The Markets Residences is a landmark address in the heart of Belconnen. Designed by Cox Architecture, this exclusive release brings together a collection of loft residences, spacious 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and a limited number of premium penthouses, each defined by generous proportions, natural light and effortless living.
The interiors are thoughtfully crafted to maximise space and comfort, with openplan layouts, quality appliances and refined finishes throughout. Positioned within a vibrant, evolving precinct directly opposite the established Capital Food Market - a thriving all-day dining destination showcasing fresh food providores, local producers and casual dining - The Markets Residences sits at the centre of one of Canberra’s most active and connected urban hubs.
KEY FEATURES
Selection of lofts, apartments and luxury penthouses
Generous layouts with abundant natural light
Premium inclusions and quality finishes throughout
Prime position in Belconnen Town Centre
Directly opposite the Belconnen Markets
redevelopment
Under 10 minutes to UC, AIS & North Canberra Hospital
Strong lifestyle and investment appeal
FOUNDER
canberradaily.com.au,
EDITOR Vincent Samaras news@newstimemedia.com.au GENERAL
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
T: 02 6175 8800 E: sales@newstimemedia.com.au
3/21 Albany St, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Photo by Wilson Au Yeung.
GST savings on us.*
This End of Financial Year, make it a Mercedes-Benz with exceptional offers across the range. Until June 30, enjoy savings equivalent to the GST on select new models,* from $13,057 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and from $8,398 on the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e.
While the event is focused on a fun day out, it also plays an important role in supporting the incredible work the sta and volunteers at RSPCA ACT do to help vulnerable animals.
A new leash on life as Canberra Paws Walk marks fresh start
by VINCENT SAMARAS
It’s the best day on the calendar for Canberra dog lovers, and it’s back with a brand new name.
The Canberra Paws Walk will take over Patrick White Lawns on Sunday 24 May, marking the first event since the much-loved Million Paws Walk was reimagined into a fully local celebration.
Hosted by RSPCA ACT, the event keeps everything people have come to expect, from the scenic autumn walk around Lake Burley Gri n to the relaxed, familyfriendly atmosphere, while placing a stronger focus on supporting pets and their owners across the region.
“It’s about bringing people together, celebrating that bond between people and their pets, and just enjoying a really great day in Canberra.
“We’re hoping to see as many people as possible come along.
“If people get behind it, this is something we’d love to continue for many years to come.”
Set against the backdrop of autumn, the walk o ers a classic Canberra experience, with crisp air, colourful leaves and gorgeous lake views. Even those without a dog are encouraged to attend, with plenty of opportunities to meet other people’s pets, enjoy the entertainment and take part in the day.
“If people get behind it, this is something we’d love to continue for many years to come.”
RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson said the heart of the event remains the same, with the aim of getting as many people along as possible.
“We’ve always had incredible community support for this event, and it’s never just been about fundraising,” she said.
“It’s the best time of year in Canberra,” Ms Robertson said. “You’ve got the colours of the leaves, the blue skies, and people just out enjoying time with their dogs. You see everything from tiny little dogs to giant breeds. It’s just a really good vibe.”
Gates open from 9am, with the main walk kicking o at 11am. Visitors can expect food stalls, activities, live entertainment and a range of community and petfocused exhibitors.
“Every step taken on the day helps us care for animals in need,” Ms Robertson said. “It supports everything from shelter and veterinary care to programs that help keep pets and their owners together.”
This year also introduces a new initiative, Healthy Pet Day, aimed at providing practical support for pet owners experiencing financial hardship.
Held the day before, on Saturday 23 May at the RSPCA ACT shelter in Weston, the program will o er free services including basic health checks, vaccinations, microchipping, parasite prevention, grooming and behavioural advice for eligible Canberrans.
Ms Robertson said the initiative responds to growing demand for support, particularly as the number of unwanted animals continues to rise.
“Our puppy intake has doubled in recent years, and we continue to see large numbers of cats coming through,” she said. “Healthy Pet Day is about early intervention, helping people access care and giving them the support they need to keep their pets healthy and at home.”
Bookings are required for some services and spaces are limited, with around 48 appointments available initially.
With strong early interest and a fresh new identity, organisers are hoping the Canberra Paws Walk will continue the legacy of its predecessor, with one key ingredient needed to make that happen.
“We’d love to see as many people there as possible,” Ms Robertson said. “That support is what will help ensure this event continues into the future.”
For more information about Healthy Pet Day, visit rspca-act.org.au/healthy-pet-day
For more information about the Canberra Paws Walk, scan the QR code or visit fundraiserspcaact.com.au/ event/canberra-paws-walk/home
Thushani’s Goodwin Journey to the Bay Global Talent, Local Heart:
Every year on 12 May, the world pauses to celebrate International Nurses Day, a global movement honouring the tireless dedication of the nursing profession. This year, the 2026 theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” serves as a powerful call to action for the healthcare community.
For local provider Goodwin Aged Care Services, this global mission is a daily reality. “This theme underscores the necessity of providing nurses with the leadership, resources, and influence required to navigate modern healthcare challenges,” says Tamra MacLeod, Executive Manager Clinical and Health Services at Goodwin. “At Goodwin, we are committed to supporting a diverse and skilled workforce, ensuring our nurses are empowered to lead the way in clinical excellence and compassionate care.”
As Canberra and the region prepare for the occasion, the spotlight is shining on the diverse global talent that keeps the Goodwin team thriving. At the heart of this celebration is Thushani Shashikala, a Registered Nurse whose journey from the bustling cardiac wards of Sri Lanka to the
quiet shores of Batemans Bay perfectly captures the spirit of modern nursing.
For Thushani, the path to nursing was a family legacy, inspired by her mother’s deep admiration for the profession. While she spent her youth mastering traditional dance, a passion she pursued from the age of six, she eventually traded the stage for the ward.
After building a formidable professional foundation at the National School of Nursing Sri Jayewardenepura, Thushani spent six years specialising in highstakes cardiac care at the National Hospital Sri Lanka. Where many might find the intensity of acute heart conditions daunting, Thushani thrived, citing the heart’s complexity as her favourite clinical challenge.
In November 2024, she made the leap to Australia, navigating the rigorous International Qualified Nurse to Registered Nurse (IQN to RN) program via Key2Learning As Pauline Hugler, Goodwin’s Executive Manager Development
People and Culture, explains, this is no small feat.
“I like to help residents not only with the physical part, but also the emotional, the dignity, and the quality of their lives,”Thushani says. ”
“For many, becoming a Registered Nurse in Australia is not a single step, but a journey,” Pauline says. “Registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency requires extensive study, clinical placement, and rigorous assessment. It is not uncommon for those studying nursing to work full-time as Carers while completing their qualifications,
balancing shift work with study and exams. This pathway speaks to the determination and resilience behind every nurse and the depth of skill that underpins the care they provide.”
After an induction period in Canberra, Thushani found her home at Goodwin’s Residential Care Home, The Glen, in Batemans Bay. The transition to aged care felt like a natural evolution for Thushani, whose cultural upbringing taught her that caring for elders is a foundational part of life.
“I like to help residents not only with the physical part, but also the emotional, the dignity, and the quality of their lives,” Thushani says. Her success was bolstered by
“I like to help residents not only with the physical part, but also the emotional, the dignity, and the quality of their lives”, Thushani Shashikala, a Registered Nurse at Goodwin’s Residential Care Home, The Glen, in Batemans Bay
the steadfast encouragement of Leanne Turner, Director of Nursing at The Glen, who supported Thushani as she passed the final exams required to practice in Australia.
“Thushani’s personal milestone represents a meaningful evolution for Goodwin as we continue to strengthen our nursing workforce,” Tamra MacLeod adds.
Today, Goodwin boasts 108 AHPRA-registered employees, with a frontline RN workforce that serves as the backbone of care across the ACT and Greater Capital Region.
The numbers behind the care – Goodwin’s Frontline Registered Nurses by Goodwin location:
• Goodwin House, Ainslie: 18
• David Harper House, Monash: 17
• The Glen, Batemans Bay: 14
• George Sautelle House, Farrer: 11
• Goodwin Home Care: 6
Beyond the statistics, it is the depth of experience that stands out. Collectively, Goodwin’s frontline RNs represent 280 years of service, including eight veteran nurses who have served for over a decade.
As we mark International Nurses Day, Thushani’s story is a poignant reminder of the global expertise and local dedication bridging the gap between clinical excellence and compassionate person-centred care in Canberra and the Greater Capital Region, with Goodwin Aged Care Services leading the way.
For more information on Goodwin’s services and nursing opportunities, visit goodwin. org.au.
“Our RN workforce serves as the backbone of Goodwin’s care across the ACT and the Greater Capital Region”, Tamra MacLeod, Executive Manager Clinical and Health Services
Jacinta Price right to call for NT Royal Commission
ACT
LEADER
Now I know Senator Jacinta Price is related to the poor little fiveyear-old girl (Kumanjayi, a little baby) abducted and brutally slain by a 47-year-old accused criminal, Je erson Lewis, near Alice Springs, and is rightfully grief-stricken, but she is also correct, in my view, in calling for a Royal Commission into the abuse of girls and women in remote Australian settlements. The problems faced by our outback communities cannot go
on. The Federal minister is just plain wrong to call for the family to be allowed to grieve and no further action taken at this time.
When my son Joe was killed by a drugged driver, and I’m sure I’d be supported in this by Tom Mclucky, who also lost his son to a drugged driver, we grieved, but by God we also wanted justice done and steps taken to help ensure other parents did not have to su er as our families did. Tom did a wonderful job in forcing the local Government to take some steps to improve the law as a result.
It’s time the Federal Government stops sweeping the brutality, bashings, rapes, bullying, standover tactics, and abuse of children by mostly drunken men under the carpet, and ensures that the issue is tackled once and for all, and a royal commission would be a great
start.
In the old days, when there were more rural stations in the NT, many of the local men would be employed as stockmen and their families would be taken care of on the big stations. Maybe not the best way of doing things, but it seems better than what we have now.
I ask this question: Is it really necessary to confine so many of our Indigenous citizens into settlements of 300 to 400 people where there is very little work?
Even if alcohol and drugs were not a problem, the boredom and the lack of opportunity for young people, especially, must be stifling.
Would it not be better to actually close some of our more problematic settlements and maybe create more employment in larger communities and towns?
The bottom line is that we all owe
it to the Indigenous women and children of the NT and WA to really address this issue and not keep sweeping it under the carpet.
Keep up the pressure, Jacinta, and sorry about your personal loss.
The seat of Farrer looks very close after the One Nation candidate, David Farley, trod on his feet in answering several questions about policy and also the fact he seems to have supported several parties in past elections. However, it does not look like that will make the job of the Liberal candidate any easier to keep the seat, but a much closer vote between all the candidates seems likely.
Regardless, One Nation still seems likely to get their first House of Reps seat and usher in a new, interesting development in Australian politics.
wi BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD FORMER
ACT Insurance Ball 2026 delivers another record
impact
Raising Funds, Celebrating Excellence, and Strengthening the Community
Canberra’s insurance industry came together in force on 1 May at the Rex Hotel for the 2026 ACT Insurance Ball, an evening that proved once again the power of connection, purpose, and collective impact. This year’s event didn’t just meet expectations, it elevated them with thanks to Platinum Sponsor Beneco and Gold Sponsor, QBE.
With a focus on both community contribution and industry recognition, the Ball successfully raised $36,608.99 in support of Running For Resilience — a grassroots organisation driving critical mental health initiatives across the region with exercise and community engagement. The funds will directly support local programs, events, and outreach e orts aimed at strengthening resilience and wellbeing within the community.
The night was backed by Insurance Industry Leaders. The scale and success of the evening were made possible through the backing of major industry partners, led by Platinum Sponsor Beneco and Gold Sponsor QBE Insurance. Their support, alongside a strong network of Silver Sponsors (Moray & Agnew, Medilaw, MLCOA & Mcinnes Wilson Lawyers) and outstanding Bronze sponsors, enabled the event to deliver a premium experience while maintaining a clear focus on giving back.
Celebrating excellence across the industry
At the heart of the evening sat the ACT Insurance Awards, an independent recognition community-led program celebrating individuals and organisations driving excellence across the insurance sector.
From commercial deal-making to technical risk advisory, leadership, and community contribution, this year’s winners represented the very best of the profession.
Key award highlights included:
• 2026 Deal Maker of the Year was awarded to Zoe Higgins, Iqumulate Premium Funding
• 2026 Risk Mitigator of the Year was awarded to Joseph Everdell, Moray & Agnew Lawyers
• 2026 Excellence in Leadership was awarded to Nick Symons of Suncorp Group
• 2026 Best Support Person of the Year was awarded to Carly Sharp of Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation Services
• 2026 Excellence in Claims was awarded to Heather Arnold of Suncorp Group
• 2026 Provider of the Year was awarded to Anthony Armati of Prudence Rehabilttion
• 2026 Human Impact Award was awarded to Tim Cologon of EML
• 2026 Community Contribution & Engagement was awarded to Paul Eccles of PSC Insurance Brokers
• 2026 Insurance Leader of the Year was awarded to Craig Moorfoot, CGU
Each category reflected a broader truth: the strength of the insurance industry lies not just in transactions, but in people - in expertise, integrity, and the commitment to serve clients and communities at the highest level.
Beyond the awards and fundraising, the ACT Insurance Ball continues to cement its position as a flagship industry event - one that blends professional recognition with genuine community impact. The atmosphere on the night reflected a shift in the industry: one that values collaboration over competition, purpose alongside performance, and connection as a driver of long-term success.
With record engagement, strong fundraising outcomes, and growing recognition across the national insurance landscape, the ACT Insurance Ball is no longer just a calendar event — it’s a platform. A platform to celebrate excellence. A platform to give back and a platform to shape the future of the profession.
Anthony, Zoe, Paul, Carly, Tim, Heather, Nick, Joseph, Craig. Photo: We Are Found
Anglicare: Private rental market is broken and system is failing
by NICHOLAS FULLER
A woman with cancer will be homeless because she is a casual worker and cannot afford to pay her rent. A panel-beater for 40 years says his family will become homeless because waiting lists for housing are too long. People spend $700 a week to live in houses where power points electrocute them. One woman’s rent has gone up $100 a week in the last six months. Families send their children to school from cars, while others live in their cars to heat themselves. People live on the streets.
These are some of the grim stories St John’s Care (an Anglican emergency relief organisation) encounters every day in Canberra — the least affordable jurisdiction to rent in Australia, according to the Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot, published today.
“The system is failing,” says Jason Haines, managing director of St John’s Care.
More than a third of Australians now rent, and
many will live in rentals for most of their lives, even once they retire. But rental affordability has halved: two decades ago, it took 20 per cent of median income to purchase average rent; now it takes 43 per cent.
Anglicare CEO Kasy Chambers says the private rental market “really is broken”.
On the weekend of 14 to 15 March, there were no affordable or appropriate properties in Canberra for households that rely on any form of income support.
Out of the 49,000 properties the snapshot captured nationally, only one property — a room in a share house — was affordable for a single JobSeeker recipient. Zero for Youth Allowance recipients. Less than 1 per cent for age pensioners.
A single adult earning the minimum wage could only afford one property (0.1 per cent of listings).
The national figure is 0.5 per cent.
A ‘normal’ family — two parents, both working full-time, earning a minimum wage, with two
children, receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance and Family Tax Benefit — could not afford even 5 per cent of properties in Canberra. Nationally, such a family can only afford 14 per cent of properties. A decade ago, they could have afforded 25 per cent.
“Normal is no longer enough,” Ms Chambers said. “It’s not enough to work. It’s not enough to have that income. If you’re living in a private rental market, you’re going to be struggling in terms of that rent and you’re going to be struggling in terms of food security.”
Anglicare’s Snapshot shows that the sustained pressure on the ACT rental market is systemic. Vacancy rates have been at below 1 per cent for years, while general applicants wait longer than five years for public housing. Anglicare suggests that slow rent growth shows households have reached the limits of affordability, rather than affordability meaningfully improving. Housing costs consume an unsustainable share of household budgets for many.
Rising fuel prices make transport and everyday expenses higher — and lower-cost housing is often far from services or workplaces.
Read the full version online at canberradaily. com.au
Canberra café seeks food pantry donations as demand spikes
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Little Luxton, a social enterprise café in the farsouth Canberra suburb of Gordon, has raised more than $150,000 for community programs since it was founded in late 2022, but is now calling for food pantry donations as demand for emergency relief spikes in the Lanyon Valley.
$1 from every coffee sold goes to community programs, split between the Lanyon Valley Anglican Church’s food pantry; the Gordon Community Centre; and the café’s own youth training programs, owner Nate Swift explains. A seven-week course gives Year 9 and 10 students who are disengaged from school an introduction to hospitality, while Little Luxton partners with T25 Clinic to provide barista training for young people.
The pantry usually supports 400 people a month, but demand has spiked in the last few months: the number of people supported rose to
nearly 600 last month.
The pantry is struggling to fill its shelves, with goods disappearing more quickly than donations arrive.
“Some of the people who previously might have been in a position to support a food pantry … are now finding themselves with budgets so tight that they’re even considering whether they might need to use the food pantry themselves,” Mr Swift said.
The public can help by donating nonperishable items via the café; there is a yellow bin outside to collect donations. The food pantry publishes a weekly email with a shopping list of items needed.
“Some people will need the food pantry to support them with emergency relief food,” Mr Swift said. “Some people will have the capacity not just to provide for their own family, but have money and resources to spare to give. We’re trying to connect the two.”
Mr Swift, a community chaplain, founded Little Luxton as “a team effort” with the Gordon Community Centre (itself a partnership between Anglicare and the Lanyon Valley Anglican Church), and with the support of the Mill House Ventures, a social enterprise accelerator program.
“I would lie awake at night thinking: How do we build community in the neighbourhood? How do we create sustainable community programs? How do we fund them?” Mr Swift said.
He said the café leverages Canberra’s coffee culture to connect community resources with community needs.
“Many people in the Lanyon Valley are generous and willing to share, but they didn’t necessarily know what the opportunities were in this area,” Mr Swift said. “Most community centres do a good job of providing programs and services like a food pantry or a playgroup.
“But to turn a community centre into a
Dr Damien Bezzina & Colleagues
The same expertise, new clinic and name, bringing together colleagues for an even better service!
Proven track record in the management of Skin Cancer, lumps & bumps/ cysts/ lipomas and most things in between.
SkinMedics on Cohen Street Unit 2, 34-42 Cohen Street
Belconnen, 2617 reception@ skinmedicsACT.com.au
SERVICES:
SKIN CHECKS (full body & spot check & total body photography)
SKIN CANCER MANAGEMENT (procedural inc. skin aps & grafts & non-surgical)
LUMPS & BUMPS MANAGEMENT (cysts, lipomas, skin tags, anal skin tags, any other lesions)
LASER – age spots on face/hands, spider veins, cherry angiomas
WRITTEN BY TONY BRIGGS DIRECTED BY WESLEY ENOCH
community hub, you need something that attracts a broad cross-section of people in the community on a regular basis. Coffee becomes the appropriate vehicle for achieving the community development goals that we had. The café is the means to an end.”
Open six days a week, the café serves 200
customers every day, or 1,200 across the week. Many customers are community-minded locals. As they come to the café, Mr Swift explains, they become aware of the community centre, of the needs that exist in the food pantry, and volunteer or donate, or have ideas for community programs.
“There’s been great community support for the café,” Mr Swift said. “I regularly have people saying, ‘This is just what our community needed’.”
Local Labor MP David Smith congratulated Mr Swift on “the incredible work he is doing in our community”.
“Nate is helping fuel our community, not just with much-needed caffeine, but also with impactful financial support. The amount he has raised is a testament to his dedication and drive, and the support he has from the Gordon and broader Lanyon community.”
“Just keep looking out for people who are doing it tough,” Mr Swift said. “Keep trying to love our neighbour.”
Little Luxton is open weekdays 7am to 2pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm, at 110 Lewis Luxton Avenue, Gordon. You can visit their website at littleluxton.com or follow them on social media (@little_luxton).
The Lanyon Pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10am to 3pm, at the Gordon Community Centre, 110 Lewis Luxton Avenue (opposite the IGA).
Nate Swift, owner of Little Luxton Café. Photo: Nicholas Fuller
Canberra runners take part in seven marathons against child abuse
by NICHOLAS FULLER
The 777 Marathon is Australia’s toughest ultramarathon challenge: seven marathons in seven states in seven days.
But the ordeal is in a good cause: the national runners each raise at least $11,500 to help Bravehearts, an Australian child protection organisation, prevent and treat child sexual abuse.
Eight of the national runners are from Canberra. For John Wilson, Jess Peil, and Ross Scott, this is their seventh year taking part.
“It’s a long week and a hard week – but it’s easier than what other people have to put up with every day,” Mr Wilson said.
In 2023, 58 per cent of police-recorded sexual assault victims were children under 18 years old. 79 per cent of child sexual abuse survivors knew their abuser.
Founded in 1997, Bravehearts helps prevent child sexual abuse by educating young people about personal safety; supports survivors and victims of child sexual abuse, and their family members, with counselling; runs child protecting training courses for communities; advocates for legislative reform to protect the rights of children and adult survivors; and helps stop stigma around child sexual abuse through research,
John Wilson, Jess Peil, and Ross Scott
Photo Nicholas Fuller
public awareness campaigns, and community education.
“It’s not weak to speak,” Ms Peil said. “It’s an uncomfortable conversation, but it needs to be had. We need to be able to talk about these things with our kids, and with other adults, look for signs, and just keep making it safe.”
Since the marathon began, runners have raised close to $3 million. This year, participants aim to raise $1 million.
Ms Peil is a national fundraising leader. She has raised more than $600,000 since she first took part – through grassroots efforts such as a clothing sale at her home, and support from Anytime Fitness.
“Endurance events test you physically, but this cause fuels me far beyond the finish line,” Ms Peil said. “I run because one child protected is worth every kilometre. I run because silence protects perpetrators — awareness protects children. I run because we can all do something.”
Mr Scott says the marathon has become a mission for him and his partner, Kirrily Sartore, who is also running. He describes himself and Ms Sartore as “two passionate advocates for child safety, proud to be running side by side for
Bravehearts”.
“Most of us are runners. You start the journey that way. But as soon as you get involved with Bravehearts, and start hearing about the cause, you just want to keep helping children and doing what you can. There’s not a more worthy cause.
“Together, we’re not just putting one foot in front of the other – we’re running with purpose, driven by a shared belief that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and protected.”
“I started the first year as a challenge,” Mr Wilson says. “The more I looked into it, the more I look at the charity, it needs to be brought out in the open what the charity stands for. It affects everybody in different ways – but to bring it out more into the norm, to talk about it and show people they’re not alone, it’s OK to speak up. This is as good a way as any.”
The marathon begins in Perth on 29 June and finishes in the Gold Coast on 5 July. The Canberra marathon will take place at Bowes Park, Barton, on Saturday 4 July.
“You have to look at it not as a marathon a day, but as a 300-kilometre event and take it in your stride,” Ms Peil said. “Take it really easy. It’s not a race. You’ve got six and a half hours
to finish every day, so if you take six and a half hours, that’s more time out on the course being able to talk to people, as opposed to trying to flog it across the line very quickly.”
You can support the ACT runners by sponsoring them online: bravehearts.grassrootz. com/bravehearts-777-2026
The Erindale Anytime Fitness will give half its profits to the charity, while the Durham Castle Arms Pub in Kingston will hold a fundraising trivia night on 18 June.
Ms Peil will also take part in Anytime Fitness’s Fitphoria Expedition in Thailand next month, including five marathons in five days. Part of her funds will go to Bravehearts.
The public can come down and join the runners on 4 July.
“I didn’t think I’d be doing seven events for seven years, but unfortunately it’s a very much needed charity,” Mr Wilson said.
“The sign of a good charity is when it’s no longer needed – but until then, we’ll keep going,” Ms Peil said.
To quote The Avengers: Ms Peil (and co), you’re needed.
We’ve
forgotten how to listen and
by BERNIE RYAN
One of the things I will always be grateful for about growing up in my family is that the opportunity to listen and learn from others was not only welcomed, but actively encouraged and facilitated.
As a little girl, I sat at the feet of my parents and their friends, relatives and the strangers they welcomed into our home, while they nibbled on Jatz, cabana and olives, or at long overcrowded dinner tables heaving with spaghetti bolognese.
I listened to them share ideas, knowledge, experiences, worries, and differences of opinion.
They were lively discussions, always punctuated with humour and respect that underscored what was most important… remembering what
they had in common.
As friends, family, colleagues, humans.
I don’t remember much about the content of these discussions, but I don’t think that’s what my parents wanted me to learn.
What they were teaching me was the importance of gathering as human beings with more in common than we will ever have differences.
To connect, listen, debate, and learn.
As I grew, I spent time with classmates and friends, playing sport, music, and enjoying excursions and slumber parties.
My teachers encouraged me to think, not just regurgitate.
We debated and wrote essays, and if we could back them up with evidence, we did well.
I later went to Uni, and we
it’s costing
us
discussed things.
Little was off the table.
We were encouraged to raise issues and stand up for our beliefs, respectfully.
I don’t remember ever feeling afraid to do so.
I travelled across the world and exposed myself to all kinds of experiences, knowledge and people.
I was curious.
As a child of the seventies and eighties, I did this in real time, dealing predominantly with what and who was in front of me, and my own thoughts about it.
Uncomplicated by the simultaneous opinions of people I did not know, or the myriads of conflicting ‘truths’ declared by my hand held electronic ‘oracle’.
There is a reason that the phrase “expanding your horizons” was coined.
One of the saddest realisations I’ve had is just how far we, as individuals and Australians, have deviated from the way in which I was blessed to grow up.
Somehow, we have allowed ourselves to believe that we must pick a side and bolt ourselves to it.
That there is only one truth, and we must take that position and yell it into the world.
We’ve decided that being right is more important than being together.
We are encouraged to exclude and alienate those who are not on our side.
Upended relationships are acceptable collateral damage for ‘the greater good’.
We have forgotten the treasure to be found in differences, humility and at times, error.
We have forgotten that to err is human and to forgive is divine.
Less, are we able to separate the person from the belief.
And perhaps because of this,
we find ourselves living in fear of being ourselves.
Afraid to share our thoughts, challenge the status quo, or live according to our values.
We are terrified of not belonging.
Most of us are beyond afraid to stick our necks out or make our thoughts known.
We spend more time living in apathy or fear, and too little time facing what needs to be done.
We know we are being silent when we should speak.
And for all our railing against them, we know it is not only the politicians who are failing us. It is us.
Through exhaustion, many of us have succumbed to the belief that we are powerless.
And I accept responsibility for the part my apathy has played.
Less than 1% of Australians are members of a political party.
Yet about 100% of us are critical of the decisions they make.
But it’s ultimately on us.
They say the world is run by those who show up.
Because the truth is, nothing changes if we don’t.
Not the politics.
Not the division.
Not the quiet resentment building between us.
The world isn’t run by the loudest voices, or the most certain ones.
It’s run by those willing to show up — and sit down with people who see things differently.
So maybe the answer isn’t more shouting.
Maybe it’s a table.
Some honest conversation.
And the courage to stay when it gets uncomfortable.
ACTCOSS: Inequality on the rise in the ACT
by NICHOLAS FULLER
Unless governments put equity at the centre of their budgets, Canberra risks becoming a less equal city — indeed, equity is “absolutely being eroded before our eyes,” warns Dr Devin Bowles, CEO of ACTCOSS.
“As we adapt to a changing world, decisionmakers need to prioritise equity if we want to make sure that the next generation of Australians gets a fair go. Because if we don’t, so many people will be born into circumstances where the level of poverty that their family experiences will preclude them from a genuine shot at life.”
Already, cost-of-living pressure is spreading beyond the poorest households, as full-time workers cannot afford basics.
More families are feeling the steady creep of economic pressure, Dr Bowles says; the number of households where one or two people are employed, but still struggle with the absolute basics, is increasing. This week, Anglicare’s snapshot showed that
nobody on welfare or a minimum wage could afford to rent in Canberra.
Nearly 100 Canberra families go without food every day, VolunteeringACT’s February survey showed.
Even people employed in the community sector themselves are now using food pantries, Dr Bowles said.
Disadvantage is more entrenched and more complicated, and the community sector is under growing pressure, Dr Bowles says. ACTCOSS reports show that demand for services is increasing, and the pool of people who need services is expanding. Demand for food relief services rose by a quarter between 2024 and 2025, and Canberra had the highest rate (37 per cent) of people requesting food support for the first time, VolunteeringACT’s survey showed.
“One of the trademarks of Australia has been
the extent of its equity — and that is absolutely being eroded before our eyes,” Dr Bowles said. “It is becoming a less fair place.
“As a community locally, and as a country, we need to think about how we respond to change, and how much we focus on equity. Because if we don’t ask that question, then what we’ve seen so far is bound to continue, and the number of people who are struggling with the basics, or not meeting their basic needs, is set to expand.”
Causes
The economic drivers of growing poverty, Dr Bowles said, are the fuel crisis, petrol prices pushed up by the Middle East conflict; mobility of labour; and growing corporate influence over government decision-making in ways that disadvantage citizens but provide an advantage to an international company.
“One of the lessons of history is that times of rapid change often see a rapid escalation of inequality, if there is not concerted effort to focus on equity. At a global level, the top 0.01 per cent of wealthy people watch their portfolios dramatically expand as they capitalise on the shifts in the world and the expansion of people who are at the margins in much of the rest of the population.”
Read the full version online at canberradaily.com.au
Ready player one
Canberra could become a playable video game thanks to a local computer programmer who has 3D scanned reallife spaces and transformed our city into a game world.
Self-taught game developer Ricky Vuckovic – who wrote his first
basic program at four years old on a Commodore 64 – has released a demo called Postcard and you’ll recognise the graphics.
The photorealistic game world features familiar locations like: Mt Rogers, Blundells Cottage, National Library of
Australia, Himalayan Cedar Track, Callam Offices, Commonwealth Place, and the Dr Who TARDIS (water pump) at Red Hill.
First you select an avatar, one of 10 pre-set characters in the game, then you enter the videogame that is Canberra.
“It’s a short, free, playable tech experiment of turning a real-world place into a realistic video game environment,” Ricky said. “I’ve made digital recreations of seven different places in Canberra with some very vivid 3D scanning techniques. It plays like a typical third-person adventure game.”
To transform real-world places into a virtual world, Ricky filmed half-anhour of footage per area, in as many angles as possible, and recorded ambient sounds.
On Mt Rogers (in the suburb where Ricky grew up), he recorded the sound of his feet walking on gravel, on grass, on top of rocks. Sometimes there were unintended photo-bombs.
“There was someone whose dog had escaped their leash and had gone running off to chase a kangaroo,” Ricky said. “It’s tricky because you need a very still, calm environment so that as you’re filming you don’t get weird artefacts in the way like people walking around.”
The footage is then transformed into a 3D model through a process called Photogrammetry, and Canberra’s already stunning landscapes are transformed by the
brilliantly-named technique, Gaussian Splat (basically a collection of about 5 million little dots of colour that represents the world).
Postcard is just the beginning. Ricky has ambitious plans to create a full-length adventure game of Canberra.
Developing video games was always on the cards for Ricky, who wrote his first program when he was still learning to read.
“It was just such a joy typing stuff in and things happened - that and just playing games, it just really made me want to make them myself,” he said.
“On the Commodore 64, there was Sid Meier’s Pirates!, the best bits of the game were about ship-to-ship combat and taking over stuff but I just also really liked sailing around the Caribbean.
“There’s something just about the sense of travel and going places. It was a really interesting concept of: here’s a mini piece of the world, sail around, do as you like.”
By day, Ricky is a learning designer in higher education, but after midnight and weekends, he’s a solo game designer.
“It’s really almost every day of my life,” he said. “I make games and random creative technology experiments.”
Already, Postcard has garnered massive interest online. When Ricky posted his prototype on Reddit, it racked up 250,000 views.
“Postcard uses real-world places in games and tells real stories and shares local culture and a sense of place through the medium of videogames,” he said.
“This is step one towards something quite big, of which it very much does have Canberra as a playable city.”
Postcard is available for free and runs on Windows computers. Link: store.steampowered.com/ app/4032540/Postcard
Canberra goes virtual in a prototype video game called Postcard.
The best camera is the one in your pocket
by JACKY LEE
One of the most common questions I hear from people who admire a photograph is: “What camera
of field, meaning everything from foreground to background appears sharp. That is fine for a landscape, but it rarely makes a portrait feel striking. The trick is to get as close to your subject
Jacky Lee
Photography: Daniel Boud
have you heard?
GIVIT donation of the week: Lawn mower
GIVIT is seeking support for a man living with disabilities who is experiencing financial hardship. This man had previously been experiencing homelessness and struggled with mental illness. He is currently living in transitional accommodation and hopes to maintain his own yard but is unable to afford tools or gardening services due to financial hardship. GIVIT is requesting the donation of a lawn mower. Your donation will benefit his physical and mental wellbeing and foster a sense of accomplishment while he waits for permanent accommodation. Generous Canberrans can donate a lawn mower or fund the purchase of these items. 100% of your financial donation will be used to purchase what’s needed. To help please visit: GIVIT.org.au/what’s-needed, search; Location State: ‘ACT’, Keywords: ‘lawn mower’ and Suburb: ‘Yarralumla, 2600’.
Bold Bandannas fundraising stall
Are you running out of homemade jam, marmalade, pickles, chutney and lemon butter? The Bold Bandannas can supply all these. Visit their stall at Fyshwick Markets (within Ziggy’s shop) on Saturday 30 May, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and support their fundraising efforts for the Cancer Council ACT.
Friends ANBG Thursday Talks
Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens will host a Thursday Talk on 14 May at the ANBG Theatrette, opposite the ANBG Visitor Centre, 12:30–1:30pm. Kim Pullen, Honorary Fellow at CSIRO, will discuss bogs and fens as an insect habitat, and the variety of ecological niches insects occupy. Trybooking: trybooking.com/DHLQK. Gold coins, notes and EFTPOS donations support projects of the Friends of ANBG.
Canberra Flower Club floral art demonstrations
The Canberra Flower Club Inc meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Downer Community Centre, 9:30am for a 10am start, finishing at 12:30pm. Gwen Hartley and Faye Gill from Sydney will be the demonstrators, both having been involved in the floral industry for many years and winning numerous prizes in Australia and internationally. Mary Fairley-Cunningham will be demonstrating at a Saturday morning event on 8 August 2026. Mary teaches at Sydney TAFE and has also won many prizes. Time and location details will be advertised closer to the date.
Narrabundah Probus Club meeting
The next meeting of the Narrabundah Probus Club will be held at 11:15am on Tuesday 12 May at the Harmonie German Club. Visitors are always welcome. Guest speaker Estella Hutchinson, an end-of-life doula, will present. She brings a unique sense of humour, making conversations about death both comfortable and thought provoking. Probus is a network of social clubs that provides retirees with the opportunity to connect socially and is not affiliated with any religious or political organisation.
Greenway Probus Club
Greenway Probus Club is a mixed social club for those who are retired or semi-retired, meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30am–12:30pm, at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong in Greenway (Brindabella Room). Visitors are welcome to attend meetings, hear guest speakers and join members for lunch. The club also runs a program of social activities, local visits and trips. For more information, call Graham on 0407 821 616 or visit the club’s website.
community noticeboard
email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field
VIEW Club
Queanbeyan: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 21 May, 12pm for a 12:30pm luncheon, at the Tourist Hotel, Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Guest speaker Tori Fraser from CommBank will present on scams. RSVP to Irene on 0438 231 003 or via email at queanbeyanview@gmail.com by Sunday 17 May.
Woden: The next meeting will be held at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden on Tuesday 26 May, 11:30am for 12pm. The cost is $38 for a two-course lunch. Guest speaker Emma Bragg will discuss retirement legal matters. Guests are welcome. Please advise Lesley of your attendance on 0419 697 782 by 19 May.
Yerrabi: The next meeting is on Thursday 21 May at the Eastlake Gungahlin Club, Hinder Street, Gungahlin, 11am for an 11:30am start. Guest speaker Angelina Busco, Sales Manager from Wendy Wu Tours, will present. New members are welcome to attend and can also join the group for lunch afterwards at the club bistro. For more information, contact Cheryl via email at chanily3@bigpond.com
Gungahlin: Come and join the next lunch meeting on Wednesday 27 May at The Lakes Golf Club, Gungahlin, from 11:30am. Cost is $35 per person. Guest speaker Chris Hammer, an Australian journalist and crime fiction writer, will present. All visitors are welcome. Please phone or text Helen on 0413 923 933 by Sunday 24 May if you wish to attend.
Growing the Economic Pie
by GREG HARFORD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
It’s no secret that the ACT Government is facing some significant financial challenges. The Government announced last year that it would lower the Payroll Tax threshold, meaning that more small businesses will have to pay the tax, while making large firms pay even more – a stonkering 8.75 per cent. At the same time, other Government taxes, charges and levies went up, with a significant impact on business.
I am concerned that, in an attempt to balance the Budget, the Government will seek to impose further high taxes on businesses and jobs. This might help plug some revenue gaps in the short term, but would be bad news for the entire
ACT in the long run.
We are already seeing private fixed capital investment in the ACT decline, and we cannot tax ourselves to prosperity.
Notwithstanding Canberra’s role as the home of the Federal Government, two-thirds of the jobs in the ACT are in the private sector. It is the private sector that ultimately drives strong economic outcomes, creates jobs and delivers the services that Canberrans need and use every day.
The Canberra Business Chamber wants to see more diversification and stronger private sector economic growth, and we need to be talking about the barriers that are holding us back. On 15 October this year, we’ll be holding our Grow The Pie Economic Summit to learn from other places about what works, and what doesn’t, in terms of stimulating growth.
I’ll keep you posted on the learnings!
sponsored Canberra Business Chamber
PUZZLES & STARS
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
Do you think you could have prepared more? What you did was enough. In fact, you’re a master of efficiency. Too much preparation can lead to inaction. You never want to let perfect be the enemy of the good and done. Follow the same ethos with this week’s finished project.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)
There is a fairy-tale quality to the week. The characters that spring to life will pose riddles and enticing offers. You don’t need ‘happily ever after’ have a good ending. The best ending is just the fact that you now know more than you did because you completed the project.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)
BRAIN BUSTERS
1 In which year was Ned Kelly hanged for murder at Old Melbourne Gaol?
2 Which country was formerly known as Ceylon?
3 The third novel in the Dune series is titled, Children of ... what?
4 What is the symbol of the chemical element, bohrium?
5 Rouladen is a traditional dish in the cuisine of which country?
SOLUTIONS
Is it courage or impulsiveness? Is it an adventurous spirit or a reaction to having nothing to lose? Whatever it is, the ability to rush into the game with no preparation is a gift. It will invig-orate you in ways you never would have imagined. And the stories you’ll have later? Pure gold.
CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)
Think of the universe as your genie in a bottle. When it comes to those three wishes, the specifics matter. Think carefully about what you want. Famously, people are bad at predicting what will make them happy, but you can at least predict what will make you healthy.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)
People do things you don’t understand. Misreading intent is a danger. When their actions are baffling, you’ll save time if you don’t assume anything about their motive. Instead, just ask. Getting clarity about why something happened will change how it feels and how it can be addressed.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
You don’t just listen for what is said. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, well-known to be 10% of what’s there. The other 90% is under the ocean. You notice the pauses, track the shifts and follow the patterns. When folks feel this seen and heard, conversations shift to show a deeper reality.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)
There is not a person who can determine the importance of a job because it’s not for any individual to say. You commit to the work that feels important, as the sense of what’s important is as good an indicator as any. Does the harmony of the universe depend on your effort? Well, maybe it does.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)
To learn someone is to trust them, because trust is a prediction. Trust is knowing what a person is likely to do. When you give your trust, you’re not saying, “I trust you” so much as saying, “I trust you to do XYZ.” This week, successful transactions depend on knowing people well.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)
When people feel examined, they defend. When they feel invited, they try to bring their best selves to the party. You’ll be very careful in your dealings this week, respecting people’s space and empathising with their position to find clues about where you might find common ground.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)
There’s a difference between what people talk about and what they actually care about. People often talk about things out of habit, politeness or to fill space. That surface chatter won’t be a reliable indicator of their real interests this week, so go a little deeper than small talk.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)
You’re not the same person you were when you went through a formative part of your past. The version of you telling the story now understands it differently than the version who lived it. Wisdom is something you only articulate after you’ve already been changed by the experience.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)
It feels like you have so much responsibility now, that you’re parenting yourself. You’re the creative director, the crew and the talent. You’re the driver, the teacher, the student and the chef. But the most important role you’ll play to yourself this week? Friend. Support yourself. Go all out.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Pork and Ricotta Stuffed
Pasta Shells
Serves 4 | 25 mins prep | 60 mins cook
Ingredients
400g jumbo pasta shells
350g Italian style pork sausages, casing removed and in small pieces
1 1/4 cups fresh ricotta
1 tsp minced garlic
1 large egg
1/2 cup finely grated
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Large handful continental parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup thickened cream
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1L good quality Italian pasta sauce
200g mozzarella, torn
Method
Preheat oven to 190°C. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil then add the pasta shells and cook until they are al dente (8-10minutes). Drain well and set aside in a baking pan to cool.
In a large bowl combine the pork sausage, ricotta, garlic, egg, cheese, parsley and cream. Then, season with salt and pepper and mix well. Add half the pasta sauce to the base of a Pyrex 2.6L BakeN Serve dish. Stuff each shell with a heaped tablespoon of the pork and ricotta filling and place it into the baking dish in the sauce. Repeat with all the shells ensuring they fit in one even layer. Spoon over the remaining sauce and scatter the torn mozzarella on top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45mins, then uncover and bake for 15 minutes longer until the top is golden. Stand for 10 minutes, top with a more chopped parsley and serve.
Recipe and image courtesy of Amanda Michetti and Pyrex.
Let’s hear it for the mum! Footloose star dances into Canberra this Mother’s Day
by BERNIE RYAN
If you dream of a career in the performing arts, and of being a mother, but wonder if it is possible to do both, beloved Australian actor, singer, and mother, Sophie Weiss, says “It is!”
Aptly, this Mother’s Day weekend, Ms Weiss will be doing just that when she reprises her role as Vi Moore in the Australian production of the hit musical Footloose: The Musical, opening at the Royal Theatre. Family in tow!
Ms Weiss, who has been touring the production with husband Drew and their two children, Chloe (4) and Louis (2) since early April, says that she can’t overstate how lucky she feels to “…dip my toe in the water and still have that part of my life following my passion, whilst being with my family”.
Especially as part of such an iconic production.
“It’s actually a really, really special time,” she says.
“And we have a list of things planned to do in Canberra.”
Australians had not seen a production of Footloose for 20 years, until 2025, when the first season of this production played to sold out audiences and stellar reviews in Melbourne.
Ms Weiss says that Canberrans are in for another first-time experience though this year.
“We’ve kind of had time to reflect, remaster and make it even bigger and better than it was before,” she says.
Based on the titular 1984 movie, the four-time Tony Award nominated musical is a cultural phenomenon,
which has captured the hearts of millions with its powerful story of youth, freedom, and the unifying power of music and dance.
The all-Australian cast bring this high-energy production to the stage, with Southeast Queensland’s Gabriel Tiller (Jersey Boys, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) in the lead as Ren, the rebellious kid who tells the town of Bomont that it’s time to dance.
WAAPA alumni Brittany Morton (Guys and Dolls, Love Actually: The Musical Parody) will play the Reverend’s rebellious daughter and the romantic lead Ariel, while Stephen Hirst (Pride and Prejudice, Little Shop of Horrors) is cast as the powerful Reverend Shaw Moore.
A star of both TV and stage, Ms Weiss will play the role of the Reverend’s wife and audience favourite, Vi, before handing over to fellow seasoned actor and performer, (and, you guessed it, mother!), Rachel Beck for the remainder of the season post Canberra.
It is also a role with additional meaning for Ms Weiss.
“I’ve enjoyed delving into more of my character’s story … that of overcoming loss and grief … and the challenges and rewards of parenting teenagers,” she says.
“Because that’s not something I have experienced.”
Ms Weiss can’t wait for Canberrans to immerse themselves in the show.
“So many people have a connection with Footloose, from seeing the movie or … just all those
iconic high energy songs like, ‘Holding Out for a Hero’, ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy,’ and of course, ‘Footloose!’,” she says.
“The responses we’ve been having from the audiences are wonderful.”
The end of the show also includes an invitation to the audience to get up and dance in their seats, with a “…big mega mix”, says Ms Weiss.
Footloose: The Musical is a celebration of community, connection, and the courage to make change.
It’s bold. It’s joyful. And it’s one of the most fun nights out you’ll have all year.
A genuine Mother’s Day Treat.
And are Chloe and Louis having fun?
It’s a resounding “Yes,” from Chloe!
Footloose: The Musical opens at the Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre, Canberra, 8-10 May.
Tickets are selling fast via footloosethemusical. com
Sophie Weiss brings heart and energy to the role of Vi Moore in Footloose: The Musical, opening in Canberra this Mother’s Day weekend.
How to be a tosser 101
by GEORGIA CURRY
Regardless of what APS level you are, most Canberrans are qualified in Wankernomics – or office culture – which is the hilarious topic of a live show at Canberra Theatre on 13 May.
Bringing an office parody to Canberra, where there’s a high concentration of office wankery, comedian Charles Firth sometimes discovers the mother lode.
“We once took the piss out of someone about the Federal Government’s logo redesign of the Women’s Network, which looked like a penis,” Charles said. “We had a woman onstage for a quiz who said, ‘I was involved in that design’.”
It’s nice to see public servants from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet showing pride
in their work (look it up, it is indeed a phallic logo).
To gain a Wankernomics degree, you must be fluent in tosser language (phrases like “circle back” and “synergies”).
Charles has an Arts Degree and no office experience – but he knows wankers.
“I’ve always been in comedy but I did work at Triple M for a few years and that was enough,” he said. “I went to a meeting once and I actually thought the guy at the head of the meeting was doing some sort of stand-up routine. It was so ridiculous.
“Even though I was there only for a brief time, I feel like I’ve got a lifetime’s worth of bullshit.”
Charles is described in the
He may only have an Arts Degree (primarily from the bar at Sydney University) but he has some hot tips on how to speak at work, how to look like a genius in meetings, and how to get promoted by dropping the phrase “360 degree all-hands ideation session” in an email to your boss.
“Many people think that when we come to Canberra we adjust
with laughter but also you see this sort of pain that goes through them,” Charles said.
“It’s quite a cathartic experience for a lot of people. Last night, this woman said ‘I’m just going to go home, I’m not even going to go to dinner I’m so exhausted after that show. It was like she’d been at work for the last hour.”
with these sorts of meetings and buzzwords and jargon,” Charles
“But actually no, we don’t adjust
more targeted, more seen by the
fast-paced environment (in plain
The current show, with Charles and his comedian buddy James Schloeffel, takes a deep dive into how corporate bullsh*ttery is taking over the world, and your life.
“Our message is: yes, this is rubbish and that’s why you should lean into it and master it and become good at it,” Charles said. “The only way you can get ahead at work is to not resist it but to actually embrace it.”
“Every night you see people in the audience who are clearly triggered by it and it triggers them
Wankernomics is on at the Canberra Theatre, Wednesday 13 May at 7:30pm. Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au/ show/wankernomics-2026
Comedians James Schloeffel and Charles Firth present Wankernomics at Canberra Theatre on 13 May.
Music Theatre Classes for All Ages
Booktalk
Canberra Glee Club provides music theatre classes for all ages. We learn and perform individual songs from musicals as a group with tailored choreography and solo oppotunities. No auditions - everyone gets a chance to shine. Led by experienced singing and dance teachers.
50% off your first class
Term 2 theme
MOVIE MOVIE MUSICALS M I
Children’s and youth classes held Thursdays
Grown-up Adults - 40ish Plus held Saturdays
Located in Macquarie, ACT
Term 2 enrolments open until the end of May
www.canberragleeclub.com.au
@canberragleeclub
This week, Jeff Popple reviews three good Australian crime novels for an autumn weekend reading. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Click by Sarah Bailey
Allen & Unwin, $34.99
Acclaimed Australian author Sarah Bailey is in good form with her latest novel, Click. Set on the eve of the COVID pandemic in early 2020, Click brings back journalist Oli Groves from Sarah’s best book, The Housemate. Still reeling from some terrible personal news, Oli finds herself caught up in the media storm around the disappearance of several young women in Melbourne. While Oli tries to get the inside running on the news story, fledgling police detective Penelope Kibbs is determined to stop more women from being killed. An enjoyable, substantial crime novel with good characters and a strong sense of place.
Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer Echo, $34.99
Mixing old and new crimes, Natalie Conyer’s Finding the Bones is a briskly paced police novel that entertains while bringing alive Sydney’s recent dark history. Homicide Detective Jackie Rose is the daughter of legendary police detective Stanton Rose, who came to fame for cleaning up Kings Cross. Back when he was a young undercover police officer in the 1980s, he tangled with some of the Cross’s worst gangsters and had an affair with the controversial anti-developer Belle Fitzgerald. Now, forty years after Belle disappeared, her bones have been found and it is up to Jackie to find out who killed her, regardless of the consequences. Superior crime fiction.
Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan
Harper Collins, $34.99
Dervla McTiernan’s first Australian-based suspense thriller is a terrific read. Melbourne detective Judith Lee has her own reasons for being drawn into a sexual assault complaint against a prominent psychologist. However, when she tries to follow it up, she finds that the complainant has disappeared. At the same time, identical-looking packages are delivered to three very different households and inside each are life-shattering gifts. Then the first murder occurs. Desperately, Judith tries to find the link between the alleged assault and the packages. With consummate skill, Dervla keeps the reader guessing all the way to the breathless climax. A great Mother’s Day gift.
Why bees matter to every meal on your table
Every third mouthful of food we eat owes its existence to a pollinator. Bees, native and introduced, do the quiet work that turns blossom into fruit, flower into seed, and paddock into harvest. Without them, the shelves at the Capital Region Farmers Market would look very different, and so would dinner tables across Canberra.
That connection between pollinator and plate is why the Market is once again marking World Bee Day at EPIC on Saturday 16 May, a few days ahead of the United Nations’ day of recognition on 20 May.
“Bees aren’t a nice-to-have at a farmers market, they’re the reason most of it exists,” said Capital Region Farmers Market Manager Sarah Power.
“Talk to almost any of our growers and they’ll point straight to a hive. They’re the smallest,
hardest-working members of our team.”
For farmers who bring produce to Market each week, bees are essential infrastructure. Orchards, berry growers, cultivated crops, seed savers and beekeepers all rely on healthy pollinator populations to keep their businesses viable and their produce affordable. When bee numbers drop, yields fall, costs climb, and the diversity of local produce narrows.
Join Capital Region Farmers Market as they mark World Bee Day on Saturday 16 May, from 7am to 11:30am. Stay up to date with happenings at capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au or follow the Market on Facebook or Instagram (@ crfarmersmarket).
CELEBRATE
WORLD BEE DAY
And the importance of pollinators.
Saturday 16 May 2026 7:00am – 11:30am
• Meet beekeepers and farmers who rely on bees
• Try delicious honey-themed treats
• Enjoy entertainment, live music, facepainting and painting for the kids
• Speak to local growers about the importance of pollinating plants in Canberra gardens
• See ABC Canberra Radio broadcasting live at the Market
Exhibition Park in Canberra, Flemington Road, Mitchell
capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Follow us on:
Celebrate World Bee Day at the Capital Region Farmers Market on Saturday 16 May.
The Sound of (corporate) Music
by GEORGIA CURRY
Bet you’ve ever heard an operatic aria with a C bomb in it but then again, you’ve probably never seen a musical sketch comedy about the modern workplace.
There’s not usually much to sing about in the office but H.R The Musical, at The Q on Tuesday 12 May, waxes lyrical about the absurdity of work through blues, rap, opera and pop.
The New Zealand musical sold-out at NZ International Comedy Festival and smashed it at Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Writer and producer Amy Mansfield is yet another lawyer-cum-comedian (think Shaun Micallef and Charlie Pickering).
She started out as a corporate lawyer before working for a global legal publishing firm, and later the public sector, where she no doubt gathered fodder for her musical about office life.
“There is a song in the show which is about transparent communication with co-workers and it’s a ballad, like an aria that you might sort of see in an opera,” Amy said. “It’s called Have I
Told You Lately You’re a C***
“Because it’s a sort of Disney, very saccharine sounding music, you might expect something very sweet and then suddenly this lyric comes out.”
That will give office-workers something to gossip about at the water cooler.
If you like the rap music in Hamilton, you’ll appreciate the rap about
restructuring in this musical, a spoken word number drawn entirely verbatim from LinkedIn posts.
What’s interesting about this musical is that it’s performed by an all-female cast – not something you see in the corporate world.
“That’s another really important distinction and it wasn’t really the initial plan but that’s sort of how it developed,” Amy said.
“There’s some really interesting
things that we’re able to do with that, like the main character is a CEO who refers to himself as being just male and white and he’s being played by a woman – of course his name’s Richard. He shakes hands with all of the people in the audience called Andrew and James, which is pretty much what every other CEO is called.”
H.R. The Musical is on at the Q in Queanbeyan on Tuesday 12 May. Bookings: theq.net.au
H.R. The Musical parodies the absurdity of the modern workplace.
Sudden Hearing Loss:
Why Timing Matters
by Michelle Richards, Director & Accredited Hearing Specialist — Michelle Richards Hearing, Dickson
Arecent personal experience brought this topic into sharp focus for me.
My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sachi, suddenly stopped responding to sound. No warning. No obvious cause. Within days, he had lost his hearing.
As a hearing specialist, I recognise these signs immediately — but it was a powerful reminder of how subtle sudden hearing loss can be, and how easily it could be missed.
What Is Sudden Hearing Loss?
In humans, this condition is known as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL).
It typically occurs:
• Suddenly (overnight or within a few days)
• Without pain
• Without an obvious cause
People often describe it as:
• A blocked or “full” ear
• Mu ed or distorted sound
• A sudden drop in hearing in one ear
It may also be accompanied by:
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Dizziness or vertigo
How Common Is It?
SSNHL a ects approximately 5 to 20 people per 100,000 each year
While considered uncommon, this equates to thousands of Australians annually — many of whom may not recognise the urgency of their symptoms. Why It’s
a Medical Emergency
Sudden hearing loss should be treated with the same urgency as sudden vision loss.
The most e ective treatment — typically corticosteroid therapy — is time-sensitive. Clinical evidence shows:
• Up to 65% of individuals may experience some spontaneous recovery
• However, early treatment significantly improves outcomes
• The ideal treatment window is within 24 to 72 hours of onset
Despite this, only around one-third of patients seek medical attention within this critical timeframe.
The Risk of Waiting
One of the biggest challenges is that sudden hearing loss does not feel like an emergency.
There is often:
• No pain
• No visible symptoms
• No immediate sense of urgency
As a result, many people delay seeking care, assuming the issue will resolve on its own. Unfortunately, delayed treatment can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Living With Permanent Single-Sided Hearing Loss
If hearing does not recover, individuals may experience monaural (single-sided) hearing loss, which can have significant long-term impacts.
These may include:
• Di culty understanding speech, particularly in background noise
• Reduced ability to localise sound (identifying where sounds are coming from)
• Increased listening e ort and fatigue
• Challenges in group conversations
• Reduced environmental awareness (e.g., tra c, alarms)
There can also be neurological e ects, as the brain adapts to receiving uneven auditory input. This may contribute to:
• Persistent tinnitus
• Auditory processing di culties
• Increased cognitive load during listening tasks
What Should You Do?
If you experience:
• Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
• A blocked or mu ed sensation that does not clear
• A sudden change in sound clarity Do not wait.
Seek urgent care:
• Contact your GP immediately
• Request an urgent referral to an ENT specialist
• Arrange a hearing assessment as soon as possible Key Message
Sudden hearing loss is not a “wait and see” condition. It is a time-critical medical event, where early action can significantly influence the outcome. Because when it comes to hearing… What you do in the first few days can make all the di erence.
Book online at michellerichardshearing.com.au or call 02 6281 0222
Scan to book online instantly
The Mother’s Day gift she actually wants
wi DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA CO N T R I BU
Mother’s Day is a lovely idea in theory: breakfast in bed, handmade cards, maybe a bunch of flowers. But if we’re being honest, most mums don’t need more “stu ” and there are only so many candles a person can politely pretend to love. What many mums really want is something less gift-wrapped and more meaningful.
A bit of support, a bit of appreciation, and a little less mental overload. Not just on Mother’s Day, but on the other 364 days too.
I spend a lot of time talking to mums who are quietly carrying a lot. Not always in dramatic ways, but in the relentless, everyday accumulation of responsibility. They’re remembering, organising, anticipating, worrying, and planning. It’s the mental load that tends to wear them down. The good news? Children (at any age) can play a powerful role in protecting their mum’s mental health.
Say it out loud
Mums often develop an almost supernatural ability to know where
your missing shoe is, when your assignment is due, and what you meant to say when you mumbled something from another room. But mind-reading doesn’t go both ways. A simple, genuine “thank you” lands more than you might think. Feeling noticed matters. It reminds her she’s not invisible in her own home.
Do the thing… before being asked
There is something deeply exhausting about having to ask for help. It turns one task into two, doing the thinking and the doing. One of the best things children can do is take initiative. Empty the dishwasher. Fold your laundry. Walk the dog. Start your homework without a dramatic sigh. These small acts don’t just tick jobs o a list; they reduce the cognitive load. It’s the di erence between feeling like they must manage everything to “we’re in this together”.
Check in on her Mums are usually the ones doing the emotional check-ins. “How was your day?” “Are you okay?” “What’s going on with your friend?” Try flipping that
script. Ask her how she is and be prepared to listen. Not fix, not solve, just listen. You might be surprised by how much that matters. Feeling heard is one of the most underrated contributors to good mental health.
Let go of the “perfect mum” idea
The pressure on mothers to be everything, patient, organised, calm, fun, healthy, successful, is enormous. And unrealistic. Children can help by allowing their mum to be human. When expectations soften, stress tends to follow.
Connection beats perfection
Of course, celebrate Mother’s Day. But what tends to matter most are the small, everyday moments like a chat in the car, a shared joke, a quiet cup of tea together. So this year, alongside the usual gifts, consider o ering something that doesn’t come in a box - your attention, your e ort, and a willingness to meet her halfway.
Because when mums feel supported and appreciated, they don’t just cope, they thrive. And that’s good for everyone.
‘Decision fatigue’ could be hurting your health. A nutritionist explains
by EMMA BECKETT
You’re standing in a supermarket aisle, weighing up whether to buy a microwave meal or a bunch of fresh carrots.
We all know making healthy eating choices can be tough. That’s especially true if you are hungry, or have a hungry household to feed.
There are so many reasons for this, and many are outside our control. But one you might not be aware of is a psychological concept known as “decision fatigue”.
So what exactly is decision fatigue? And could it help or hinder your healthy eating goals?
What is decision fatigue?
Decision fatigue, also known as choice overload, describes what happens when we make many effortful decisions over time.
Whenever you make a decision, you use a small amount of mental energy. As that energy runs low, you tend to make worse decisions.
This means you’re more likely to act without thinking, or simply choose what is easy or familiar. You might also find it harder to plan ahead and resist certain impulses.
This means you might be more likely to grab a takeaway instead of the ingredients to make a meal, or default to familiar comfort foods instead of making intentional, healthy choices.
How might it affect my eating habits?
The average person makes hundreds of food decisions each day.
You may think you’re just choosing a meal. But that one decision involves making many layered choices about what and
how much you eat, as well as where, when, and how you eat it.
You may make these choices subconsciously or automatically. But they each require to you weigh up various factors, such as taste, costs, time, expectations, and more.
When decision fatigue sets in, you’re less likely to make thoughtful, health-focused choices. Instead, you may gravitate towards options that require less effort and offer quick rewards. You may also become more influenced by outside cues. An example of this is advertising that promotes convenient but high-calorie options such as fast food, snacks or indulgent treats.
Having too much information can make these decisions even harder. Nutrition advice often assesses the value of foods by how much protein, fat, fibre or vitamins they contain. This way of thinking, sometimes called nutritionism, can make food choices more complex. Instead of choosing food as food, we try to calculate and juggle many numbers at once.
Not the only factor
Several other factors may affect your food choices.
One is stress. One study from 2022 showed parents who experience high levels of both stress and decision fatigue found it more difficult to stick to positive food-related behaviours, such as making meals from scratch or eating together as a family.
Another is tiredness. One 2017 study showed time of day affected meal choices. It found between mealtimes, and especially in the afternoon, people were more likely to choose the simpler default food choice than one that required
more consideration. This suggests having lower blood sugar and less mental energy meant people made less considered decisions.
How can I reduce my decision fatigue?
Here are four tips.
Have healthy foods on hand
When we’re low on mental or physical energy, we usually turn to what’s easy or familiar. That’s why it’s important to have healthy food options within reach. Thankfully, this doesn’t need to be complicated. It could look like pre-cutting fruit or having some healthy frozen meals in the freezer. And research suggests removing unhealthy foods – for example from the pantry or fridge – can be just as helpful when you’re trying to make healthier food choices.
Plan your meals
Planning meals could help too. This may involve setting some weekend time aside to decide what meals you’ll cook and eat. That’s instead of making last-minute decisions at the supermarket or on the drive home. Meal kits and batch cooking, which both reduce the number of food-related decisions you have to make, may also reduce decision fatigue.
Reframe your eating choices
How you frame choices may also improve your eating habits. For example, you may be more likely to
“eat a colourful meal” rather than simply telling yourself to “eat more vegetables”.
Outsource some of the decision-making
If you’re looking for healthy, tasty recipes, you don’t need to re-invent the wheel. You can find a wealth of free ideas the Eat for Health, Heart Foundation and National Nutrition Foundation websites. And if making food decisions feels overwhelming, Accredited Practicing Dietitians and Registered Nutritionists can help you turn complex nutrition advice into manageable steps.
The bottom line
We often think eating should be simple and intuitive, but blame ourselves when it doesn’t feel that way. However, the concept of decision fatigue shows healthy eating is not just about willpower. It’s also about noticing when you’re tired, stressed or time-poor, and taking practical steps to make healthy foods the easiest option.
Emma Beckett, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition and Food Science, Australian Catholic University. She is a registered nutritionist and a member of the Nutrition Society of Australia, and the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology. She is the author of ‘You Are More Than What You Eat’. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Great design and everyday comfort
Weetangera 64 Bambridge Street
A standout in sought-after Weetangera, this custom-designed family home blends midcentury modern style with everyday comfort and impressive entertaining credentials.
Built by its original owners, the five-bedroom residence showcases soaring ceilings, expansive windows and a clever split-level design that fills the home with natural light. Polished concrete floors, timber accents and seamless indoor-outdoor flow create a warm, inviting feel, while multiple living zones offer flexibility for growing families.
At the heart of the home, the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area connects effortlessly
to a sun-soaked terrace. The designer kitchen features a striking stone island, quality appliances and a butler’s pantry, making it ideal for both daily life and entertaining. A separate formal lounge provides a cosy retreat for quieter moments.
Upstairs, the main suite is a true sanctuary, complete with a private balcony, walk-in robe, study nook and stylish ensuite with in-slab heating. Four additional bedrooms, all with builtins, are serviced by a sleek family bathroom.
Outdoors, the home truly shines. From the solar-heated pool and poolside pavilion to the covered alfresco and landscaped gardens,
it offers a private, resort-style setting. All just moments from local schools, shops and Belconnen amenities.
5 3 6
EER 4
Auction Sat 13 May 1pm
View Sat 9 May, 3:15 to 3:45pm
Agent Treston Bamber
Mob 0488 488 956
Ray White Canberra | 6173 6300
UP TO $50,000 DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE*
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE
$5000 EXCHANGE*
The Shard, Woden is unveiling its new display apartments for the first time.
Artfully designed to stay intricately connected, each residence is intimate in personality yet spacious in design. Offering a selection of 1, 2, 3 and 4 beds, The Shard rises above a vibrant modern retail space on the ground floor, all just moments away from Westfield Woden and convenient public transport.
APARTMENTS NOW OPEN
& Sun : 11am — 3pm Mon - Fri : 11am — 2pm This is an opportunity not to be missed! Contact us today for more information, plans and pricing:
1/27 Temperley Street, Nicholls 2913 Published Reserve: $858,000 Upcoming Auction May 10th 10:00am
To ensure every buyer has a fair opportunity to prepare, this campaign has been structured to provide clarity, confidence, and genuine opportunity — with the reserve disclosed from the outset. This gives you time to get your finance in order and act with confidence, without unnecessary pressure. For those ready to move sooner, the seller welcomes and will seriously consider strong pre-auction offers.
Make no mistake, the interstate owner is committed to achieving a result. A reserve of $858,000 has been set, and the property will be sold.
• Exchange required before June 30, 2026
• Flexible settlement (up to 60 days) - you the buyer can nominate any date up to 60 calendar days
• Vacant possession guaranteed - means there is no tenant in place
• Early occupancy available - means you can move in before settlement
• 5% deposit (10% at risk). You can bid with $1,000 on the day and transfer the balance within 5 days
Positioned in the highly sought after suburb of Nicholls, this well maintained home offers the perfect balance of comfort and functionality:
• A near northerly aspect fills the home with natural light, creating a comfortable and energy efficient living environment year round.
• Large master bedroom with spacious ensuite and private balcony
• Bedrooms 2 and 3 with built in robes
• Main bathroom with separate shower and bath
• Large lounge and dining area
• Separate family and meals area off the kitchen
Key Property Information
• Annual Body Corporate Fees: $4,700
• Annual Rates: $3,000
• Annual Land Tax (if rented): $3,600
• Powder room
• Internal laundry
• Kitchen with dishwasher and gas cooking
• Fully enclosed rear courtyard and secure front yard with grassed area
• Ducted heating
• Split system heating and cooling to lounge and dining area
• Updated carpets
• Double internal garage with remote access
• Garden shed in rear courtyard
• Energy Efficiency Rating (EER): 4.5 stars
• Block Size: 308m
• Year Built: Circa 1999
For your own private inspection, call seven days — Frank Walmsley 0400 446 605. Licenced Agent and Auctioneer: Frank Walmsley
Licence Number: 18404240
More than a home, it’s a community
Family owned and operated for over 35 years, The Grange retirement village enjoys an unbeatable location in the ACT. Set among the leafy, tree‑lined streets of Deakin and just 300 metres from local shops, the village is also close to medical facilities and essential services.
Enjoy a low‑maintenance lifestyle within a warm, welcoming community, supported by a range of quality facilities including an indoor heated pool and spa, library, hairdressing salon, community gardens, onsite dining, and a pet‑friendly environment.
24‑hour onsite emergency support provides added peace of mind. A trained staff member is always onsite to offer calm assistance, basic first aid, and to contact emergency services if required, remaining with you until help arrives.
Our spacious independent living homes feature:
• Modern kitchens with stone benchtops and stainless‑steel appliances
• Open plan living and dining areas
• Most homes opening onto a generous balcony or courtyard
• Contemporary bathrooms
• Internal laundry
• Heating and cooling for year‑round comfort.
For future peace of mind, The Grange also offers one‑bedroom serviced apartments located onsite. Should a resident’s needs change, they may choose to move from an independent home into a serviced apartment, where assistance is provided with cleaning, all meals prepared onsite, and heavy laundry such as washing and changing bedding and towels. Personal care is not provided; however residents are welcome to continue with their own preferred personal care provider if required.
Open Home Friday 10am to 12pm
WHERE CANBERRA
Trades & Services Guide
Trades & Services Guide
Trades & Services Guide
Trades & Services Guide
Trades & Services Guide
TIL I N G
Sometimes in today’s modern world we can forget the beauty in artisanal craftsmanship. Get in touch to start your dream project today. ✓ Re-Upholstery & Restorations
✓ Custom-Made Furniture
✓ Commercial Fit-Outs
✓ Bedheads and Wall Upholstery Call or email us today! 0422 073 665 / 6181 3511 toni@twinstitchupholstery.com.au
