with Canberra Street Cat Alliance visit canberrastreetcatalliance.org or find them on Facebook.
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by WILLIAM TON
Antony Albanese is a prime minister of history.
He made history when he became the first Italian-Australian head of government.
He made history when he led his Labor party to a landslide election win in 2025, securing the most seats by a single party at an Australian federal poll.
He made history again on Saturday, becoming the first prime minister to tie the knot while in office.
Surrounded by family and close friends, Mr Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon at an intimate
ceremony at The Lodge in Canberra.
“We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends,” they said in a statement.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and wife Laura were among those on the guest list of about 60 people, which lacked any world leaders.
Other attending Labor figures included Tim Ayres, Tony Burke, Katy Gallagher, Penny Wong, Mark Butler, Richard Marles, Penny Sharpe and Jo Haylen.
“Quite informal, just a lovely outdoor setting. A very, very happy day,” Senator Gallagher said.
“They were very in love ... and a privilege to share it with them.”
Ms Haydon walked down the aisle with her parents Bill and Pauline by her side in an intricate long-sleeved white dress embellished with floral motifs by Sydney designer Romance was Born as Ben Folds song The Luckiest played.
Mr Albanese wore a black tuxedo from MJ Bale, and the pair exchanged self-written vows.
Their dog Toto did the ring-bearing honours, and Ms Haydon’s five-year-old niece Ella was flower girl.
Cheers erupted from the gardens soon after 4.30pm as the newlyweds walked back down the aisle hand in hand to Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).
Guests were treated to beer in a special can made by Willie the Boatman, whose brewery is in Mr Albanese’s electorate in Sydney’s inner west.
The pair cemented the occasion with their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s The Way You Look Tonight.
Senator Gallagher declined to answer who was “best on ground” but said the two-tier cake was “stunning” and the newlyweds enjoyed dancing into the evening.
“There was certainly a dance floor,” she said.
“As anyone who knows the PM and Jodie, they both love music, it’s one of the things that they share together and so, yes, there was very tailored music.
“They’ve been going out for five years, engaged probably for over a year, and we get to this point in the end of the parliamentary sitting where they can just get married and spend a little bit of time together before they get back into the madness of the job that the PM has.
“Hopefully they’re resting this morning.”
The occasion also brought well-wishes from those on the other side of Mr Albanese’s political aisle.
“I wish them every happiness as they continue building their lives together,” Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said.
Ms Haydon, who is head of strategic partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank, met Mr Albanese at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2019.
Mr Albanese proposed at The Lodge on Valentine’s Day in 2024, with a ring he helped design.
Earlier that year, the couple bought a cliff-top home overlooking the Central Coast’s Copacabana Beach for $4.3 million.
- AAP
GIVIT is an ACT Government partner working with an organisation that provides settlement services for migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants in the ACT region. They are seeking support for newly arrived family who are experiencing financial hardship. The mother has over 13 years of professional experience overseas but is struggling to rebuild her life in Australia. She is working part-time while her husband is completing an unpaid training program. They are finding their transition overwhelming and the children aged 10 and 13 are experiencing some depression. This organisation is seeking the donation of multiple goods to help them settle into life in Australia, including books and magazines for the children. Generous Canberrans can donate a books and magazines suitable for 10 and 13-year-olds or fund their purchase. 100% of your financial donation will be used to purchase what’s needed. To help please visit: GIVIT.org. au/what’s-needed, search; Location State: ‘ACT’, Keywords: ‘books and magazines - children’ and Suburb: ‘Reid, 2612’.
Relay for Life team the Bold Bandannas will hold a Christmas Charity Stall at Bunnings Majura on Saturday 6 December, 9:30am–4:30pm. Stock up for Christmas with homemade jams, pickles, marmalades, lemon butter, sugar-reduced preserves, hand-sewn items, children’s dress-up clothes, knitted and crocheted goods, and lace and knitted coat hangers. Christmas puddings, cakes, hampers, shortbread and rum balls will also be available. The team is the sole seller of the children’s book Who Took the Egg? — a great stocking filler. Enquiries: Jan 0451 679 220.
Market@The Meeting Place will hold a special Christmas sale on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December, 9:30am–1pm, at St Ninian’s, corner Mouat and Brigalow Streets, Lyneham. Browse Christmas gifts and decorations, quality second-hand clothing, bric-a-brac, household items, toys and books. Morning tea and lunch available.
The Friends of the ANU Classics Museum offer free public tours led by volunteer guides on the second Friday of each month, 11am–12pm, in the AD Hope Building. The next tour will be held on Friday 12 December. No booking required. Details: slll.cass.anu.edu.au/classics-museum.
The Canberra Stamp Market, organised by the Canberra Philatelic Society, will be held at the Kingston Baptist Community Hall, 11 Currie Street, on Saturday from 9am–2pm. Browse dealers from Canberra and interstate, along with the Society’s sales table, offering a wide range of stamps, coins and collecting accessories. Entry $2, with free raffle entry for a $50 Edlins voucher. All welcome.
Tuggeranong Sing Australia will present their LDK Christmas Concert on Monday 8 December in the Auditorium at Greenway Views, 260 Soward Way, Greenway. All are welcome to come along and sing favourite Christmas carols. Enquiries: Colleen 0478 599 631.
community noticeboard
email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field
The Greenway Probus Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30am–12:30pm, at the Vikings Town Centre Club, Greenway. Visitors are welcome to join the meeting, hear a guest speaker or take part in a social activity, and stay for lunch afterwards. The club also runs regular lunches, visits and trips. The first meeting for 2026 will be on Tuesday 13 January, with guest speaker Keith Potger of Seekers fame. Details: Graham 0407 821 616 or visit the club’s website.
The Christmas Lunch Meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 December, 11am–2pm, at the Vikings Town Centre Club, corner Athllon Drive and Rowland Rees Crescent. Enjoy entertainment by the Ukulele Band and Christmas hamper raffles. Cost: $36 for a two-course lunch. RSVP by 9am Friday 12 December to Sharron on 0422 799 913 or kupke@internode.on.net.
See in the New Year with family and friends at the New Year’s Eve Bush Dance on Wednesday 31 December from 8pm at the Yarralumla Woolshed, Cotter Road. Enjoy live music by Stringfiddle with calling by Don Richmond. No dance experience or bookings needed. Tickets via TryBooking or at the door: $35 general, discounts for members, groups and students, under 18s free. Tea, coffee and cordial provided; please bring a plate for a shared supper. Details: monarofolk.org.au/events/new-years-dance or 0413 295 004.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
It feels at times like love is a shared fiction that organises chaos into something narratively survivable. You still choose to play along. Not because you’re fooled, but because there’s something noble about participating in the myth while knowing it’s a myth.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
How you think of activities will matter greatly. If you see chores as duty, it’s different to seeing them as, say, a way of showing love to your family or an opportunity to connect with the people in your community. You’ll move with grace as you find the most empowering way to frame things.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)
1 In which year did Cyclone Tracy devastate Darwin during the 20th century?
2 Who wrote the highly controversial 1988 book, The Satanic Verses?
3 In relation to computers, what does the P in VPN stand for?
4 Battenberg cake originated in which country?
5 In 2010, who had a hit with the song, California Gurls?
One day, you miss a person, and the next you’re too busy trying to make things work without them to swim in the depths of that ache. There are many versions of a relationship still to come, all involving the presence or absence of people who will never again be who they were “back there”.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)
It’s absurd to expect your first idea of what to do or who to be to stay true forever. Keep trying new things without shame. Plan A? You left that one so long ago that you’re now in the LMNOP zone. But the alphabet is long, and there’s always a “next time won’t you sing with me?”
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
This week, you’ll be so good at giving attention to various people, spreading your energy around so everyone has a chance to feel seen. Balancing is only neat on paper. In life, it’s a series of awkward adjustments – a dance of complexity dedicated to the belief that people are worth it.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
You won’t force the cleverness. People don’t actually speak like movie characters, and it’s annoying when they try to. You’ll avoid the wasted work of performed communication. Instead, you’ll show up ready to give what people need most of all – room to be themselves.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)
You’re living proof of it – success belongs to the person who actually enjoys the habits that create it. Wealth builds for the person who likes saving or creating. Fitness is for the person who enjoys moving. You’re in love with a process, and the results are taking care of themselves.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)
Your income rises, giving you more options: where to live, what to buy, what work to take or decline, how to spend your time. Money expands your range of choices and flexibility. That’s the “freedom” part. Now it’s about keeping expenses below your income, which will reduce stress.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
You have raw powers of persuasion. You can use your influence to inspire, comfort, create, advocate, seduce or lead. Choose a goal worthy of you – one you’ll still feel proud of tomorrow and a thousand days from now. Then just let your voice, convic-tion and passion do the rest.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
You have a kind of inner argument going on with what is currently happening. Allow the moment to be what it is – sensations, emotions, imperfections and all. Acceptance will free you up mentally and emotionally, so you can finally see the reality you’re in and respond in a centred way.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
There’s much to accomplish this week, and it would be normal to feel overwhelmed about the work. It will help to design your life around easy beginnings rather than perfect moods. Instead of waiting until you feel like doing a thing, just lower the barrier to entry so your first move is easy.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
Desire – when what you want points you to what you need. You start out wanting a treat and end up realising that what you needed was the care of another. You chase beauty and find the purposefulness and meaning your heart was secretly aching for. Let your appetites lead you.
There’s something special about Christmas at the Fyshwick Markets. The early mornings, the buzz of shoppers fi lling their baskets, the smell of fresh seafood and baked goods; it’s a festive tradition Canberra has loved for more than 50 years.
This season, the Markets are once again your one-stop destination for everything you
need to create an unforgettable Christmas. With butchers, greengrocers, delis, seafood specialists, bakers, fl owers and boutique stores all in one convenient location, your festive shopping becomes easier, fresher and far more enjoyable.
Whether you’re planning the perfect glazed ham, a seafood feast, a stunning grazing board or simply stocking up on fresh summer produce, the Markets’ long-standing local traders are ready to help you make it special. You’ll fi nd premium cuts of meat, vibrant seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and pastries, handmade treats, fresh blooms for your table and so much more; all sourced with care and delivered with the friendly service the Markets are known for.
And because we know the lead-up to Christmas can be hectic, the Fyshwick Markets make the experience simple and stress-free. There’s tonnes of free parking, easy access
throughout the precinct, and plenty of spots to grab a co ee or bite to eat while you shop. Spend the morning gathering everything on your list, enjoy the atmosphere, then head home ready to celebrate.
To make Christmas shopping even easier, the Markets will be open every day from Thursday 18 December, with extended early openings: 6am on the 22nd and 5am on the 23rd and 24th; perfect for early risers, seafood lovers and anyone wanting to beat the rush.
This festive season, shop local, support Canberra traders, and experience the magic of Christmas at the Fyshwick Markets.
Merry Christmas from the Fyshwick Markets 36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609 W: fyshwickmarkets.com.au
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM THURS DEC 18 - CHRISTMAS
MON 22: 6AM - 5.30PM TUE 23: 5AM - 5.30PM WED 24: 5AM UNTIL CLOSE
CLOSED FROM DEC 25 - JAN 1 REOPEN ON JAN 2, 2026
At the Reindeers’ Retreat, every gift tells a deeper story.
Canberra’s home of Christmas magic is more than a festive store — it’s a social enterprise built on heart, connection and the belief that Christmas can change lives. Founded by Adele and Pene, the Narrabundah wonderland blends festive joy with meaningful purpose, o ering a place where lights and laughter sit alongside real opportunities for people overcoming hardship.
Each hamper and Christmas treasure is hand-packed by their team of elves — young people from vulnerable backgrounds, including survivors of domestic violence and people with intellectual or physical disabilities. Through mentoring, coaching and hands-on experience, they build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging. When shoppers choose a gift here, they’re not just ticking o a list; they’re helping create pathways to independence, stability and self-worth.
From luxury pamper sets to elegant Portmeirion Christmas ceramics, from men’s grooming kits to gourmet foodie packs, from adorable kids’ baskets to their signature Summer Santa Pamper Hampers, the range is designed to bring joy at every price point. With gifts starting at just $10 and reaching up to $150, it’s one of Canberra’s biggest and most meaningful festive collections.
Looking for something personal?
The team can tailor a custom hamper to any budget or style, complete with complimentary gift wrapping. It’s an easy and heartfelt option for teachers, colleagues, neighbours, Secret Santas or anyone who deserves something thoughtful under the tree.
Every purchase supports a community of young people rewriting their stories, one beautifully wrapped gift at a time.
Beautiful gifts that give back.
Principal Adviser / Founder
PSS, CSS, MSBS and DFRDB Specialist
“My practice focuses on providing advice to people nearing retirement, Australian public servants and anyone with a membership of government or military defined benefit schemes”
Phone: 0422 354 617
Email: serhan@canberraadvice.com.au
Website: www.canberraadvice.com.au
This week, Jeff Popple reviews three fascinating new history books. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Kill Your Boss by Jack Health
Allen & Unwin, $34.99
The most appropriate present for all office workers this year is the entertaining novel, Kill Your Boss, by Canberra author Jack Heath. When a body falls from the roof of the Warrigal Public Library, Detective Sergeant Kiara Lui hopes to quickly identify the killer trapped in the locked building. However, their victim, the head of library services, was hated by everyone, forcing Kiara to uncover which of his abused employees finally snapped. Heath continues to impress with another clever Australian mystery. Combining a captivating narrative with over-the-top characters, this is a guaranteed hit for all crime fiction fans this Christmas.
Text Publishing, $34.99
Any fantasy lover will be extremely happy to find The Strength of the Few under their tree. After the events of the previous novel, Vis Telimus continues his infiltration of the Hierarchy. However, as Vis attempts to survive cutthroat politics, he is unaware that the labyrinth has replicated himself across two other worlds. Now, each version of Vis must uncover their respective world’s secrets if they are to avert catastrophe. Australian author James Islington presents one of the best fantasy novels of 2025. Filled with intricate detail and an expansive and addictive narrative, this is a gift that readers won’t be able to put down.
Headline, $34.99
Office: Suite 258, 44 Constitution Avenue Parkes ACT 2600
All historical fiction buffs will appreciate the latest Eagles of the Empire novel, Tyrant of Rome. AD 63. After defeating Boudica, Prefect Cato is hoping to retire. Instead, Emperor Nero assigns him to command Rome’s Urban Cohorts. Drafting his old friend Centurion Macro, Cato attempts to bring order to the chaotic city. But with plots and disasters stirring up the mob, can Cato and Macro survive this new, dangerous battlefield? Scarrow continues to showcase why he is the top author of Roman historical fiction. Tyrant of Rome is an exciting novel full of historical combat and diabolical politics. Highly recommended.
by DENHOLM SAMARAS
I love it when a Hollywood movie about Hollywood is done well, think Singin’ in the Rain, Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood, or even Tropic Thunder to name a few.
With movie stars fast becoming an endangered species at risk of extinction, writer-director Noah
Baumbach’s Jay Kelly feels very of its time.
So, who do you cast as a veteran A-lister who is beloved by the public but a pariah to his family and loved ones after sacrificing those relationships in his dogged pursuit of success?
There are a few actors to whom it might hit a bit close to home. Brad
Pitt, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey all come to mind.
Known for playing the silkyvoiced, silver-tongued silver fox he’s built his movie stardom upon, George Clooney has also demonstrated range playing a ham idiot for the Coen Brothers in O’ Brother Where Art Thou?, Intolerable Cruelty, Burn After Reading and Hail, Caesar, or a competent, bitter, burnt-out career man in Michael Clayton and Up in the Air
The latter archetype taps into a loneliness and introspective sadness that, combined with the baggage that comes 30-odd years on the A-list, makes him a terrific meta-casting as the titular Jay Kelly.
Pitched as a two-hander with Adam Sandler, I was excited to see the Sandman opposite Clooney and working with writer-director Noah Baumbach again in a more serious turn.
I think it’s a technically great performance. It’s a more restrained
Sandler, actively capping his natural charisma and humour.
An interesting and appropriate choice playing Kelly’s goodhearted, hardworking, if sycophantic manager Ron.
From a filmmaking perspective, Baumbach takes a few moments to flex his craft, doing so tastefully and in service of the story.
The 132-minute runtime feels a touch long, though it never drags. Ultimately, it didn’t fully connect for me; it’s clear where the film is heading quite early in the piece, and while the moral exploration is satisfying, the story does little to surprise or excite.
Jay Kelly is on Netflix from 5 December.
Verdict: Sad Clooney is perfectly cast in this meditation on regret, isolation, and the price of fame and success. Some great filmmaking on show too but I wish Sandler’s character was better drawn and the story more surprising.
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Voluntary assisted dying recently became legal in the ACT: “A compassionate and dignified option” for Canberrans “experiencing intolerable suffering near the end of their lives”, human rights minister Tara Cheyne MLA said.
Many believe that people with terminal illnesses or other medical conditions have the right to die with dignity, to avoid unnecessary pain, to exit life as themselves.
But what if a physically healthy person wishes to die? Can suicide be justified as an autonomous right? Should a doctor assist them? Under what circumstances can you help a person take their own life? Does the state have to enable self-determined dying? Who decides on our death? To whom does our life belong?
And what would YOU decide?
Those are the questions posed by Ferdinand von Schirach’s God, opening at the Mill Theatre at Dairy Road next month — a successor to last year’s sell-out Terror
“With voluntary assisted dying coming into effect in the ACT this month, it felt like the right time for this play,” director Lexi Sekuless said. “What’s happened is a massive change — for the medical profession, for end-of-life options…
“It’s difficult when law and legislators put things in place that aren’t in step with the majority of society, or put in so many safeguards and compromises to appease everyone that neither side is happy. Those are the discussions I hope this show will spark.”
Terror asked whether killing can be justified to save many lives (a fighter pilot shoots down a hijacked plane about to crash into a football stadium). But where Terror examines the state killing for protection, God deals with the state refusing to allow assistance in dying. Where Terror offers a clean moral dilemma, God is morally tangled.
Frau Gärtner (Heidi Silberman), 70 years old, lost her husband after 45 years of marriage; without him, she feels like only half a person, and wants to die. She is not unwell, only weary of living.
With her application for a fatal drug (pentobarbital) to end her life rejected, she appeals to the Ethics Council, whose task, its Chair (Jay James Moody) explains, “is to ask challenging questions in public and to promote thoughtful discussion”.
Three expert witnesses — a judge (Helen McFarlane), a doctor (Timmy Sekuless), and a bishop (Richard Manning) — testify, questioned alternately by Frau Gärtner’s barrister (Alana Denham Preston) and by an ethics councillor (Maxine Beaumont) opposed to voluntary assisted dying.
How the play ends, how the case is resolved, whether Frau Gärtner lives or dies, is up to the audience: they are not merely passive spectators, but members of the Ethics Council.
Towards the end, barrister and councillor each address the audience, urging them to vote for or against Frau Gärtner’s request. The cast exits; the house lights come on; and the audience has 10 minutes to talk about the issue and then vote.
“We live in Canberra, where these laws are being made,” says assistant director Eli Narev. “For a Canberra audience, it’s important to remind them of the actual stakes of what’s happening just down the road. If they can participate in the decision-making process theatrically, that’s a way of engaging them politically as well.
“These are the kinds of decisions that are happening in their backyard. With partisan issues, people often just jump on the bandwagon of their side. It’s important with any political issue to sit there and hear it all, to consider it and be persuaded, and stand firm in what you believe, because you believe it, not because you were told to.”
God by Ferdinand von Schirach, the Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Fyshwick, 3 to 18 December. Tickets: $40 to $50, via Humanitix. Previews 26 November to 2 December; tickets $35, via Humanitix.
COMMUNITY
Googong Christmas Carols Party
6 DEC
Celebrate the joy of Christmas under the summertime stars at Googong when The Baker Boys Band take to the stage from 6-8pm delivering high-energy Christmas carols and popular favourites. Sing along to festive hits from Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande and Wham, along with some original classic carols and all-time favourites. Don’t miss this epic night of free festive fun – everyone is welcome! BYO picnic and drinks. There will be sweet and savoury food vendors there on the night also.
Bunyip Park, Wellsvale Drive, Googong, Saturday 6 December, 6pm–8pm; googong.net/updates
MUSIC
A Handel Celebration
13 DEC
Canberra Choral Society presents ‘A Handel Celebration’ with glorious and uplifting music from the greatest operas, oratorios, odes and anthems by George Frideric Handel. Directed by Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, with French soprano Myriam Arbouz, a 160-voice choir, and a professional chamber orchestra.
Llewellyn Hall, Saturday 13 December; canberrachoralsociety.org
CO N T R IBU
with DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
Worrying is part of being human. A little worry can even be useful, it helps us prepare for an exam, plan for an interview, or double-check the front door is locked. But when worry loops endlessly, it becomes draining. Many people tell me they lie awake at night replaying “what if” scenarios or find that worry stops them from enjoying the present. So how do we stop worrying? The strategies I’ll share here
are based on decades of research in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), one of the most effective psychological approaches for reducing worry. CBT teaches us to notice and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, stay grounded in the present, and take practical steps forward rather than getting stuck in rumination.
1. The first step is to notice when worry has become unhelpful. Helpful worry usually leads to action: making a to-do list, calling to confirm an appointment, or preparing for a presentation. Unhelpful worry circles around without resolution. A simple pause to ask yourself, “Is this helping me, or is this just noise?” can interrupt the cycle.
2. Another way to manage worry is to challenge the endless “what ifs.” Most worries are about things that might happen, not things that
are happening. Try asking yourself, “What evidence do I have this will happen?” or “How have I coped with similar situations before?” Often, you’ll see the “what if” is not as certain or catastrophic as it feels.
3. If your worries feel constant, setting aside a dedicated “worry time” can be surprisingly effective. Choose a 10-minute window each day to write down everything on your mind. Over time, your brain learns that worry doesn’t need to dominate your whole day.
4. Another strategy is to bring yourself back into the present moment. Worry pulls us into the future, but calm is found in the here and now. Grounding techniques, like noticing five things you can see, four things you can hear, three you can feel, two you can smell and one you can taste, shift your focus back to your immediate
surroundings. Even a few slow breaths can help break the cycle of racing thoughts.
5. It also helps to distinguish between worries you can do something about and those you can’t. Some concerns are within your control, like paying a bill on time or studying for an exam. Others, such as whether it rains on the weekend or how others perceive you, are not. Ask yourself, “Is this in my control?” If the answer is yes, take a small step of action. If not, practice letting it go, hard at first, but easier with practice.
6. Finally, be kind to yourself. Worry is not a personal failing; it’s part of being human.
If worry is interfering with your sleep, work, or relationships, it might be time to seek support. Worry can be managed and life feels so much lighter when it’s not running the show.
by Michelle Richards, Director & Accredited Hearing Specialist — Michelle Richards Hearing, Dickson
Hearing is something most of us barely think about — until it begins to slip. Unlike sudden changes in vision, hearing loss often creeps in quietly over many years, making it easy to overlook and even easier to dismiss. Yet hearing is one of the most important senses we depend on for communication, connection, safety, confidence, and quality of life.
As a clinician I see every day how profoundly hearing a ects the way we live, socialise, and participate in our families and communities. Understanding how hearing works— and why it sometimes doesn’t—can empower you to make informed decisions about your hearing health.
Hearing is an intricate process involving several parts of the ear working together.
• The outer ear collects sound and directs it down the ear canal.
• The middle ear contains the eardrum and three tiny bones — the malleus, incus, and stapes — that amplify sound.
• The inner ear houses the cochlea, a delicate organ filled with hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.
• These signals are then sent to the auditory nerve and interpreted by the brain.
When any part of this system is disrupted, hearing becomes less clear.
Sensorineural hearing loss: The most common type, caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Common contributors include ageing, noise exposure, genetics, certain medications, and illness. This type is usually permanent but can be e ectively managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss: Occurs when sound cannot e ciently travel through the outer or middle ear. Possible causes include earwax blockage, fluid behind the eardrum, perforated eardrum, and ear infections. This type is often temporary and medically treatable.
Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both sensorineural and conductive components.
Signs you may have hearing loss
Hearing loss rarely presents as “going deaf.” Instead, people commonly notice:
• Needing the TV louder than others
• Struggling to follow conversations in restaurants and other social situations.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or missing out, being embarrassed to ask.
• Feeling tired or overwhelmed after social interactions.
• Di culty hearing women’s and children’s voices.
• Feeling that people “mumble” Family members usually notice changes before the individual does. Why early action matters
Untreated hearing loss a ects more than just hearing — it impacts overall wellbeing. Research consistently links unmanaged hearing loss with:
• Social withdrawal
• Increased falls risk
• Cognitive decline
• Reduced independence
• Tinnitus
• Mental fatigue
The brain thrives on sound. When sound input decreases, the brain’s ability to process speech can decline over time. Early support helps keep auditory pathways active and makes
rehabilitation smoother and more successful.
Modern Hearing Solutions
Today’s hearing technology is remarkably advanced. Many devices are:
• Rechargeable
• Discreet
• Wirelessly connected to phones and TVs
• Equipped with AI-driven noise reduction
• Capable of personalised adjustments for di erent environments
As an independent provider, Michelle Richards Hearing is not owned by or tied to any manufacturer. This means I can o er genuine choice across a wide range of brands and technology levels tailored to your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget — including private/self-funded, pension (HSP), and DVA pathways.
What to expect at a hearing assessment
A comprehensive assessment includes:
• A discussion of your hearing concerns and understanding your ear health
• An examination of your ears
• A full diagnostic hearing test
• Explanation of your results in clear, plain language
• Personalised management options Take the first step
If you’ve noticed changes — or your family has — booking a hearing assessment is a simple place to start. Many people tell me they wish they had done it years earlier.
I would be honoured to support you on your hearing journey.
Michelle Richards Hearing — Ethical. Local. Independent.
Located in Dickson, Canberra. Book online at michellerichardshearing.com.au or call 02 6281 0222
by GRACE CRIVELLARO
Teenagers are still waiting to be advised by some tech giants about what they’ll need to do when a world-leading under-16 social media ban comes into effect.
Australia’s eSafety commissioner regrets some companies haven’t already put out their advice, but says some, including TikTok, will release guidance in the coming days.
“It’s disappointing ... we suggested the best time frame was two weeks in advance,” Julie Inman Grant told reporters at Parliament House on Monday.
“My powers don’t come into effect until 10 December, and that’s when we’ll start gathering information notices.”
Advice has been issued on Meta platforms Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as well as Snapchat.
TikTok, X, Kick and YouTube are yet to publicly reveal compliance measures.
“We have asked companies to compassionately
by STEPHANIE GARDINER, AAP
Tanvir Kapoor thinks some young men in rural areas take better care of their utes than their bodies.
“There is a perception about toughing it out, or ‘she’ll be right’,” the Royal Flying Doctor Service general practitioner said.
Data from the aeromedical service has revealed that for every 10 women aged 21 to 30 seen by its GPs, only four men in the same age group sought treatment.
The figures from the service’s southeastern section, which covers the ACT and NSW and has four permanent remote clinics, show the gap only lessens
and kindly convey to young people how they plan to deactivate or move their accounts and give them choices,” Ms Inman Grant said.
The government plans to impose its Social Media Minimum Age obligation from 10 December, demanding some online services take “reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under 16 from having accounts on their platforms”.
The restriction will apply to new and existing social media accounts, and to 10 social networks named by the eSafety commissioner.
It comes as a study found teenagers felt unsupported in the transition off platforms.
The Queensland University of Technology’s Digital Media Research Centre study, released on Monday, involved interviews with 86 young people aged 12 to 15 from various backgrounds.
The young people said they rarely saw adults acknowledging the benefits of using social media.
“We’re only getting their news about kids who are being cyberbullied rather than the ones who found a network,” a 13-year-old girl told the researchers.
Education Minister Jason Clare said Australia’s two-year-old ban on phones in schools was proof the social media age limit would boost educational performance.
“What teachers tell me is it means that kids are now focused on them in the classroom, rather than on their phones in the playgrounds,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“Kids are having more fun. Playgrounds are noisier at lunchtime than they used to be.
“But as we know, when the school bell rings, go past a bus stop at three o’clock and you’ll see kids on their phones again.”
Mr Clare said social media had adverse impacts on young people’s mental health and addictive platforms were “like poker machines for kids”.
- AAP
once men age.
Dr Kapoor, who works in both outback NSW and at a Queensland hospital, said clinical engagement with young men was a challenge across most rural health settings.
Long distances and workloads were a major barrier to care, but physical isolation also meant there were limited personal support networks for men.
“For example, that stigma about talking about mental health is very real,” Dr Kapoor said.
“How can you bring that up in a community that’s so small?
“You’re worried about what people are thinking and ... you hold that very close to your chest.”
While access to primary healthcare slightly improved nationally in 2024/25, people in outer regional and remote areas were still less likely than their urban counterparts to see a GP, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in November.
Rural patients were instead more likely to present to an emergency department, be admitted to hospital or see a GP for urgent medical care.
One area of slight improvement was an increase in the proportion of Australians who reported being able to see their preferred GP, at 67 per cent.
Continuity of care has been a major focus for rural
medicine groups in recent years, with targeted efforts to boost the workforce.
The Royal Australian College of GPs has partnered with the Rural Doctors Association to encourage more students and junior doctors to get exposure to remote practice.
The nation’s two GP colleges are also oversubscribed for the first time in many years and more trainees were expressing desire to work outside the cities.
The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges has also launched a push for regional specialist training centres that would help keep young doctors in the bush.
The Rural Flying Doctor Service has increasingly stepped in to run face-to-face clinics in remote areas, regularly flying GPs in to provide continuity of care.
“Young men can come and see the same doctor over and over again and that trust is there,” Dr Kapoor said.
As efforts continue to improve healthcare access in rural areas, including a raft of federal government incentives, he urged young men to seek help.
“I want to see you in the clinic so I don’t see you on the plane,” Dr Kapoor said.
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by BERNIE RYAN
Last week (23–29 November) was Perinatal Mental Health Week, acknowledging the 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads who experience perinatal depression and anxiety.
That’s around 100,000 Australian parents each year.
Almost four years ago, Canberra Mum, Katherine, was one of them.
She is now speaking out to help other parents feel less alone in their mental health struggles after the birth of their child, or children.
“When you first see those two lines, you’re straight onto your prenatal vitamins, and you’re having blood tests and, you know, it’s about your physical health … and how many kicks you can feel… and that’s important,“ she says.
“But no one sort of says…’What about your mental health?’“
Katherine’s daughter Izzy will be four in March.
Izzy was a much-wanted pregnancy and her birth was eagerly anticipated by Katherine, her husband Ethan, and what Katherine describes as an extremely supportive extended family and social network.
Izz’s delivery and much of the initial post-delivery experience for Katherine and Ethan however, was traumatic.
It involved emergency surgery, a coma, intensive care admission and lasting emotional scars.
Katherine struggled with anxiety and panic attacks.
“When I went back to the hospital to have a blood test, all of a sudden there was kind of this smell and I started panicking and hyperventilating,” she says.
“But it really took time for me to understand that something wasn’t quite right.”
Katherine explained that her awareness that she had such a supportive family and network, was ironically a barrier for her in seeking more help much earlier.
“It took a lot for me to be able to even reach out for help. You know, you constantly hear, especially in Canberra, how strained all of our resources are,” she says.
“So, I didn’t want to take up a space that I thought someone else might have needed, when I already had so much.”
Katherine remembers going to mothers’ groups in those early days and feeling badly because she was not ‘gushing about how wonderful motherhood was’.
However, she realised she may genuinely be in trouble when she came across her discharge summary
“In it, they flagged that I was at high
risk for postnatal depression and anxiety,” she says.
Katherine then called the number for the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre in Canberra, which was on one of the brochures she was given.
Their counselling and community programs helped her process trauma, manage emotions, and rebuild confidence.
“They do these fortnightly phone calls,” she says.
“And often it was just enough to see for me, even a missed call of someone saying, ‘Hey, you know, just checking in, how are you going this week?’
“A lot of it was about sitting with other mums who were going through this and just being able to be a bit honest about what being a mum was like,” Katherine says.
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre (PWC) CEO, Dr Yvonne Luxford, says that current data reflects the experiences of many ACT families.
“Too many parents tell us that they felt no one checked in during the early days of becoming a new mother or parent,” she says.
Katherine’s story highlights the importance of perinatal mental health, as brand new national figures reveal shocking insights into the reality of perinatal health support in Australia.
While awareness around perinatal wellbeing is growing, support is still falling short.
Sleepless nights, financial pressure and relationship strain continue to take a toll, particularly on parents in the early years.
Dr Luxford wants new parents to know that they aren’t alone.
“I think the most important message is that there is help out there and new parents don’t have to do this alone,” says Dr Luxford. For support or more information, visit perinatalwellbeingcentre.org.au
with MARIA CERNE, INTERIOR DESIGNER AT STUDIO BLACK INTERIORS, STUDIOBLACK.COM.AU
Every year, certain patterns emerge in the homes I design across Canberra and the NSW South Coast. They are not trends for the sake of trends. They are the recurring themes that come up
in conversations with clients, the challenges they want solved and the values guiding their decisions. These are the five ideas that have shaped design for me this year and are influencing how people want to live.
1. Homes that feel genuinely personal
More clients are asking for homes that feel like them. Not spaces that look styled for a photograph, but rooms with warmth, meaning and a sense of lived experience. I am seeing people lean into interiors that tell a story, whether through collected artwork, tactile materials or pieces with sentimental value. There is a clear desire for authenticity.
Homes that feel calm, inviting and honest rather than overly curated.
2. A return to quality and longevity
Clients are becoming more intentional with how they invest in their homes. There is less interest in quick updates and more focus on pieces and finishes that stand the test of time. Natural stone, solid timber and well-crafted furniture are being chosen ahead of temporary solutions. The thinking is long term. People want spaces that age gracefully and layouts that still make sense in ten years. It is a shift toward thoughtful, enduring design.
3. Spaces that support wellbeing and quieter living
This year, wellbeing has been woven into almost every brief. Clients want homes that help them slow down at the end of a busy day. Spa like bathrooms, layered living spaces and softer forms are appearing more often in my projects. Natural materials and gentle lighting are being used to create a sense of ease. More than ever, the idea of home as a sanctuary is resonating. People want spaces that restore, not overwhelm.
4. Flexible spaces that work harder
Evolving lifestyles have made flexibility a key priority. Multi use rooms are being requested more
than ever. A home office that doubles as a guest bedroom. A pantry that becomes a functional prep space. Living areas that shift from hosting friends to quiet family time. Instead of expanding the footprint, clients want clever, efficient solutions that help them use their home better. This has led to more custom joinery, smarter storage and careful zoning.
5. Confident, grounded use of colour and texture
Colour has made a quiet but confident return. Warm browns, muted greens and soft creams have featured heavily across my recent work. Clients are moving away from stark white and cool grey interiors and embracing palettes that feel warm and grounded. Texture is playing a major role too. Stone, timber, brass, limewash, linen, and handmade finishes bring depth and character to a home. It is a gentle move toward spaces that feel layered and comfortable. These themes have shaped much of my work this year. More importantly, they reflect what people are truly seeking in their homes. Spaces that feel personal. Spaces that function well. Spaces designed with intention and care. Ultimately, clients want homes that support the way they live and evolve with them over time.
Designed for easy living, this modern single-level home in Casey offers a fresh, lowmaintenance lifestyle perfect for downsizers, first home buyers or anyone seeking simplicity without compromise.
The light-filled open-plan living area forms the heart of the home, creating a warm and inviting space that flows effortlessly to the paved courtyard. Ideal for relaxed entertaining, the courtyard is private, practical and incredibly easy to care for, giving you more time to enjoy the things you love.
The kitchen, dining and living spaces connect
seamlessly, while three well-sized bedrooms and two contemporary bathrooms provide comfort and convenience. A generous garage offers excellent storage and space for hobbies or projects, and the low-maintenance gardens make this a home that truly works for busy lifestyles.
Located just moments from Casey Market Town, public transport, walking tracks, quality schools and popular restaurants, the home delivers everyday convenience in a vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood.
Modern, fresh and thoughtfully designed, this
is an opportunity to secure a turn-key home in one of Gungahlin’s most desirable pockets. 3 2 2
EER: 6.0
Auction: Private Treaty
Price: By Negotiation
View: Sat 6 Dec at 1pm – 1:30pm
Agent: Eoin Ryan-Hicks & Olivia Schultz
As ANZAC Day (25 April) falls on a Saturday in 2026, the public holiday will be observed on the following Monday (27 April).
Michael Pettersson MLA, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, said the decision provides consistency when ANZAC Day lands on a weekend.
“ANZAC Day will always be commemorated on 25 April, and all commemorative activities will occur on the Saturday as usual,” Mr Pettersson said.
For more information, or to apply, visit education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/ financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families.
A shark attack has killed a woman swimming at a remote beach but a passer-by’s heroic e orts might have saved the life of the man she was with.
0427 617 365 | 0426 251 763 or email carle14@hotmail.com
“Above all, ANZAC Day is one of the most significant days in our national calendar and is a time to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who fought.”
The pair were bitten while swimming at Kylies Beach in the Crowdy Bay National Park on the NSW mid-north coast on Thursday morning.
A woman in her 20s was dead when paramedics attended shortly after but a makeshift tourniquet had stemmed the man’s bleeding enough for them to airlift him to hospital.
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The next time ANZAC Day fell on a Saturday would be in 2037 — an infrequent occurrence — and 2026 would have the same total number of public holidays falling on weekdays as in 2025.
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Both the Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families and the Australian Hotels Association ACT Branch supported the change.
However, the Canberra Business Chamber criticised the change, arguing it would impose significant extra costs on employers.
ACT families can now apply for one-o payments to help cover school costs in 2026.
The man, who is also in his 20s, was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition, su ering severe thigh and leg injuries.
The intervention of the witness likely saved the man’s life, NSW Ambulance Superintendent Josh Smyth said.
“The courage shown by this (person) is amazing,” he said.
“To put yourself out there is very heroic, and it did give us time to get that male patient.”
The ACT Government has opened applications for its Future of Education Equity Fund, which financially supports low-income families with children in preschool to year 12 cover expenses such as book packs, uniforms, excursions, sports equipment and activities, tuition and music lessons.
Payments available for 2026:
• $400 for preschool students
• $500 for primary school students
• $750 for high school and college students. Families can submit a single application covering all eligible students, even if they attend di erent schools. Payments will be made from this month for completed applications. The program will remain open until the end of November 2026.
A 23-year-old Turner woman, who was subject to a good behaviour order, has been charged with assault and motor vehicle o ences following an incident in August.
About 11pm on 9 August, at a residence in Turner, a 23-year-old woman allegedly threatened a 30-year-old woman before allegedly assaulting her with a baseball bat.
Following the assault, the Turner woman allegedly stole car keys belonging to the other woman.
Police will allege the 23-year-old then drove the stolen vehicle at the other woman.
