9 October 2025 by Canberra Weekly Magazine

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group of Marist boys are hitting the stage

this year’s Ausdance ACT Youth Dance Festival. Photo by Jordan Mirchevski.

Dance takes centre stage for Marist boys at Youth Dance Festival

by LILLIAN ALTMAN

Marist College Canberra is known for its sporting prowess, but it’s the culture of dance that is growing.

An increasing number of students at the all-boys’ school are taking up the extracurricular activity.

The school is taking part in this year’s Ausdance ACT Youth Dance Festival (YDF), which allows students to lead the way in choreographing their own work based on a theme.

One of the boys taking part is year 12 student Josh Galang.

He said it was inspiring that dance was something Marist students could do.

“I think it’s been a really great opportunity to expand the culture of Marist and to reduce the stigma from dancing,” Josh said.

“That dancing is not just a thing that girls can do, it’s a thing the guys can do and it’s cool as well.”

He said while the school was known for sport, it was important to show that it wasn’t “one-sided”.

Some of the co-curricular sports on offer to

students are rugby, Australian Rules Football, basketball, hockey, mountain biking, cricket, soccer and sailing.

“Dance is equally as important as, say, rugby,” Josh said.

“And it’s really important that we support all of our students’ different endeavours.

“In the ways that, if they want to play a sport, they can do dance, they can do rugby and that it’s equally supported.”

The group’s teacher, Caitlin Schlig, said there were many benefits and outcomes for the students to take up dancing.

“Representation of young men in dance is steadily growing and we’re really enthusiastic about it,” she said.

“We’ve seen how powerful it is when male students step into this space with pride.

“At a school with a strong sporting identity, dance provides another outlet where students can channel that discipline, athleticism and performance skills.

“Many of the qualities that are celebrated in sports, such as teamwork, strength, coordination

and perseverance, all translate seamlessly into dance.”

Ms Schlig said this dual emphasis allowed the students to thrive in both arenas.

“Breaking down stereotypes and highlighting the value of well-rounded personal development,” she said.

“Our headmaster often says: ‘he will measure a good boys’ school by their performing arts program’. Because he feels that if there’s a good performing arts program, it shows that they’re an all-boys school that wants inclusion.

“They are really genuinely looking to cater to the needs of every student who’s there.”

Youth Dance Festival

The theme for this year’s festival is Life on Mars.

Ms Schlig said the school’s routine was inspired by the television show KPop Demon Hunters, and boy bands of the nineties, with the song they’ve chosen being NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye. The song also featured in the 2024 Deadpool v Wolverine movie, which also serves as inspiration for the dance.

“So, their ideas of aliens that are actually a boy band have all come together through that kind of a lens,” she said.

Previous YDF participant and street dance teacher Jonah Lamond is one of the program’s mentors this year.

“Seeing it from this perspective, it’s very different from dancing in it,” he said.

“Dancing in it, it’s very tunnel vision. You’re only focusing on yourself.

“But when you’re in this position, you can see the next generation really moving up and it’s just really nice to see how supportive everyone is of it as well.

“We have this incredible program that’s giving students the capabilities to create, where when I was growing up there weren’t that many.

“If you went to a dance school, you couldn’t create because you were taught by a teacher.

“So, it’s nice to have space where you can learn and you can make mistakes so you can grow.”

YDF Program Manager Debora Di Centa said the program aimed to create an opportunity for the new generations to develop their own work in an inclusive environment that wasn’t competitive, whether that’s on the stage or behind the scenes through taking part in performances and backstage work experience programs.

Ausdance ACT’s Youth Dance Festival 2025 will run at the Canberra Theatre Centre on 28 and 29 October.

For tickets to this year’s Youth Dance Festival visit, canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/ ausdance-life-on-mars-2025

Marist boys bring their energy and creativity to the stage at Ausdance ACT’s Youth Dance Festival.

The pool that never leaked

by GEORGIA CURRY

Manuka Pool turns 95 this summer and even though it was scraped together on a reduced budget during the depression using day labour, it has never leaked (Civic Pool had a history of leaks and at one stage lost about 19 million litres of water every two weeks).

Even more surprising is that it didn’t have a name for more than two decades. There’s a Canberra joke that if your mobile phone breaks it doesn’t matter because there’s only a few places your mates could be and that’s why Manuka Pool was just “the swimming pool” – it was the only pool 95 years ago.

They don’t make pools like they used to and Manuka Pool was a bargain at 10,000 pounds. It may be a little quirky at only 30.48 metres in length (due to it being built in the old imperial measurement of 100 feet) but the locals love it.

There’s no “slow” or “fast” lanes for lapswimmers, the regulars just work it out for themselves.

Back in the day, hundreds of spectators would turn out to watch swimming competitions between the posh swimmers who lived in Red Hill and the working class swimmers who lived in Kingston.

The fashions have changed drastically since the conservative 1930s (no budgie smugglers or G-strings back then) and according to vicepresident of Friends of Manuka Pool, Rebecca Scouller, the dress regulations were strictly enforced.

“Back in the day they would have worn the old woollen swimsuits, with the men required to have their chests covered,” said Rebecca, who started swimming at Manuka 15 years ago.

“They used to have inspectors to make sure your swimwear was appropriate otherwise you could be issued a fine or expelled from the pool.”

Despite these prudish dress rules, Manuka Pool was quite risqué as it was one of the first pools in Australia to have mixed-gender swimming. How scandalous.

As soon as Civic Pool came along in 1955, Canberrans decided that “the swimming pool” had better be christened “Manuka Pool” to avoid confusion.

To celebrate its 95th birthday, Manuka Pool has a swag of fun events. For the full program, visit friendsofmanukapool.org

Founding member of Friends of Manuka Pool, Rebecca Scouller, can often be spotted wearing an old-school floral swimming cap.

Photo: Georgia Curry

I’m Every Woman: Women in ACT politics

with NICOLE LAWDER FORMER ACT MLA AND DEPUTY OPPOSITION LEADER

Whether you like the Chaka Khan version or the Whitney Houston one, I’ve got ‘I’m Every Woman’ playing as this week’s earworm, thinking about women in ACT politics. The ACT continues to lead Australia in women’s representation in politics.

Following the October 2024 election, women hold 13 of the 25 seats in the ACT Legislative Assembly, exceeding every other Australian jurisdiction. The ACT also has a high percentage of women in cabinet. This achievement demonstrates what is

possible when barriers are broken down and pathways are created for women to enter political life.

The ACT’s success is not a one-off: previous assemblies have also had gender balance. For Labor and the Greens, it is a result of their quota systems, for the Liberals, it has been organic — unfortunately that may mean that at any future election, the numbers could drastically change for the Liberals.

Research from around the world shows that when more women participate in politics, they prioritise social policies — including education, healthcare, paid parental leave and childcare support: everyone benefits. These are not just women’s issues but economic growth strategies. Countries with higher female representation tend to see different policy priorities and approaches to governance that reflect the needs of entire populations.

For example, research on local councils in India discovered that the number of drinking water projects in areas with women-led councils was 62% higher than in those with men-led councils. Studies in Norway revealed a direct causal link between the presence of women in municipal councils and improved childcare coverage.

Importantly, visible female political leaders change what’s possible for future generations. It’s the old adage “you can’t be what you can’t see” in action. When young girls see women in positions of power, it expands their sense of what they can achieve, creating a positive cycle where representation breeds more representation.

Women face disproportionate challenges in running for office, including financial barriers, bias in political parties and unpaid caregiving

responsibilities. The lack of networks and mentorship has been another major barrier, as politics has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

This is where programs like Pathways to Politics for Women have made a real difference. Pathways to Politics was initiated through the vision of Carol Schwartz AO, Chair of the Trawalla Foundation, launching initially at the University of Melbourne in 2016. The program is now national and in this week’s podcast, I speak to two women — Heidi Prowse and Soelily Consen Lynch — who participated in that program at the University of Canberra, and who both went on to run in the 2024 ACT election.

The question is not whether we can afford to have more women in politics — it is whether we can afford not to. And don’t get me started on the whole “merit” debate – I’ll have more to say on that another time.

Hope for

Back Pain Su erers

Many people accept, or are forced to accept, that their back pain is untreatable. That can turn to despair when treatment after treatment fails to bring any lasting di erence.

“If I could tell people with back pain one thing, it would be that there is hope for you to return to a painfree life,” says Gokhale Method teacher Tegan Kahn, speaking from her studio in Fisher.

A woman attending one of Tegan’s free workshops recently reported that she’d had sciatica for 15 months.

“She’d been trying everything she could ﬁnd and nothing was taking the pain away for more than a few hours at a time,” says Tegan.

“But by the end of the workshop, she was already feeling better, and it was something she could do for herself at home any time. She thanked me with tears in her eyes — ﬁnally she had hope. I almost cried myself.”

The Gokhale Method is based on the premise that most of us have become disconnected from our “natural human movement blueprint”.

Tegan says this shift was likely driven by

unfortunate changes in furniture design from World War I onwards.

“The fashions changed, our chairs changed, and our bodies became moulded to the shapes of the chairs,” she says.

“Unfortunately, the ergonomic furniture and pillows that were designed to counteract the growing rate of back pain, in most cases, actually make back pain worse. My students often throw out their lumbar cushions and cervical pillows after learning the Gokhale Method.”

According to Tegan, you don’t need gyms or dry needling (although she says those can often be helpful).

“The real way to target back pain for lasting relief is to learn to use your body in the way it was designed to be moved,” she says.

“Small tweaks to the ways you habitually sit, stand, bend, and walk can make huge di erences over time, often more than people expect.

“I’m continually surprised by the changes my students report — not just less back pain (86% of our students report improvements) — but also more energy, better lymph ﬂow, even smaller bunions.”

These are changes Tegan sees all the time, including in herself.

“I love being able to go to Zumba, feel the new strength in my muscles, and know they’ll protect my spine and knees while I jump and dance around.

“I used to have to drag myself to exercise, but it’s so much easier to get motivated when you aren’t worried about sore muscles or lactic acid buildup the next day.”

Tegan thinks the Gokhale Method is poised to take the world by storm.

“The Gokhale Method is not widely known outside of California, where its founder, Esther Gokhale, lives. But it is very well respected. Several leading spine experts in the US are strong advocates of the method.”

One of them is Professor Matthew Smuck, Medical Director of Rehabilitation at Stanford University, who is currently testing the method in a randomised controlled trial for lower back pain.

“It’s the absolute gold standard for assessing e ectiveness,” says Tegan.

“So it’s very exciting. I can’t wait for the time when the Gokhale Method is a household name, so that people su ering from unexplained back pain can ﬁnally get some lasting relief.”

You’ll be able to say you heard about the Gokhale Method in Canberra Weekly before everyone was doing it.

Find out more at gokhalemethod.com

Tegan Kahn with her student Donna Acs, who is currently training to be Canberra’s second Gokhale Method teacher.

Free formal wear helps students sparkle on special night

by LILLIAN ALTMAN

Thousands of formal wear items have been donated to a community organisation to ensure all students and staff can celebrate their special night equally.

While some might be doing it tough financially, or just can’t find that perfect dress, shoes, suits, bags, or jewellery, the Lake Tuggeranong and Canberra Valley Lions clubs are stepping in to help.

Other groups and businesses assisted, along with politicians Katy Gallagher, David Pocock and Mark Parton.

Operation Formal Wear aims to provide students in Canberra and the surrounding region with beautiful formal wear for their end-of-year celebration.

Teachers can also pick up items for graduation, all free of charge, at Lions Youth Haven, Kambah Pool Road, on 18-19 October.

Lake Tuggeranong Lions Club president Yvette Rydman said there was more of a reliance on the

service this year due to many families struggling with the cost of living.

“Yeah, absolutely,” she said.

Ms Rydman said one of her fellow Lions members calculated that about $700 per person was saved, with a total estimate of $740,000 over the last two years, since Operation Formal Wear began in 2023.

“Go in and find what you like. Go and try it on, there’s change rooms out the back,” she said.

Once they find what they want, attendees can head to the checkout for the item to be marked off.

And if you can’t decide what to grab, there will be help on hand.

“We’ve got the stylist, Lauren Bush, she’ll be there from 10am to 1pm on the Saturday to help people sort themselves out if they’re not sure.

“So that’s a really good time to come if you don’t really know what you’re what you’re doing.”

Ms Rydman said it was wonderful for the community to get behind the cause with thousands

of items donated.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” she said.

“It’s so good. It takes the whole community to make this happen.

“When we’ve done our barbecues at Bunnings, we’ve opened it up as a drop-off point as well and people have brought stuff out there.

“We get lots of nice messages from people saying, ‘Oh, this is just so wonderful,’ or ‘Thank you so much for doing this,’ and all that sort of thing.”

Operation Formal Wear will run at Lions Youth Haven on Saturday 18 October from 10am-4pm and Sunday 19 October from 10am-3pm.

RETIRMENT TOTAL STOCK LIQUIDATION

Stylist Lauren Bush, Lake Tuggeranong Lions Club president Yvette Rydman, Canberra Valley Lions Club’s Thelia Halford, and volunteer Julie Nolan.

Photo: Jordan Mirchevski

Children and adults come out to play at

Canberra Writers Festival

Prominent Australian children’s author Andy Gri ths will bring his wacky humour to the nation’s capital.

Canberra Writers Festival (CWF) organisers are introducing a new event to the event’s calendar: the CWF Kids YA (young adult) Day, which will run at the National Museum of Australia on 26 October.

One of the events is Andy Gri ths and Bill Hope Adventure: You & Me and the Peanut Butter Beast, where the duo will turn the attendees into the book’s main character.

Mr Gri ths told CW the session would feature a live drawing demonstration and take suggestions from the audience.

“I’ll be there guiding proceedings and teasing and provoking the audience and arguing with them,” he said.

“People just love these sessions because Bill is a very talented and fast drawer.”

Mr Gri ths said attendees would catch a glimpse of what the pair’s writing room process was like.

“We’re just entertaining ourselves doing the funniest and most surprising drawing and story ideas we can,” he said.

“For the session, we let the children in on that and let them make their own suggestions, which has been successful.

“Parents are delighted as well, often agreeable and as surprised as the children. So, we cater to the whole family.”

The session will run from 11 am to noon, followed by a book signing and photography opportunities.

While many writers’ festivals catered to older readers, Mr Gri ths said it was wonderful to see a focus on the younger generations.

“Where else are our future readers going to come from but children?” he said.

“My whole self-appointed mission is to turn children onto books from an early age, so they associate books with pleasure, excitement, expansion and escape.

“And, once they’ve got the keys to be able to read, they will literally have the universe at their ﬁngertips.”

CWF Festival artistic director Andra Putnis said the Kids and YA Day was added to the festival because storytelling for all ages should be celebrated.

“Children and teens included!” she told CW Putnis, an author herself, said that it was important to foster a love of reading, creativity and stories in younger generations.

“Expect outrageous creations, and the joy of seeing stories literally sketched into life before your eyes. ”

“The annual CWF is the perfect chance to do this,” she said.

“Books help young people develop greater empathy for, and understanding of, the stories of others, and broaden horizons.

“It’s also wonderful for children to meet their book heroes, so come down and say hi to Andy Gri ths.”

She said the event catered to both children and adults to have a fun day.

“Lots of the events highlight much-loved family favourites and prioritise laughs for everyone. It’s going to be a huge amount of fun for Canberra families!” Putnis said.

“For example, bring the children (and their pet photos or drawings along) for a fun-for-all-ages session with Craig Silvey, author of the much-loved Runt

“Craig is back with Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping, and he’ll chat with Canberra’s best-selling writer and vet, Karen Viggers. This is a book for all ages.”

Ms Putnis said there would also be Let’s Have a Draw O — a fast-paced, family-friendly showdown between Bill Hope, Eleri Harris (A Loo of One’s Own), and David Conley (The Book About Life Before Dinosaurs).

“(They will) go head-to-head in a live drawing competition, with the audience calling the shots,” she said.

“Expect outrageous creations, and the joy of seeing stories literally sketched into life before your eyes. Entertainment for the adults too!”

There will also be an opportunity for children to create poems and songs and design their own garden, and of course, draw, and for the YA, there will be some talks.

The theme for the day is Find Your Storyteller, with dressing up in your favourite book character being encouraged, but not mandatory.

Tickets are $15. For more information, visit canberrawritersfestival.com.au/kidsandyaday

Beloved duo Andy Gri ths and Bill Hope will entertain families with laughs, drawings and imagination at the Canberra Writers Festival.

Congrats Broncos, Netanyahu, Trump, Albo and PNG Government

What a great NRL Grand Final! It was a fantastic finals series, and in a way, the Raiders can take solace in the fact that the team that pipped them went on to win the GF.

Star Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was truly amazing — both in attack and defence. The Broncos wouldn’t have made the Grand Final without him, and they certainly wouldn’t

have won it. His first-half try was a mix of pure skill, speed, strength and determination, and he saved three tries in the second half with brilliant defence. He may be a “pretty boy”, but he’s got more than just speed and determination — he’s tough as well.

Another tough guy, but a guy not nearly as popular as young Reece, is Israel’s controversial Israeli PM “ Bibi “ Nethanyahu who ignored all the bleating feeble Western European and Australian leaders like Starmer, Macron, Albo and Penny Wong and went about his task of relentlessly grinding the dreadful Hamas regime into the ground, supported all the way by the equally unpopular Donald Trump to come up with a great long term solution to Gaza’s and Israel’s woes. Trump does have a reputation as “ the master of the deal “ and,

through a combination of carrot and stick, seems to have gotten most of the Arab and Muslim world on side with a plan that will, if it holds, stop the killing and give the long-suffering Palestinian and Israeli people a much safer and brighter future. It’s early days yet, but here’s hoping. Nasty, evil people only respect strength at the end of the day, and Netanyahu and Trump have shown that in spades. Pity that seems to escape Albo and Penny, and their comrades in France and the UK.

However, whilst Albo and his government were playing the role of useful idiots in the Middle East, they were elsewhere kicking goals in the SW Pacific. Australian governments of all persuasions have ignored the needs of our island neighbours for decades. With less-than-benevolent

pressure from China being brought to bear on our Pacific brothers and sisters, Albo and co. are now negotiating what we should have done 50 years ago — namely, defence alliances with our close neighbours. Albo and co. combined sports diplomacy with PNG through a $600 million deal over 10 years to help field a PNG NRL team from 2027, with a strong defence treaty binding our two nations together. He is currently developing another defence treaty with the formidable Fijians, now led by former ANU rugby front-row forward, the redoubtable Sitiveni (Steve) Rabuka. Talks are also underway with other Pacific states for similar treaties.

One thing China cannot match Australia in is football diplomacy, whether in NRL or rugby union. And who knows — there may be several talented young boys in PNG just waiting to benefit from the $600 million deal, ready to become the next Reece Walsh of the NRL.

Canberra Women in Business are proud to announce the following finalists for the 2025 Parbery Canberra Women in Business Awards

Riana Janse van Rensburg

Laura Chapman

Debra Parker

Christy Christensen

Jessica Nathan

Emily Lawrence

Tina Chawner

Chloe Lim

Sophie Mclean

Sally Mackenzie

Trisha Gorman

Katie Hancock

Vanessa Schimizzi

Alexandra Webb

Dr Ellen McKenzie

Daniella Pozzolungo

Eryn Marshall

Kass Deacon

Kym Bina

Anjali Srivastava

Sophie McLean

Reiné Williams

Vanessa Brettell

Jacquelyn Curtis

Courtney Smith

Katie Hancock

Katherine Berney

Trisha Gorman

Eryn Marshall

Vanessa Schimizzi

Niva Pryor

Vanesa Brettell

Laura Chapman

Amanda Mead

Melissa Neville

Tanya Hammond

Kim Persson

Vanessa Brettell

Katrina Barter

Sally Mackenzie

Reiné Williams

Patti-Jane Ashley (PJ)

Fran Weir

Daniella Pozzolungo

Catherine Coles

Tina Chawner

Renee Nasserpour

Patti-Jane Ashley (PJ)

Careen Redman - Matthews

Adele Auva’a

Courtney Smith

with BILL STEFANIAK AM RFD

Positive Motion Tuggeranong Physiotherapy: Helping our community stay active and strong

Building on the success of our Kingston clinic, we are proud to announce the opening of our new Tuggeranong practice!

Positive Motion Tuggeranong Physiotherapy has taken over from Performance Edge Physiotherapy at the Homeworld Centre and is now officially open, ready to support the health and wellbeing of the local community.

We believe that movement is the key to living life to the fullest. Whether you’re bouncing back from an injury, recovering after surgery, or simply want to stay active and enjoy your favourite activities, our caring team is here to help. We’re passionate about providing personalised, oneon-one care in a welcoming space where you’ll always feel supported.

At Positive Motion Tuggeranong Physiotherapy, our team provides a wide range of services designed to keep you moving well and living strong:

www.positivemotionrehab.com.au

• Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology, Pilates – gentle, effective treatments tailored for all ages, hands-on physio, massage, dry needling, stretching, rehabilitation group classes, antigravity running and more.

• Skilled Intervention for Parkinson’s, Oncology, Balance, Bone Density, Sports Injuries, Posture, Cardio and Metabolic Issues

• Injury Recovery & Prevention – helping you heal and avoid setbacks.

• Active Living Support – programs to keep you moving with confidence. We’re more than just a clinic — we’re your neighbours, and we’re here to help our community stay strong, healthy, and moving forward.

Come stop by, say hello, and learn how we can work together to put more Positive Motion in your life.

Positive Motion Tuggeranong Physiotherapy –Proud to Care for Our Community

Shop 15, 150 Soward Way, Greenway

We are directly opposite Aldi at the Homeworld shopping Centre, with 2 hours free parking.

T: 02 6293 4355

E: Tuggeranong@positivemotion.com.au

Positive Motion Tuggeranong Physiotherapy is now open.

Local wombat rescuer nominated for national award

by LILLIAN ALTMAN

A Canberra wombat rescuer could be crowned the nation’s kindest person for the care and advocacy work she does with the native Australian animal.

Yolandi Vermaak is one of three state finalists across NSW/ACT in women’s retailer Black Pepper’s annual World Kindness Day Search. She was selected from hundreds of nominations across the country.

The initiative recognises and shares the stories of everyday Australians making a difference through kindness.

She is in the running to be named the state winner, with the public vote finishing on Wednesday 8 October. State winners will receive a $500 donation to their chosen charity, among other things.

If she progresses to the national stage, where the winner will be announced on 13 November,

she could win $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice, which she would put back into her own cause, Wombat Rescue.

The not-for-profit focuses solely on the conservation, treatment, rehabilitation, education and awareness of the bare-nosed wombat.

“We don’t get any government support unless we apply for grants, which is a little separate because it’s a lot of work and it’s a one-off thing,” Yolandi told CW

“But, other than the odd grant here and there, we rely on donations.

Yolandi said the organisation’s biggest expense is treating mange — a parasitic skin disease caused by mites — which costs either $40 or $250 per wombat, depending on the treatment used.

“We averaged 50 a month (wombats); one month we did 73 wombats,” she said.

“Apart from the population treatment, where we treat 200 burrows, we treated 73 individual

wombats in one month, which is a significant cost increase for us, so that’s $88 times 73 ($6,424).

“So, it’s a lot and every cent we get is so much appreciated because it’s so needed.”

Dr Damien Bezzina Skin Doctor

Expertise in the management of Skin Cancer, all lumps & bumps ranging from cysts, lipomas to anal skin tags and most things in between.

 SKIN CHECKS (full body & spot checks)  SKIN CANCER MANAGEMENT (surgical inc skin aps & grafts & non-surgical)

 LUMPS & BUMPS MANAGEMENT (cysts, lipomas, skin tags, anal skin tags, any other lesions)

 DERMATOLOGY except acne (RASHES, HAIR LOSS/ALOCPECIA)

 TEETH GRINDING/CLENCHING/JAW PAIN/Excess sweating/migraines (non-medicare rebatable) management  LASER – age spots on face/hands, spider veins, cherry angiomas, benign lesion removal

Yolandi Vermaak with one of the six wombats she is currently caring for.

Photos: Lillian Altman [continued

Living strong with Parkinson’s: Jenny’s journey of resilience and hope

Jenny Miragaya is a retired nurse and midwife. At the relatively young age of 58, Jenny began to suspect she had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in 2015, but states that she spent most of that year in denial.

She describes watching herself in shop windows, being shocked by the bent old woman shuffling along; holding hands with one of her children and being asked why she was limping (she was dragging her right leg); wondering why everyone seemed to be deaf, unaware that she was losing vocal volume; of becoming emotionally labile, finding it increasingly difficult to meet the demands of work and home; and finding herself increasingly prone to tears.

PD can be defined as a non-life-limiting, progressively degenerative, neurological condition without a cure. It is a chronic condition. Medication and treatment regimens aim to lessen symptoms and maintain physical and cognitive function for as long as possible.

Formally diagnosed in May 2016, Jenny was prescribed Levodopa 100mg three times a day and describes its effect as magical

Now ten years into her PD journey, Jenny is currently utilising one of the so-called ‘Advanced Therapies’. She had a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy-Jejunostomy (PEG-J) tube inserted last year to facilitate the delivery of Duodopa gel 24/7. To access this treatment and its ongoing management, Jenny needs to travel to Sydney, as ‘Advanced Therapies’ are not available in the ACT.

Although the Duodopa therapy is not perfect, Jenny says that it is an improvement on the medical management of her PD prior to the introduction of Duodopa. She is hopeful that eventually she may be able to utilise VYALEV, which has been approved by the TGA and the PBS. She will still need to travel to Sydney to access this treatment and its ongoing management.

Jenny will utilise the Power Within to Live Well and to Live Strong with Parkinson’s as she joins an impressive list of guest speakers at the upcoming Parkinson’s ACT Conference on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

To learn more about the Parkinson’s ACT Conference, visit give.hospitalresearch.org.au/ event/act-parkinsons-conference-2025

PARKINSON’S ACT CONFERENCE

2025 Parkinson’s Conference

Wednesday 29 October 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden (Corinna Room)

THE POWER WITHIN: Living Well, Living Strong with Parkinson’s.

Tickets: $40 per person (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)

Scan the QR code to purchase tickets or visit www.fightingparkinsons.org.au/conferenceact/

Panel of expert speakers with latest in their respective fields

• Wellness: Beating the Parkinson’s Blues Speaker: Dr Linton Meagher: Neuropsychiatrist

• The latest in Parkinson’s Research: an overview of the Australian Parkinson’s Mission Speaker: Prof Simon Lewis (neurologist & researcher)

• Exercise in managing chronic pain with Parkinson’s Speaker: A/Prof. Natalie Allen (physiotherapist and researcher)

• Q&A Panel: Optimising your Health and Wellbeing with Parkinson’s A panel of local and interstate health professionals

• Exercise and Neuroplasticity with Parkinson’s Speaker: Dr Melissa McConaghy (physiotherapist and founder of PD warrior)

• A personal account of living with Parkinson’s Speaker: Jennifer Miragaya

Retired nurse and midwife Jenny Miragaya will speak at the Parkinson’s ACT Conference 2025.

She takes care of the wombats full-time with the assistance of 40 active volunteers.

“They (the volunteers) are worth their weight in gold,” Yolandi said.

She is, however, the only wombat carer at the organisation, while also squeezing in working part-time.

Yolandi said she was appreciative of whoever nominated her.

“Because they believe in what we do. And obviously saw something that resonates with them, so I really appreciate that,” she said.

“But in terms of getting the message out, it’s always really crucial because there’s a lot happening in the wildlife world and it’s not a change we can do on a small scale.

“There’s big change federally needed, urgently. And the more people understand the plight of animals and wildlife and specifically wombats, the better.”

Yolandi said people were surprised when she told them of the predicament of the northern hairy-nosed wombat.

“They still don’t know what happened and how quickly it takes one event to push a species from common to extinct.

“To give you an idea, back in the day, decades ago, northern hairy-nosed wombats were prolific.

“So, their range was as large as the barenosed (common wombat). These guys [the wombats she is currently taking care of] were all the way from Queensland through to New South Wales.”

“Back then, there was this perception that those particular species of wombat were overabundant, so farmers shot them.

“We know anecdotally of one farmer in Queensland who shot more than one thousand hairy-nosed wombats.

“They just kept shooting them, they were offered money for their pelts, they were classified as pests, all those sorts of things and in the 80s, there was 35 left.

“People don’t know that. Only then did the government say ‘Oopsies, maybe we should stop shooting them.’”

Yolandi said things had now changed with about 400 in reserves that were predator-proof fenced by volunteers and rangers.

She said one of the biggest threats to the wombats was habitat loss.

“…We’re clearing habitat faster than something like one football field every two minutes,” Yolandi said.

More locally, Yolandi is also nominated for a Lifeline Canberra Spirit of Canberra Awards in the Spirit of Impact category.

To see more, follow @wombat_resuce on Instagram or visit wombatrescue.com.au

have you heard?

GIVIT donation of the week: Children’s clothing

GIVIT is an ACT Government partner working with an organisation in the region that provides various support services to children and their families. They are seeking assistance for a father and his three children. This father recently became the sole parent of his children who had experienced domestic violence prior to entering his care. This has impacted their schooling and social interactions so dad is focused on their care. They are currently living in an overcrowded property and dad is struggling due to limited income. GIVIT is requesting children’s clothing to help ease this father’s burden as he works hard to provide for them and find a safer home for his family. Generous Canberrans can donate children’s clothing or fund its purchase. 100% of your financial donation will be used to purchase children’s clothes. To help please visit: GIVIT.org.au/what’s-needed, search; Location State: ‘ACT’, Keywords: ‘children’s clothing’ and Suburb: ‘Forde, 2914’.

Friends ANBG Thursday Talks

community noticeboard

email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field

meeting will be Oliver Smith, Silversmith. New members are always most welcome. For further information about the meeting, please contact Cheryl by emailing chanily3@bigpond.com by 13 October.

Queanbeyan: Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 16 October, 12 for 12:30pm at the Tourist Hotel, Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Guest speaker will be Stephen Trump, Australian Red Cross. New members are always welcome. RSVP to Sue on 0448 427 237 or queanbeyanview@gmail.com by Sunday 12 October.

Gungahlin Day: We meet at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club in Nicholls and this

DRAG VARIETY NIGHT

The most fabulous event of the year is BACK, bigger than ever!

Buy tickets

Date Fri 17th Oct 2025 Time 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm Location Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah

PUZZLES & STARS

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)

Confidence isn’t thinking you’re perfect – it’s just trusting yourself. An ambitious plan is a form of confidence, too. It’s trust in future you, who will be imperfect just like current you, and yet future you really is the smartest, wisest, strongest iteration of you yet, so this trust will be very well-placed.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)

If you’ve done your best and you’ve done your worst, and both felt about the same in the doing, that’s only evidence of your total immersion in the action of the moment. When you’re doing, not judging, it’s a beautifully unselfconscious flow that you can’t help but improve on.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)

BRAIN BUSTERS

1 What is the nickname of the Australian men’s national volleyball team?

2 In December 2023, Donald Tusk became prime minister of which European country?

3 The critically endangered night parrot is endemic to which country?

4 What is the last letter of the Greek alphabet?

5 The Bay of Bengal is a part of which ocean?

This week, you’ll play your time like an instrument. Freedom through structure is the theme of your beautiful music. Planning won’t restrict you; it will give you more choices and keep you out of reactive mode. A schedule means never wondering, “What should I be doing right now?”

CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)

You may feel inclined to skip the task that brings up feelings. Emotional avoidance is natural, but just know that any trepidation you have will be overridden by the momentum that follows action. So do the hard stuff and do it first. To live the dream, you must also live the conjuring.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)

When you want to change, you change. When you don’t want to change, you change. Change is the constant in the equation of life. Resistance is futile. You know it’s true, but now you really feel it more vividly. To guide and shape the change will bring preferred outcomes.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)

A small moment – a smile, a bird crossing your path, a lucky coincidence – will be meaningful because of the little sweetness itself, and even more so because of your capacity to notice it. Being attentive and perceptive is a gift –a special talent that not everyone has – and it makes life beautiful.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)

In his poem Auguries of Innocence, William Blake distils a whole worldview into one sentence: “To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour”. This is the feeling you reach more than once this week.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)

Secrets are foundational to human relationships. They create boundaries, intimacy and group identity. People sometimes exaggerate the exclusivity of what they know to give their words more weight. It’s a performance of importance you’ll be audience to this week.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

A playful mood prevails, and it’s not frivolous in the least. You will echo the ethos of Dutch historian Johan Huizinga who proposed in Homo Ludens (Man the Player) that playfulness is the true foundation of civilisation. Your playfulness will be productive, inventive and helpful to all.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)

What you put in the world will be noticed and valued. And though you make an impression all around, you probably won’t be told directly. The admiration is unspoken. Move forward as though you’re taking in the applause. It’s happening, it’s just on “mute”.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

The lessons now are morally very straightforward. Goodness feels good. Badness feels bad. You’re like your sign-mate Abraham Lincoln, who reportedly told a clergyman, “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.” Your inner peace will radiate

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)

It’s funny how a fleeting moment can have long resonance. This week brings the kinds of experiences that seem small in real time but lodge in memory, nonetheless. Maybe there’s some symbolism at work. You’ll put the details into poetic or practical use.

DIFFICULTY RATING

Iced VoVo™ Mini Cakes

A playful twist on the classic biscuit, these Iced VoVo™ mini cakes combine soft sponge, tangy jam, mascarpone cream, coconut and fresh cherries for a nostalgic crowd-pleaser.

Makes 12

Cakes

180g unsalted butter, soft but not oily, cut into roughly 6 cubes, plus extra 15 g for greasing

180g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

180g caster sugar

50g ground almonds

1½ tsps baking powder

¼ tsp fine sea salt

3 large eggs, at room temperature

50ml full-cream milk, at room temperature

2 tsps sunflower or other neutral oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

Jam

350g sour cherry (or other red) jam

1 tbsp water

Mascarpone cream

100g mascarpone

100g thickened (double) cream

50g icing sugar, sifted

To finish

60g desiccated coconut

12 fresh cherries

Preheat the oven to 170˚C fan-forced.

Brush 12 muffin tins with softened butter. Sprinkle a little of the extra flour in each mould or muffin hole.

To make the cake batter, sift the flour, sugar, ground almonds, baking powder and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, then add the butter. Beat on low speed for 1 min, until the mixture resembles large wet crumbs.

Whisk the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla extract with a fork to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg mixture to the bowl and beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium–high and beat for about 1 minute, until the batter is smooth and light. Divide the batter evenly between the moulds, then bake on the middle rack of the oven for 20 minutes.

Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes, then loosen edges with a palette knife. Invert onto a wire rack lined with baking paper and cool completely. Trim tops if domed.

Meanwhile, combine 250g of the jam and the water in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat until the jam is warm and loosened. Using a sieve, strain the jam into a heatproof bowl and set aside to cool.

Place mascarpone, cream and icing sugar in a mixer with a whisk attachment. Whisk on low to combine, then on medium for 2 minutes until

peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag with a 1.5 cm nozzle and refrigerate until needed.

To assemble, brush cake sides with cooled jam, roll in coconut, then place on a serving plate.

Pipe a ring of mascarpone cream on top, fill the centre with 1 tsp jam and finish with a cherry.

Images and text from Baking and the Meaning of Life by Helen Goh, photography by Laura Edwards Murdoch Books RRP $55.00.

Rich history behind guitar displayed in Canberra

by LILLIAN ALTMAN

Lina Eve’s parents met in Germany in April 1945, only days after the Americans liberated the prisoners of the horrific Nordhausen extermination camp.

Eve’s father was a Polish Jew and spent the war years incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Her mother was a Polish Catholic who found herself in Germany as a displaced person. Eve was conceived not long after her parents met.

Eve’s family travelled from Germany to Melbourne on a ship in 1951 to start a new life. Thirteen years later, Eve began making money as a folk singer in Sydney.

Following a traumatic number of years, including being involved in a serious car crash that killed her then-boyfriend, Eve turned back to music in the New South Wales town of Nimbin.

The singer/songwriter purchased a concert-sized 1969 Martin 00-18 guitar in the US during the 1970s,

and went on to perform and record with it for many decades.

It will be one of a number of instruments on display at The National Vintage Guitar Expo, a celebration of vintage, rare and handmade acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers and accessories from around Australia at Harmonie German Club this Saturday 11 October from 10am-6pm.

Now, 56 years after Eve purchased the Martin guitar, it has a new owner. It was recently serviced by Canberra luthier Michael Hargreaves.

Mr Hargreaves, who runs Things with Strings in Fisher, told CW that he took the job on simply because: “it is what I do”.

“The longer answer is: with all historically or culturally significant instruments, they have a story and journey that needs to continue,” he said.

“My role is to make sure it is not only in its best shape for the current owner but to ensure it retains as much of its originality as possible.”

guitar had come to him in good condition, with a few other repairs done prior to it landing in his hands.

His painstaking work to restore it included removing varnish, carefully wiping off a new lacquer section by section, which took about five hours, removing the scratch plate, followed by the cleaning of all remaining glue, and putting on a new scratch plate.

“Finally, I restring the instrument and make sure it still sings!” Mr Hargreaves said.

Mr Hargreaves said considering its journey, the

Explore the galleries and home studios of local artists in Queanbeyan–Palerang this October. Discover a range of art forms including visual, performing and literary arts, meet the makers in their creative environments and witness the creative process at open studios and galleries.

Luthier Michael Hargreaves with Lina, the 1969 Martin 00-18 acoustic guitar named after Australian singer/songwriter Lina Eve. Image courtesy of Capital Vintage Guitars

Midweek Magic: Canberra will come alive for

the Australian Masters Games

Canberra will be buzzing this October as the Australian Masters Games (AMG) roll into town, bringing more than 8,000 athletes, supporters, and visitors to the nation’s capital. While competition across 45 sports will take centre stage, the midweek entertainment program promises to showcase the very best of Canberra’s social and cultural scene, from unique sport to racing glamour and a full-blown street party in the heart of the city.

To kick the week o and as part of the festivities for participants to enjoy, the iconic Mooseheads will open its doors on Monday night for one of their famous over-30s discos to enjoy and celebrate their time in Canberra.

As the sun sets on Wednesday night, celebrations will spill into the streets. Lonsdale Street in Braddon will transform into a buzzing hub of food, music, and entertainment for the AMG Midweek Party. Bars, cafés, and restaurants along the strip are coming together to create one epic night out, with special o ers, themed menus, drink deals, and live entertainment lighting up the precinct. Whether you’re a Masters participant unwinding after competition, a

local keen to join the fun, or a visitor soaking up the atmosphere, this is the place to be.

Expect the full Canberra ﬂavour, from iconic pubs and cocktail lounges to street eats, DJs, and pop-ups. With venues spilling onto the pavement and energy ﬂowing from one end of Braddon to the other, it’s the perfect midweek celebration.

“The Masters Games are as much about connection and community as they are about competition,” said Adam Drinkwell, Australian Masters Games General Manager. “The Lonsdale Street Party will capture that perfectly and create a chance for everyone to come together, celebrate, and enjoy the vibrant spirit of Canberra.”

New in 2025 is a sports exhibition. On Thursday 23 October, the AMG will put on a special celebration and introduction to the sport of Kho Kho. Kho Kho is a fastpaced traditional Indian team sport that’s part chase, part strategy, and all action. Two teams of nine face o , with one side trying to tag the other in a display of speed, reﬂexes, and teamwork. The twist? Players can only run in one direction, making quick thinking and coordination essential.

Following the success of the Kho Kho World Cup last year, the sport is gaining international attention, and

Kho Kho Australia will bring it to Canberra with three fun demonstrations, including a match played by o cial rules, a masters-modiﬁed game, and an audience participation round where locals can jump in and give it a go.

It’s fast, energetic and a great chance to try something new, or simply cheer on from the sidelines.

The next day, Friday 24 October, the spotlight moves to Thoroughbred Park, where the AMG Canberra Race Day will deliver a spring racing experience with a Masters Games twist. Expect a full afternoon of racing, fashion, and socialising as participants, supporters, and locals gather to celebrate the AMG in style.

From trackside excitement to track-top elegance, it’s a chance to swap the sneakers for something more sophisticated and enjoy one of Canberra’s premier sporting venues in full bloom.

We’re inviting you all to join the fun!

From the cultural ﬂair of Kho Kho to the colour of Race Day and the energy of the Braddon Street Party, the Australian Masters Games midweek lineup brings sport and celebration together in true Canberra style.

So grab your friends, put on your dancing shoes, and join the fun, because this October, Canberra will be the place to play, connect, and celebrate.

The Australian Masters Games are on in Canberra from 18 to 25 October. To learn more, visit australianmastersgames.com

From Braddon’s street party to Race Day glamour, the Australian Masters Games is bringing midweek magic to Canberra. Photo: VisitCanberra

Book talk

This week, Jeff Popple reviews three books about spies, secrets and Abe Saffron. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Clown Town by Mick Herron Baskerville, $32.99

Mick Herron is the premier writer of spy fiction in the world today. His ‘Slow Horses’ novels and TV series are at the pinnacle of modern espionage writing and have rightly garnered worldwide acclaim. Clown Town is another good addition to the series and involves the discarded spies at Slough House in an elaborate plot involving old secrets, blackmail and behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring. At its centre is a missing book from the library of a legendary former spy, who is also the late grandfather of one of the ‘Slow Horses’. When the book leads to bloodshed, Jackson Lamb sets out to get revenge. Recommended.

Secrets by Judi Morison Bundy, $34.99

Judi Morison’s debut, Secrets, explores family dynamics across three generations of women who must unravel the past in order to move forward. Ruth, the widowed matriarch of a grown family, has a secret that she has kept

Saffron Incorporated by Stuart Coupe Hachette, $34.99

Acclaimed music journalist and biographer Stuart Coupe widens his literary remit with his latest book, Saffron Incorporated. Told in Coupe’s usual breezy style, Saffron Incorporated charts the rise of Abe Saffron from a chancer who struck it rich as a SP bookmaker and fencer of stolen goods, to one of Sydney’s most influential criminal figures. A colourful character, Saffron made good use of his nightclubs and illegal activities to forge an empire that spanned much of Australia. Full of interesting anecdotes and recollections, this is a fascinating book, especially the chapters outlining the links between the underworld and the entertainment industry. A great read!

Now sh wing

The Smashing Machine (M)

In 1997, wrestler Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) describes the highs of winning his brutal mixed martial arts (MMA) fights in Brazil. Mark then goes on to train for a Japanese MMA fight while abusing pain medication, where he suffers his first professional loss.

Coming up from the world of professional wrestling, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has had a blockbuster action movie career spanning over twenty years. Famously, Johnson had a clause in his contracts where he could not lose a fight on screen, which would play a part in his failed takeover of the DC universe with Black Adam, a product that was less a movie and more a strategic political move.

Going back to the drawing board, Johnson has set his sights on making “films that matter”, kicking off with a jazz-infused, 70s arthouse look at

is HERE !

Let the Journey Begin!

October is here, and with it comes one of the most exciting times of the year for travel lovers… Cruise Month!

Weston Cruise and Travel is proud to be a CLIA-certiﬁed agency and is home to an Ambassador-level CLIA Cruise Specialist, o ering you expert guidance and personalised service for every step of your cruise journey

the origins of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) via an unsung founding member. Playing Mark Kerr, Johnson has minimal make-up, which assists his transformation without serving as a distraction. He captures Mark’s softly spoken personality, hulking frame and savage fighting skills. It is in his improv scenes with the excellent Emily Blunt as Mark’s struggling girlfriend Dawn, however, where his skills are truly tested.

While the movie goes against the usual sports movie formula, it is not clear what the story is ultimately trying to say, especially in context with the closing text describing the fates of our characters beyond the screen.

Verdict: An immersive but directionless, thinly veiled attempt at a career pivot - Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net

Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.

For Ponant

Discover one of Australia’s most remote and awe-inspiring regions in luxury and comfort with Ponant’s Fly Stay Cruise in the Kimberley.

WIN! The Listies: 110% Ready

Featuring a pocketful of puns, silly slapstick sight gags, and a splash of improvisational idiocy, 110% Ready sees Melbourne’s masters of mirth do what they do best for 55 solid minutes of full family lols.

This brand-new show is all about the joys of the average morning routine: sleeping through the alarm, not having any milk, fishing dirty clothes out of the hamper, burning the toast, and then finding the front door is glued shut, the shower won’t switch off, and the house is filling with water. Dedicated to anyone who has ever been in charge of someone who is impossible to get out the front door in the morning!

CW has one family pass to see The Listies: 110% Ready at The Q.

ENTER TO WIN!

To enter, scan the QR code or visit canberradaily.com.au and click on the ‘Entertainment’ tab to ‘Competitions’, find the competition you wish to enter and follow the entry instructions. Entries close 9am Friday 17 October 2025 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person per giveaway. Entrants must be aged 18+. To enter, you must be subscribed to a Canberra Daily newsletter.

For Emerald Kaia

Discover the Mediterranean Aboard the Luxurious Emerald Kaia

For Azamara

Explore the Nordic Wonders with Azamara’s Boutique Cruising Experience

WESTON CRUISE & TRAVEL

What’s on!

ARTS

Ride the Cyclone

8-17 OCT

Youth Cabaret presents: Ride the Cyclone! A coming-of-age musical about life, death, and what might come next, in which a group of choir kids are killed in a rollercoaster accident and given the opportunity to have one member come back to life by an ominous fortune telling machine. This show is a ride you won’t want to miss. Smith’s Alternative, 8-17 October; smithsalternative.com/events/ride-thecyclone-92811

COMMUNITY

Open Gardens Canberra 11-12 OCT

Camfield Place, Florey: A compact exuberant garden of exotic and native plants reflects the owner’s love of travel and his native Brazil. Layered planting ensures the garden stays green all year.

Jinka Street, Hawker: This new garden demonstrates thoughtful design in a small space. Features courtyards, meadow planting and a productive kitchen garden.

For non-members, both gardens are open for a single entry fee of $10 with tickets available at either garden 11-12 October, 10am-4pm; opengardenscanberra.org.au

COMMUNITY

SpringFest & Market Day 18 OCT

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly day at the annual SpringFest & Market Day, at Tuggeranong Uniting Church in the Erindale Shopping Precinct on Saturday 18 October from 9am to 2pm. Co-hosted with See-Change, the event will feature live entertainment, including a Spiderman comic drawing workshop, children’s games, free eco-friendly crafts, face painting, plus performances from local music and dance groups. Discover sustainable living with workshops, a clothes and crop swap, and a repair café. Browse more than 30 market stalls offering delicious food, local products, and unique gifts.

Tuggeranong Uniting Church, Comrie Street, Erindale, Saturday 18 October, 9am to 2pm; tuc.org. au/events/springfest

SPORTS Australian Masters Games

18-25 OCT

Where competition and fun meet. Where friends reconnect and new friends are made, this is a truly Australian sporting event. Celebrate the milestone 20th edition with friends, teammates and other competitors

Various venues across Canberra, 18-25 October 2025; australianmastersgames.com/games

LITERATURE

Canberra Writers Festival

22-26 OCT

The spring program includes masterclasses, author talks, panel discussions, workshops, and book launches, set against the backdrop of some of Australia’s most iconic national institutions

Various locations, 22-26 October; canberrawritersfestival.com.au

1st & 2nd November 2025 9.30am - 4.30pm at Crookwell Public School $30pp for

10 beautiful gardens located in & around Crookwell: including ‘Markdale’, an Edna Walling designed garden, acknowledged as one of the great country gardens of Australia. Plants, Tools, Garden Art & so much more

1st November 8.30am - 2pm

health & wellbeing

Online dating without losing yourself

with DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

Online dating has quickly become the way people meet. For some, it’s fun and full of possibilities. For others, it brings stress, self-doubt and a whole lot of overthinking. One of the biggest struggles I see in my work as a psychologist is how online dating can affect body image and self-esteem. Dating apps put your appearance front and centre. You’re judged in a split second, based mostly on a photo. That can make anyone start scrutinising

their looks. Add in the endless scroll of filtered, polished images and it’s no wonder many people come away feeling like they don’t measure up. Even getting attention can be complicated; if it’s only based on looks, it can reinforce the idea that appearance is the most important part of who you are. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tips to protect your mental health and body image while navigating the online dating world.

Keep perspective: A swipe left is not a measure of your worth. Algorithms, timing and even someone’s mood on the day can influence what happens. Online dating is just one pathway to meeting people. Don’t treat it as a verdict on your attractiveness or future in relationships.

Limit your time: Dating apps are designed to keep you hooked, but

constant scrolling can increase anxiety and make you more critical of your body. Decide how often you’ll check, and stick to it. Once a day is plenty. Use the rest of your time on things that make you feel good, like friends, hobbies, and exercise.

Be real: It’s tempting to present a perfected version of yourself, overfiltered photos or stretched truths. But that can fuel pressure and make body image worse when you feel you can’t live up to your own profile. Being authentic not only feels lighter, it also sets you up for more genuine connections.

Handle rejection with compassion: Rejection happens in dating. When someone doesn’t respond or things don’t move forward, resist the urge to attack yourself. Attraction is complex and personal. It says more about their preferences

than it does about you. Talk to yourself as you would a friend, kindly and supportively.

Check your self-talk: Notice how you speak to yourself after a session of swiping. If it’s full of “I’m not attractive enough” or “my body isn’t good enough,” pause. Challenge those thoughts. Remind yourself of qualities that matter in relationships: kindness, humour and empathy.

Take breaks when you need to: If dating apps are starting to chip away at your confidence, step back. Online dating should add to your life, not drain it. Time offline helps you reset and reconnect with what actually matters.

Online dating can be fun. Just remember: your value isn’t measured in swipes. Protecting your mental health and body image along the way is one of the best steps you can take toward finding a relationship that really fits. And the best relationship is the one you have with yourself.

Aussie battler celebrates life as nation’s oldest man

by ALLANAH SCIBERRAS, AAP

Through five global pandemics and two World Wars, Ken Weeks has lived all 112 years of his remarkable life to the fullest.

Described by his family as a true Aussie battler, Mr Weeks is not only the country’s oldest living person but also the oldest Australian man on record.

The supercentenarian celebrated the milestone with a heartwarming birthday party surrounded by family, friends and community members.

Born on October 5, 1913, in Grafton on the NSW north coast, Mr Weeks has witnessed a century of change and is proudly going

strong.

His granddaughter Eunice says her beloved grandfather is an inspiration.

“My grandpa’s life reflects the Aussie battle — his determination, ingenuity and hope are inspirational,” she said.

“He has a sustaining faith in God. We love him and are happy to be his family.”

Mr Weeks has lived a busy life, trying his hand at many professions and even applying for the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.

From road construction to truck driving and co-owning a car dealership, his hardworking spirit has shone throughout his life.

He lived independently in the

same home for 65 years before moving into care at Whiddon Grafton just before his 105th birthday.

“Today, at 112, he stands as Australia’s oldest living person,” Whiddon chief executive Chris Mamarelis said.

“It’s an honour to celebrate this moment with him and to have him as a cherished member of our community.”

Being active has always been important to Mr Weeks, who was still walking into town for shopping after turning 100.

He later adopted a tricycle to maintain his independence and now finds himself walking around his residential care facility, staying connected and aware of everything

happening in his home.

Surrounded by loved ones and gifts, Mr Weeks was seen smiling during his early birthday celebration.

He will also be presented with a special gift and a plaque by Whiddon to recognise his recordbreaking longevity.

Aged 112, Ken Weeks is Australia’s oldest living man and the oldest on record.

We’re a face-to-face support group for people with chronic lung conditions, along with their families and carers.

Come and meet us on the second Thursday of every month from 10.15 to 12.00, at the Weston Creek Labor Club, 4 Teasdale Pl Stirling, or contact us via Email: lung.life1@hotmail.com

For more information visit our website at https:// sites.google.com/view/ canberralunglife

Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream

by STEPHANIE GARDINER, AAP

A quiet life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move.

Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 per cent of the population, while 40 per cent of people living in the cities are considering a move to the bush, research from the Regional Australia Institute shows.

While the country lifestyle and lower cost-of-living was appealing, access to housing, health care, connectivity and public transport were seen as key barriers.

Those findings - along with a lack of progress on skilled workforce and education targets - has prompted the think tank to call for “40 for the regions”.

Regional Australia should get 40 per cent of the seats at policy-makers’ tables, with the same percentage of

new migrant settlements and the homes to be built under the National Housing Accord, it said.

“Australia has been caught on the hop by a regional renaissance with critical services, infrastructure and skills playing catch-up to population growth,” institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said on Tuesday.

“An urgent intervention, like this commitment, would at least ensure that regional Australians are getting the proportionate focus they deserve.”

The institute released a three-year progress report on its vision to ensure 11 million people could live prosperously in the regions by 2032, finding the proportion of skilled workers has dropped slightly in 2025.

The school attainment rate also fell to 74 per cent, while the regional rental vacancy rate remained “tight” at 1.9 per cent in June.

Separate research from the National Rural Health Alliance in August showed an $8.35 billion annual shortfall on health care in the bush, or roughly $1,090 per person.

“40 for the regions is recognition that regional Australia has a different set of challenges to our cities and one-size-fits-all decision-making doesn’t always deliver equal outcomes,” Ms Ritchie said.

Space and style

Catalina NSW 19 Angophora Place

A grand entrance is just the beginning of what this exceptional residence has to offer. Designed with space, privacy and quality in mind, the home combines elegant finishes with effortless functionality to suit the modern family lifestyle.

Warm spotted gum floors flow through the open-plan living and dining areas, anchored by a sleek gourmet kitchen with stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Perfectly positioned for entertaining, the kitchen serves both the indoor dining area and the covered rear alfresco, ideal for relaxed gatherings all year round.

Offering four bedrooms plus a separate study or fifth bedroom, the home’s layout provides flexibility for families or professionals. The main bedroom serves as a true parents’ retreat, featuring garden views, sliding door access to the verandah,

a walk-in robe and a luxurious ensuite with double vanity, full bath and separate toilet.

Additional features include three bathrooms, an oversized double garage, a generous workshop, and multiple storage options throughout. The tranquil garden setting offers a private sanctuary for entertaining or unwinding in peace.

Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac just a short walk to Batehaven Shops and Beach, and only three kilometres from Batemans Bay town centre, this home delivers space, quality and style in equal measure.

A RARE COASTAL OPPORTUNITY - WALK TO TWO BEACHES!

Price

$980,000 - $995,000

View By Appointment

Agent Bronwyn Geppert Mob 0405 109 877

Raine & Horne Batemans Bay 02 4472 6055

Perfectly positioned - 105m to Corrigans Beach and 245m to Caseys Beach. Lovingly held in the same family for over 41 years, this classic coastal home boasts light filled interiors with glimpses of the water, reverse cycle a/c, separate dining room and spacious living area. Three generously sized bedrooms, all with builtin robes. Plenty of room for vehicles and toys including a high-clearance carport perfect for a boat or caravan.

$850,000-$870,000

View By Appointment

Agent Karen Van Der Stelt 0413 221 504 ljhooker.com/12kaf8f 3 2 2

luton.com.au

57 PETER CULLEN WAY WRIGHT

3 Bed 2 Bath 1 Parking

Auction Next Week Don’t Delay

This gorgeous, like new, home was designed by multi award winning Canberra Design Innovators Light House architecture+science and completed in 2015. You will ﬁnd everything you would expect from an award winning design team. It is light, airy, spacious PLUS this home will save you thousands in energy costs, and give you peace of mind in an uncertain climate future.

57 Peter Cullen Way is perfect for anyone who wants security, lower costs, beautiful private spaces inside and out, room to entertain and a manageable garden to enjoy all year around. You will ﬁnd two courtyards, a workshop, fully lockable carport with auto door, securely fenced garden full of established ornamental trees,a solar array and EV charger, loads of high quality joinery and storage in every room. Not one centimetre of space is wasted.

This is your opportunity to experience the joy, comfort and ease of living in a clever and low maintenance home tailored to suit Canberra’s extreme climate close to walks, bike tracks, schools and public transport .

This is a rare opportunity to live in a world class smart home. Check websites for full details. We are selling at Auction, Get Ready!

Peta Swarbrick 0432 391 755

peta@brybricks.com.au

Open Time

Thursday October 9th 5:30 - 6:00pm

Auction

Friday October 17th 6:00pm

‘Bongalong’ – Historic Homestead Iconic country estate with timeless character

Positioned in the heart of the picturesque Muttama Valley, 'Bongalong', 612 Finlays Lane, Muttama NSW 2722 is a distinguished circa-1865 home stead set on 55 ha* (135.5 acres*) plus 10.45 ha* (25.82 acres*) of lease land. The propert y is centrally located just 25km from Cootamundra and Gundagai, 4 hours to Sydney and 1.5 hours to Canberra.

Key Features

Elegant f ive-bedroom homestead with heritage character and m odern functionality

3.5 bathrooms, sunroom and large office/studio, ide al for remote working or artistic pursuits

Established gardens with mature trees, potting shed , and three-car garage

Abundant water security with 2.5 km of Muttama Creek frontage, bore, and rainwater storage Horse arena, six stables, hay shed, and machinery s hed

Closing Midday Friday, 7th November 2025

Agents

Richard Fleming 0458 797 193

Chris Ryan 0424 134 901

THE FINAL THREE

Trades & Services Guide

News Briefs Trades & Services Guide

TIL I N G

LOCAL TILING ACT

All suburbs

For all your tiling needs:

Bathroom, Laundry and Kitchen tiling Walls and oors tiling

Bathroom Renovations

No job too big or small Water proo ng shower leaks

to the

Call Alex today 0475 000 528 localtilingact@hotmail.com

Man dies after motorbike crash on Tidbinbilla Road

A 57-year-old man has died following a single motorcycle collision on Tidbinbilla Road on Monday 6 October.

At about noon, an ACT Road Policing officer patrolling on Tidbinbilla Road observed a group of motorbike riders speeding while travelling in the opposite direction.

Australia squad: Isaah Yeo (capt), Blayke Brailey, Patrick Carrigan, Nathan Cleary, Xavier Coates, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tom Dearden, Dylan Edwards, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jacob Preston, Gehamat Shibasaki, Lindsay Smith, Kotoni Staggs, Ethan Strange, Reece Walsh, Hudson Young

Delivering a comprehensive tiling service to the domestic and commercial market; enabling clients to enjoy the quality results.

Soon after, one of those riders failed to take a right-hand bend in the road and collided with a tree to the left of the roadway.

• Punctual and Reliable Service. FROM $22sqm

• No Job Too big or small.

clients to

• Punctual and Reliable Service. FROM $22sqm

Other riders and the police officer commenced CPR; however, the 57-year-old Palmerston man died at the scene.

• Contact Bill for a Free Quote: 0403 614 617 (ABN: 50 509 749 822)

Contact Bill for a Free Quote: 0403 614 617 (ABN: 50 509 749 822)

Antoniak Tiling and Renovations Email: Bantoniak051@gmail.com | 0417 092 760

(ABN: 50 509 749 822)

Brodie Antoniak

Owner and contractor ABN 14724243822

Reference available on request

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

Major Collision team members are conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the collision, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

It is the fifth death on ACT roads this year.

Raiders stars included in Kangaroos squad

Canberra stars Hudson Young and Ethan Strange have been included in the Australian squad for the upcoming Ashes tour in England. Both players had stellar seasons for the minor premiers and were named in the Dally M Team of the Year last week.

Young played three games for Australia at the end of last year, starting in the second row in the Kangaroos’ 20-14 victory over Tonga in the 2024 Pacific Championships final.

Strange, who has only recently recovered from an illness that saw him miss Canberra’s semi final loss to Cronulla, will be looking to make his Australian debut. He is facing stiff competition for a spot in the halves, with Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses all included in the squad.

Qatar Airways to return to Canberra with daily flights

Canberra will once again be connected to the world through Qatar Airways, with the airline set to resume daily services to the capital from 2 December 2025.

While the route will not operate as a direct flight, services will travel via Melbourne, linking Canberra to more than 170 global destinations through Qatar Airways’ Doha hub — one of the world’s leading gateways for international travel. Operated by Boeing 777 aircraft, the service will feature the airline’s award-winning Qsuite Business Class, premium dining, and high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi.

To mark its return to Canberra, Qatar Airways has launched special Early Bird fares, with return Economy Class flights from Australia to Europe starting at $1,809. The limited-time offer is available to book from 7 to 31 October 2025, for travel between 19 January and 31 October 2026. Business Class fares begin at $7,759 return.

Qatar Airways was recently named World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, also taking out titles for Best Business Class and Best Airline in the Middle East.

Visit qatarairways.com for more details.

Canberra’s Hudson Young has been selected in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming Ashes. Photo: AAP Photos

Daily Qatar Airways flights will return to Canberra this December. Photo: Getty Images