10 November 2022

historyA HOUSE WITH

Introducing Heather, inspired by Heather Henderson – the daughter of Dame Pattie Menzies, whose name adorned the building on which this new project rests.

In creating a new home for residents and businesses, it was important to us to not only pay tribute to the past, but acknowledge the next generation of the Menzies family and the evolution of Dickson.

We’re honoured that Heather has lent us her name, and we strive to do it justice with a sanctuary that allows people to experience the best of Canberra.

This project is inspired by a pioneering woman, who helped shape Canberra into our great capital city, with quiet determination and integrity.

From the editor

Welcome to our mega Women in Business edition (hot on the tails of last week’s Canberra Women in Business awards cover story), showcasing 65 pages of business organisations that are either owned by women or feature females in key roles. Thanks to all our fabulous advertisers for your contributions – I don’t mean just to this edition, but to society more broadly. Just as we stand on the shoulders of those who have preceded us – earning the right to vote, to own property, to work regardless of relationship status, to equal pay, etc., – you are continuing to broaden opportunities for generations to come, pushing the glass ceiling higher, eventually to breaking point.

That so many women of past eras have been trailblazers suggests the “you can’t be what you can’t see” adage is flawed, though it’s true that role models and mentors certainly help to pave the way. Thanks a million.

Reasons to be grateful this past week include scintillating flicks at the Canberra Short Film Festival opening night at Dendy, outdoor fun at Capital Brewing’s 5th birthday party, attending the diplomatic tennis tournament hosted by US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy in the embassy grounds on a sunny Sunday afternoon, dinner with friends at their beautiful new home in Weetalabah, our wonderful advertisers and readers, and our dedicated, talented CW team for making the magic happen this week – and every week. You’re the best!

on the

‘I hope she’s proud’ says mum of Annabelle Potts

When Kathie Potts ascended to the stage to become Lifeline Canberra’s 2022 Woman of Spirit, her first thought went to her late daughter, Annabelle.

“I just got this image of her when they said that I won. I suppose I hoped she was watching and that she was proud of me.”

It’s been almost four years since Canberra lost five-year-old Annabelle Potts to an aggressive brain tumour by the name of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

It was the battle that propelled the viral Lemon Face Challenge, inspired two government grants for DIPG, and moved the hearts of the Canberra community and the nation.

On the day of Annabelle’s death, following countless calls and letters to the Department of Health, Kathie received a letter from then-Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, informing her that the grants had been approved.

#LoveForAnnabelle was the mantra of the Lemon Face Challenge, in which tens of thousands of Aussies, sports stars and even the Wiggles, participated.

But after the challenge, the movement, the wins, and disproportionate loss, those who loved Annabelle the most are left standing when the dust settles.

“After you’ve lost a child, you’ll never be completely whole again,” says Kathie. “You’ll find

happiness in the days and the moments, and I find so much joy from my other children, William, Juliette, and Vivianna.

“It’s extremely difficult seeing her little brother miss her, and her little sisters want to know her, and they never will.

“Also, seeing that children are still being diagnosed to this day, and are still being told what we were told, ‘Go home and make memories, there is nothing we can do.’

“A lot of people still don’t know that brain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease, and that it doesn’t get a lot of funding from the government.”

Kathie never thought she would continue her advocacy work for children with brain cancer once Annabelle was gone.

“We were trying to raise money for our daughter’s treatment, though our plan was always to raise awareness to get a treatment back home for children with this disease.

“I always thought I was just fighting for Annabelle.

“But then she passed away, and I felt this need inside me to do more,” says Kathie.

“I do get ‘you need to move on’ from a few people. Not everyone is supportive of what I’m doing. But this is my way of spending time with her now.”

Kathie says this is also her way of giving back to the Canberra community that rallied around her during the most difficult period of her life.

Many may remember Mix 106.3 recruiting tradies to build a castle playhouse for Annabelle in just one week while the family were in Sydney for her radiation treatment.

Renee Bogatko, a journalist who found out about Annabelle in the early days of her diagnosis and “took her story Australia-wide”, nominated Kathie for Lifeline Canberra’s 2022 Woman of Spirit, after the two kept in touch over the years.

Kathie found out about the nomination just two weeks before the awards ceremony.

“To be honest, I did feel a little bit of guilt at first. Like so many of the women who are nominated, we don’t do this for recognition. We do it because it’s something we feel we need to do.”

Her simple equation continues to drive her efforts to change the outcomes around childhood brain cancer: “Awareness = Funding = Research = Treatment”.

“I just hope that one day, families can be told ‘Your [child] does have a dangerous brain cancer, but we can treat it’.”

Looking back, Kathie describes the national support they received - every donation, every lemon smile - has been entirely surreal.

“I can’t believe that was my life, but it makes me so proud of Annabelle, she was the face of it all. I was just a mum trying to save her daughter.

“She was the cheekiest girl with the most beautiful personality.”

‘I won’t say you gained your angel wings, as you already had them on earth,’ Kathie wrote on the Love for Annabelle Facebook page on the morning of her daughter’s passing.

“Annabelle was such a selfless child. At two years old, when her baby brother was born, she would try to help me change his nappies.”

In her final days, Annabelle hoped to help “all the kids with lumps in their heads”.

“She lived to help people. Being my first child, I didn’t realise how unique that was, I just thought all children were beautiful and well-behaved and selfless,” says Kathie.

“I feel this need to connect with her by continuing this work.”

In Australia, about 100 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, leaving hundreds of parents in a tragic situation.

To those families, Kathie says to hold on to hope during, and even after.

“That’s one of the things that keeps me going: the hope that she’s watching me, she’s proud of me, and that I’ll see her again one day.”

Kathie Potts, mum of Annabelle Potts, and Lifeline Canberra’s 2022 Woman of Spirit.

Photo Kerrie Brewer

At Marigal Gardens we believe that a home isn’t just about the design, amenity and location – it’s also about the people you see every day. It’s why our community is such a soughtafter place to live.

Our residents tell us it means a lot to live in a place where it’s easy to strike up a conversation, to meet people with similar interests and to feel safe and secure, knowing your neighbours are there for you.

Please join us for an afternoon of conversation, Jazz and afternoon tea. Whilst you are here you can tour the new apartment display suite, our facilities and ask any questions you might have.

Business grants program survey ‘a PR exercise’

More than a thousand Canberra businesses have been surveyed about the ACT Government’s COVID-19 Business Support Grants (BSGS) and Small Business Hardship Scheme (SBHS), introduced last year to financially support businesses affected by the lockdown.

The grants were the largest-ever program the ACT Government delivered, a government spokesperson said. More than 11,000 businesses received BSGs (each worth $15,000 to $100,000, for businesses whose turnover declined by more than 30 per cent); and more than 2,500 were reimbursed under the SBHS (credits of up to $10,000 per operator for tax, utility charges, rates, fees, and charges).

In total, businesses received more than $340 million in government support.

Now, the ACT Government has engaged Grosvenor Public Sector Advisory, a business management consulting firm, to conduct an external evaluation of the two programs, due to be completed by the end of the year. The survey states it is designed to understand businesses’ experience as an applicant, focusing on how the

programs were delivered, and their impact on local businesses. Grosvenor designed the survey questions with input from the ACT Government.

The government says the responses have been overwhelmingly positive, but community business representatives claim the survey is simply a public relations exercise.

“It just comes across as the government trying to make themselves look good,” said Tom Adam, president of the Phillip Business Community.

Business leaders complained at the time that the government supports were slow and difficult to access, and could have been implemented faster. Six weeks into lockdown, only two businesses had been approved for the scheme, they said.

Final analysis and reporting are still underway. As of Friday afternoon, 1,104 survey responses had been received.

Respondents were asked to rate their agreement with statements about the administration and management of the two programs.

So far, most survey respondents agreed that the BSG program and the SBHS program “helped to reduce economic hardship as a result of the public

“Dad isn’t ready for aged care”

health measures”; and that BSG and SBHS grants “made it easier to resume business operations”.

But Mr Adam is sceptical.

“As a small business owner and a local business community representative, I find that these questions only serve to suit their agenda, and do not address the realities that many businesses face.”

Mr Adam believes the survey should have asked whether the programs provided adequate funding to sustain or hibernate businesses during the public health measures? Did businesses face economic hardship despite receiving funding? Were businesses able to operate at normal capacity after the funding ceased?

“Honestly, I think there has been a total lack of review into how businesses were impacted, and if enough was done,” Mr Adam said. “Their desperate desire to ignore it and move on just shows that they don’t care about business.”

A government spokesperson said the ACT Legislative Assembly conducted an Inquiry into the 2021 COVID-19 response last year, and this evaluation addresses recommendation 10 of the report.

- Nick Fuller

Dad was lonely in the house by himself. He was still independent but needed a little domestic help.

Then we found The Grange Deakin Serviced Apartments. After a little encouragement Dad moved in and within days couldn’t stop thanking me. Dad has his own apartment, he’s surrounded by company and regular social activities. The household chores are no longer a burden, the apartment is cleaned and the linen changed weekly. Plus the pressure of the building maintenance is gone. Dad’s now out doing things he loves again.

I know Dad gets breakfast delivered in the morning and two home cooked meals. For added peace of mind there is someone there 24 hours a day in case of an emergency. The Grange isn’t aged care but I know when the time comes, I can organise external community home care support to help Dad stay independent longer.

Now when we talk it’s without the worry and nagging. Dad couldn’t be happier .

From

Santa Photos

Santa Arrival Parade

an Onyong–Cotter dam

Two big ticks for Albo this week – first, for stating that he will, as a matter of urgency, obtain drones and missiles for the ADF; and second, for not going to COP27, as he has more important things to do here.

I was delighted this week to read of the proposal to rename the new Cotter dam the Onyong-Cotter dam.

Now, I’m not into virtue signalling, and I abhor people who deface and call for the removal of old statues like Captain Cook’s, and who want to erase our rich and colourful past and impose their often imperfect values on the rest of us. However, there is immense logic and common sense in naming the new enlarged Cotter dam the Onyong-Cotter dam. To me, it’s a no brainer.

1. To start with, the old original Cotter dam is now under water. The new dam was built about 200 metres from it. There is no need to call the new much enlarged dam the Cotter dam.

2. Liam Cotter, ex-Irish convict and pioneer of the ACT and surrounds, already has a number of things named after him (the Cotter River and

Cotter Road, for example).

3. Liam Cotter may not have survived the late 1820s without the help of his best mate, Onyong, the Ngambri tribal leader and warrior. Onyong only has a creek running into Lake George and a small hill at the northern end of that lake named after him. The two friends spent a number of years together, and Onyong and his Ngambri mob sheltered and protected Cotter in the early days. Onyong died in 1852 in a fight with a rival leader. Cotter lived on to a ripe old age, and died in 1886.

4. ACT governments of all political persuasions have only ever really recognised the Ngunnawals as traditional custodians of the ACT land, to the exclusion of everyone else. The reality is that most of the ACT (certainly the part south of the Molonglo River) was Ngambri country, and possibly some of it was also Ngarigu country (there are very few, if any, of the Ngarigu left).

The Ngunnawals were in the northern part of the ACT and Yass area. Indeed, the Greens have taken this mismatch one step further by having

the ACT Assembly open each day by the Speaker uttering a few words in the Ngunnawal language. The Federal Parliament recognises that they are sitting on the traditional lands of both the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

5. History needs to be respected and taught to our children as accurately as possible. Whilst there have been some very weak cases put forward for renaming some places in Australia, the case for an Onyong-Cotter dam is very strong.

I don’t know about “the Voice”, but calling our new dam the Onyong-Cotter gives due regard to those three essential things that make Australia the county it is: namely, a country founded on a rich Indigenous heritage going back 60,000 years, a fine British heritage in terms of our institutions, and a current, vibrant, truly multicultural, modern Australia.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Canberra Weekly.

FEELS LIKE A PLACE TO CONNECT

193 BLOCKS FOR SALE BY BALLOT

Your next opportunity to join the Whitlam community is here.

The Suburban Land Agency’s Display Village is now open so come and be inspired for a future in Whitlam. Be close to nature, enjoy the stunning views and connection to Canberra in this thoughtfully designed suburb.

With a median block size 480m2 and median price of $770,000, a home in Whitlam could be a great chance to live more sustainably.

Find out more about Whitlam’s new release suburbanland.act.gov.au/whitlam

Creating great places, where communities thrive

New ACT arts prize celebrates Lanyon Homestead

Lanyon Homestead is a jewel in the crown of the ACT’s heritage; its elegant Victorian interiors, its charming gardens, its humble stables and kitchens, and its picturesque vistas over the Brindabellas make it a favourite place for many Canberrans. Now, a major new arts prize will encourage the region’s artists to capture their visions of the idyllic 1850s estate and its complex history.

The inaugural ACT Historic Places Art Prize will award a prize pool of more than $20,000 to winning works by ACT and regional artists that respond to the homestead: its natural and cultural history, tangible and intangible heritage, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous occupants, workers, and families.

All mediums are welcome, from painting and sculpture to digital art and soundscapes.

“This is about new ways of interpreting and engaging with an incredible homestead, but also providing new opportunities for new creations, new artistic works, as well as bringing new people here, and bringing historic places and what they present to us in the community to a much broader

audience,” arts minister Tara Cheyne said.

“Artists can use any lens and any framework as they consider Lanyon Homestead and what it means for Canberra past, Canberra of the future, and to tell new stories or indeed reflect on that past…”

“Lanyon is a place of unspoken history, contested history, untold history,” said Dr Anna Wong, director of ACT Historic Places.

While Lanyon is presented primarily as part of the settlement history of Canberra, the site was occupied by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years.

Lanyon’s colonial history begins in the mid19th century. James Wright built a home farm in the 1830s, using convict labour. When he went bankrupt in 1848, he sold the estate to the Cunninghams, a Scottish family who lived there until the 1920s. The Commonwealth Government compulsorily acquired Lanyon in 1971.

Artists have six months to visit Lanyon and create their works. That, Ms Cheyne said, “gives people time … to create and to muse and to be inspired”.

Site briefings will be held on 29 November, 3, 8,

and 10 December, and 14 January.

Artworks chosen as finalists will be exhibited at Lanyon from Saturday 1 July to Sunday 15 October next year, from winter to the end of Floriade.

While the magnificent gardens make the homestead a popular place to visit in spring, visitor numbers are often quiet in winter; Ms Cheyne hopes the exhibition will draw more people to the homestead during the off-peak season.

The prize winners will be announced at the exhibition launch on 30 June 2023.

First prize is $7,000; second prize is $3,000; and third prize is a solo exhibition at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, with $500 cash to support the exhibition (value approximately $5,500). Craft ACT will award a craft and design prize: a solo exhibition at their gallery (value approximately $7,000). A people’s choice award of $500 will be awarded at the close of the exhibition.

For more information, visit historicplaces.com.au/ events/act-historic-places-art-prize.

- Nick Fuller

Full story online.

Energy from waste facility at Tarago meets some local opposition

Seventy kilometres north of Canberra, a proposed energy from waste facility will turn thousands of tonnes of waste into electrical energy, powering homes throughout the region – or polluting it, some locals say.

The company building the facility states that the process is environmentally friendly, but the local council and some residents oppose the facility, fearing that Canberra and the Southern Tablelands will be threatened by pollutants from a waste incinerator on their doorstep, burning Sydney rubbish.

Veolia, a French ecological transformation company, intends to build the Woodlawn Advanced Energy Recovery Centre (ARC) at its Eco Precinct in Tarago.

The ARC, Veolia states, would divert 380,000 tonnes of waste from Sydney landfills every year,

and thermally treat it, producing 30 megawatts of electrical energy, or 240,000 megawatt hours of electricity every year – enough to power 40,000 homes, and recycle and recover 20 per cent of the outputs that would otherwise be lost to landfill. The project would save approximately 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent every year, the same as the emissions of 32,400 cars.

While energy from waste is a new technology in Australia, Veolia states, it is widely used internationally: there are 450 plants running in Europe, while Veolia operates more than 65 such facilities around the world. It will operate Australia’s first two energy recovery facilities in Perth.

The ARC will be classified as a State Significant Development and, if approved, the project will take up to three years to commission. Veolia

states the facility aligns with the NSW Government’s environmental protection and decarbonisation targets, and is set to propel NSW into a new era of sustainability.

Veolia’s Environmental Impact Statement was published last month.

“Independently verified assessments, undertaken over a period of more than 12 months, have confirmed the proposed project is safe for local people, farming, and the environment,” a Veolia spokesperson said.

A local group, Communities Against The Tarago Incinerator (CATTI), opposes Veolia’s plans to build the ARC. In their view, it is a garbage incinerator near Lake George that will burn 380,000 tonnes of Sydney’s waste every year.

“This toxic proposal is a major threat to the region’s human, animal, and environmental health,” president Rod Thiele said.

CATTI argues that the ARC’s waste incinerator is more polluting than coal-fired power stations – it burns fossil fuel products (like plastic) and uses an industrial diesel fuel burner, they say – and will generate 12 times less electricity, contamination, and employment than solar farms.

CATTI’s research over the last 18 months, Mr Thiele said, shows that the incinerator would emit harmful pollutants: acid gasses; heavy metal particulates; and persistent organic particulates.

According to CATTI’s emissions modelling, these pollutants will spread throughout the ACT, Bungendore, Goulburn, and Southern Tablelands region, contaminating water and food supplies.

CATTI is also concerned about contamination of regional ground water and the Sydney catchment from hazardous waste stored in the ground near Tarago.

Mr Thiele said the ARC is

“overwhelmingly opposed by local communities and their local political representatives, but Veolia is pushing on regardless”.

The Goulburn Mulwaree Council opposes waste to energy or waste incineration facilities in the LGA, including at Tarago. Council is reviewing the contents of the EIS. A report will be put to Council to consider at an Extraordinary Meeting on 29 November.

Veolia described CATTI’s statement as “grossly misleading and incorrect”. The ARC facility was not an incinerator, a spokesperson stated.

The EIS, Veolia stated, finds that the ARC meets all regulations for human health, water quality and food production; that predicted air quality levels are safely below limits set by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA); that water concentrations within rainwater tanks are well within safe drinking water guidelines; that the ARC project will not change local soil conditions, and farms with organic farming status would not be affected; and that 96 per cent of the waste diverted from landfill will instead be recovered or recycled.

The EIS is on public exhibition until 6 December. The community can formally submit their views on the proposal to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

Veolia will hold events around the region to showcase the details of the studies. “Now is the time for people to hear the facts from qualified and independent experts, and to have their say by making a submission,” project director, Kathryn Whitfield, said

CATTI said it would mobilise community objections to the proposal, and counter what it calls Veolia’s ‘green washing’ public relations campaign.

Full story online.

- Nick Fuller

Local healthcare focus: A new doctor for Casey’s friendly and truly multi-lingual medical practice

Dr Khalid Shareef has joined the diverse team at Ochre Medical Centre Casey. As well as speaking English, he brings Arabic to a team that already offers speakers of French, Hindi, Russian and Sinhalese.

Dr Shareef’s enjoyment of community contact led him to choose the life of a GP. “If you’re a cardiologist, you only see people if they have heart problems,” he says. “But I see everyone for everything, from mental health issues or a minor illness to a health certificate.” He gains particular satisfaction from being able to talk to, and care for, his Arabicspeaking patients and says people will move practice to be able to talk to a GP in their own language.

Originally from Sudan, Dr Shareef spent three years working in Saudi Arabia as a GP, followed by two years in the UAE’s largest hospital, before moving to Australia in 2016 and becoming a Canberra GP. “The weather is perfect here, not too hot and not too cold, and the health system is very good,” he says. “My wife has now started to study pharmacy at the University of Canberra so this is very much our home.”

Dr Shareef believes a GP should stay a ‘generalist’ who’s interested in all areas of medicine, but he does particularly enjoy helping patients with their mental health. “I like to take the time discussing these issues with patients, and I do enjoy following all the new treatments and therapies available,” he says.

His ability to listen has changed lives. He talks about one patient who initially came in to

accompany a family member, rather than for an appointment herself.

“During that appointment, I noticed something abnormal in her behaviour,” he says. “I felt she wanted to talk about something, but she was unable to do so. I encouraged her to book her own appointment and,

Podiatry to help sports injury recovery

Patrick Doan practices at Ochre Medical Centre Casey as a podiatrist, but not just any podiatrist! While completing his degree, his interest was caught by the newly emerging special focus area of sports and exercise podiatry. “When people think about podiatry,” he says, “they think of bunions and ingrown toenails. After my studies, there weren’t any clinics doing the kind of work I wanted to do, so I had to create my own job! I started by working in in high performance sport with teams including the Belconnen Magpies, the Canberra Raiders, and the ACT Brumbies while completing my Masters of High Performance Sport.”

Since then, Patrick has gained extensive sports podiatry experience and created Canberra’s only sports and exercise podiatry clinic. Patients range from kids with sports injuries and weekend warriors seeking advice on avoiding injury to elite athletes. “We generally refer ingrown toenails to

colleagues so that we can focus on what we do well!” he laughs.

An ASCA-accredited professional Level 2 strength-conditioning coach and ESSA-accredited Level 2 Sports Scientist, Patrick also currently works with Tuggeranong Vikings rugby club in athletic rehabilitation. “When a player gets injured, the team physio and high-performance manager assesses them and send them over to me to manage their pathway back to the field,” he says. “I manage their care from when they injure themselves until they’re playing again, which takes some creative coaching to help them maintain their fitness. The question is always, ‘what can you do?’ It’s not the same as being on the field, but at least they are not losing all their fitness, plus it keeps them psychologically engaged and still with the team.”

Back in the clinic, it’s a similar approach. “A new patient who is a keen runner was moving house over the weekend. He lifted a couch awkwardly and

heard a nasty bang in his calf. I referred him to a surgeon and an ultrasound showed a 90% rupture of his Achilles. There’s a lot of good evidence around avoiding surgery to rehabilitate an Achilles, so we’re in the moon boot phase now. We’ll slowly progress to more mobility and strength with the aid of some prescribed footwear and potentially orthotics.”

Recovery for the patient is likely to begin with gentle movements with resistance bands for the ankle for mobility and stability. Then foot strengthening will be added, followed by calf raises, lunges, squats and running tech drills, before he can get back to running. Guided by the surgeon and analysis from VALD ForceDecks, the process is likely to take three to six months.

“The ForceDecks tells us if the patient is favouring their left or right side and how much power they can generate through a lunge or squat. It facilitates a data-driven process, rather than having to guess by feeling

when she came in, I discovered she was suffering from domestic abuse.” Following referrals to the appropriate services, the patient is now in a much better situation.

“I didn’t feel right just ignoring what I saw and it was good to be able to help her. I believe a GP’s role is so much wider than just treating physical ailments.”

muscles. It also allows the patient to see how they’re progressing through the injury, which can be very encouraging.”

As well as his hands-on work, Patrick is the convenor and lead presenter for the first accredited strength and conditioning course designed specifically for podiatrists in Australia.

Dr Shareef and Patrick Doan are accepting new patients at Ochre Medical Centre Casey. Bookings can be made via ochrehealth.com.au or by calling the practice on 6163 4200.

A master of auctioneering, Sandra’s no ‘odd man out’

Don’t label Sandra as a “trailblazing” woman auctioneer –she’s just an auctioneer – and a damn good one, too.

Talking too loud, too much, and too fast has turned itself from an annoyance into a career for Canberra real estate agent, Sandra Masters – and she loves it.

Being in the real estate industry for 20 years, Sandra was eventually led down the path of auctioneering while being a franchise owner, sales manager, and licensed agent. While it may seem like a rogue path to follow, it’s clearly what she was meant to do.

She recently competed at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships where she was the only female competitor, but says she never feels like the odd man out.

Men have been wonderfully welcoming and willing to share

their expertise, says Sandra, but on the other hand, she’d still like to see more women have the courage to be by her side.

“Give it a crack!” says Sandra, when asked if she has any advice for women wanting to enter auctioneering.

But auctions weren’t always rainbows for Sandra. Six years ago, she says she would consistently get the comment, ‘You’re really good for a girl,’ and nothing would get her defences up more.

The last couple of years though, she says such comments have stopped.

“I don’t want to be a good female auctioneer; I just want to be a good auctioneer,” says Sandra.

Referring to the real estate industry as ‘male dominated’ is laughable because, she points out, “I don’t know if you actually looked at

the stats?”

“There are more women in real estate than there are men. Particularly, if you look at registrations in the ACT, I think we actually far outweigh the men,” says Sandra.

Specifically, within the auctioneering space, she believes women have a unique set of skills that intrinsically come more easily to them than men.

As the first female to sit in the ownership group of LJ Hooker in Canberra, Sandra is reluctant to be put on a pedestal. Although it

achievement, she thinks she’s just the first woman to say yes rather

who will lift you up in a new role is key, says Sandra, and she thinks more women should just say ‘yes’ and figure it out later.

“So, when I say I was the first female director, it’s not because the opportunity wasn’t there previously. I was just kind of the first one who stepped up and said ‘yeah, that sounds good, I’ll do that,” laughs Sandra.

Sandra is always conscious of being seen as a trailblazer because she never wants it to seem as though it’s “us against them”. In particular, she eschews overloaded emphasis when women achieve a milestone because “it just should have happened before”.

trailblazer, but I want to be really clear because it also sounds like it’s been this male clique up until now and I’ve somehow broken some glass ceiling, but not at all,” Sandra says.

“I’ve worked with a bunch of incredibly supportive men who have been all been mentors and assistants to me, and I think other women have been given the opportunity. But for some reason, not as many women step up and say ‘yes’.”

Finding supportive people

Don’t get her wrong; Sandra understands women have challenges that men don’t face, and she knows them well herself.

“We do have those factors that sometimes build that mental barrier of ‘maybe I won’t jump in yet because I’m going to have a family’ and we do have to carry the children, there’s no two ways about that,” she says. “But I just went, ‘oh, I’ll do it. I’ll have kids at some point, it’ll be fine, we’ll make it work’.”

- Abbey Halter

LJ Hooker Kippax franchise owner Sandra Masters is a champion auctioneer who recently represented the ACT at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships.

Photo Kerrie Brewer

anberra’s much-loved Capital Region Farmers Market is relocating for one day only.

“To accommodate the upcoming Spilt Milk Festival, our farmers and food producers are moving from their ‘home ground’ location at Exhibition Park in Mitchell and hitting the road for a one-o ‘Away Game’ at GIO Stadium in Bruce,” said Capital Region Farmers Market Manager, Sarah Power.

“We’ve never done this before and it’s a big undertaking to move our infrastructure and regular farmers, producers and makers from their regular weekly home at Exhibition Park, to GIO Stadium in Bruce.

“And for consumers it’s really exciting because we’re taking a great range of fresh produce somewhere new, so we’re hoping we welcome some new visitors who have never experienced what our Market has to o er before.

“It’s a great opportunity for the residents of

Bruce and Belconnen and surrounds to come and shop with us close to their homes. And we know they’ll be impressed by the range, quality and freshness of what we have to o er, and will want to add the market shop to their weekly routine when we’re back at our usual home at Exhibition Park the following week,” Sarah continued.

The Capital Region Farmers Market Away Game will feature a great variety of the Market’s farmers and producers, plant and flower growers, as well as fantastic ready to eat food and co ee.

“Saturday 26 November is also the first week of cherry season which we’ve all been looking forward to. The arrival of the first cherries heralds summer is near and we can all enjoy delicious farm-fresh summer fruits including our beloved cherries. Our Away Game will feature cherry growers from around the region with their first cherry harvests,” said Sarah.

Away Game will also feature live musicians and entertainment, as well as face painting and badge

making for the kids, making it an enjoyable Saturday morning activity for families.

Capital Region Farmers Market Away Game will be held on Saturday 26 November 2022 at GIO Stadium in Bruce, 7.00am – 11.30am. For more information visit www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au

Different laws for different paws: Are Canberra’s cats left out?

Bandit is making quite a name for herself on the Canberra cat scene. She can often be spotted at the markets or sitting politely outside a café. But one place Bandit wasn’t allowed to step a paw in was Floriade, much to the disappointment of her owner, who is now calling for fair treatment of four-legged friends.

The feline’s ‘dad’ Anthorr (aka Boat) had lost his two cats to old age, was coming up to retirement, and wanted company when the two met. A friend of Boat’s mentioned someone they knew who volunteered with a cat rescue organisation was looking after kittens. Boat went to meet the remaining kittens and instantly knew the small furry female feline, Bandit, would be his new best friend.

“I discovered this amazing personality; she loves people, she

loves going out and doing things, she loves being around people,” Boat says.

The Haig Park Market was the place where Bandit first got her taste of the outside community and the excitement that came with people seeing a cat in a place they didn’t expect. Now she is coming up to 18 months old and has attended many iconic Canberra events in that time.

With her social media presence growing by the week, Boat wanted to capture some shots of Bandit amongst the flowers at Canberra’s premier tourist event, Floriade. Knowing pets weren’t permitted except on the final Sunday (aka Dogs Day Out), Boat says he did the right thing when trying to get Bandit in. He took to social media and asked if cats were welcome; a few days later, he and the few other people who commented were told

‘sure, as long as they were on a lead or in a carrier’.

Boat then contacted organisers to see if he could take Bandit on another day, because, although she is usually fine with dogs, he didn’t want to overwhelm her or unsettle the canines.

After finding dead-ends on the phone, Boat and the other commenters on social media were told not only could their cats not come on a different day, cats weren’t allowed to come at all. Upset at the revised answer, Boat wrote to Events ACT.

TO THE EDITOR

Dear, oh dear, Bill (CW, 3 Nov 2022, p8). Can you ever serve up anything that could be considered non-partisan? I mean, only you could find a positive in a British Government that has been a dysfunctional rabble since Boris got in - diversity. And then scold Labour for its lack of it. What a hoot! And then, of course, finding nothing of value in a budget brought down by a national Labor government. So, a few more Bushmasters will keep our welfare system safe? I think

“You can’t just say no, nobody. Anything else apart from this particular type of animal can go, because that is discriminatory. And I mean under the discrimination act which only covers people, of course, at the present time; there are things to do with a person who owns a cat, are you being discriminatory against them?”

Follow @banditandboat on social media.

Read an extended version at canberrweekly.com.au

- Jessica Cordwell

our welfare system has more to fear from the forces you represent than from the Chinese Premier.

By the way, nice double therethreatening China with greater defence spending then praising Xi for his wise strategy on energy policy. They’ve given you a weekly column, how about some rigour in the discussion. Seems you can take the boy out of the ‘Conservatives’ but you can’t take the conservative out of the boy.

- A. Kusta, Deakin

Want to share your opinion?

Email news@canberraweekly.com.au with ‘To the editor’ in the subject field; include your full name, phone number, street address (NFP) and suburb. Keep letters to 250 words maximum. Note, letters may be shortened if space restrictions dictate.

Boat wants to see Bandit walk among the flowers at Floriade like her canine companions.

Photo Jessica Cordwell

Black Hawk down: veteran Gary Wilson inspires others

Gary Wilson dropped out of high school in 1998 at 17 years of age, joined the army, and was subsequently deployed to East Timor and then Afghanistan – a deployment that changed the course of his life.

On 21 June 2010, a Black Hawk helicopter was crossing Northern Kandahar on a routine transportation flight when it crashed during its final approach to the landing zone into rugged Afghan terrain. Four men lost their lives that night, but Gary miraculously survived.

He now runs his own fitness and training business in Canberra called Bare Coaching and has been involved in the Invictus Games since 2017, rallying in support of his fellow injured veterans and their families.

A survival against all odds

The mission that almost cost Gary his

life was meant to take four short hours.

Around five minutes before this helicopter was supposed to land, the pilot would start to lower towards the ground. They didn’t know how low they were at the time, and the pilot smashed into the ground, going from 210km/h to zero in just 100 metres – how quickly something can go horribly wrong.

“I crushed almost my entire left foot, my left knee, my left hip, two left ribs, my left ulna was snapped. Then I had boxer’s fractures on my knuckles and fingers, third degree burns, I broke my upper jaw, I snapped my tooth in half…,” says Gary.

He had severe traumatic brain injuries similar to Shaken Baby Syndrome where his brain tumbled around in his skull.

Over the next six months, Gary had to learn how to walk, talk, and use his left arm again.

army matinee

At the same time, the Australian Defence Force was putting on a play that toured the country, so he signed up and became ‘Zach’ in the stage show.

While connecting with other wounded veterans through the play, Gary was introduced to the Invictus Games. Since he couldn’t run, his mate suggested he try rowing.

After competing in the Invictus Games, Gary’s zest for life reignited, and he was trying to work out what to do with it.

“So now I’m a personal trainer. I can train clients and show them with my resilience and my story that what happened to me doesn’t define me, and that’s what I’m trying to pass onto other people – that what

NEWS SPORT

happened to you doesn’t define you,” says Gary.

“Every day can count. The sun always comes up.”

- Abbey Halter

Read an extended version online at canberraweekly.com.au

Kyrgios up for CBR Sport Award

Canberra tennis ace Nick Kyrgios headlines a list of several local stars nominated for the 2022 CBR Sport Awards.

Kyrgios is up for the men’s athlete of the year title alongside Canberra Raiders star Joe Tapine and Tour de France stage winner Michael

ACT

Matthews.

Winter Olympian Laura Peel is nominated for the women’s athlete of the year in company with Commonwealth Games javelin gold medallist Kelsey Lee-Barber and mountain bike World Cup winner Rebecca McConell.

Brumbies and Allhomes renew partnership

The ACT Brumbies have announced that Allhomes will continue as the club’s official membership partner for a further two years.

“We’re thrilled to have Allhomes renew their commitment to the club as one of our major partners,” said ACT Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson.

“Allhomes have been wonderful to work with, and they have been really engaged on how to further connect with our members and our broader community so we’re

proud to continue our partnership with them.”

Allhomes General Manager

Danielle Harmer said they were excited to extend the partnership.

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing commitment to the Brumbies as a Major Partner and Official Membership Sponsor for 2023 and beyond,” said Harmer.

“The Allhomes team are looking forward to the next few seasons as we watch Stephen Larkham and the boys build upon the successes from the last few seasons.”

A global community of wounded soldiers and an

Gary Wilson survived a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010 and had to learn how to walk, talk, and move his arm again. Today he runs a personal training company, wanting to help others know that what happened to them doesn’t define them.

GIVIT Donation of the Week: Gardening tools

GIVIT is assisting an organisation in the ACT that offers refugees a safe and welcoming introduction to Australia. The organisation is requesting some gardening tools and a lawn mower for a family from Afghanistan to help them manage their garden. To donate to or fund this request, please visit givit.org.au/whats-needed, search Keywords: “gardening tools”; Location: ‘ACT’.

Fetes and fairs

Gilmore Primary School: Car boot sale and market on Saturday 12 November 9am-1pm. Preloved, handmade and new items for sale, hot food and cold drinks, coffee and cake stall, kids activities.

Florey Primary School Fair: Saturday 12 November 11am-2pm. Free face painting, fairy floss and activities. Florey Fair will have a range of community, volunteering and sporting organisations for families to get involved in sporting, musical and cultural activities. There will be entertainment, music, food and market stalls, prizes to be won and more!

Holy Family Primary School, Gowrie: Christmas themed fete on Saturday 26 November 10am-2pm. All the favourite fete activities will be back, including Bells Amusements, crafts, cakes and slices, show bags, face painting, dunking dunny, barbecue, coffee, books and toys, tombola; plus lucky lottery and a $3,000 prize raffle.

Share your community event. Email news@canberraweekly.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field. Deadline is 10 days prior to Thursday edition date.

the market@bungendore

Tuggeranong Valley Senior Citizens Club

Based at the Vikings Club in Erindale, our club is for the over 65s and meets every Monday and Friday 10am finishing around 12-1pm. We participate in carpet bowls, playing cards and Scrabble. Membership is $5 a year and $1 per session; morning tea is provided. Sometimes we go on day outings. More info: call president Ray on 0439 494 634.

ArtSound FM fundraiser

Pachamama presents Spring Latin Fiesta Concierto, a fundraiser for Canberra arts radio station ArtSound FM 92.7, on Saturday 12 November 1-4pm at Manuka Arts Centre, Griffith. A fun afternoon of Latin American music, dance and food. Entry by note donation on the day or book via Eventbrite (look for Spring Latin Fiesta Concierto).

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Probus Club

The market@bungendore will have a special Christmas market on Sunday 13 November 9am-3pm at the War Memorial Hall, Bungendore. Indoor and outdoor stalls offering local art, craft and produce; refreshments are available. Entry by gold coin donation to the Hall Restoration Fund. More info: themarketatbungendore.com

Free information seminar: Managing your medicines

Join COTA ACT, Capital Chemist and Pain Australia to find out about managing your medicines, on Wednesday 16 November 1-3pm at Hughes Community Centre Hall, 2 Wisdom St, Hughes. Hear from a registered pharmacist about the risks of taking multiple medicines, storage and disposal, medicine reviews and the questions you should ask. Pain Australia will talk about how pain can affect your life and the role pharmacists can play in managing pain. Light refreshments provided. Cost: Free. Bookings essential: cotaact.org.au/events/mwm

Charity Stall

Relay for Life Team, the Bold Bandannas, will hold a stall at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets on Saturday 19 November 8am-5pm to raise funds for Cancer Council ACT. There will be: Christmas fare such as homemade puddings, hampers, shortbread and rum balls; homemade preserves, pickles, chutney, lemon butter, sugar reduced preserves; handmade items including children’s dress-ups, dolls’ clothes, covered coat hangers, crocheted hand towels; worm juice for your plants; philatelic items (first day covers, Australia Post maxicards, bags of stamps). More info: call Rosemary on 6288 7752.

Gold Creek: The next meeting is on Monday 14 November with cake to celebrate our club’s 25th anniversary. Started by our now president Keran Niquet in 1997, meetings were first held at the Ngunnawal community hall, then, as numbers flourished, we moved to the Lakes Golf Club where we have remained.

Canberra Lakes Ladies: Our next meeting is on Monday 21 November 10am at the Robertson Room, St John’s Anglican Church, Reid. Our club meets the 3rd Monday of every month. Membership is open to women who are retired or semi-retired, and provides them with the opportunity to connect socially. Meetings start at 10am, followed by morning tea and listening to a guest speaker. More info: call Colleen on 0409 420 809.

Friends of the NFSA

Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive presents the inaugural Rod Wallace Memorial Lecture at the NFSA on Wednesday 17 November 6pm. Kim Williams AM speaks on ‘Why bother? Reflections on the duty of care to Australians’ creativity’. All welcome: there’s a nominal fee to cover a welcome drink and canapes before the lecture. Bookings essential: search ‘Kim Williams lecture’ to find the website and book.

Musica da Camera

Giving concerts in Canberra for over 40 years, community string orchestra Musica da Camera will present a program called All Baroque on Saturday 12 November 2.30pm at Holy Covenant Church, Cook. We will be directed by Baroque specialist, John Ma, who has recently returned from playing in Europe. Tickets: at the door $30, children under 15 free; or book online at trybooking.com/CDGSU

Technology Upgrade Fund Grants

The ACT Government’s Technology Upgrade Fund Grants are open for organisations and people at risk of digital exclusion to learn tech skills and upgrade or access IT equipment. Applications close 5pm on Monday 21 November. Apply at act.gov.au/grants

what's on  must do  must see

Georgia Wise, Ruby Farlane, Riley Cahill

Chari Adikari, Senani Karunaratna, Uta Stockmann

Kaet Lovell, Fran Tapia, Jody Tung

Helene Semere, Blain Berhanu

Emily Fu, Hayden Woods

Jackson Borham, Tiana NguyenFiona, Emma and Isabel Heydon

Sean Polmanteer, Dani Polmanteer

ABOVE Sunshine Super Girl opening night, The Q – Queanbeyan. Photos: Neil Wilcock.

BELOW Capital Brewing Co’s 5th birthday celebrations, Dairy Road, Fyshwick.

Celebrating

Thanks

to all the amazing participants in our Women in Business

feature:

Allhomes Pty Ltd

Aspen Medical

Astin Hair

B Eco Family

Belle Property Canberra

Bentleys of Canberra at Redhill

Bentleys of Canberra Jamison

Blackshaw Real Estate

Blue Cleaning Group Pty Ltd

Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory

Briggs Law

Canberra Advice Financial Planning

Canberra Ink

Canberra Theatre Centre

Canberra Weekly

Canberra Yoga Space

Capital Chemist Chisholm

Coco’s of Watson

Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear

Edge Real Estate Group

Gewürzhaus Spice House

Gourmet by Design

Hachi Tattoo Studio

Happy Fit Footwear

Herbert’s at Evatt

Hot Shots Photography

Ina J Photography

Inspired Life Collective

JD2 Finance

JW Land Development

Katrina Burgers Photography

Kendra Healing Arts

Lellow Kids

Lexi Sekuless Productions

LJ Hooker in Canberra

Luton Properties

Maliganis Edwards Johnson

McInnes Wilson Lawyers

MD Cosmedical Solutions

Muse Pilates Studio

My Morris Property National Opera Nourish & Breathe

Project Lighting Pty Ltd

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

Raine & Horne Goulburn

Restaurant Associates

Rhubarb & Me

Sarah Marie Celebrancy

Science Skincare

Scott Leggo Gallery

Sissa Sorella

Solace Creations

Spinach Ventures

TC Restaurant & Bar

Ted & Olive Boutique

The Tilt Agency Pty Ltd

Transform Parenting Underground Spirits Women Want Adventure

Natasha

Johnson

Delivering exceptional properties with energy, passion and a smile

Raised in Zimbabwe until immigrating to Australia in 2008, Natasha Johnson always had a passion to work in the real estate industry but was unable to follow her dream in her home country. Moving to Australia, Natasha qualified as a real estate agent and has never looked back. Starting in residential real estate, she now has the exciting opportunity of working on off-the-plan projects with renowned property developer, JWLand.

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“My clients best sum up my key strengths as they say I have a genuine interest in helping them on their property journey and I approach everything with boundless energy and a big smile on my face! I believe this comes from my passion for real estate and a desire to create ‘clients for life’, nurturing relationships with people at every stage of their property journey, whether it be an investment, their first home or their last.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The most rewarding part of my job is the people I get to meet from all walks of life and all parts of the world. Each of them has such a unique and fascinating story to tell and I have the privilege to become part of one of the most exciting decisions they ever make.”

Call Natasha on 0434 104 556 or email natasha.johnson@jwland.com.au to see how she can help you on your property journey.

Sales Executive JWLand

Brady

Yoshia

Guiding buyers on their property journey

Following a varied career as a speech and drama teacher, a corporate trainer, and an early mobile phone retail entrepreneur with three stores in Sydney, Brady Yoshia turned her passion for real estate into her profession when her children were young. After six years as a selling agent, she felt more drawn to the buyer’s journey and became a Buyers Agent with an industry innovator before going out on her own in 2019. Empathetic, authentic and driven, Brady now leads a team of eight, with o ces in both Sydney and Canberra.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory is a Buyers Agency; we buy property across all budgets –from first home buyers to prestige property at the top end of the market. Our exposure to a variety of di erent markets and areas gives us invaluable firsthand knowledge to be able to guide our clients on strategy and their unique property journey. It’s our vision to provide our clients with unparalleled customer service combined with our expert knowledge and extensive market experience. As Founder and Director, I have built a team of experienced

Buyers Agents who possess the highest level of confidentiality and integrity – and absolute dedication to our clients’ property goals.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Most rewarding part of what I do is helping people achieve their property goals and build wealth through smart real estate investments. The moment that our clients become owners of their new home or investment property is the realisation of a goal that is often many years in the making through hard work, saving and sacrifices. To be entrusted to be a part of making that goal a reality is extremely rewarding.

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Three most important things about Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory:

• Customer and service focused rather than transaction focused

• Teamwork at the heart of everything that we do

• Property professionals with many years of experience across di erent sectors of the property industry – true advisors, not agents.”

Looking to buy property in the Canberra region? Contact Brady Yoshia via brady@ bradymarcs.com.au or 0414 805 305 to find out how Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory can help you achieve your property goals.

Founder and Buyers Advisor Brady Marcs Buyers Advisory

Clockwise from left: Kate Waterford, Kirsten Leitch, Deborah Rolfe AM, Svetlana Todoroski, Suzanne Sharwood, and Thuto Disele.

Edwards Johnson Maliganis

Deborah Rolfe AM, Managing Partner Kirsten Leitch, Partner Kate Waterford, Partner Suzanne Sharwood, Senior Associate Svetlana Todoroski, Senior Associate Thuto Disele, Solicitor

Compensation specialists creating a safe space for clients

Being injured can have a traumatic e ect on your life and on your family – and the women at MEJ have the knowledge, compassion, and dedication to walk hand in hand with our clients to guide you through the legal process, each step of the way. MEJ’s women have a wide range of skills, languages, and life experience to support our clients through di cult claims; you are our priority and we create a safe space when protecting the rights of injured Canberrans.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it?

KW: “MEJ is a law firm specialising in representing injured individuals in personal injury claims. I manage our medical negligence practice, and also practice in other types of cases. I always act for plainti s.”

TD: “MEJ is a youthful firm with vibrant individuals from all walks of life who share a mutually exclusive goal of making a di erence in our society by sharing our expertise, skills and knowledge of the law.”

ST: “I work in MEJ’s workers’ compensation team as one of their Senior Associates. My practice

predominantly involves helping injured workers with their workers’ compensation claims as a result of either physical and/or psychological injuries, common law claims, public liability claims and total and permanent disablement claims. I have a wide range of clientele from di erent cultural backgrounds and diversity, and have developed a beautiful rapport with all of them. I love learning about people, I am a giver and am also known as the “compassionate hugger”. I am able to fluently communicate in the Macedonian language and have

conversational capabilities to communicate in Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian. It is humbling to see my non-English speaking clients express themselves and using terms that are only used in their native language.”

What inspired you to join MEJ?

DR: “I commenced working at MEJ in 1996, once my three boys were in Year 1 and pre-school. MEJ were incredibly supportive in enabling and encouraging flexible work hours.”

KW: “What attracted me to them and has kept me with them over the years was their belief in helping ‘the little guy’ in David v Goliath cases, helping and supporting people with disabilities and vulnerabilities. The firm has a strong family feel, and a strong sense of identity centred on compassion, ethics and commitment. I strongly respect and appreciate all of my colleagues, which is such an important thing in any workplace.”

KL: “MEJ are leaders in their field and o ered me an opportunity to further develop my legal and personal skills with the support of a great team. They also o ered me the flexibility to work with a young family.”

TD: “The strong work culture and the strong female representation in higher positions.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

DR: “Achieving significant and life-changing results for clients – possibly the most rewarding and the most challenging. Creating a great workplace for sta .”

KW: “I love helping injured claimants feel that they have achieved justice, by winning them compensation for the injuries, losses and disabilities they have su ered. I become quite close to my clients through the course of developing their claims, and it is rewarding when they tell me I’ve changed their lives for the better at

the end of the case. It can also be very challenging because it’s a lot of hard work, and the evidentiary issues can be complex.”

KL: “Helping people through what can be a very daunting process is very rewarding. However, it can also be challenging emotionally to help people when they are at their most vulnerable.”

ST: “Achieving great outcomes for my clients is without any doubt the most rewarding part of my job. The long hours and reduced quality family time is probably the most challenging part.”

What are MEJ’s key strengths?

KW: “MEJ has a real family feel, and it’s built on the partners’ key values of determination, respect and support for our clients, to drive their claims’ success. The firm really looks after its people and some of our administrative and paralegal sta members have been working for us for decades. We are also very well-organised and diligent.”

KL: “MEJ are industry specialists. We pride ourselves on being the best at what we do.”

SS: “Working as a team; I would not be able to do what I do without my assistant, my law clerks and other solicitors. We all get on and love having a good laugh.”

ST: “Their longstanding reputation in the community.”

Where to from here?

DR: “Continue to do what we do best – support and assist vulnerable clients, and provide a great work environment for sta .”

If you’ve been injured through someone else’s fault, call MEJ on 6257 2999 or visit mej.com.au to find out how they can assist you.

CEO Solace Creations Double Glazing

KarenPorter

Save energy and the environment with Solace Creations

CEO of Solace Creations, Karen Porter, was inspired to create her business after building green homes with her ex-husband and sourcing double glazing from Melbourne, which prompted the company to o er her the opportunity to bring their products to the Canberra market. Karen’s experience in the public service developed her expertise in business continuity planning, risk management, and financial management – plus, she has the advantage of being a ‘people person’ who is naturally good at relationship building.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part is when our client lets us know that they notice a di erence in the comfort of their home, their energy bill is a lot cheaper, or their home looks amazing. Most of our clients are very happy with our service and products and it is the unhappy ones that challenge me most. My personality is that I want to make people happy and when we don’t then that hits me hard. We will always find a solution and always make it to a successful result.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“We are predominately a female-led business, and this makes women at home more comfortable with our home visits. We are all very focused on not only the design but also how to make the home more comfortable. We are a reseller, which means we have a couple of suppliers that we buy from, and we have one of the best showrooms in

Australia. All of my team are relationship builders and really love interacting with our clients.”

Who inspires you?

“Many women in construction inspire me and also many women who own and run their own business. These women are often managing children, the house, and a busy role. I am inspired by their confidence and drive, and that they are really lovely swans that look like life is all under control, but their little legs are swimming madly under the water to keep going.”

Call Solace Creations on 6260 1621 or visit solacecreations.com.au to see how Karen Porter and her team can enhance your home.

OlgaImbriano

B Eco Family makes life easier for busy parents

Discovering a renewed passion for sewing after her second child was born, Olga Imbriano saw a gap in the Australian market and launched her innovative onesie extender product that started her business – B Eco Family. Olga’s company has gone from strength to strength, now stocking over 80 brands in her store, and last year she was joint winner of the Canberra Women in Business award.

What inspired you to start this business?

“I love creating products, making them from scratch, and helping make life easier and brighter for busy mums.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Every person who comes to the shop and starts using modern cloth nappies or returns to them after talking to us is a win I celebrate. I love

helping friends and family members find the right presents for new mums and bubs.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“B Eco Family is a one-stop-shop for parents looking for reusable and eco-friendly products for themselves and their bubs. Our mission is to reduce waste around babies and normalise the use of modern cloth nappies. I saw an opportunity to open a physical store in Canberra o ering a wide range of modern cloth nappies and reusable products. I believe the products I have available are making a di erence for parents, while also positively impacting the environment.”

When you were younger, what did you want to do when you finished school?

“In a back of my mind, I always wanted to own a business, that was also a first thing on my mind that I would do if I ever won the lottery. Seeing that I was able to turn my dream into a reality feels quite surreal sometimes.”

Where to from here?

“In exciting news, I’ve moved my small Kambah store to a larger o ering in Cooleman Court Shopping Centre at Weston. I’m planning to grow this new store both instore and online. Watch this space …”

Visit Olga and her B Eco Family at Cooleman Court in Weston, or shop online at becofamily.com.au

Owner of B Eco Family

Lexi

Sekuless

Creating theatre with a di erence

Inspired by words of wisdom from her father, that he and his friends limit their complaining to one minute, Lexi Sekuless decided to fill her conversations with solutions and ideas on how to create the work and industry she wanted. She has found just that in The Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, where she is a producer and performer.

Tell us about your organisation.

“The Mill Theatre at Dairy Road encourages professional practice and celebrates Canberra’s emerged creatives. This is not about being better than others, it is not about vertical comparisons; it is about the positive exploration of technique and the positive promotion and the horizontal growth of the industry in Canberra. There is room for all of us.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“We are going to try to do things di erently at Dairy Road. So, all the elements of the industry which are pretty flawed, I’d like to try something di erent. For example, I’d like to replace the normal theatre audition process with a regular drop-in class. No one performs their best with only five minutes. We would like to build people up to succeed, not fail.”

To find out more about classes and productions at The Mill Theatre, contact Lexi Sekuless at hello@milltheatreatdairyroad.com

FARMER Monique

Founding CEO, Women Want Adventure

Empowering women to take up space

An extensive background in outdoor education and years of adventures with family pathed the way for Monique Farmer to create Women Want Adventure, empowering women to “take up space” and experience nature in the company of like-minded adventurers.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“As the Founding CEO of Women Want Adventure, I saw there was a need for women to connect to community and nature in a safe and supportive environment. With serious health conditions such as anxiety and depression at all-time highs in Australia right now, including low self-esteem and self-worth, particularly for women between 40-55 years, I wanted to help solve the problems women face such as the demands of family/work/life and a society that reinforces women’s “smallness”.

“Today, Women Want Adventure guide hiking, kayaking, camping and larger multi-day trips across Australia.

There is something for everyone, even beginners to the outdoorsy, and women who have never been hiking or kayaking before. My role today has shifted from guiding fulltime, to managing a brilliant team of professional female guides. Every day, I get to work on how we can impact women’s lives through adventure experiences and I love it.”

To see what Women Want Adventure can o er you, visit womenwantadventure.com.au or email Monique at womenwantadventure@ outlook.com

Owner, Lexi Sekuless Productions

Sharing the beauty of Australia

Leggo

Coming from a financial background in the corporate world, Phillipa Leggo traded it in to become one half of the founders of the Scott Leggo Gallery in Kingston. The married couple tours the country capturing stunning images of Australia to share with people at home and abroad. When she isn’t travelling, running a business or ‘juggling’ the kids, Phillipa enjoys mentoring other businesswomen and is the Chair of CPA Australia – ACT Division.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“We showcase the beauty of Australia through photography and help our clients experience Australia in their homes and workplaces with premium quality artworks and gifts. Our collection includes photographs from across Australia, from the heights of the Snowy Mountains to the Outback’s red centre, the Great Barrier Reef, and everything in between. I head up all commercial aspects of the business, predominantly working with our commercial partners and clients. Naturally, I also lead our finance, HR, legal, marketing, and procurement areas.”

What inspired you to start the organisation?

“I’ve always enjoyed time outdoors and love being able to share the natural beauty of Australia with a global audience.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Our strengths are the depth and breadth of our collection, as well as the quality of our finished products. We have a wide range of premium and unique photographs from across Australia. Every state and territory is covered and the collection is continually growing. As a small business, another strength is our agility – the ability to make a decision and move quickly allows us to respond to the changing market and meet evolving customer requirements.

“Our ability to be creative and also understand business is a unique strength. Many small business owners are creative but don’t necessarily have the business acumen and experience to support their ideas. Scott and I have a great balance in this regard and are better together.”

Shop local and Australian made at Scott Leggo Gallery, 45 Jardine Street, Kingston, open 7 days or online at scottleggo.com

Commercial Director and Co-Founder

Scott Leggo Gallery

LJ Hooker in Canberra

Women find their home

in the LJ Hooker family

LJ Hooker in Canberra isn’t just another real estate company; it is a family. Comprised of many leaders, talents, and great people, it is LJ Hooker’s culture that has ensured it has seen and helped generations of Australians find, sell and manage their property dreams.

“We are a people industry first and foremost and our people within are just as important as our fellow property clients out in the Canberra community,” says Rachael Thompson, a director in the group.

“In terms of the amazing women within our group, some have been with us for most of their careers. Many have managed a career and a family with us and we work with all our team, both men and women, to support a great career, a wonderful family, and a great life.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

Jane: “Our organisation feels like an extension of my family; my wonderful sta care about each other and how they represent the brand. I am honoured to work for such a strong, vibrant business that changes every day. I worked within the business for many years, had a short sabbatical, and returned to be a director and franchise owner of the Woden/Weston o ces. Being a woman in business has its challenges, but I can truly say I am supported by my peers and sta in every decision that is made.”

managers and aspiring property managers to mentor and develop. Both roles allow me to help people achieve growth and work towards fulfilling their goals.

“I get to use a range of skills every day and being able to provide solutions for my clients, whether they are looking to build an investment portfolio or we are looking after their family home while on a posting, is something that gives me great satisfaction.

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

How long have you worked here?

What is

the most rewarding part of your job?

Lyn: “My role is rewarding as not only do I get to work with clients, but I also have a team of talented property

“Over the past seven years, I have watched with pride as my team grows and develops their skills, and helping them achieve the next steps in their career is very important to me. I want to lead by example and set my team up for success so we can deliver the best outcome for all our clients”

Lisa: “Our organisation is strengthened by the relationship between the business owners and team members. Our Directors want us to succeed in our career and life goals and provide endless support and training to enable us to reach our potential. We are team-oriented and work together to help each other, and our clients, achieve successful results.

Kaylene: “I will celebrate 21 years with LJ Hooker on 21 November. The main contributor to my longevity has definitely been the culture of the company and the close relationships formed within the group. Anything is possible when you feel respected, encouraged and supported. I’ve been very privileged to help many families buy and sell; it’s so rewarding to be included in a family’s journey.”

What inspired you to join this organisation?

Stacie: “When I was 18, I went for a job interview with Matthew Herbert at LJ Hooker Dickson. I was so excited when I got the call back that it was successful. I started with LJ Hooker Dickson back in 2002, 22 years later I am the head of our property management department / Business development manager in our Canberra City o ce.

“Over my 22 years, I have built

and grown many meaningful and successful relationships which I am still close to today. I have been invited to clients’ daughter’s weddings and been a part of special achievements in their lives. I would have to say that I love my job and it definitely gets better each year. I have such an amazing team.

“Throughout my career at LJ Hooker, I have had two children (Cooper, 9, and Emily, 7) and they are also a part of the LJ Hooker

family. My daughter walks around with my business cards and hands them out to people, telling me she will work at LJ Hooker one day.”

To find out how the team at LJ Hooker in Canberra can help you on your property journey, visit ljhooker.com.au

Lynda Clingan – Executive Assistant, LJH Project Marketing; Jane Macken – Director | Sales Agent, LJH Woden/Weston; Sandra Masters – Director LJH Kippax, Sales Agent | Auctioneer; Stacie Sheldrick – Head of Property Management, LJ Hooker Canberra City; Lyn Fairweather – Head of Property Management, LJH Gungahlin; Corrine Cramer – Head of Accounts, LJH Dickson; Jess Pirie – Strategy & Growth Manager, LJH Strata; Kaylene King – Sales Agent, Auction Centre Manager; Jodie Cross – Head of Property Management, LJH Kippax; Briege O’Brien – Head of Accounts, LJH Tuggeranong; Melissa Hines – Head of Property Management, LJH Kaleen; Sarah Miller – Head of Property Management, LJH Woden/Weston; Natalie Munteanu – Head of Accounts, LJH Kaleen/Kippax; Rachael Thompson – Director LJH Gungahlin/LJH Convey; Karen Wiley – Head of Accounts, LJH Canberra City/Project Marketing/Woden/Weston; Carly Clough – Sales Agent | Auctioneer | Training Manager, LJH Gungahlin; Sarah Lound – Head of Property Management, LJH Dickson. Absent: Lisa Rock | Customer Experience | Marketing Manager | LJH Dickson; Alison Austen – Head of Accounts | LJH Gungahlin.

The women of LJ Hooker in Canberra include:

Cutting the way for the future of hairdressing

Growing up on a farm in country NSW, June Irving dreamed of using colours and scissors to make people beautiful. For the past 45 years, June has been doing just that, working her way from apprentice to owner of the thriving salon – Bentleys Hair of Canberra at Jamison Plaza. She is also dedicated to teaching up-and-coming stylists the best in hairdressing techniques.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I started my apprenticeship 45 years ago at Jamison Centre with Jan Bartholomeaus. The salon was known as The Mop Shop. The name was later changed to Hair Vogue Jamison and I managed the salon for the previous owner. I later purchased the salon and changed the name to Bentleys Hair of Canberra... I have so much confidence in my senior hairdressers that I have gone into partnerships with several in other hair salon ventures.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“I manage the salon on a daily basis and have built it up to a thriving business. Our team are well trained in all aspects of hairdressing. I have had a passion for training and have trained for the College of Transformation, Education and Training for the past 10 years. I won the John Scott Award for training in 2017, and the Canberra Business Award for Outstanding Hairdresser in 2019 and 2021. I have also been nominated two years in a row for the Australian Small Business Awards.

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“I have always had a passion for hairdressing and have lived my dream and continue to do so.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“My passion for training young stylists, watching them grow from school children to passionate stylists.”

Who inspires you?

“Gerald Scott, one of Australia’s greatest hair colourists.”

To book an appointment with one of Canberra’s finest hairdressers at Bentleys Hair of Canberra, visit bentleys-canberra.edan.io or call 6251 2681.

JuneOwner Bentleys Hair of CanberraIrving

June Irving (front, second from right) with her team at Bentleys Hair of Canberra at Jamison Plaza.

READJe ica

Women helping women relieve anxiety

Jessica Read created the Inspired Life Collective in 2021 to o er the opportunity for people to receive a holistic approach to natural and alternative healing. An advanced EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner, holistic counsellor, holistic life coach and meditation therapist, and FLOWpresso technician, Jessica struggled for years with anxiety, PTSD, and a panic disorder that was relived with EFT Tapping, which prompted her desire to help others experiencing the same conditions.

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“When I was pregnant with my second child, my anxiety snowballed and a few months after her birth, I found myself barely leaving the house. One day, I came across EFT Tapping and thought I would give it a try, and, to my surprise, I started getting relief from the crippling anxiety symptoms that I had experienced nonstop for years.

Eventually, I enrolled in EFT Practitioner training, and this is where it all really changed for me. Not only was I getting better, but once I started working with others as part of the training and

being able to facilitate an opportunity for personal growth and healing, I realised that there was no way I could not be doing this work every day.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Hands down the most rewarding part of my job is watching the process of my clients becoming free from their emotional challenges. Everything shifts – from the way they speak, to their facial expressions, body language and, most importantly, the way they feel inside. To watch someone go from being burnt out, run down,

ready to give up on their business and living in a space of fear, to feeling confident, happy, excited about what they are doing and confidently managing their stress and anxiety is so special.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“My ability to create a safe space for healing and self-exploration through empathy, compassion and leadership. I don’t give up! Business can be hard, especially in the early days. I have always been very creative and entrepreneurial.”

Call Jessica Read on 0435 826 086 or visit www.inspiredlifecollective.com.au to find out how Inspired Life Collective can help you.

Jane Earl

Helping Canberra’s feet look great, feel better

If you ask Jane Earl where she sees Happy Fit Footwear in 10 years, she’ll tell you, ‘Melbourne, New York, Milan …’ although her multitasking skills may not be able to get her to all those places at once. At least, not yet.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“Having developed bunions at the age of 12, I was introduced to the specialised field of podiatry at an early age!

“I was prescribed orthotics and experienced pain whenever I didn’t wear them. This didn’t become a problem until I wanted to wear something other than runners to go dancing with my friends. Back in the day, the best I could hope for in a shoe was one that I could get my foot into and still be able to walk, and I paid the price the next day.

“I have been a podiatrist for over 20 years now; footwear is the keystone to so many of the conditions we treat. Happy Fit Footwear was born from my dream to give women what they want … footwear that looks great, and feels better!”

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“So many women hate buying shoes, and for good reason. The big department stores and major footwear chains are inspired by fashion – without considering the vital role footwear has on our health and wellbeing. Fortunately, the world of podiatrist-approved and orthotic compatible footwear has grown in the last 10 to 20 years, and new brands are popping up all the time. I wanted to put the joy back into shoe shopping by putting the best of these brands under one roof.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The feedback we receive from our customers is the greatest a rmation we can get! We have had customers who burst into tears of joy when they finally find a shoe that fits, that doesn’t look like a small house boat or ages them by 40 years!”

To make your feet glad, visit Happy Fit Footwear at 10/146 Scollay Street, Greenway or online at happyfitfootwear.com.au, or call ACT Podiatry. www.actpodiatry.com.au

Director and Senior Podiatrist

Happy Fit Footwear & ACT Podiatry

Sara WIGHTMAN

Working for the local community

Having grown up in Queanbeyan in a family with strong community connections, Sara Wightman has built on her experience as an aquatic specialist employed by the local council, to transition into sport and recreational management, and then event management, most recently adding performing arts and marketing management to her impressive CV. For Sara, walking down the main street for a five-minute task can sometimes take up to an hour as she greets everyone she meets along the way.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“As a local government, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council delivers all the necessities for our residents including roads, waste, managing planning and development, libraries, sport and recreation and community support. I manage the team that puts on events or brings events to the region along with our entertainment and live theatre team.”

What inspired you to join this organisation?

“I fell into it really through my sporting connections. I was o ered a job as a junior lifeguard and swim instructor in my late teens. I have been very lucky to work in an organisation that has given me many opportunities and projects to work on.

“When you love to work for and with the community to provide a service, you are very lucky as you can instantly see the results of what you have been working on, see the successes or even if it was not

successful. The community will tell you in many ways if what you do is ticking the boxes for them.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Seeing the enjoyment and reactions of others who are enjoying the party, event or entertainment we bring to them. It makes all the hard work and challenges worth it.

“There are many amazing people that I work with and have had great mentoring from in recent years. It is great to see the growing number of females in executive and in leadership positions within the local government sector. QPRC now has a female General Manager, two female Directors and a number of women in middle management positions.”

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am participating in the Terry Campese Foundation’s Special Forces Challenge in February 2023, raising funds for the annual TCF Youth Mentor Program to build

a brighter future for young people. It runs for 30 hours over two days and the recruits will have to push ourselves to the limit! If you’re able to contribute that would be amazing and greatly appreciated. To sponsor my e orts, please visit www.mycause.com.au/p/296033/ sara-wightman

To find out more, visit www.qprc.nsw.gov.au or email sara.wightman@qprc.nsw.gov.au

Coordinator of Performing Arts & Culture Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

Mina Etminan

OsenieksLeana

Inspiring the next generation of property agents

A proud and passionate Luton Properties sales agent, Mina Etminan began her real estate career in 1988 and is a role model for the next generation of property agents. She has independently sought to continue her education by attending numerous training courses in various fields and is the recipient of many real estate awards, including Luton Properties’ top gun in August 2022.

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“A deep understanding and respect for people, cultures and real-life circumstances made me qualified to receive trust and respect from my customers and clients, and achieve many awards in this industry.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Building my business on trust, quality customer service, and unfailing commitment to upholding the professionalism of my industry built a solid base for me to receive appreciation from my buyers and sellers. I am receiving 68 per cent of my business through repeat customers.”

Where to from here?

“I like to continue developing my knowledge and understanding of the needs of people at this time of global changes. I hope to become a role model for the younger generation and be able to pass this message to them that you can be active, happy and successful whatever your age, background or perceived limitations.”

Thinking of selling your property? Call Mina on 0449 234 646 or email Mina.Etminan@luton.com.au

The hospitality career that can take you across the globe

Leana Osenieks began her unintended hospitality career through work experience – after a taste, she’s never looked back. Her extensive career includes managing venues at some of Canberra’s iconic institutions like Old Parliament House, the National Arboretum, and the National Gallery of Australia. After her career went international, Leana has returned to Canberra to become the venue manager with global corporation Restaurant Associates, which she says allows for growth and crazy ventures and o ers trust and support so you can succeed.

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“I am positive, driven, fun, focused and loyal –great at multi-tasking and communicating.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The team. Without passionate, dedicated, loyal and fun colleagues - your business will not grow.

Do you recommend people join the hospitality industry?

“You are crazy not to give it a go – you will be drawn to the hospitality bubble we all love and enjoy.”

Where to from here?

“I’ve spent a vast time in venue management and operations and would like to expand my horizons and look towards a national multi-site role within the business. Long-term wise, owning and operating my own ‘piece of paradise’ would be the retirement goal.”

For more information, email leanaosenieks@ restaurantassociates.com.au

Executive salesperson at Luton Properties

Venue manager at Restaurant Associates

Lily

Bull

Care and understanding with professionalism

Lily Bull grew up in sunny Brisbane, beginning her hairdressing career the moment she finished high school. Now the co-owner of Bentleys at Red Hill in Canberra’s Inner South, Lily is passionate about providing services with care, understanding, and professionalism. A working mum, she appreciates the amazing parents who are constantly juggling their work-life balance.

What inspired you to purchase this salon?

“With a young family, owning a salon was something I had not considered until my husband encouraged me to go for it. I had only worked part-time since having kids so the thought of working full-time and running a business was pretty daunting. But sometimes you just have to go for it.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

And the most challenging?

“In the times of Covid, we have all been without life’s luxuries, whether it was due to lockdowns or financial strain, and I want to make sure that when they are in our salon space, each of our clients feel valued. Part of industry is making people feel good about themselves. It’s not just a great haircut or nailing that colour. Of course,

that is the main aim but it’s also making sure they are relaxed and comfortable. So, the most rewarding part is making people look and feel better, especially after the last few challenging years! Most challenging? Finding sta ... it’s like a needle in a haystack.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths? “I like to think that I am patient and work well under pressure.”

Where to from here?

“I’d love to go into education, training and mentoring the future hairdressers to keep our industry going, otherwise, there won’t be enough highly skilled trained hairdressers left.”

Call 6260 6731 to book an appointment with Lily and her team at Bentleys Hair at Red Hill, Shop 2, 1-11 Duy en Place, Red Hill.

Co-owner of Bentleys at Red Hill

Meet the Bentleys at Red Hill team: Jesse, Lily, Brittany, and Sylvia.

CANBERRA ADVICE FINANCIAL PLANNING

Building financial literacy and wellbeing

Raised in Isparta – the ‘Canberra’ of Turkey – Serhan Mackey moved to Australia in adulthood, after studying education and teaching for four years. While running around Lake Burley Gri n and glancing up towards Parliament House, she started dreaming of establishing a financial planning practice in her new hometown.

Completing a Master of Business while working temporary jobs, Serhan began working as a mortgage broker before moving into financial planning in 2007. From that moment, she knew there was no going back – it’s what she was meant to do. In 2017, Serhan completed her second master’s degree, this one in Financial Planning.

Having gained 14 years of experience with leading financial services including the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, building a strong reputation as an expert and respected adviser, and helping over 1,000 clients achieve their financial goals, Serhan established Canberra Advice Financial Planning in May 2021. Her business o ers uniquely personal, strategic, and customised financial advice suited to each client’s specific needs.

In addition, Serhan is serving a second threeyear term on the board of ACT Public Trustee as an honourary member. Inspired by a quote from George Orwell – “If you can feel that staying human is worthwhile, even when it can’t have any result whatever, you’ve beaten them” – Serhan is an inquisitive and caring woman, which extends through her desire to help Canberrans manage their finances so they can have control over their own lives.

Tell us about your business and your role there.

“I am the founder and principal adviser of Canberra Advice Financial Planning. It was established after I realised that there was a big gap in the industry for advisers who are not aligned with any products. Following the Royal Commission, financial planning has changed, and for the better. On the back of these changes, I wanted to recreate and redefine financial advice and connect the dots between life and finances. I wanted to o er Canberrans a privately owned practice (not by a superannuation fund, bank, life company, or another product provider) that ensures any solution provided is in their best interest.”

What inspired you to start your own business?

“Historically, the majority of financial advice provided was generic. I wanted to provide uniquely personal advice. I worked in environments where I needed to see a certain number of clients every day or keep my consultation to a certain timeframe. I wanted to change this and do something about it.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Financial wellbeing – Canberra Advice believes that feeling good about your financial life is possible for everyone. We will help you identify what worries you and replace that with clarity and confidence.

“We are not aligned with any financial products, which means our clients are our only priority and we are not incentivised to push

products that clients won’t need. I also love finding out and thoroughly understanding our client’s needs – no detail is unnecessary for us.”

Where to from here?

“Traditional financial advice has focused on sales and products. We would like to continue to build a reputation for providing product-agnostic advice. We are obsessed with people, value, and impact. Our vision is to build financial literacy one person at a time and provide the best outcomes for our clients whilst staying wildly di erent to most of the industry.”

When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

“At home fussing over my plant friends. They are my mood booster; I hear their call to come out and play. Every second weekend you can find me at the coast, enjoying the sea breeze.”

To find out how Serhan can help you “connect the dots between life and finances”, visit www.canberraadvice.com.au

Coco Zeng

Family ties inspire tea-infused fine dining

Having grown up with limited amenities, Coco Zeng spent her childhood years out in nature learning about farming, fishing and livestock, picking up many skills along the way. Now she and her family bring fresh ingredients, luxury tea, and an inviting atmosphere to Canberra with their tea-infused fine dining restaurant, TC Restaurant & Bar.

What led you to where you are now?

“Having helped run our family business within a luxury brand of Wild Yunnan Tea across both importing and exporting, and my experience working within the hotel industry for the last 15 years both in Australia and in Japan, I developed a passion for the food industry.

“I enjoy being able to o er high-quality service to our customers and I love seeing their happy faces after enjoying a great meal and the atmosphere within our restaurant. Now a mum of two little ones, aged 3 and 4 years, I enjoy the fast pace of running a business whilst keeping positive.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“TC Restaurant & Bar is really a family-owned business. My father and brother are both chefs and have been in the hospitality space for some time. My brother is currently a private Chef in Shanghai working with a number of high-end restaurants. I am the Managing Director and keep everything together and in order.”

What do you consider your organisation’s key strengths?

“Our food! Everything is made fresh on-site by our chef and team. Our restaurant wouldn’t be what it is today without the team, especially my father and mother.

“Our restaurant also sets us apart from others around Canberra as we o er the finest tea in Australia which can be purchased online and in our restaurant.”

Who inspires you?

“My parents are my inspiration. They taught me to be positive and caring and to always help others when I can; my parents mean a lot to me.”

Experience the family style atmosphere at TC Restaurant & Bar, 07/2 Batman St, Braddon; teaconnoisseur.com.au

Elissa

O’Keefe

Managing Director, Science Skincare

Science Skincare, proving what Australian botanical skincare can do

For Canberra-born Elissa O’Keefe, Science Skincare has been a kernel of an idea for more than 40 years. After almost throwing in the towel when the pandemic hit, Elissa made a choice: with the unbelievable results they were achieving for problem skin, it would be unethical to stop. Today, Science Skincare is on the cusp of launching internationally, and showing the world what Australian botanical skincare is capable of.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I was the ACT’s first nurse practitioner in 2004. My career until then was based in plastic and general surgery and women’s health. I have always had a passion for skin and moved into the cosmetic dermatology area in 2010. There I got to hone my clinical skills and gain all the knowledge that has helped me develop Science Skincare (SSC).”

Tell us about your organisation and role within it. “SSC is the brand for problem skin. Think acne, rosacea and sensitive skin. It is based on

Australian botanicals, vitamins, peptides and is grounded in scientific evidence. It has easy-to-use systems that work. I am the MD and lead an amazing small team with similar values.”

Who inspires you?

“My daughter. She lives with a rare vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) called Cryoglobulinemia. It a ects about one in 100,000 people. She is one of the strongest and most resilient women I have ever met.”

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“I have been on the hunt for e ective skincare

since I was 10 years old. I had the worst acne, and nothing ever worked. I have spent a fortune trying to control it and just as much fixing the scars. I wanted other people to never have to go through that. I also wanted to showcase Australian plants as skincare ingredients with proven results.”

To find out more about SSC, visit www.scienceskincare.com.au

Canberra

Theatre Centre

Gillian Schwab Manager, Program and Presenter Services

Sharing culture and stories on the theatre stage

In her role at Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC), Gillian Schwab is dedicated to enriching Canberra’s cultural life by bringing works that reflect a diverse range of communities and life experiences to the stage. Having fallen in love with the collaborative nature of theatre during her time as a lighting and stage designer before moving into an admin role, Gillian now aims to bring works created by women, nonbinary, First Nations people, and those who are neuro-diverse front and centre.

touring costs, and the pandemic have had a devastating e ect on artists, crew, and venues. If you have the resources, please consider supporting the arts through donation or by taking a chance on a ticket to a more adventurous work – it might change the way you see the world!”

Where to from here?

What inspired you to join this organisation?

“I knew that I wanted more commercial experience, and I was interested in working for an organisation that had momentum and capacity for growth. CTC has grown enormously in the time that I have worked here in both the number of shows we present and in the diversity and strength of the program.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“We have big aspirations and we make a lot happen with a very small team. I feel very lucky

to work in an organisation with so many amazing women and non-binary people.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Every day I work on bringing the freshest and most exciting mix of works to our stages. I love the challenge of a di cult budget or even a drawn-out contract negotiation because the end result is performances that fascinate, challenge, and entertain our city. Does a cooler job than that exist? The biggest challenge is to stay resilient and positive while our arts industry is facing such uncertainty. Skills shortages, rising

“With plans for a redevelopment of CTC that includes a new larger theatre in the design phase, it’s a really exciting time to be on board. I look forward to pivoting around the construction phase with potential for satellite and site-specific programming, and preparing the resources needed for the new and re-imagined venues.”

To learn more about the works the Canberra Theatre Centre team brings to the stage, visit canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Back row: Kat Voss, Caitlin Kerr, Carole Arulantu, and KuaiKuai Wang.

Front row: Yoshni Chandra, Gillian Schwab, and Krystle Lollback.

Director, Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear

GillianH t

Delivering an uplifting customer experience

A diagnosis of breast cancer led Gillian Horton to taking over Colleen’s in 2014, a lingerie store which fitted bras for women after breast cancer surgery. Gillian knew she wanted to use her own experience of breast cancer to continue the great work started by Colleen, who was retiring and selling her business.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear is an inclusive lingerie store, ‘For Bosoms Great and Small, Uneven, or None At All’. It originally started for women who had had a mastectomy or lump removed due to a breast cancer diagnosis. In 2016, I moved the store to the Garran shops and more and more women found us, asking to be fitted. As I listened to their stories and needs, I expanded our lingerie range to include larger cups, front opening, bralettes, sports bras, and first bras. We also sell breast prosthesis, turbans, wigs, nightwear, wellness products and a huge selection of swimwear to suit all bodies.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“We absolutely love seeing how a well fitted bra

can transform a woman. The di erence a bra fitting can make not just physically but emotionally, is very powerful. It’s an absolute pleasure and honour to be a part of the journey back to ‘self’ for women undergoing, recovering from, or thriving after cancer treatment. Support and community building is where we’re at our absolute best.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“I’ve got really good people around me. My team and I have close to 40 years of bra fitting experience. We provide expert fitting services, empathy, support and education that combine to deliver a truly uplifting customer experience. My manager Karen Swan, who runs the store, has such an extensive knowledge of bras and bra

fitting, it has shaped the direction of Colleen’s. Our strengths complement each other and add to this passionate and dedicated sta who care for and nurture our customers – we have a winning team!”

Visit Gillian and her team at Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear, 22 Garran Place, Garran or shop online at www.colleens.com.au

Gillian Horton and Karen Swan

BlackshawReal E ate

Advocating inclusion and diversity is not a commitment Blackshaw Real Estate takes lightly. We pride ourselves on attracting, developing, and retaining top, diverse talent regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or religion. With 65 per cent of our organisation being female, and 16 women in leadership roles across nine o ces, our incredible team of female employees continue to make an unparalleled contribution to our business and set us apart in the industry. Here, five inspiring women from across the Blackshaw network in the ACT, Queanbeyan and NSW South Coast regions talk about working in property, their mentors and inspirations, and what workplace equality means to them.

Pat Jameson: Principal, Blackshaw Coastal

“I am a people person and love the opportunity to meet and help a diverse range of people. In real estate, we work with people who put their trust in us to act in their best interests with what for many is their biggest asset – their home.

“I think that gender balance is important in all

workplaces as it better represents views of almost half the population. Over my life, I’ve seen that women have great empathy, and this is very important in this industry as we support vendors and buyers throughout the sales process. Many people feel a great need to be heard and I can see they appreciate the additional time we spend with them.”

“I love this industry because I get to work with like-minded, enthusiastic people who are focused on servicing clients. When you surround yourself with people who have the same values and enjoy what they do, you love coming to work; the o ce culture is too fun to miss out on.

“In real estate, we make a positive di erence in people’s lives and that is so rewarding. Whether it be a client selling a property or someone purchasing their first home, it is a privilege that people place their trust in us to support them through the journey.”

“To me, equality in the workplace is everyone having access to the same opportunities, regardless of gender. I have been fortunate in my career where my ability to be successful was never hindered by the fact that I am a woman and has always been based on skill set and drive to get the job done.”

Esther Sebbens: Principal, Blackshaw Belconnen

Jo Hope: Head of Operations, Blackshaw Corporate

“What I love most about my role and this industry is the people and the culture. The Blackshaw team is like a family, and I believe that is due to the leadership across the o ces.

“In my early 20s, I worked as an interior designer for a boutique design studio in Sydney. When I moved to Canberra, I wasn’t sure that career was what I wanted any more but when I saw an opportunity at Blackshaw Real Estate, I was excited about the change. I am grateful to have grown with this business and been given the opportunity to flourish. I do this job because I enjoy playing a role in assisting our o ces grow, improve their workplace systems, and create a better environment for their teams.”

Ah Key: Principal, Blackshaw Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra

“The best thing about working in real estate is

helping and making people happy. Clients, sta , customers. I do what I do because I love it and honestly couldn’t imagine a career in anything else. Success is my inspiration. Not necessarily financial success but a combination of repeat and referral clients, business retention, sta retention, and feeling I’ve accomplished something meaningful after a long day. Getting a great result for a client. It’s a rush every time.

“Real estate is often recognised as a male-dominated industry, but I believe women bring a supportive and collaborative approach to the industry, especially to leadership. We are emotionally intuitive, which can lead to building rapport and trust – a rare but valuable commodity today. The combination of male and female critical thinking, collaboration and technical skill, can make for a winning combination.”

Belinda Chamberlain: Managing Principal, Blackshaw Corporate

“What I love so much about my role is working closely with my team – they are the best you could ask for – as well as the people you meet and the fact that no day is ever the same. I love my job and the people I work with – they are like family to me; I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

“I started in the industry and with the Blackshaw family over 27 years ago, and now to own the brand with my husband Andrew is an amazing feeling.

“Blackshaw Real Estate employs on merit and it just so happens that more than 65 per cent of our organisation and 80 per cent of the corporate team are women. I am extremely proud of this.”

Visit blackshaw.com.au to find an agent or to see how Blackshaw Real Estate can help you.

Alexandra

Women in key roles at Blackshaw Real Estate include (from left): Alex Ah Key, Principal, Blackshaw Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra; Rebecca Braddon, Principal, Blackshaw Gungahlin; Esther Sebbens, Principal, Blackshaw Belconnen; Belinda Chamberlain, Managing Principal, Blackshaw Corporate; Jo Hope, Head of Operations, Blackshaw Corporate; Pat Jameson, Principal, Blackshaw Coastal; Anja Schulze, Head of Marketing & Communications, Blackshaw Corporate; and Jessica Chamberlain, Marketing Coordinator, Blackshaw Corporate.

ScottRenae

University qualified naturopath and clinical herbalist, Renae Scott, has a strong desire to support women’s health, which led to the creation of her clinical practice, Nourish & Breathe. A mother of four, Renae specialises in fertility, pregnancy, and hormonal health, as well as treating stress, energy, sleep, and digestive and immune health. Nourish & Breathe’s mission is to allow transformational healing by integrating traditional natural medicines with modern day clinical evidence.

What do you sell in your store? “Our apothecary is a store for traditional medicines – tinctures, ointments, balms, tonics, elixirs of plants, for individual prescribing and healing. The apothecary shop front allows access to a ordable professional naturopathic care – the true heart of Nourish & Breathe.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“It is a true honour to be a orded the trust given to be a part of a client’s own health journey – to guide and to see first-hand the challenges, the break-throughs and the transformations.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“I like to create a space in the clinic and apothecary where clients feel heard and valued, and their symptoms are not minimised or brushed o . We look at the bigger picture to make sure we are addressing what your unique health picture is in context of your own experience.”

To find out more, visit nourishandbreathe.com, call Renae Scott on 0435 049 023 or find Nourish & Breathe at Studio 7, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick.

Marie Celebrancy Marie

Civil marriage celebrant

Creating a bespoke ceremony for your ‘best day ever’

From the very first wedding she celebrated after a relative asked her to o ciate, Sarah Marie fell in love with celebrancy, turning her passion into her business in February 2021.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“I LOVE marrying fun, loved-up couples and being part of their ‘best day ever’, plus, being a small business owner ticks so many boxes – I get to be creative, writing love stories and dabbling in marketing and design. I can be flexible and take on work that suits me and my family. I get to meet, and get to know, new people. I get to dress up and visit some of our region’s finest food and beverage venues; and I even get a kick out of those mundane administrative tasks.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“I guarantee an enjoyable and memorable celebration for you and your guests! Each of my ceremonies are customised to

celebrate all the weird quirks and inside jokes that make your relationship special. Together, we challenge wedding norms to bring to life a ceremony that’s authentic to your vibe and vision and hits all the right notes, kicking o your party and making the ceremony one of the highlights of your big day.”

For more information, email sarahmariecelebrancy@gmail.com or call 0407 209 009.

Owner and Founder, Nourish & Breathe

Jodi Shepherd

Lead Photographer Hot Shots Photography

Compassion and love captured in every shot

For the past 25 years, Jodi Shepherd has been creating lifelong treasures for clients and their families with her ability to draw out smiles from the toughest of crowds. Proud of her long-lasting return client base, Jodi has cemented Hot Shots Photography as the go to memory catcher in Canberra.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I began Hot Shots Photography in 1995. Over 25 years on, I am still as passionate about professional photography as the day I started.

“Although technology changes over the years and the advancements of cameras in our daily devices enable more photos to be taken, nothing surpasses the correct lighting, exposure, and flattering posing achieved by a professional photographer.

“Family portraits are said to be one of a family’s priceless possessions. I am fortunate that by keeping up with technology, I am still working in my chosen career.”

What inspired you to start your business?

“My inspiration to start Hot Shots Photography was to gainfully employ others in an environment that they are proud to work for. When I studied, photography was a male-dominated career choice; I am proud to say it is certainly not that today. I wanted to do things my way and be a passionate and understanding leader.”

Who inspires you?

“My Grandmother; she was a hardworking, independent woman often managing two jobs. I don’t think she ever took a day off for being sick. She soldiered on, she was genuine and caring, she treated others well and, in turn, others respected and loved her.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Providing jobs and training to up-and-coming photographers in Canberra. Giving back to the Canberra community in the charity and

not-for-profit sectors. Hot Shots Photography is proud to support many local charities including Ronald McDonald House Canberra and Menslink.”

To book your next shoot with Hot Shots Photography, visit hotshotsphotography.com.au or call 0417 200 780.

Founder/

Frisken Allana

Allana Frisken knows how it feels to walk into your first Pilates class – a little scared, anxiety ridden, and intimidated – so she decided to change that. After a knee injury, Allana found reformer Pilates and set out to build her own studio for other women like her. With a Bachelor of Commerce and experience across a range of di erent industries, she now employs 60 people across 10 Muse Pilates Studios in Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

What inspired you to start this business?

“After I discovered a love of reformer Pilates, I set out to create a studio that was luxe, friendly and judgement-free. I felt a lot of what was out there already at the time was not quite what I was looking for myself and I thought a lot of others would feel the same, and it turns out I was onto something.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The community we have created is definitely the most rewarding. The most challenging is finding enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do, especially with a young family in the mix as well.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“Energy, persistence, motivation and a truly entrepreneurial spirit.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“We are Pilates for real life. This extends from having down-to-earth and friendly instructors, to a regular schedule of classes to make things convenient, and studios that are so beautifully designed and appointed that they make the experience of exercise feel somehow a treat.”

What projects do you run outside of Muse?

“I also mentor women in business to grow their own companies. I found it to be quite a natural fit with my studies, background, and experience scaling Muse.”

Where to from here?

“I’m continuing to expand the business with new studios and also the introduction of the Muse franchise model, which is about to be launched. Particularly in Canberra, I will be opening Muse Campbell February 2023, if everything sticks to schedule.”

To experience the di erence for yourself, visit musepilatescanberra.com or call 0401 198 180.

of Muse Pilates Studio

The friendly and judgement-free Pilates studio

Tracey Anderson Askew, Founder and Director

Transform Parenting

Creating confidence in parents, in pregnancy and beyond

Curating and delivering quality information and coaching in a way that creates deep change and more confidence in the families she works with inspires Tracey Anderson Askew to keep ‘transform parenting’ – one family at a time.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I was a primary school teacher for 10 years. Then I decided to have children. I realised what an important time this is. How women birth matters; not the type of birth she has, but what gets activated in her as she becomes the mother. I then started to run new mothers’ groups, became a doula and then did a graduate diploma in childbirth education. I brought Calmbirth to Canberra in 2006 and ran these classes for 14

years, and kept evolving the program as more and more evidence became available about the mind-body sciences. I renamed my course Transform Your Birth, because I really believe that is what Mother Nature is helping us to do – transform from the woman into the mother, and the man into the father. Early parenting is intense and requires a lot from the new parents. That led me to building a system of education, support and community – and Transform Parenting was born.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Transform Parenting runs courses in childbirth and parenting education, face to face, via zoom, or online. We also set up a system of support for families from pregnancy all the way through to the first seven years of a child’s life.

“Once they have experienced our ‘Transform Your Birth’ course, families realise what they are going to need. When they join our Village membership, families can get whatever support they need, when they need it. We have live weekly group coaching sessions answering all questions, with the support of our coaches, and the other parents. Parents need community and to feel

like they are not alone. This service keeps them out of the google rabbit hole and able to access practical and relevant information for where they are at with their young children. We also have an extensive online library for pregnancy and parenting, where these sessions are recorded.

“It truly is a wonderful transformation for our parents, from feeling overwhelmed and confused to calm and confident.”

To find out how Transform Parenting can support you and your family, email Tracey at hello@transformparenting.com.au

Project Lighting

Jessica Sharp, Retails Sales Manager Leyna Coleman, Batemans Bay Branch Manager Maryanne Gore, Director

50 years young and the future is bright

From humble beginnings at a small store in Phillip, familyowned business Project Lighting has grown over the past 50 years into new bigger premises in Phillip, as well as branches in Belconnen, Queanbeyan, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Orange. The company’s leading women include: director, Maryanne Gore, who is a daughter of the founders and began working part-time in the business as a teenager; Batemans Bay branch manager, Leyna Coleman, who has worked with company o and on since 2003; and retail sales manager, Jessica Sharp, whose retail career led her to Project Lighting 10 years ago.

What inspired you to join this organisation?

MG: “It was my dad who inspired me; he has a laser-like customer focus and I try to emulate his humility. We encourage and support our sta to use their initiative in the advancement of the whole company and the individuals within it.”

JS: “As it is a family run business, you’re not just a number, you’re a valued member of the team. It’s a great work environment to be a part of.”

LC: “I was o ered a retail traineeship when I finished Year 12.”

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

MG: “Our group of loyal, knowledgeable sta . Our customers like to deal with our people, we do what we say we will do. If problems arise, we keep the customer informed and o er alternatives. Because of our number of branches, we are able to meet large orders from several locations if required, while also tailoring the o ering to local needs.”

JS: “Our exceptional customer service and product knowledge.”

LC: “We have always prided ourselves on going the extra mile for customers to achieve the best outcome.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

JS: “Being able to solve customer’s issues and seeing how happy they are with the final product or solution.”

LC: “Seeing all our hard work come together and achieving the best results for our customers.”

Where to from here?

MG: “Project Lighting intends to thrive into the future. Energy e ciency will become increasingly more important and we have the skills to be in the forefront of this wave.”

Visit projectlighting.com.au to find your nearest Project Lighting store or to shop online.

Jessica Sharp (left), Leyna Coleman, and Maryanne Gore of Project Lighting.

Gabrielle

Slater

Defying the norm, empowering through

body art

What led you to where you are now?

“As a woman in business, I believe it’s important to be involved, present and willing to do whatever it takes. Even if that means mopping a floor; you never grow too much to do the grind work.

“In what has historically been a male dominated industry, Canberra Ink was built in 2019 to defy the odds, the norm, and be a business promoting equality.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“To be able to help people achieve their aesthetic body goals, tell their stories via art, create everlasting memorial pieces, and bring ideas to life. There is nothing more satisfying than a content client who leaves feeling happier in their new skin.

“The endgame is to create a legacy. We’re here for the long run, putting in the hours, the e ort and creating something Canberra can be proud of.”

To see for yourself, visit Gabrielle Slater at Canberra Ink, 2/68 Emu Bank, Belconnen

Owner and Working Director, Canberra Ink

Canberra-born Gabrielle Slater thrives under pressure, stepping up to the plate to lead local, familyowned business, Canberra Ink in producing some of the ACT’s best body art.

real estatein Executives

Keen to light the way for other women and girls, five female executives who run large real estate portfolios in Canberra share their experience, expertise and how they have forged their individual paths.

Danielle Harmer: General Manager, Allhomes

“The most rewarding part of my job is being part of so many Canberrans’ daily habit – real estate – and releasing great products that connect people with the biggest asset in their life. The most challenging is keeping everyone happy –customers, clients, sta , and family. It’s a constant juggle, but staying true to my values, taking the high road, and not getting caught in the smaller things keeps perspective.

“With where I am in my career, I’ve started to see the ‘glass ceiling’ and the more senior we get, we realise that it is harder for women to break through the traditional executive mould. I am inspired by wanting to break and change that mould – I want to show my daughters that they can be and do whatever they want and not to fall into the trap of feeling like they have to be a certain way to make their way up the hierarchy. When people try bullish tactics, I work harder, smarter, and always take the high road.”

Hannah Gill: Director, The Property Collective, REIACT, Gill & Hooper

“I’ve worked in the real estate industry for 14 years, specialising in the property management space. I launched my own agency, The Property Collective, with my business partner Will Honey almost two years ago, underpinned by the ethos ‘if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go

far, go together’. We are both passionate about innovation and industry evolution, so it was a no-brainer to collaborate and try to reimagine the real estate experience for both our clients and team.

“In business, I believe key strengths needed to succeed are innovation, listening and agility.”

Anna Neelagama: CEO, Real Estate Institute of Australia

“I am the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Australia. I manage a small, expert team that leads and represents Australia’s real estate

agents and agencies at a federal level. We are a huge sector of the Australian economy with a contribution to be proud of. We have $3 trillion in assets under management, collecting $78 billion in rent each; and transact around $360 billion in sales each year. We have around 40,000 small businesses under our banner and employ 130,000 Australians in suburbs and towns across the nation.

“Many women who are appearing in this Canberra Weekly feature have been winners of our National Awards for Excellence (NAFE) and I am so proud to stand alongside them.”

Kylie Dennis, Anna Neelagama, Danielle Harmer, Louise Harget, and Hannah Gill. “Stay true to your values and always take the high road,” Danielle advises.

Kylie Dennis: CEO, Independent Property Group

“I spent most of my childhood in the beautiful little township of Crookwell, where my mum and dad ran the local newspaper. I was probably always destined to get into media and publishing.

“From when I first moved to Canberra in 2001, it was obvious that Independent Property Group was an iconic brand in the Canberra market. When the opportunity came up to join the team, I knew it was a challenge I wanted to take on.

“Working with a dynamic team of people, innovating to get better results for our clients, seeing developments go from planning stage to

completion, helping people find homes… there are so many rewarding aspects of this role.”

Louise Harget: Principal, Belle Property

“Michael Kumm, former President of the REI employed me as a junior around 20 years ago. It was a sliding doors moment that introduced me to the Canberra real estate market, and for his belief in me all those years ago, I will be forever grateful. From that point, I worked my way from PA to salesperson, until Dan McAlpine and Richard Davies suggested the idea of our own Belle o ce.

“I am one of three Directors at Belle Property and am lucky to have a brilliant group of friends

in the o ce – it just feels like that. A big group of like-minded people who all love what we do and love also to have time with our families. With three little humans at home, balance is key.

“I love listing and selling, calling auctions, helping our team … getting out of bed and going to the o ce is more fun than anything.”

Searching for property? Search allhomes.com.au

KnightElise

Owner and Manager Rhubarb & Me Hair Boutique

Rhubarb & Me makes sustainable hairdressing possible

At the age of 24, Elise Knight was given the opportunity to buy into Rhubarb & Me Hair Boutique – her dream since she was a child. That was 15 years ago, and as the owner and manager of the Lyneham salon, Elise’s passion is helping to transform the hairdressing profession into a more sustainable industry.

Tell us about Rhubarb & Me and your role within it.

“Hairdressing is an industry which generates a lot of waste, and we are dedicated to being part of the solution, not the problem. We pride ourselves on our environmentally friendly approach to hairdressing. We also wish to inspire other businesses to do the same. We are an Actsmart accredited business recycler, and recycle 97 per cent of our waste. We are partnered with Sustainable Salons Australia, and we only use and sell Australian-owned products. We are a fully vegan and sustainable salon; this means we do not use any products or colour with any animal byproducts.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part of my job is having the ability to boost my client’s confidence by doing what I love most. I love the relationships which I have formed with our most loyal clients. The most challenging part of my job has come about in recent years. Due to COVID-19, we were

required to shut our doors for periods of time. I truly missed being able to light up my clients’ faces as we gave them their dream hair.”

What do you consider to be Rhubarb & Me’s key strengths?

“We are small, yet fast-paced, and our team works e ciently to service as many clients as we can. We are friendly and welcoming towards everyone, meaning anyone can feel comfortable walking in the door and receiving their dream hair.”

Call 6262 6111 to make an appointment with Elise Knight and her team at Rhubarb & Me. You’ll find them at 76-80 Wattle Street, Lyneham.

Meet the Rhubarb & Me teamAbbey, Tovah, Elise and Brooke.

Claudia Roughley

Distilling connection, creativity and community

From the corporate world to adventure-seeking and motherhood, Claudia Roughley has worn many hats throughout her career. When faced with returning to the workforce, Claudia, a creative at heart, wanted to focus on something she really loved when the opportunity arose to join her brother on a wild new venture – Canberra’s own Underground Spirits. She wholeheartedly dived right in, even designing the label that was printed on their very first bottle of gin.

Tell us about your organisation.

“We are Underground Spirits, Canberra’s most awarded distillery and proudly Australian. Our unique process, called “cryofiltration,” is the backbone of our range; it is how we produce all our spirits and why they have their undeniably smooth character. Our premium vodkas and gins have been recognised as outstanding, collecting several major awards around the world. We love to innovate, refine and evolve. Our collaborations keep flowing, as we share stories from magnificent partners, designing and working together to cement our spirits squarely in the premium end of the market.”

What inspired you to join the organisation?

“It was all very serendipitous when my brother

started the distillery. Immediately, I dove into every angle I could to develop and grow the concept into our esteemed brand. My passion for gin traces back to London, when I was lucky enough to be working around the time Hendrick’s started giving bartenders cucumbers. My role in event and venue management saw me working alongside the team from Bombay Sapphire. It was all about gin, the experience, and the brand. From then I was a gin drinker, a gin seeker, and now a gin producer.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

And the most challenging?

“Sharing our premium spirits is the most gratifying, watching people’s faces light up and say “wow” when they taste them!

“Our emerging craft industry has many challenges still to face – and working with industry bodies like the Australian Distillers Association is one way we all join forces and continue to strive for the recognition and support needed.”

Discover the range of locally and sustainably created gin and vodka at undergroundspirits.com.au

Jen Takiari

Dressing Canberra’s kids with a passion for fashion

From a childhood on the Scottish borders to studying retail management at university, Jen Takiari knew she wanted to run her own business. Falling in love with the fashion industry in her teens, she has worked across Scotland and Australia. Having settled in Canberra, she loves bringing the finest in children’s fashion and entertainment to her Braddon store, Lellow Kids.

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

“Lellow Kids is a welcoming and relaxing space. I love to support other small Australian businesses; the majority of the brands stocked at Lellow Kids are Australian.”

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

“Watching families grow and getting to know them. Often, I’ll meet young couples shopping for family or friends, then they’ll start their own families and shop for their own babies. Then they’ll be back for their first shoes, outfits for pre-school, then onto school parties. It’s really special being part of that journey.”

And the most challenging?

“Trying to do everything on your own and keeping up with new trends. I’m a bit old school and just like good old-fashioned face to face shopping … I’m not great online!”

Shop instore at Lellow Kids, 63/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, or shop the range online at lellowkids.com

HaskiEliane

Sharing the joys of yoga

Starting her health and fitness career after moving to Canberra in 2011, Eliane Haski worked as a dance fitness instructor and personal trainer before evolving into kinesiology, kinaesthetic healing and body work, sound healing, and yoga. The first teacher signed on when Canberra Yoga Space opened in 2014, Eliane agreed to buy the business four years later and continues to work with many of the studio’s original teachers, who are all highly skilled and dedicated to yoga in their own lives.

What are your key strengths?

“My key strength is my ability to connect with people. It is this that has helped create a welcoming space where everyone feels seen and heard. This natural skill helps me in my teaching and in my body work practice as I really listen and can see the bigger picture for people. I have a lot of empathy and am good at guiding people out of their comfort zone. I’m not big on enabling or excuses. We can all be more than we think we are, and our capacity for personal growth is limitless, sometimes we just need some gentle guidance. Canberra Yoga Space is a sanctuary for those seeking the benefits of yoga. We aim to maintain a space that is nurturing, safe, welcoming and, above all, sees the divine

humanity in us all. My generosity of spirit enables me to run my business in alignment with my sense of ethics and yoga philosophy.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Helping people discover the joys and benefits of yoga for themselves. I can see how much it has helped me both mentally and physically and I love sharing it.”

Visit canberrayogaspace.com.au to book a class or a course or call Eliane on 0410 485 880.

Director and Teacher, Canberra Yoga Space

KatrinaBurgers

Empowering women by revealing their true essence

Celebrating 10 years in business this week, Canberra-based professional photographer Katrina Burgers loves to empower women through photographic sessions that see their confidence skyrocket.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“Photography has come full circle for me; 22 years ago I did my Year 10 work experience at a local print lab in a country town and from that point on I was photo obsessed. I worked in other areas prior to having our three children but nothing ever lit the fire inside like photography. A friend loaned me her camera when my second child was about six months old and it went from just being a hobby, to photographing friends and their children, to gaining clients, to being a full-service professional photographer. My amazing clients not only get a high-quality experience but they get beautiful archival quality

albums and wall art so they get to admire their photographs every day in print.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? “I get to empower other women every time I have them in front of my camera. That is hands down the most rewarding thing I do. I get to show them their true essence through either their Boudoir or Glamour session; to see them arrive feeling nervous and then leave here ready to take on the world after seeing themselves in a whole new way is absolutely the game-changer for me.”

It’s also life-changing for the women she photographs – and lots of fun!

As well as creating a positive, transformative

experience, Katrina is driven to deliver high-quality photography and high-quality products, so having the best Australian-based suppliers is vital.

“A photo doesn’t make the cull if it’s not perfect; I want my clients to have the best!”

To book a session, email info@katrinaburgers.com.au or visit www.katrinaburgers.com.au for more information.

Owner and photographer, Katrina Burgers Photography

Alaia Courtnie

Focused, persistent, and providing comprehensive service

One half of Raine & Horne Goulburn’s power couple, Courtnie Alaia is the CEO overseeing the entire organisation, which has grown from four employees including the duo, to a team of 17. Her husband, Zeb, is one of the top three agents in Goulburn.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“My husband and I bought our first home (a unit in Dolls Point, Sydney) when we were young parents. During the process, I realised I loved the property market. The whole experience of researching the market, making friends with the agents in the area, and eventually purchasing our first ever home. I immediately enrolled in a Property Valuation Degree and continued to work part-time and study part-time over six years, moved to Goulburn, and went on to have three more children (four in total). I encouraged my husband to get into the selling side of real estate as he had a sales background, and he discovered

his passion! We became aware that Raine & Horne Goulburn was for sale and went for it.”

What is one message you hope to send through your career?

“Women can sometimes be apprehensive about owning their own business due to family, kids, and fear of failure. I want to promote that if you have the drive, motivation, attitude, and love what you do, then you can most certainly do it all with the right support.

“This also allows for your children to see this and aspire to do the same when they grow into adults. I made a point of taking my four young children to my university graduation so that I

could show them that their mother accomplished something that was hard, but still pushed through regardless. I do not think they realised it at the time, but I am hopeful that one day they will see it. That to me means so much more than the degree I received.”

To connect with Courtnie Alaia, email courtnie.alaia@goulburn.rh.com.au or call her on 0423 672 856.

Director, Raine & Horne Goulburn

Stephanie McAlister, General Manager & Erika Tolano, President

National Opera

Women leading the way at National Opera

With melody running through their veins, Stephanie McAlister and Erika Tolano have dedicated their lives to musical pursuits. Together, they are the driving force behind Canberra’s National Opera, bringing the highest standard of operatic performance to the capital in accessible and innovative ways.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

SM: “I completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours in vocal performance as well as tertiary studies in drama and a speech and drama licentiate from Trinity College of London. I have performed professionally and with amateur companies throughout my life. I have simultaneously studied and built a career in adult learning, human resources and business, and had a family.”

ET: “My life’s passion is Opera. After extensive studies to a postgraduate level, both locally and overseas, and working with our national company, life took a di erent turn – as is so often the case for women. I have enjoyed a rewarding career in the public service with the opportunity to travel and represent Australia internationally, and am also the proud mother of a caring and creative teenager.”

What inspired you to join the National Opera?

SM: “I am inspired by artists of all forms who continue to strive to perfect their art in a society where sport has greater value in terms of investment, yet everyone turns to the arts in times of crisis, such as COVID, bushfire appeals, etc.”

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

SM: “National Opera not only contributes to the professional arts scene in Canberra by providing paid work for Canberra artists of all forms, we bring internationally renowned Australians to Canberra who are at the top of their game in the world of Opera.”

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

ET: “The most rewarding part of my job would have to be seeing a major production take the stage!”

To find out more about National Opera’s upcoming productions, visit nationalopera.org.au

MelodyRodriguez

Professional cleaning for commercial, construction, industrial, and residential

After moving to Australia ten years ago, Melody Rodriguez got busy cleaning our homes, workplaces, and construction sites. Six years ago, after seeing a gap in the market for an honest, reliable service that would clean a space like it was their own, she started Blue Cleaning Group Pty Ltd. The company has grown into one of Canberra’s most renowned cleaning crews, o ering an impressive range of services.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I came to Australia as an international student to study English for one year and went on to study accounting for two more years. When I moved here, I left all my family and friends behind. It was quite challenging in the beginning, but my goals were clear to me; I knew that I wanted to be here. I fell in love with Australia and its people. Here, you can be anyone you want to be as long as you show dedication and passion for what you do. The opportunities are there; it is up to you to take them to the next level!”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“I’m the Sole Director/Owner of Blue Cleaning Group Pty Ltd. We provide commercial, construction, industrial, and residential cleaning

services. When I started, I played most of the roles within the business. I did this so I could get first-hand information from clients, and so they would open up and be honest with me regarding the services they had received. This meant being onsite and working hands-on, often doing quality control, always following safety procedures and meeting deadlines.”

What inspired you to start your business?

“I started Blue Cleaning from scratch six years ago. I always wanted to follow in my parents’ footsteps and start my own business. I was also inspired to start Blue Cleaning after seeing the demand in Canberra for quality, reliable, and trustworthy cleaning services. I envisioned a one-stop cleaning company for commercial, construction, industrial and residential sectors, rather than specialising in just one sector.”

Sole Director and Owner Blue Cleaning Group Pty Ltd

Who inspires you?

“My mum is my biggest inspiration. She taught us since we were very little to work hard and always encouraged us to be independent women. I’m now doing the same with my two daughters.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Blue Cleaning Group is committed to professionalism and attention to detail. We pride ourselves on being reliable and responsible. Our team carry ownership of any projects and focus on delivering the best solution for our clients.

Our key strengths are communication, and being reliable, hard-working people.”

What are your key strengths?

“What I like about myself is being positive, working hard and making it happen! I love customer service and delivering honest and quality service. I am also a role model for my team, and I do this by leading by example.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part of my job is client

satisfaction. I like when my customers are happy and satisfied with the service provided. When clients refer us to others, that is our ultimate satisfaction.

“We have multiple challenges on a daily basis; however, we have learned to overcome them as a team. I believe we are a very strong team and I feel extremely fortunate to have my colleagues as part of Blue Cleaning. I truly believe that Blue Cleaning is where it is now because of its people.”

Visit bluecleaningroup.com.au to have your home, o ce or worksite cleaned better than new with Melody Rodriguez and her powerhouse team at Blue Cleaning Group.

Melody Rodriguez (front) with her powerhouse team at Blue Cleaning Group Pty Ltd.

Juli

Dawtrey

Director and Mortgage Broker JD2 Finance

Find your mortgage solution with JD2 Finance

Juliet Dawtrey loves problem solving and customer service – the perfect combination for a mortgage broker. After working in bookkeeping, tax accounting, and eventually becoming a personal banker, Juliet decided a move into home finance was for her, so she studied to become a mortgage broker. After seven years of broker experience, she proudly opened JD2 Finance two years ago and loves every moment of it.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“We service the Canberra and surrounding community with any finance application they may need, from home finance to personal loan finance and everything in between. My role in our organisation is many faceted. I am Director of the company, senior broker, and mentor and leader for the other members of the JD2 team. Very busy and challenging role, but I love it.”

What inspired you to start this business?

“I always had the dream and goal to own my own business. After finding success working in the industry, my family and husband, Don, inspired and encouraged me to take the next step and

start up JD2 so I could continue to grow.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding is finding solutions for our customers, seeing the end result for the client, and hearing their voice light up. The most challenging part is how demanding the career is. This is definitely not a nine-to-five role, and it’s not always easy to find time for myself and my family.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“My personable relationship with my clients; it’s not just a transaction to me. My holistic approach to everything.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“My sta - Guru Carrie and Pocket Rocket Olivia. The team and I really do go that extra mile to ensure our customers are happy.”

Who inspires you?

“Female lead mortgage brokers in our Canberra community. There aren’t many of us compared to the men, but there are some top-quality ladies out there in our industry.”

Call JD2 Finance on 6173 9809 or email hello@jd2finance.com.au to see how Juliet and her team can assist you.

The JD2 Finance team: Carrie, Juliet and Olivia

Erika Buckley

Keeping Canberra bright, colourful and beautiful

Growing up in Canberra with dreams of being a hairdresser, Erika Buckley has made her wish come true as a part owner of Astin Hair in Curtin. Now she gets to spend her days mixing fabulous colours and styling locks to bring a smile to her loyal customers’ faces.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I was excited to have an opportunity to be part owner in a hair salon and start a new chapter in my life doing what I am most passionate about which is hair creations.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“I am a part owner of my own hairdressing business. My role is as senior hairstylist who creates colours and hairstyles for all clients, being able to do consultations before any services, making appointments and answering

the phone. General business owner duties to do with the business side of things and, most of all, making sure that all clients feel welcome and satisfied with their results when leaving my salon.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Our strong work ethic, clear communication with clients and colleagues, and a great team.”

What do you consider to be your strengths?

“To communicate clearly, work well as part of a team, and exceptional customer service skills.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Seeing a client happy with their desired goals and creating amazing colours.”

To colour yourself beautiful, book an appointment with Astin Hair on 6281 4286. To see their work, visit facebook.com/Astinhair/

Astin Hair

Manager & Partner, Astin Hair

Taya and Erika

Belinda

Sciberras

photographyINA J

Ina Jalil, Sole Owner and Photographer

Capturing memories of treasured

pets

Ina Jalil creates artworks and keepsakes for pet owners in Canberra, letting them remember their furry friends as they are for decades to come. When not at work, you can find Ina cuddling on the couch with her three pups, James, Pippa and Rosie.

Tell us about your career path. “Ina J Photography started as a portrait photography business in 2009, as a weekend commitment where I slowly built my skills.

“In 2019, I lost my beloved dog, Mac, and realised how much I treasured the photos I had of him. Mac was my heart dog. That was when I began to focus on pet photography – in particular, on our canine friends.

“I have been operating my pet photography business for the last three years now and since then have had a lot of achievements including getting in the Top 25 of the 2021 International Pet Photographer of the Year awards and was the 2021 Local Business Award winner.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Ina J Photography o ers professional pet photography both in-studio and outdoors, however, I specialise in using locations around Canberra as backdrops to create stunning outdoor images. Each pet photography session is personalised to the client and their pets. I capture their pets’ personalities, their special bond, and turn the photographs into pieces of art that clients can cherish forever.”

To book your professional pet portrait session, call Ina Jalil on 0410 974 091, email ina@inajphotography.com or visit www.inajphotography.com

Confectionery and smiles fuel Belinda’s gourmet hampers

Starting her day at 6am with a strong co ee, owner of Gourmet by Design, Belinda Sciberras, loves to create gift hampers. From cooking confectionery, sourcing the highest quality products, and running the admin after a long day, Belinda is passionate about bringing thoughtful gifts to Canberrans.

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“My desire to start my business was twofold. Firstly, I wanted to create a range of confectionery using traditional methods without the nasties. Secondly, I wanted a hamper business that o ered customers the facility to design your own hamper online.”

Tell us about your organisation.

“Gourmet by Design is a small family business that creates a range of confectionery and combines this with a variety of Australian foods and beverages to create unique, bespoke hampers.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part of my job is that I get to do what I love and provide something that puts a smile on someone’s face! The most challenging part of my job is always having to adapt to an ever-changing market.”

Indulge in the perfect gift from Gourmet by Design; visit gourmetbydesign.com.au or call 02 6280 5475.

Owner, Gourmet by Design

Penny

Davy-Whyte

Director The Tilt Agency

Delivering the results clients need

Noticing the lack of opportunities in Canberra for recent marketing and communication graduates, Penny Davy-Whyte decided to be the change, starting her own media agency and strategy firm, The Tilt Agency. Penny and her team pride themselves on their collaborative, welcoming approach, and their ability to think outside the box to provide the best outcome for their clients.

Tell us about The Tilt Agency and your role within it.

Penny: “As the Founding Director, my role is to lead the team, new business, and overall brand. As the largest independent media and strategy agency in the ACT, we have a proven track record of delivering campaigns across all channels – owned, earned, and paid.”

What inspired you to start this organisation?

Penny: “There really are limited opportunities for graduates in Canberra. We have two amazing universities with limited local agencies that specialise in media strategy. We leverage all the ‘big agency’ tools and thinking and apply them to our local clients, bringing the science of media strategy into Canberra.”

What do you consider to be Tilt’s key strengths?

Lauren: “We have an extremely experienced team that have access to all tools and research needed to deliver the right strategy and ultimate

ROI (return on investment). We have so many case studies that address varying categories enabling the team to provide solid advice backed by data. We pride ourselves on our media relationships, we work collaboratively with media owners locally and nationally to develop e ective solutions for our clients.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Julie: “We pride ourselves on ensuring campaigns deliver the results clients need; knowing that our strategies have achieved the client goals is the most rewarding.”

Sam: “I also love seeing the passion and commitment of the team; they care so much about results and our overall business

reputation, I feel very lucky to have such a great team of T!lted thinkers. One of the continued challenges in Canberra is attracting experienced media professionals. We have a strong association with the universities to take on interns and graduates every year and are committed to growing jobs for locals.”

Plan your media strategy with The Tilt Agency. Visit thetiltagency.com.au to learn more.

The women of The Tilt Agency include: Lauren Mullens - Business strategy and growth director, Penny Davy Whyte - Founding Director, Samantha Mitchell - Client Manager, Julie Aleong - Client and Strategy Manager, Vesna Vidovic - Account Coordinator

Martiniello Kri

Great food, drinks and customer service is the motto of Herbert’s at Evatt

When Kristin Martiniello was in high school, she knew she wanted to work in the hospitality industry. So, having the chance to own her own restaurant, despite all the stress and challenges, she feels like she’s living her dream. Herbert’s at Evatt opened in April 2020 while the world was shutting down due to the pandemic, so Kristin and her husband began with a small takeaway menu and were welcomed into the local community with open arms, which has made their restaurant what it is today.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Seeing our restaurant full of happy diners enjoying everything we have to o er! I also have loved developing relationships with many of our regular patrons. I have really enjoyed watching their families and children grow and having them be a part of the growth of my family and baby girl, Rose.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“I’m never afraid of hard work and I have a real knack for remembering my patrons’ names and, in some cases, their interests and hobbies. I love to welcome them personally by name and catch up with their lives every time they walk into our restaurant.”

“We have built our business around three key strengths, all of which are reflected in our vision and mission statements. Great food: most of our menu is made fresh in house with locally sourced ingredients and produce wherever possible. Great drinks: we have a small but quality list of Canberra Region wines, we continually rotate craft beers on our taps

with beers from some of the best independent brewers in the country, and for a small suburban venue, we have a sensational range of whiskeys, gins, and spirits. Exceptional customer service: I am particularly passionate about customer service and we make sure that everyone who has made the time and e ort to come to our venue receives the warm welcome they deserve, and they leave feeling happier for having been here.”

Pop into Herbert’s at Evatt, 2/21 Heydon Place, Evatt or call 6169 7593 to book. Visit herbertsatevatt.com.au to find out more.

What do you consider to be your business’ key strengths?

Co-owner and Co-director, Herbert’s at Evatt

Managing Director, MD Cosmedical Solutions

VickyLambrinos

Passionate about helping patients feel good about themselves

Inspired by her beautiful, lipstick-wearing mum, Vicky Lambrinos grew up knowing she always wanted to work in an industry where she could help people feel good about themselves. After completing a Business Degree and working in that field, Vicky moved into the dermal therapies and cosmetic industry, and has completed courses and training in an array of non-surgical treatments designed to boost each client’s confidence.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“I have been a director, manager and consultant since 2007 at MD Cosmedical Solutions helping bring the cosmetic clinic’s rise to the

success story it is today. I am a highly motivated and dedicated consultant who educates our clients about appropriate treatments and leads them in directions that will improve their

self-esteem. My in-depth knowledge of all treatments, and passion to help all patients is exemplary. My most important role is to assist patients with setting up the best treatment protocols and that they are dealt with finesse. I am always at the forefront of all enquiries, assisting with treatments, and assisting in the post procedure care of patients.”

What inspired you to join this organisation?

“The love of anti-ageing and giving clients treatment options that will allow them to look and feel better by not only doing just wrinkle injections and fillers.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part of my job is allowing our older clientele to look and feel the best they can for their age and boosting each client’s confidence and self-esteem. The most challenging part is meeting our

clients’ expectations and ensuring that the service we are providing is always at a high standard.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“All our sta have been with us for a long time and our sta at MD are constantly being trained with new and existing treatments, products and skills. We only employ highly skilled, hospital-trained Doctors, Registered Nurses and Dermal Therapists who provide professional advice, treatments and customer service in a friendly and private environment.”

For a consultation with Vicky Lambrinos at MD Cosmedical Solutions, visit mdcosmedicalsolutions.com.au or call 1300 885 808.

McInnes Wilson Lawyers

I have practised in boutique law firms, large national firms and in-house in both public and private environments.”

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

VF: “I recently joined McInnes Wilson Lawyers as the Commercial Principal for both Commonwealth and Private clients in Canberra. My practice includes all things commercial, including contracts and transactional matters, property, procurement, and probity.

“We are a full-service law firm with experience across a range of sectors. The firm was established in 1975 and we have offices based in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Southport (QLD) and Maroochydore (QLD).”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

Making a difference for their clients

VF: “The most rewarding part of the job is being able to help clients achieve their overall objectives for a project that will have long-lasting benefits for them and the wider community. I also enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories on how they have come to be where they are today over a coffee.”

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“When I was younger, I dreamed of being a public servant and making a difference to the lives of Australians. I knew to do that, I needed to move to Canberra, so I left Brisbane in 2000 for a graduate position with the Department of Defence. About four years later, I was ready to try my hand at a firm and joined the Australian Government Solicitor’s litigation team. I absolutely loved the work I did at AGS. After having three kids in less than two years, I took a break and was a stay-at-home mum, which I also

“Coming back into the workforce, I knew I had to have a job where I could look my kids in the

eye every day and tell them I was making a difference.

“I was lucky enough to get my dream job at McInnes Wilson in 2016. I was promoted to partner a year after and became an equity partner in 2019. Today, I am the managing partner of the Canberra office and on the firm’s management committee. It’s certainly not where I thought I would be when I rocked up to Russell in February 2000, that’s for sure!”

VF: “My dad was a lawyer and when I was young, I would spend Saturdays with him at the office whilst he met with clients to sign their wills, exchange contracts, or prepare for court. I would take over the spare office and pretend to take calls, make file notes, and type ‘important letters’ (which were usually lists to Santa).

“I was fortunate enough to work as a Tipstaff for Justice Hislop of the New South Wales Supreme Court straight out of university. Working with Judge helped me realise that you can never stop learning or challenging yourself. From there

AC: “The most challenging part is the juggle. I have three young teenagers all at home who need me. I also have a challenging job and a team and firm who need me. Striking the balance is a daily struggle, however I wouldn’t change it. I want to look back at my life when I’m 90 and know I kicked as hard as I could and left no stone unturned.”

Describe to us a typical day at work.

AC: “Ideally, I would go to the gym, then come home and get dressed and be in the office by 8.30am. I achieve that about 20 per cent of the time. No day is the same, but that’s leadership for you.”

To find out more about McInnes Wilson Lawyers, visit www.mcw.com.au/contact/canberra-office or call 6185 7777.

Local lawyers Athena Cains and Vanessa Flowers balance the day-to-day juggle of leading the Canberra branch of national law firm, McInnes Wilson Lawyers.

Athena Cains, Managing Partner - Canberra & Vanessa Flowers, Principal

Beerworth Founder and Director

Spinach Ventures

Cultivate your workplace culture with Spinach Ventures

After studying a science degree with a major in psychology from ANU, Renee Beerworth discovered her passion for Human Resources (HR) and realised she loved working with people in everyday situations rather than in a clinical practice. Her career gave her many opportunities to work across the globe for well over a decade, before she took business into her own hands and created Spinach Ventures.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Spinach Ventures was born to cultivate work cultures where people flourish, businesses thrive, and communities prosper. My role is facilitating alignment between my team and clients that share this vision. We focus on organisational design, HR strategy, employee experience, and aligning the employment framework for our clients – as an outsourced service to SMEs or on a consulting basis. We

have a fully flexible working model; a Canberra o ce and remote working, with team members interstate and overseas.”

What inspired you to start your business?

“Having family members, friends, and ex-colleagues start their own business, and hearing about their people challenges – I would often find myself sharing experiences and helping them navigate tricky or challenging situations related to people. I had previously led

People and Culture teams within large corporate environments, so I wanted to bring a team of experienced HR practitioners and organisational psychologists and make them accessible to small businesses in a commercially viable way.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? “When people are contributing to something that has meaning and that is bigger than themselves, and when those same people are seen and valued for their unique personality, talent and contribution – in that team and for that purpose – this to me is workplace brilliance. Challenging to achieve but so rewarding when it happens!”

To cultivate brilliance at your workplace, visit spinachventures.com or call 6100 4466.

The Spinach Ventures Canberra team: Theresa Roth, Laura Taylor, Kylie Jackson, and Renee Beerworth, Founder and Director.

Renee

Owner Hachi Studio

HAYLEYChiplin

Australia’s first tattoo studio on campus

Hayley Chiplin has gone from the kid who was drawing before she was talking, to a graphic design lecturer coaching the next generation of creatives, to the owner of Australia’s first tattoo studio in a university setting at the Australian National University.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Hachi Studio is located in the heart of the Kambri Precinct at ANU. It is owned and operated by an independent female artist, with a focus on Neo Traditional, Oriental, and Realistic style tattoos. Cover-ups and reworks of existing tattoos are always welcome. The studio is founded on an ethos of thoughtfulness, mutual respect, and body-positive progressiveness.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“The most rewarding part of my job is bringing to life the ideas of my clients, particularly providing tattoo services to individuals who are recovering from di cult periods in their lives. My clients often feel like their ideas won’t translate into a workable tattoo design, and my role is to guide that possibility.

“The most rewarding part is

also the most challenging – making sure my clients feel their trust in me is justified.”

What inspired you to start Hachi Studio?

“Working as a lecturer was such a fantastic addition to my career as a tattoo artist, teaching and guiding the next generation and helping young designers build self-confidence and a strong portfolio focused on freelance, illustration and alternative style arts. Opening Hachi Studio has been the next chapter with the same goal of creating a safe, creative space for people to enhance their body positivity.”

Where to from here?

“Expansion! I’m already looking at renting a larger space in the same street so I can work with more artists, possibly branch out into other avenues like workshops for screen printing or design classes, and focusing on bringing the industry out of a darker period and into a more progressive and positive space.”

To find out more or to book an appointment, email contact@hachitattoo.com.au

Louise Harget, Principal/ Owner

Bringing ‘boutique’ to Canberra property sales

Enriching the local property scene with a boutique, personally curated experience, Louise Harget and the sales team at Belle Property Canberra are dedicated to getting their clients the most for their dollar. Whether they are buying, selling or renting, Louise and her team work together to ensure everyone receives the best service possible.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Belle Property Canberra is an innovative boutique real estate agency which I run alongside my business partners, Richard Davies and Dan McAlpine. In 2016, we decided to join the Belle Property franchise and open up our own agency. Since then, we have grown enormously and opened another Belle Property o ce in Queanbeyan.

“My specific role as principal is to lead the agency in property sales and to ensure the business remains operating at a high level. My business partners and I pride ourselves on the way that we conduct business and are so proud of how far we have come with the help of our wonderful team.”

What inspired you to join the organisation?

“We wanted to change the way that real estate was done in Canberra. We decided to buy into the Belle Property franchise as we loved the

boutique brand and felt that it was a refreshing agency for Canberra. We were inspired by the Belle agencies in Sydney and nationally, and decided that we would like to open one, too.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The most rewarding part of our job as sales agents is achieving premium results for clients as well as the relationships we develop. When you work with a client and essentially sell their best asset, we develop unique relationships with these clients which makes the feeling of achieving a great result for them so much better.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“Our team at Belle Property Canberra considers ourselves to be incredibly driven, motivated, and we pride ourselves on honesty and being great leaders in the real estate industry. The team believes it to be important to have transparency and honesty when dealing with clients and buyers. As a team, we value integrity and honesty, and pride ourselves on demonstrating these traits throughout the work we do. We all support each other and are always there for one another, we make sure to capitalise on each other’s key strengths and rely on the strength and power of the team to get tasks done.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Belle Property Canberra’s key strengths are how the team operates together to achieve many di erent goals. We have a strong team that is always ready to assist and help each other out when need be. We are supportive, encouraging, and always accommodating. As a business, we understand that life happens or gets in the way, and in our business, there is always someone there to lend a hand to whatever it may be.

Nothing is ever too hard for our team and we all work together e ectively in order to reach the end goal.

“As an example, it is often that a colleague will get the entire Belle Property team out to see a new property or listing to ensure that they are utilising all of the team’s knowledge and servicing the client in the best way possible. We have an incredibly strong team that consistently supports and relies on one another for help.”

Looking to buy, rent or sell? The team at Belle Property Canberra have you covered; visit belleproperty.com/canberra to find out more.

Meet the female sales team of Belle Property Canberra (from left): Chloe Lindbeck, Linda Lockwood, Peta Barrett, Samantha Lindsell, Steph Hoss, Amy Wilson, Katrina Briggs, Bree Currall, Matilda Mahar, Annika Edmonds, Louise Harget and Leanne Palmer.

Kate Dawson

Owner, Sissa Sorella

Unique shoes and fashion for women of style

After a varied career in logistics, running a winery restaurant with her husband, and events management, when a reset opportunity knocked at the age of 40, self-confessed shoe addict, Kate Dawson, created a shoe haven in her local shopping precinct in 2018. Realising there was a niche in the Canberra market for another independent fashion boutique, Kate opened a sister store in the celebrated Campbell 5 precinct in October 2021 – right in the thick of the pandemic! This stunning concept boutique features a collection of women’s lifestyle apparel and a curated range of jewellery, gifts and homewares that complement Sissa Sorella’s shoe boutique in Deakin.

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

“Sissa Sorella prides itself on o ering a unique shopping experience that tries to make women feel comfortable and invited to share in the Sissa Sorella journey. We don’t want our customers to ever feel part of fast fashion or mass production. Each and every piece in both stores has been carefully selected by me and I always keep my customers at top of mind as I go through this process. Some of our shoe pieces are exclusively designed

Sorella may have the only eight pairs of that style and colour of shoe in the country.

“We o er a welcoming and warm escape with friendly service. Both our boutiques are very feminine and pink and there is a lot to look at. Our sta ensure that you know we are there to help if you wish, or to let you be if you just want to take it all in slowly.”

Kate invites you to visit Sissa Sorella at Deakin Shops (Du Place) or Sissa Sorella Collection at Campbell 5 (6 and chosen just for our customers, which means Sissa Provan Street), or shop online at sissasorella.com.au

RachelRhodes RebeccaYoung

Pharmaceutical care at the heart of the community

Internationally experienced chemist, Rebecca Young, runs Capital Chemist Chisholm alongside business partner, Rachel Rhodes. Together, these two women head the team of locals who pivoted during the pandemic, winning the 2020 Guild Pharmacy of the Year.

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

“I grew up working in my father’s pharmacy in New Zealand - community pharmacy is the only job I have ever done. After graduating from the University of Otago, I spent a couple of years working in various pharmacies in NZ before embarking overseas, broadening my knowledge in pharmacy in the UK and locuming in Australia.

“In 2009, an opportunity arose to move to Canberra, and I joined the Capital Chemist Group where I was made Managing Partner at Chisholm a year later.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“COVID presented many challenges but also wonderful opportunities to review the way we deliver healthcare.

“We had to adapt quickly, and whilst it wasn’t always easy, we were able to remain open every single day to help our patients and our community.”

To experience award-winning care, visit Capital Chemist Chisholm at Chisholm Shopping Centre, Halley St, Chisholm.

Managing Partners, Capital Chemist Chisholm

Owner / Hairdresser Coco’s of Watson

Dedicated to your beauty

VujicVera

With years of dedication to her craft, Vera Vujic makes the people of Canberra look and feel their best at her own salon, Coco’s of Watson. Now, she is committed to helping the next generation of hairdressers reach their goal of being top of their craft like Vera herself.

Tell us about your career path.

“I started hairdressing when I was 16 years old and have continued to work in salons in Canberra, which have all taught me everything I know about how to become the hairdresser and employer I am today.”

How long have you worked here?

“I have been here at Coco’s of Watson since 2010 and have never looked back.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“My dedication to my work and the people who are with me day to day.

Without my employees and business partner and the incredible clientele that I have, I would not be here.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The satisfaction when creating great hair for

my clients. Also helping my sta to reach their goals of becoming the best hairdresser they can be.”

Book your new look with Coco’s of Watson, 4 Watson Place, Watson on 6241 1510, or check out their work at facebook.com/cocoshairwatson

Vera Vujic (front) with her team at Coco’s of Watson at the Watson shops.

Agents driven by results, not volume

Real EstateGr p

The women of Edge Real Estate Group are ambitious, experienced, and eager to make your real estate dreams come true. All with a strong passion for property and business, they’re keen to know and understand their vendors’ needs, provide clear marketing plans, create a unique sales pathway specifically tailored to suit their personal needs, and get results! With the company’s unique structure, they’re not here to simply turn up to work – they’re building something for themselves without internal competition, meaning you’re always going to get their best.

What inspired you to join Edge Real Estate Group?

RC: “Managing my own business with the flexibility of making my own decisions, working hard to achieve more financially and still being part of a great team – Edge.”

AB: “The Edge Group is ethical and has the most highly qualified members in the ACT; we are all licensed real estate agents Class 1.”

MdA: “I have personally bought and sold properties for a profit for 20 years and always had a passion for real estate. Running my own businesses for so many years, I still wanted the flexibility to work around raising children, travelling, and the opportunity and time to focus on an individual sale rather than meeting KPIs.”

AS: “I was inspired to take charge of my career and steer it in a direction that I was comfortable with and one where my clients come first, not a business owner’s needs and targets.”

NR: “I realised I had an entrepreneurial heart as a teen. I love to watch ideas develop, I work best answering to my own high expectations, yet I

also work best knowing I can reach out for support. Edge o ers it all – and a cheer squad! I know I would not have become an agent in any other agency structure.”

JB: “My passion for real estate and respect for the founder Steve Thomas – he is successful in his business, he has a great energy, is unselfish, positive and a can-do attitude person, he is great communicator, puts people first, and o ers assistance.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

RC: “Building relationships that last, selling at a great price for vendors and helping buyers achieve the purchase of their new home. I like to work with the vendors, organising tradies, styling, giving advice on preparing a home for sale and seeing the results – and happy vendors.”

KZ: “One of the most rewarding parts of our job is assisting families in what is known to be one of the biggest decisions they make and making the whole process from start to finish the least

stressful for them. I take the responsibility very seriously and work tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.”

LS: “The reward is working with both seller and buyer getting them to their end goal whether it is selling or getting into property. It’s about the people you meet along the way. Real estate is always changing and challenging, no two sales are the same once you put people into focus. This is where the satisfaction is for me!”

LW: “I’ve always loved helping buyers get into the home they desire, and helping sellers get where they want to go. One boss once sardonically noted I considered myself a social worker!”

What are your key strengths?

AS: “People skills and being unexpected. Plenty of people tell me I’m not like other agents they have met in their selling or buying process. I like to think that’s a good thing and a strength. I’m open and honest in my communication to ensure that I’m at all times professional and diligent but always working for my client.”

Clockwise from back left: Ally Smith, Jo Bushell, Lesley Williams, Rhonda Coleman, Tatijana Stevanovic, Mary de Andrade, Bella Milicevic, Lilli Thomas, Niki Rizquallah, Dewi Radyanto, Kim Zarevac, Luanne Stapleton, and Adele Bucknall.

NR: “People. Determination. Energy. Integrity. Empathy. When I put my name on an agreement, it’s like signing with your soul, because that is what I am putting into it – everything I have, and everything I can get.”

AB: “Attention to detail, plus I’m a good listener and empathic.”

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

DR: “Edge provides highly personalised service based on trust and honesty. We’re devoted to our

clients and strive to achieve the best results.”

KZ: “Edge is a company that has been established since 2009 and has grown significantly, however, each one of us own and run our own agency, therefore you’ll always be working directly with me. This also gives me the luxury of being able to tailor individual marketing and fee options to suit each client’s circumstances.”

LS: “Operating under the Edge Real Estate umbrella allows independence in operating your own business. This allows me to service each

client (both seller and buyer) as I am not pushed to be listing driven – it’s my choice on the level of listings I hold. This gives me time to o er good real estate service and gain the satisfaction from the work I do.”

Visit www.edge.com.au to find out more.

Gewürzhaus Spice House

Maria Eva&

Founders and Directors

Konecsny

To inspire and nurture cooking at home

Coming from a family of home cooks and bakers, sisters Maria and Eva Konecsny were looking for a venture that would satisfy their creative flair and express their values. After a fortuitous trip back to their homeland, Germany, the sisters discovered and fell in love with the local tea and spice houses and were inspired to bring the concept to Australia. In the beginning, Maria and Eva struggled to get a lease as no one believed you could do business selling spices. However, they finally secured a lease in Carlton, Melbourne, where the sisters took over a lease from a gelato shop and slowly transformed it into a spice store over a few months. From launching in 2010, the business has boomed with 12 stores across Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra, o ering more than 300 singleorigin spices, herbs, salts, peppers, teas and sugars from around the world.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“We founded Gewürzhaus in 2010 together with our mother, Gabi. We saw a gap in the market for premium, self-scoop spices and got to work creating our concept and brand. We opened the first store in Carlton and now have 12 stores around Australia. We are both working mothers committed to balancing work and family. We have a team of over 100 employees across the head o ce and our stores,

allowing us to dedicate 2-3 days a week to the business. Eva focuses on creative direction, leasing and new stores, whilst Maria has the role of managing director, leading the executive team.”

What inspired you to start your business?

“While holidaying in our country of birth, Germany, and visited some fantastic tea and spice stores. We loved the idea of bringing this to Australia. Coming from a lineage of cooks and bakers, opening a spice

store felt like a natural progression and something that excited us both. After working across several industries beforehand, we saw this as an opportunity to be creative, a tangible vocation that allowed us to blend tradition, family and our love of food.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“Everyone who works at Gewürzhaus love what we do and care about our mission to inspire and nurture cooking at home for generations to come. Our values permeate everything we do, from spice recipe creation to customer relationships, marketing and more. Our teams love food and cooking, so our conversations with customers are genuine, informative and inspiring. In addition, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding products – our spice blends make cooking at home more accessible and more delicious.”

Immerse yourself instore at Gewürzhaus Spice House in Canberra Centre (Shop DF19) or shop online at gewurzhaus.com.au

PetaMilne

A boutique for everyday women

Kingston’s Ted & Olive is a women’s clothing boutique that o ers a curated collection of quality labels for the everyday woman. Local mum, Peta Milne, dedicated several years to the disability sector, and noticed how much fun her daughter, Alexandra, was having owning the boutique in Wagga Wagga. She decided to take a leap, joining with Alexandra to open a second shop right here in Canberra.

“My career has taken on many di erent paths. I have spent many years as a front-line worker, and then supervising sta , to managing five supported accommodation houses. From there, I moved to working at a school for children with a disability. I still work there two days a week.

“Earlier this year, I approached my daughter and her business partner to see if they would be interested in opening up another store here in Canberra. They jumped on board, and we have just celebrated six months at our Kingston location.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“Assisting women in dressing for all occasions, meeting new people, and being in the lovely community of Kingston.”

What are your business’s key strengths?

“O ering women in Canberra brands that aren’t already represented here. Also, an individual approach to shopping, having time for all our customers to support their shopping experience.”

Pop into Ted & Olive at 2/22 Jardine Street, Kingston ACT

Co-owner, Ted & Olive Boutique

Mother and daughter duo, Peta Milne (right) and Alexandra, are co-owners of Ted & Olive Boutique in Kingston.

Women in key roles at Aspen Medical include (from left): Susannah Wallman, Kristi Payten, Maricel Giorgioni, Robyn Hendry, Nicole Longley, and Dr Katrina Sanders.

MEDICAL ASPEN

that could contribute positively. Like many health professionals, I wanted to be involved actively to support our populations and especially the most vulnerable groups a ected by the pandemic.”

NL: “I have always been passionate about helping people and the communities they live in. I loved that Aspen Medical has a very strong social purpose and promotes a positive organisational work culture.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

adaptive organisation, committed to excellence. Our key strength is our people who are highly skilled and who work in high performing teams to deliver healthcare solutions globally.”

Women at the helm, delivering healthcare solutions globally

There’s a strong group of women in leading roles at Canberra-based global health service company, Aspen Medical. With operations in Australia and around the world, Aspen Medical provides innovative and tailored healthcare solutions – from setting up full-scale hospitals and clinics here and overseas to providing healthcare workers in places of need.

KS: “We provide healthcare solutions wherever we’re needed. That means our patients, customers, clients, and partners have access to high quality healthcare irrespective of their circumstances. Being part of a team to deliver these solutions, often to people and communities who would otherwise not have this care, is the most rewarding part of my job. The challenge is ensuring the right controls are in place, at the right time, to provide safe and quality services for our customers and our sta .”

RH: “A customised approach to each situation we are working on coupled with highly skilled and responsive people. The people we attract to work with our clients enjoy the ‘can do’ culture of Aspen Medical and find it rewarding to work in high performing teams without the bureaucratic constraints of some of the other work they are involved in.”

SW: “The ability of the team to adapt and navigate challenging situations and develop solutions to suit regional, cultural, and societal nuances. Aspen Medical treats each project, region and customer individually and adapts internally to meet the specific needs of that project.”

MG: “We have great people –from the front line to our leaders.”

Where to from here?

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

KS: “Aspen Medical provides multi-sector, global, health care solutions, underpinned by an innovative ‘can-do’ attitude, wherever we’re needed. The strength of Aspen Medical comes from our people who are exceptionally skilled, highly committed, and willing to work in extreme environments and conditions to support the delivery of healthcare all over the world. My role as the CMO is to provide

a safe and quality framework for our people to operate within, to ensure patient safety and high-quality clinical care are at the heart of what we do.”

What inspired you to join this organisation?

KP: “I was inspired to join Aspen Medical at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as I understood they had been involved in previous emergency responses and I knew that I had skills, experience and knowledge

RH: “All the organisations we are working with, including governments, NFP and private sector are seeking to do things di erently in their approach to addressing new and existing challenges. Our teams enjoy working on these issues and have the ability to look at the issue from a range of di erent perspectives and o er new alternatives.”

NL: “The most rewarding (and challenging) part of my job is people! I love bringing people together and working with their strengths to develop and deliver great solutions.”

MG: “The privilege and opportunity to create something that is useful and meaningful to others.”

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

KS: “Aspen Medical is an agile,

RH: “Continuing to grow the Advisory Services o ering of Aspen Medical and expand our global footprint. There are many issues in health that require new thinking and we look forward to making our contribution to this e ort.”

Who inspires you?

SW: “Honestly, the team I work with at Aspen Medical inspires me every day. The team really respects each other and is constantly moving forward. There are absolutely no silos and everyone tackles tasks with action and learning.”

Visit aspenmedical.com to find out more about this Canberra company providing quality health services in Australia and around the world.

Dr Katrina Sanders, Chief Medical O cer

Robyn Hendry, GM Advisory Services

Nicole Longley, GM Service Delivery

Susannah Wallman, GM Mergers and Acquisitions

Maricel Giorgioni, GM Culture and Performance

Kristi Payten, GM Clinical Service Delivery

Briggs Law

Providing clear and expert legal advice

Having worked in law for seven years after graduating from University of Canberra in 2015, Georgia Briggs opened Briggs Law in Canberra in February 2021, merging with the decade-old Wagga Wagga practice led by her mum, Julie Briggs. Both born communicators, Georgia says their key strengths are communication and advocacy, providing good advice to clients that they understand, and having a rapport with clients, which means they’re comfortable to ask questions.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“Briggs Law is a small firm, operating in Canberra, Wagga Wagga and all surrounding areas. We operate in many di erent areas between the two Principal Solicitors: Julie Briggs works in migration law, contract and employment law and arts law; I work in criminal, family, and care and protection law, and also Wills and Estates. I run the Canberra o ce and Julie the Wagga o ce, but we work together and for clients across both o ces. We have a handful of dedicated support sta helping us with files and clients.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“The most rewarding part of our work is helping people, particularly in what can be their most vulnerable or tough moments in life. We are so proud to be able to help guide people in an area of the world they may not be familiar with and provide clear and expert advice on their legal issues.”

To find out how Briggs Law can assist you, email them at admin@briggslaw.com.au or visit briggslaw.com.au

KendraBo e

What better time than now to build inner resilience

At a time when anxiety is being felt worldwide and we are all having to adapt, Kendra Boone o ers trauma-sensitive wellness retreats that provide Canberrans a space to explore deeper levels of ‘Self’, reconnect with peace and find emotional freedom.

Tell us about your career path.

“I have been a mind-body therapist since 1998, and have become the first Yoga Therapist in Canberra with a special interest in trauma-sensitive wellness retreats and private clinical practice. With a deep realisation of the world’s rising mental health crisis and the need for evidence-based yoga spaces, I created local wellness retreats that are accessible and safe for those with mental health challenges.

“People seeking an integrated, individualized approach can book directly for bodywork, bespoke self-care yoga practice all of which are trauma sensitive.”

Where to from here?

“I have a retreat o ering that is now available for booking for February: a three-day self-compassion journey, at the gorgeous Murrah Dream Retreat centre. Set on 25 acres of pristine bush and beach on the Sapphire Coast near Bermagui, participants will have daily, accessible trauma-sensitive yoga including meditation, wholefoods, grounding in nature, reconnecting with self and connecting with like-minded community.”

To book an appointment with Kendra or to find out more, visit kendrahealingarts.com or call 0417 423 804.

Owner, Kendra Healing Arts

Julie Briggs, Principal Solicitor, Briggs Law Wagga Wagga

Georgia Briggs, Principal Solicitor, Briggs Law Canberra

SANDY

Delivering exceptional service and results

Sandy Morris always had an interest in housing and the real estate market which led to the creation of her agency, My Morris Properties. Recognised in the Top 50 Women in Australian Real Estate awards in 2022, Sandy has nine years of experience running her own real estate o ce and is committed to achieving the best possible result for her clients while providing exceptional service and genuine care.

Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.

“My Morris Properties is a boutique residential real estate agency with a reputation built on the high level of service provided and results achieved by our small number of experienced agents.”

What inspired you to start this organisation?

“My Morris is One Agency Sandy Morris with a brand-new name and fresh new look. My Morris commenced in September 2022 following eight successful years in One Agency. The rebranding reflects the broadening of the business and recognises the important contributions of numerous sta in addition to Sandy, many of whom are relatives.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

“Doing what I say I am going to do. Picking up the phone and quickly resolving issues in a warm and personable way.”

What do you consider to be your organisation’s key strengths?

“The commitment, care and professionalism of all sta . We also have excellent systems and a focus on contemporary approaches to real estate and client service. We have a genuine desire to achieve the best possible end result for our clients.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

“Most rewarding is when the sale of a home is joyful for the vendor and hopefully also the buyer as they move to the next phase of their lives. Most challenging is when people are not realistic given the market conditions or regulatory real estate requirements and so need plenty of convincing to do what is best for them.”

Where to from here?

“Embedding and extending the My Morris ethos to not just sell and rent homes but to provide an experience tailored to each client’s needs, wants and circumstances.”

If you’re looking for an experienced and caring real estate agent, contact Sandy Morris on 0420 380 895.

Principal of My Morris Properties

Julie Samaras, Founding Editor, and team

CanberraWeekly

At the heart of the Canberra community

There’s no shortage of women in key roles at Canberra Weekly, which has been serving the Canberra community in print since 2009 and online since 2020. We have a strong commitment to supporting our community and reporting on all kinds of issues that matter, sharing local news and stories about the people, organisations, places and happenings that make Canberra special. After all, not all news is bad news.

What are your organisation’s key strengths?

Julie: “Our people – our publisher, journalists, photographers, sales executives, graphic designers, and admin, operations, marketing, and distribution team members – everyone plays an important role in making the magic happen every week in print, and every day online. Our non-adversarial, objective and honest approach to journalism. The strong support we continue to provide to local charities, not-for-profits and community and arts organisations through our free public service announcements and partnerships.”

Tell us about your career path. What led you to where you are now?

Jessica: “After beginning a career in an unrelated field, I decided to go to uni and study something that I was passionate about. I have always been drawn to storytelling, meeting new people and knowing what is going on around the world, journalism combines them perfectly.”

What inspired you to start/join Canberra Weekly?

Julie: “Recognising a gap in the Canberra market for a good-looking glossy publication

with a focus on supporting our community and letting people know what’s happening, combined with attractive lifestyle sections, real estate and more, CW was launched as a free weekly magazine in March 2009. In March 2020 as the pandemic hit, we ‘pivoted’ our brochure website into a news and lifestyle content site where you’ll find extended versions of stories published in the magazine plus lots of additional articles and photos.”

Samantha: “The opportunity to become a part of something that provides readers with great local news and lifestyle information. I have always enjoyed reading Canberra Weekly and picked up the magazine every week, so when a position became available to work for the organisation, I was excited about being able to help produce this product and work with a local family business.”

Phoebe: “Moving from Sydney to Canberra, I thought joining a company that had such a connection with the community was a great way to learn about my new home. I also hadn’t worked in the magazine industry before, and I was excited to dive headfirst into a new challenge and build upon my skills in a new environment.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Tania: “The most rewarding part of my job is working with the team to achieve successful business outcome. Experience as a former business owner gives me a rounded overview of the challenges involved in running a business.”

Anja: “The most rewarding part of working for CW is our focus on stories that come from the heart of the community. It’s humbling when you get to speak to a celebrity or nationally recognised figure, but if I can genuinely and positively share the story of the incredible and ordinary, everyday Canberrans we walk past on the street, then I can go home happy with my work.”

Abbey: “Having the opportunity to give people a voice and a platform to share their stories in

the hope of enacting community action or change.”

Jessica: “I love that I get to meet such a diverse range of people and feel honoured that they trust me enough to help them share their story.”

Shannay: “The most rewarding part of my job is that I get to help small businesses build brand awareness around our local community through our wide range of advertising options; hearing the positive feedback from my clients is very rewarding.”

Phoebe: “The rewarding and challenging parts of being a designer are one in the same; when you’ve come up with a solution for a challenging design problem, it’s incredibly rewarding. I had many satisfying lightbulb moments working on this WiB feature.”

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

Bianca: “My loyalty to the business and our team.”

Julie: “Always showing up, a strong work ethic, attention to detail, not letting ‘perfect be the enemy of the good’, and care – for the people I work with, the people we write about, our advertisers, our readers, and our community.”

Shannay: “My versatility! I started this job over a year ago and have moved between different roles to suit the business, I like to know how it all works so that I can step in and step up when necessary.”

Abbey: “My strong work ethic (thanks Dad), my curiosity, and my stubbornness – when I want something, I’m going to do everything I can to achieve it.”

Anja: “I deeply enjoy teasing out the ‘human element’ in the stories I write, whether that’s editorial or advertorial. There is something lovely and human about local and family-owned businesses, and I love showcasing their heart through the articles I write.”

Pick up your free copy of Canberra Weekly from stands across the ACT or read extra content on the canberraweekly.com.au website. Call the CW office on 6175 8800 to speak with our advertising executives about our affordable, effective packages, or to share news tips.

The women of Canberra Weekly include: Abbey Halter, Carmen Velis, Tania Gelonesi, Bianca Naoumidis, Shannay West, Julie Samaras, Jessica Cordwell, Anja de Rozario, Samantha Watson, Kerrie Brewer, and Phoebe Yiamkiati. Shot on location at HQ34, Fyshwick.

Seasonal salads from River Cottage

Whether or not the next few weeks bless us with some proper salad weather, you can escape to picturesque River Cottage through these scrumptious seasonal salad recipes.

WITH TASTE EDITOR, ANJA DE ROZARIO

Crab with radishes, orange, and watercress

Serves 2 as main, 4 as starter

200g white crab meat

2 oranges

5 spring radishes, topped and tailed

2 Tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed (canola) oil

50g watercress, tougher stalks removed

Sea salt and black pepper

Put the crab meat on a plate and pick through it with your fingertips to check for any fragments of shell, then

Panzanella

Serves 2 as main, 4 as starter

2 slices of slightly stale sourdough or ciabatta

1kg mixed, slightly over-ripe, tomatoes

Cucumber

1 small red onion, finely diced

1 Tbsp capers, roughly chopped

100g black Kalamata olives, pitted

150g halved gooseberries, quartered strawberries, or whole raspberries

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

A small bunch of basil (25g), leaves picked

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Tear the bread into large chunks and scatter on a baking tray.

transfer to a bowl.

Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of the oranges then stand them on a board and slice off the skin and white pith. Cut the orange segments out from between the membranes and remove any pips. When you’re just left with the core of pithy membranes, squeeze this over the crab to release any juice.

Thinly slice the radishes and arrange on a platter with the orange segments. Add the rapeseed oil to the crab meat and mix gently, then taste and season with a little salt and pepper. Distribute the crab over the oranges and radishes, scatter the watercress over the top and serve.

Honey-glazed leftover belly pork with shredded summer veg

Serves 2

300g leftover roast pork

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)

2 tsp sesame seeds

Juice of 2 limes

1 small red onion

1 carrot

1 small courgette

50g mange tout (snow pea)

Red chilli, deseeded and finely diced 100g bean sprouts

Toast in the oven for 3–5 minutes until crisp and lightly golden, turning once. Remove and allow to cool.

Pick the ripest 2 tomatoes (fairly soft is fine) and squish them in your hands into a sieve set over a large bowl.

Using the back of a wooden spoon, press the tomato flesh through the sieve; discard the seeds and skins. Cut the rest of the tomatoes into wedges or chop them roughly and add to the bowl containing the tomato juice.

Dice the cucumber and add to the tomatoes with the red onion, capers, olives, and your choice of fruit.

Toss in the toasted bread chunks and trickle in the olive oil. Roughly tear half of the basil leaves into the salad. Tumble everything together and allow the salad to sit for 15–20 minutes.

Season the panzanella with salt and pepper to taste and give it a final toss. Tear over the remaining basil and serve.

Tear the leftover pork into rough pieces and place in a bowl. Mix the honey, tamari, sesame seeds and lime juice together in a small bowl and then add to the pork and toss to combine.

Heat the oven to 220°C. Spread the pork out in a single layer on a baking tray and place in the oven for 6 minutes. Take it out and turn the pork then return to the oven for another 6 minutes. The pork should be nice and sticky now, but if not, return it to the oven for a further 6 minutes keeping a close eye to make sure that it doesn’t burn. Leave to cool.

While the pork is in the oven, slice the onion, carrot, courgette, and mange tout into very fine shreds and toss together in a bowl with the chilli and bean sprouts. About 5 minutes before eating, mix the veg and pork together with any juices left on the baking tray.

It’s a salad best eaten at room temperature, so if you make it ahead take it from the fridge an hour or so before eating.

River Cottage Great Salads by Gelf Alderson (Bloomsbury Publishing, $39.99) is out now.

Canberra-born duo Peking Duk creates non-alcoholic ‘Fake Magic Lager’

This weekend is your last chance to snatch up the limited-edition, non-alcoholic lager created by Peking Duk and Sobah Beverages.

Canberra boys, Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde, are encouraging Aussies to get on the non-alcs in time for summer, protecting their physical and mental health by breaking bad pandemic drinking habits.

Non-alcoholic beverages may seem like an unusual choice for the electronic music sensation, who have most certainly been the soundtrack to big boozy nights across the continent. Even more so when considering these hometown rockers happen to own a block of the Melbourne bar scene.

However, Sobah’s mission to destigmatise sober socialising resonated with the duo, who have been riding the non-alcohol wave on tour for a while now, leading them to lend their creativity and taste buds to the new brew.

Their chosen secret ingredient? Lion’s mane mushroom.

“To get the cognitive stimulation flowing,” smiles Hyde.

Fake Magic is both an ode to the duo’s dance floor filler and the properties of the hero ingredient.

“Lion’s mane mushroom is something we’ve been a fan of for a while,” says Styles.

“It’s not magic mushrooms in the beer. It’s fake magic mushrooms that make you feel amazing but aren’t necessarily going to send you on a 10-hour trip into the mountains,” he laughs.

Hyde says he wants young fans to know there’s nothing wrong at all with not wanting to get out of it.

“If anything, It should be the other way around. Everyone has the right to choose,” he says.

“Everyone will love you just as much, if not more, because you’re not making a fool out of yourself.”

“And it’s going to be a hot summer,” adds Styles. “Getting completely blotto and dehydrated from booze is just going to absolutely kill you. Stay fresh, stay safe.”

Styles shared with Canberra Weekly his own experience of drinking during lockdown.

“I feel like COVID went really quickly because I did probably overdo it a little on the booze in lockdown, because it made time fly, and it was just about getting through it.

“But there was a little piece of me saying ‘I need to change something’. Reducing alcohol intake was the smartest thing by a mile to do; I’m just an infinitely happier person all around,” says the Duk.

“It’s about getting more out of it, creating memories that you actually remember with your mates. Good banter, good conversations, good dancing, minus getting obliterated.”

“When you have a delicious alternative like Fake Magic Lager, then you got no excuses to not not drink,” says Hyde.

All proceeds from Peking Duk’s Fake Magic Lager will go towards Sobah’s work promoting First Nations culture, arts, language, and history.

“We literally could not think of anyone better to collaborate with,” says Hyde.

“Out of all canned beverages, Sobah is the one putting in the hard yards when it comes to helping First Nations communities,” agrees Styles.

He notes Sobah’s financial backing of halfcut.org, a charity buying back unprotected land in the Daintree Rainforest and

returning it to the traditional owners.

“Which is just incredible because we could wait f**king a hundred years for Australia to take that kind of initiative.

“For Sobah to already be backing those kinds of movements makes it such a no-brainer on why we want to work with them.”

Peking Duk’s Fake Magic Lager is one of four collaborative products to launch exclusively on INGgoodfinds. market across the month. The online market opens on four Saturdays, coinciding with the launch of each product, until 19 November.

- Anja de Rozario

Peking Duk’s Fake Magic Lager, $19 per 4-pack or nab a 24-pack for $92. Image supplied.

Canberra Lego group building community connection

Brick by colourful brick, the Canberra Lego User Group (CLUG) has been building a community of creative enthusiasts. The Group hosts its first Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park later this month, 19-20 November.

The show brings together more than 120 exhibitors from across the country to showcase their builds; some are extravagant sets while many are creations from the builder’s imagination. There will be opportunities to get hands-on and make your own designs, purchase from speciality vendors selling Lego themed goods, and buy sustenance from some of the capital’s favourite food trucks.

“One we’re expecting to come along is actually a Brickman build. It’s a massive mosaic of The Lego Movie, so Emmet Wyldstyle Batman, it’s about eight metres long and three metres tall,” says CLUG president Jake Radloff.

Discovering his love for Lego at a young age, throughout his childhood Jake could always be found putting pieces together. He says back in the 1980s, Lego looked a bit different, there weren’t as many options, lines, or colours, and the elements were more basic – but they were just as loved. He has kept his first set over the years, the 7740, an electric yellow train that still runs today.

“Every school holiday I used to get the track out, the set-up was quite a bit more intricate at that time. It has little rails on the inside to try and get electrification,” Jake says.

After a break from the hobby and when Jake was

established and financially secure, he started to dabble again. Buying a Millenium Falcon set in 2010, at first he stuck to certain Star Wars or train sets, but soon the bug was back and he ventured into new lines.

The collection has continued to grow and now Jake estimates he owns a good thousand sets. There are many that have yet to be built with some that may never make it out of the box. Jake says he isn’t sure what to do with certain ones, others he knows he can’t part with, and some he is holding for when his children grow.

“As the kids get a bit older, I’m enjoying sometimes bringing one out to build with them, especially as their skills develop,” he smiles.

Around three years ago, Jake became involved in CLUG, a Lego appreciation group for people of all ages. Forming in 2010, the group has slowly been growing, now sitting at around 180 members, and they connect on the first Sunday of the month.

“We usually have a theme, so it could be a certain colour or a certain vehicle or a certain build technique,” he says.

Throughout the meetings, people are encouraged to stand up and talk about what they have been creating and the inspiration behind the build. Members who were LEGO Masters contestants share their insights, people who specialise in crafting their own big builds share their methods, and the youngest members also command the crowd.

“One of the little boys, it was the first time he

spoke, I think he was four, and he has six or eight bricks that he put together and explained this whole story about this little thing,” Jake recalls.

The group believes in giving back to those around them, and plans to use a portion of the money raised from the show to buy sets to be donated to local charities, with the intention they will be passed on to families with children with special needs or who may struggle to buy Christmas presents. They also hold a yearly event at Woden School to help raise money for equipment at the disability support school that government funding doesn’t cover.

Along with being the group’s volunteer president, Jake also works for the local government in an IT position and is a father to two children, aged four and seven. For him, Lego is something relaxing to help him unwind after a stressful day, and he enjoys the symmetry of the build.

Both children have inherited Jake’s love for Lego; his son is all about superheroes while his daughter loves princess castles and has a budding interest in vehicles. She had been longing for a pink tram when her loving dad decided to reskin one of the sets from the city line with magenta bricks. He had to be resourceful when all the replacement pieces weren’t available as Lego doesn’t create every piece in all colour options.

Around half the group’s members stick to building from boxes, others are collectors who don’t open their boxes, and the rest are into modifications, such as upgrading a vehicle with a motor or creating landscapes from multiple sets.

See the creations or try making your own at Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park, 19-20 November; canberra.brickshow.au Read an extended version at canberraweekly.com.au

- Jessica Cordwell

Canberra Lego User Group president, Jake Radloff, is excited to share the group’s creations at their first Canberra Brick Show at Thoroughbred Park, 19-20 November.

Small items like figurines make all the difference in landscapes; see Jake’s four season train display at Canberra Brick Show.

Photos Kerrie Brewer

Loretta Lynn’s life in song on stage

With country music ingrained in her roots, Amber Joy Poulton has always loved the stories told within the genre’s songs. When looking to create a show based on one of country music’s leading ladies, she discovered the resilient Loretta Lynn. Poulton brings Lynn’s life to the stage in Coal Miner’s Daughter which stops at Canberra Theatre on 13 November.

Moved by the way Lynn told her life story in her tunes, delivering even the darkest times in upbeat melodies, Poulton says you wouldn’t know how unhappy she was at times unless you really listened to the lyrics. Throughout Lynn’s career, a number of her songs were banned from radio stations, including The Pill. Written as a commentary after she was married at 14 without being taught the birds and bees, she didn’t understand how she had four children by the age of 18, according to Poulton.

“She talks about how you don’t have to worry any more, Daddy, to her husband because I’m on the pill … Church-going folks couldn’t take contraception, she actually talking about political

issues,” Poulton explains.

Even though things are done differently now, Poulton says it’s important to keep the stories alive. She relates to Lynn in more than looks; she is inspired by the fact she had six children and a thriving career touring the country. Poulton says she is often asked who is looking after the kids when she tours, something she is sure her husband isn’t asked.

The show shares the songs sung by Lynn, as well as those of her friends and collaborators like Dolly Parton and Conway Twitty. It explores the friendship between Lynn and Patsy Cline who encouraged Lynn and helped her step into the spotlight. Poulton says she thinks the connection between the friends and the impact Cline’s untimely death had on Lynn is an important part of the show.

“She and Patsy Cline paved the way for women country singers like myself to have it a bit easier.”

Poulton says the purpose of the show has changed somewhat following Lynn’s recent

passing. Now, more than ever, they want to share her story, ensure people don’t forget her songs, and celebrate the incredible life she led.

“In country music you can write, sing and perform until your last breath. There is no expiry date.”

Celebrate the life of Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter at Canberra Theatre, 13 November 7.30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

- Jessica Cordwell

Amber Joy Poulton brings the life story of Loretta Lynn to the stage in Coal Miner’s Daughter, at Canberra Theatre, 13 November.

That’s art and entertainment

Pineapples, trolls and far-out tunes

The wonderful world of youth imagination takes us to a new society born from a secret deal with an online troll in Age of the Pinedemic - The Musical, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 18-19 November.

Society crumbles after the pineapple virus spreads. Left alone with no other choice but to seek help on the dark web, the children strike a deal. Gifted with everlasting life, they struggle in their new roles as leaders of the new world, haunted by memories from life before. The children work together to discover the truth and try to overcome the looming troll; can they succeed?

Written and created by 14 children aged 7-13 in response to conversations on how the past few years have been for them, their ideas were transformed with music and song structure, helped by Tim and Nathalie Bevitt. The fun and quirky original musical allows youth voices to be heard.

Tickets: tuggeranongarts.com

Magnificent stories in a few minutes

The Canberra Short Film Festival continues until 20 November with screenings at Smith’s Alternative and Dendy Cinemas.

Returning for its 27th year, the festival showcases the dynamic power of storytelling with films running no more than 20 minutes. More than 600 films were submitted this year, with 215 films from 21 countries making the final cut.

Telling stories of masculinity, mental health, politics, First Nations stories, and more, the films are curated into like themes and shown together on different nights. Find the full program at csff.com.au

New paint makes a splash

The beloved Lake Burley Griffin paddle boats have received a colourful and bright makeover that celebrates Canberra’s rich culture, history, and connection to country.

Skins of 10 of the boats have been designed by the cultural institutions around town, such as the National Museum, National Library, and the Mint, offered on first come, first served basis by the National Capital Authority. The remaining two paddle boats designs have been created by First Nations artists representing Ngunnawal and Ngambri land, and will be launched with smoking ceremonies.

Capital Paddle paddle boats can be hired without bookings 9.30am-5.30pm weekends and seven days during school holidays, depending on the weather; capitalpaddle.com.au

Ain’t Many Like Lennie is one of the flicks to feature in the Canberra Short Film Festival, on at Dendy until 20 November.

CW Time Out editor Jessica Cordwell brings you the latest in arts and entertainment news from around the Canberra region. Highlights this week include Rainbows on Lake Burley Griffin, imaginative youth theatre, and the Canberra Short Film Festival.

Now showing

Black Adam (M)

In 2600 BC, Kahndwhere, a young slave gains the powers of Shazam, using them to liberate his people. Flashing forward to the present day, Kahndaq is again oppressed by a gang after the all-powerful Crown of Sabbac. With no other choice, resistance fighter Professor Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) reads an incantation to awaken the equally all-powerful anti-hero teth-Adam (Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson) to save them.

The Detective Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) stumbled horrifically with the equally horrific Justice League (2017). The studio has been in a free-fall ever since with the shared universe suffering under corporate egos, committee ‘creative’ decision-making, and lack of leadership and vision. Enter Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson to yet another movie franchise for the taking.

After 15 years of development, Johnson has not only manipulated a

superhero movie to showcase himself as a star, he has rearranged an entire movie franchise-‘universe’ and studio into his image. Supported by heroes of The Justice Society, and one fantastic Pierce Brosnan playing Dr Fate, the movie serves as a strong origin story to seed multiple future movies in the Black Adam film series and plenty of other DCEU movies going forward.

The cinematic stylings of Zack Snyder are present throughout, laying the framework for the future of the DCEU while incorporating elements of what has worked well in the past. Verdict: A perfectly solid superhero origin story that is doing much more for a cinematic franchise than any one movie should. Good thing the Rock has the shoulders for it! 3.5 stars.

- Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net

Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.

Proudly sponsored by

Take 5 with Kristian Winthers

Renowned Canberra-born violinist Kristian Winthers joins the Signum Saxophone Quartet on their debut Australian tour with Musica Viva Australia. The classical music experience stops at Llewelyn Hall on 17 November. CW ’s Jessica Cordwell caught up with Kristian mid tour.

1

What led you to start playing the violin?

Both of my parents are musicians, they are pianists. There are a lot of pianists in my family, I’m the only violinist.

As a kid you say you want to do something, but you don’t think much of it and it sort of snowballs as you get older. I was four. Nowadays, most top instrumentalists tend to start at an early age. It’s like chess or tennis, anything like that. People who are at the top of the game have to start young.

2You’ll be performing Kurt Weill’s Violin Concerto, which is renowned for being difficult. How are you finding it?

It’s great! It is a rarely performed piece so that is the more difficult aspect. There are difficult pieces that are well known; you can see people’s versions and how they approached them. When there are fewer performances, that is the challenge, solving all these problems yourself. It’s been a great challenge.

3

Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Generally, my favourite to play is whatever I am doing at the moment; you become attached to the process, the amount of work that has gone into it. The feeling you have, the relationship you have with the piece you are playing.

I enjoy novelty, so I enjoy something new rather than something I have played before.

4 Have you any plans while you are back in Canberra?

I always have such a brief visit to every city. The coffee culture in Canberra has become really amazing in the last 10 years; I will be

heading to one of my favourite coffee shops and catching up with some friends.

I think I am returning to my old high school to give a class or a talk, so that will be interesting going back to Marist College.

5 What’s next for you?

I am really just focusing on this tour, it is a really big tour.

I’m playing at Ukaria in the Adelaide Hills then I am playing in Finland in January; I’m playing a rarely played concerto by Respighi. Catch Kristian Winthers and the Signum Saxophone Quartet at Llewellyn Hall, 17 November 7pm; musicaviva.com.au

Renowned Canberra-born violinist Kristian Winthers joins the Signum Saxophone Quartet at Llewellyn Hall, 17 November.

Cressida Campbell, After lunch (detail), 2002, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gift of the Margaret Hanah Olley Art Trust 2009, image courtesy Art Gallery of New South Wales © Cressida Campbell

Spring Fair ORANA Steiner School

Sunday 13 November 11am-3pm

Unwin Place, Weston, ACT

All are welcome to join us for a festive day on Orana’s beautiful grounds. Our signature events include:

• Children’s Tent, where children can select a handmade treasure to keep;

• Puppet Show;

• Activities for children, including garlandmaking, cardboard creations, and more;

• Cra�t Stall and Gallery, featuring handmade toys in the Steiner tradition and work by local artists;

• Bakery, Ice Cream, Pizza, Curries, BBQ, Slushies, and more

• Outdoor Entertainment, including Pachamama, local musicians and an Author’s Corner

• Quality preloved books and clothes;

• Silent Auction, featuring handmade goods along with products and services from local businesses;

• Maypole Dancing

We look forward to a festive day with the Canberra community.

Book talk

Jeff Popple reviews three new entertaining crime novels from America. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Livid by Patricia Cornwell

Sphere, $32.99

Veteran thriller author Patricia Cornwell provides another engrossing entry in her series about Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta with her latest book, Livid. A controversial murder trial is interrupted when news comes through that the judge’s sister has been found dead, the apparent victim of a home invasion. Scarpetta rushes to the scene to find an unexpected and worrying cause of death that re-opens old wounds and new dangers. Cornwell is a confident and fluid writer, and once again she delivers an intriguing plot, plenty of suspense and an abundance of interesting forensic detail. Her many fans will not be disappointed.

Treasure State by C. J. Box

Head of Zeus, $29.99

C. J. Box is best known for his stellar series about game warden, Joe Pickett, but in recent years he has been developing a second series about Montana private eye, Cassie Dewell. Treasure State is the fifth book to feature Cassie, and it finds the investigator caught up in two cases involving a slippery conman and a supposedly buried treasure. Cassie is an interesting and flawed character who goes about her business with a professional ease that is enjoyable to watch. As always with a Box novel, the story unfolds smoothly and high interest is maintained all the way to the exciting conclusion.

The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett

Macmillan, $34.99

Unlike Box and Cornwell, Lauren Nossett is just beginning her career, but her first novel, The Resemblance, shows plenty of promise. Detective Marlitt Kaplan is the first on the scene when a student at the University of Georgia is killed in a bizarre hit and run. The daughter of a professor from the University, Marlitt becomes caught up in old secrets and the sordid world of US college fraternities as she tries to bring the perpetrator to justice. Battling pressure from the influential parents of the wealthy students, Marlitt comes to understand just how powerful the fraternity brotherhoods are. An impressive debut.

Canberra Weekly competition winners

The winners in Canberra Weekly’s latest round of competition draws are:

Spin Master Batman toys: S Mostyn, Calwell. Bondi Sands: C Johnson, Hughes; D Randall, Chisholm; P Cunningham, Ainslie; W Genner, Bonython; D Spoelder, Griffith; S Ding, Holt; M Porreca, Carwoola; W Davidson, Jerrabomberra; R Gilland, Amaroo; P Vincent, Florey. Sissy film passes: J Bown, Wanniassa; M Griggs, Lyons; A Lynch, Harrison; J Brookes, Braddon; R Muggleton, Queanbeyan; M Hayes, Kingston; K Deacon, Kaleen; M Fenning, Crace; M Nicolazzo, Casey; S Bijorac, Crestwood. Greenhouse by Joost passes: N Preston, Kambah; E Grigorieva, Macgregor; J Urquhart, Frode; J Boreham, Hackett; C Do, Bonner.

October subscriber: R McNamara, Kambah.

ORIGINALLY CO-PRODUCED WITH QPAC

WHAT’S ON

DESIGN CANBERRA: Our region’s biggest arts festival continues with events and exhibitions across town, until 20 November; designcanberrafestival.com.au

CANBERRA SHORT FILM FEST: Watch short flicks from some of the best local, national and overseas filmmakers, at Dendy and Smith’s Alternative, until 20 November; csff.com.au

ANOTHER/S/KIN: The show explores algorithms, collaboration and observation after two artists took residency in each other’s internet, Gorman Arts Centre, until 13 November; tributaryprojects.xyz

GRAZING BY THE GARDEN: Design your own grazing experience inspired by Cressida Campbell’s love of gardens and food between friends, National Gallery of Australia, Fri-Sun 11am2.30pm until 19 February; nga.gov.au

CHALKFACE: The rowdy tale of two teachers who put their differences aside to stand up for what’s right, Canberra Theatre, 9-12 November; canberratheatrecentre.com

THE TRYOUTS: Launch their debut EP on the Nothing Bad is Ever Going to Happen tour, Transit Bar, 10 November 7pm; livemusic.net.au

CANBERRA POTTERS: 2022 Members Exhibition featuring works created in the past year, 11 November- 4 December; canberrapotters.com.au

GREEK FILM FESTIVAL: Six flicks showcase the rich culture and feats of Greece’s film industry, Palace Electric, 11-13 November; greekfilmfestival.com.au

INTERSECTING JOURNEYS: Two films produced by QL2: Meeting Place, and Alumni, National Film & Sound Archive, 11 November 6pm; nfsa.gov.au

BILK GALLERY: Hosts two new exhibitions: Kath Inglis’ Entanglements, and Selection from various artists represented at the gallery, Carwoola, from 12 November; bilk.com.au

Installation view, Cressida Campbell, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, 2022.

LGBTIQ+ ELDERS DANCE CLUB: All the Queens Men and Meridian present this SpringOUT event at Ainslie Arts Centre, 12 November 1pm; ainslieandgorman.com.au

SPRING LATIN FIESTA CONCIERTO: Performances and street food to transport you to El Salvador, Chile and Argentina, Manuka Arts Centre, 12 November 1pm; artsound.fm

MINISTRY OF SOUND: Bring their Classical show to Canberra for the first time, Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, 12 November 2pm; arep.co

ALL BAROQUE: Community string orchestra Musica da Camera performs this concert dedicated to Baroque music, Holy Covenant Church, Cook, 12 November 2.30pm; trybooking.com

YASS WINE FEST: Celebrate the fruits of the local district with wine, beer, spirits, and snacks plus live entertainment, Yass War Memorial Hall, 12 November 3pm; yazzbar.com.au

ARTIST DINNER: Join Wendy Sharpe for a gourmet dinner, fine wines, and a preview of her new exhibition, Aarwun Gallery, 12 November 6pm; aarwungallery.com.au

CELEBRATION OF SWING: Relive the music of the 1940s’ most famous Big Bands, Canberra Theatre, 12 November 7.30pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

SANDI TOKSVIG: The UK comedy icon brings an evening of comedy and curiosities to Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Saturday 12 November 8pm; bohmpresents.com

JOSH PYKE: Brings his national To Find Happiness regional tour to The Jetty, Parkes, 12 November 8pm; tickets.oztix.com.au

QUEEN FOREVER: The renowned cover band performs all of Queen’s biggest hits at Southern Cross Club Woden, 12 November 8pm; cscc.com.au

THE WAIFS: See the Aussie band in a rare intimate setting at Tallagandra Hill Winery, 13 and 14 November; eventbrite.com.au

AARWUN GALLERY: Wendy Sharpe’s new exhibition Paintings About Magic And Time Passing, 13 November-4 December; aarwungallery.com.au

SPRING GARDEN EXPERIENCES: Gourmet food and drinks in an inspiring spring garden, Braddon, 13 & 27 November, 10 & 11 December; gardenswithfleur.com.au/events

BOWER: Genevieve Lacey and Marshall McGuire perform a gentle experience of music inspired by bower birds, Canberra Theatre, 13 November 7pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

ANU CLASSICS MUSEUM: Voluntary guides conduct free tours on the second Friday of each month at 12.30pm in the A D Hope Building, ANU; call 0438 883 373.

TRASHFUTURE: The podcast hosts its first live show outside of Britain at The Street Theatre, City West, 15 November 7.30pm; thestreet.org.au

AMY REMEIKIS: Speaks on the politics of civility at the 18th Dymphna Clark Lecture 2022, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, 15 November 7.30pm; trybooking.com

THE TORRENTS: A comedy with an all-female cast takes you back to a local newspaper in the 1890s, Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, 16-19 November, 23 November-3 December; events.humanitix.com

COLIN HAY: The former Men at Work front man brings his solo tour to Canberra Theatre, Wednesday 16 November 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Send your free entertainment listings to: arts@canberraweekly.com.au with ‘what’s on’ in the subject field. Deadline is 10 days prior to Thursday edition date.

And Just Like That…

Carrie Bradshaw has been setting sartorial hearts on fire since she stepped out in a tutu on the streets of NYC. Though the outfits worn while untangling her problem-wrought thirties will always be iconic, Sex & The City follow-up, And Just Like That… has also provided a feast for the eye in Carrie’s style: reimagined for her fifties.

WITH FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR, ANJA DE ROZARIO

1 Sunday best dress, $499, torannce.com; 2 Dark fern beaded bag, $49.95, Sussan; 3 Koko V-neck crop top, $499, diida.com.au; 4 ELK Jule earring, $59, National Museum of Australia; 5 Diana asymmetric maxi skirt, $249, diida.com.au; 6 Preview linen blazer, $70, Target; 7 Baguette 25th anniversary collection, $5,490, fendi.com/au-en; 8 Lita dress, $300, tojha.com.au

Take 5 with Justine Cullen, InStyle Australia

Remember reading Dolly magazine as a teen? Well, Justine Cullen most certainly does. The iconic Aussie mag was the launching pad for her almost 30-year career in the magazine publishing industry, rising the ranks to become one of the most respected lifestyle magazine editors in Australia. Now Editor in Chief at InStyle Australia, Justine is gracing Canberra with her presence for the next Inspire event hosted by Canberra Outlet on Saturday 19 November.

1Do you think finding your true passion in life is a difficult task?

“I think it’s a combination of things – obviously the role itself had changed, the industry was changing, but I had changed; the person that I was at 17 was very different to who I was at 40 and I think that’s maybe the trick, to continuously be listening to yourself and to be thinking… does this serve me?”

“I feel like I get that very visceral reminder quite often of what that feeling is like… but I just spoke at a fashion college the other day and was talking to them about internships and how they are just the most incredible opportunity. We spend so much of our lives working and it takes up so

much of our brain power and so much of our energy that I’d like to think that whatever you’re doing really drives you and you feel really passionate.”

What is your best advice to a woman struggling to juggle career and family life?

3

“I definitely have things I do –boundaries is the biggest one. I think to be able to learn how to say no, which often for women doesn’t come until much later in your life, to feel really comfortable saying no.”.

4

Who is the most interesting person you’ve interviewed?

“I wouldn’t say a celebrity… I have a story in the current issue of InStyle, I interviewed Lisa P. Jackson… she’s had this incredible history of changing the world.”

“I really love having that dialogue with other women. I was originally coming down by myself and mentioned it to my husband and kids and they were like ‘We want to come!’ so we’re really excited to come.”

5

What will you be talking about during the Inspire event and are you looking forward to visiting Canberra?

Some answers have been condensed for print; read an extended version of this interview online.

- Abbey Halter

2

What do you remember about your internship at Dolly and what advice do you have for young women beginning their careers?

Editor in Chief of InStyle Australia, Justine Cullen, is heading to Canberra for an Inspire event at Canberra Outlet on Saturday 19 November.

Luke Clews

Classic colour duo:

The classic colour due of red and blue is making a cool comeback into home interiors, and CW is here for it! Whether you prefer deep navy with burgundy, or pale baby blues with muted light reds, this colour scheme is versatile enough to suit anybody’s style.

Canberra interior design expert Nadine Neilson from Journey Home Interiors is thrilled about the red and blue duo re-emergence and is planning on using the colour scheme in her new living room extension.

“I think a great way to approach red and blue decorating, while avoiding a whole nautical theme, is to pair it with natural fibres like a sisal rug and natural grass cloth wallpaper, as I have in my mood board,” says Nadine.

WITH HOME EDITOR, ABBEY HALTER

How to modernise your period home

Since 2020, Australians have been hooked on the trend of fresh country air, wide-open spaces, and a community feel. The allure of larger, more affordable spaces, and a simpler way of life comes with the charm of older homes that are imbued with intricate period details. While renovating these vintage homes, Renee McGinty from Gyprock says it’s “important to retain the authenticity and character of the existing home”. Here she shares her three top tips with Canberra Weekly.

No matter what style or era your home, ceiling features can make a transformative difference to the look and feel of your space. Ceiling roses have been used through the decades and come in an array of designs – from very elaborate to simple and classic.

“The trick to choosing the right ceiling rose is

to consider the ceiling height and room size, and to match the smaller and larger diameters with the same patterns,” says Renee.

“You can select from different periods’ styles to suit your home or by a particular design, which helps if you are trying to match a cornice style or pattern in a room.”

Cornice styles have constantly changed to reflect the interior trends of the period the home was built. Whether you’re going for a more classic style or embracing total modernisation, a cornice helps refine a connection to the architectural heritage of your period home. Retaining the original cornices in your home while renovating can create a more cohesive design narrative, reflecting the past and contributing to the liveability and aesthetic impact. To maximise the cornice’s charm, Renee suggests considering paint colours, wall patterns, furniture, and cabinetry.

you need. We take your ideas then pull it all together so you can move forward. Avoid big

mistakes and achieve the

Photos supplied

Inside & out

Miimi & Jiinda at Adairs

Indigenous Australian mother and daughter artist duo, Melissa Greenwood and Lauren Jarret –aka Miimi & Jiinda – have launched their third collaboration with Adairs featuring their signature colours and beautifully detailed artwork. Melissa and Lauren are from the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, and Bundjalung tribes of Australia’s East Coast, often referred to as “Saltwater Country”. Their personal stories and journeys as Indigenous Australian women have been carefully translated onto organic cotton bedlinen, tassel cushions, home décor, kids’ bedlinen, nursery products, and more.

Available online and instore at Adairs.

Veggies in, pests out

Vegetable growing season has just begun, and horticultural support products brand, JACK, has the answer to your garden pest problems. JACK has released a new range of products offering different types and sizes of protection for gardeners struggling to keep possums and birds from destroying their precious garden produce. Available at Bunnings.

Shell-yeah!

Stay stylish yet functional with Garden Glory’s new shell cushion – it’s a shell for your tooshie! Its versatility allows it to transform into anything you please – take it to a picnic, pop it on your chair, or use it to lounge on an outdoor bench. There’s a range of colours you can incorporate into your home, and it easily folds in half for convenient storage and transportation. Available at gardenglory.com

The latest in news, trends and happenings for the home, with CW Home editor, Abbey Halter.

Paradiso Ceramics brings the colour and dolce vita of Italy to you through exquisite products, hand cra�ted by Italian artisans.

9 Diamond Road, Crookwell, NSW (showroom) 0414 860 034

info@paradisoceramics.com paradisoceramics.com.au

Access help for the parts of decorating you need. We take your style, then pull it all together so you can move forward. Avoid big ticket mistakes and achieve the stylish, classic, forever home you deserve.

Scan to learn more about ‘Choose your Own Adventure Decorating Services’

WIN! Product of the Year hampers

Win a Product of the Year Hamper valued at $100. Each Product of the Year hamper features grocery products that have just been voted Australia’s favourites for 2023. As Australia’s largest consumer-voted awards program, each Product of the Year winner undergoes a rigorous testing process, before being voted on by over 5,000 everyday shoppers. For more information or to find out who made this year’s winners list, visit www.productoftheyear.com.au has five hampers to be won (contents may vary).

www.journey-home.com.au

Enter to win

To enter, scan the QR code or visit canberraweekly.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 18 November 2022 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person per giveaway. Entrants must be aged 18+.

WIN! Raccoon Tycoon games

Win 1 of 4 Raccoon Tycoon games, each valued at $55, for some family fun. Move over Monopoly, there’s a new economic game in town. Raccoon Tycoon is a fast, fun game of commodity speculation and town development. In the game, players try to produce the most valuable commodities in an ever-changing marketplace. They then use those commodities to build towns, or sell them at the best price to secure great profits that can be used to win auctions for the all-important railroads or buy powerful buildings that give the players bonuses in production. Owning the best towns and railroads determines victory.

Can’t seem to pull your home together?

With truly expansive and never-ending 360-degree views over the beautiful Brindabellas, 10 Bonwick Place in Garran is a treasured property offering a rare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind residence of world-class calibre.

Embracing 5-star living and dining featuring the finest of finishes, every aspect of this home exudes luxury and detailed design. Entering the property past the grand driveway, you’ll be in awe of the expansive interior with stunning features courtesy of some of Canberra’s most accomplished architects and designers.

The mid-century design blends perfectly with the top-level restorations and renovations, creating an ideal mix of contemporary and classic style. Encompassing an unbelievable 412sqm of floorspace and high ceilings of total grandeur, this opulent abode

boasts striking hardwood flooring that adds a sense of warmth, a large balcony to enjoy the sweeping views, an exquisite kitchen with spectacular stone accents, a glorious living and entertaining area that effortlessly flows off the formal dining room, and a gas fireplace set amongst feature timber detailing and overlooking the sparkling, in-ground swimming pool evoking resort style relaxation.

Agent Jane Kusetic says the kitchen is to die for and she loves the emphasis on the importance of family living and entertaining areas. She describes the home as “very Gold Coast” and appreciates its significant landholding, backing onto the pristine Red Hill Nature Reserve.

If all that isn’t enough to amaze you, some more features include six generous bedrooms, a master with a dual vanity marble ensuite, ducted gas heating

45 Castlereagh Crescent, Macquarie $2,860,000 Independent

6 Bowser Place, Curtin $2,255,000 Hayman Partners

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14 Angas Street, Ainslie $1,755,000 LJ Hooker

23 De Salis Street, Weetangera $1,665,000 Blackshaw

13/14 Trevillian Quay, Kingston $1,525,000 Independent

16 Fuller Street, Deakin $1,505,000 Hayman Partners

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21 Moncrieff Street, Dickson $1,435,000 Independent

15 Butterworth Street, Taylor $1,325,000 Impact Properties

42 Aida Ball Circuit, Forde $1,320,000 Luton

25 Strayleaf Crescent, Gungahlin $1,296,000 MARQ

58 Barrachi Crescent, Giralang $1,275,000 Town Residential

2 Jenks Place, Evatt $1,274,000 Real Estate Shop

11 Adamson Crescent, Wanniassa $1,260,000 McCann

60 Throssell Street, Curtin $1,249,000 Belle

8 Anchorage Street, Harrison $1,211,000 MARQ

14 Goldman Street, Bruce $1,205,000 LJ Hooker

35 Burn Street, Downer $1,200,000 LJ Hooker

12 Engel Street, Coombs $1,120,000 LJ Hooker

3/74 Torrens Street, Braddon $1,110,000 Home by Holly

340 Flemington Road, Gungahlin $1,100,000 Stone

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17 Walter Crocker Crescent, Casey $1,085,000 Canberry

147 Goodwin Street, Lyneham $1,080,000 Home by Holly

17 Cole Street, Downer $1,035,000 Peter Morrell

53 Archibald Street, Lyneham $1,030,000 LJ Hooker

4 Enfield Street, Casey $1,000,000 Luton

6 Wallis Place, Spence $950,000 Leader Capital

5/34 Gosse St, Kingston $935,000 Edge

2 Morphy Place, Cook $900,000 Independent

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5 Connor Place, Kambah $865,000 My Morris

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9/45 Barr Smith Avenue, Bonython $835,000 Property Collective

24 Wyselaskie Circuit, Kambah $833,000 LJ Hooker

3 Bennett Place, Flynn $810,000 LJ Hooker

2/33 Bywaters Street, Amaroo $807,000 Stone

10/15 Calaby Street, Coombs $801,000 LJ Hooker 302/102 Swain Street, Gungahlin $780,000 LJ Hooker

4 Messenger Street, Holt $765,000 Agent Team 29 Dunn Street, Queanbeyan $765,000 Distinct 16 Trumper Street, Holt $750,000 Belle 706/2 Batman Street, Braddon $750,000 LJ Hooker 1602/2 Marcus Clarke Street, City $750,000 LJ Hooker 18 Gulwan Street, Ngunnawal $720,000 Independent 6/15 Wyselaskie Circuit, Kambah $720,000 My Morris 7/7 Shewcroft Street, Watson $675,000 MARQ 1/2 Warrumbul Street, Ngunnawa $652,000 Blackshaw 8/29 Jimmy Little Street, Moncrieff $650,000 LJ Hooker 2/4 Hardman Street, O'Connor $590,000 Hive 1011/4 Grazier Lane, Belconnen $560,000 Blackshaw 27C/21 Beissel Street, Belconnen $560,000 LJ Hooker 82/31 Thynne Street, Bruce $560,000 Belle 46/112 McMichael Terrace, Denman Prospect $549,500 Independent 204/50 Eastlake Parade, Kingston $545,000 Blackshaw 78/100 Henry Kendall Street, Franklin $534,000 LJ Hooker 10/1 Mouat Street, Lyneham $500,000 Stone 44/76 Leichhardt Street, Griffith $485,000 Belle 76/235 Flemington Road, Franklin $472,000 Independent 23/17-19 Oxley Street, Griffith $458,500 Belle 73/10 Thynne Street, Bruce $440,000 Independent 8/41 Chandler Street, Belconnen $416,500 Blackshaw 24/1 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway $410,000 Luton 52/136 Thynne Street, Bruce $385,000 LJ Hooker 8/2 Walsh Place, Curtin $382,000 LJ Hooker 4/22 Carrington Street, Queanbeyan East $185,000 LJ Hooker Data is provided by agents. Source: Realestate.com.au

SLA launches display village in Whitlam

The ACT Suburban Land Agency’s (SLA) Whitlam display village is officially opened, established to “showcase the SLA’s commitment to creating thriving communities”.

The village comprises of 13 homes and four sustainable development dwellings which have been constructed by eight builders, designed for multi-generational living, and built in collaboration with the Innovation Precinct.

The Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) partnered with SLA to produce the 17 home designs that meet the new building code requirements that will come into place in October 2023.

At the opening ceremony, HIA presented ACT Minister for Housing Yvette Berry and CEO of SLA John Dietz with the HIA GreenSmart Village accreditation.

“HIA has worked closely with the ACT SLA to deliver a display village that includes 17 homes that meet or exceed the 7-star energy efficiency standard, have energy offsets with photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage, are designed to

suit the orientation of the block, and include a range of other energy and water efficiency features,” an Association spokesperson said.

“Each of the 17 homes received HIA GreenSmart House accreditation. This covers the design of the homes and the construction process.

“The homes are also designed to meet the silver standard for livable housing that will be mandatory for all new homes in the ACT next year. This means the homes include step-free entry, wider corridors and doors, and bathrooms designed to provide more space for movement and future accessibility measures.

“The eight home builders in the village all completed HIA GreenSmart Professional training and have worked with HIA’s team to check the designs and inspect the homes during construction.

“The village started life before COVID, and today’s official opening is a fantastic opportunity to award each home with their final HIA GreenSmart accreditation.

Along with a climate-wise garden and a variety of

indoor/outdoor communal spaces, the village also includes a sales and information centre, the Mingle Community Hub, and the Heartbeat Café and Shop.

The display village is a temporary service that has been established for the next three to five years to assist in creating a community hub while the local centre is built and help exhibit sustainable housing options.

All blocks of land and dwellings will eventually be sold for residential use.

The Suburban Land Agency has launched a new display village in Whitlam, which is now open to the public.

A modern seaside abode just minutes from pristine, golden, South Coast beaches, 11 Lyttle Street perfectly combines contemporary comforts with the classic beach shack vibe.

Agents Melissa Williams and Drew Deck said this stylish home was built in 2012 and is nestled on a large, flat block in a prime location in Old Broulee.

“11 Lyttle Street offers a brilliant lifestyle with a choice of three idyllic beaches all within a short leisurely stroll,” they said.

“This location also offers easy access to cafes and shops and has a relaxed ‘village by the sea’ atmosphere. The house has solar power, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a well-appointed kitchen and a fantastic all weather family room.

“The large yard spans 885sqm and boasts established vegetable gardens, enviable fruit trees, bore water, a fully fenced secure yard, plus a huge garage that will cater for hobbies and recreational activities as well as protecting cars and tinnies from the elements.”

Broulee NSW 11 Lyttle Street

POOL

AUCTION

VIEWING

Sat 19/11/2022, 10am onsite

Thur 10/11/2022, 6.30-7.10pm

Sat 12/11/2022, 11-11.40am

Sun 13/11/2022, 11-11.40am

CONTACT Michael Potter 0413 830 598

A wonderful family escape

Impressively scaled residence with a family focused, split level layout and a unique ‘wow’ factor that reveals an intuitive creation and a versatile design.

Spacious interiors revel in a cascading design enhanced by high ceilings, enviable northern sun and commanding vistas from its elevated vantage point. The configuration is distinctive with an effortless flow to the multiple living areas, bedrooms, renovated kitchen and bathrooms, the substantial deck area and in-ground pool. EER 1

MACARTHUR

AUCTION

VIEWING

167 Jackie Howe Crescent

Sat 3/12/2022, 10am onsite

Thur 10/11/2022, 5.30-6.10pm

Sat 12/11/2022, 12.30-1.10pm

Sun 13/11/2022, 12.30-1.10pm

CONTACT Michael Potter 0413 830 598

A wonderful family domain with a commanding street presence, magical sunset views year-round and panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains. Light-filled interiors that are immaculately presented with plenty of segregation. Lounge, family and dining rooms, modern kitchen, renovated ensuite and two additional bathrooms.

Major draw cards are the enviable, elevated location and the many choices of use for the downstairs rumpus room. ‘A must see’. EER 1.5

Modern Home Perfect for a Growing Family !

This home gracefully accommodates flexible family living combined with multiple spacious entertaining areas, creating the ideal contemporary family lifestyle. The frontage features a distinct modern facade while inside simplicity and cohesion of the interior palette creates a sanctuary experience.

This fantastic home is designed with a growing family and their needs in mind to ensure easy enjoyable living. This elegant home has an excellent practical focus while oozing style and comfort, perfect for the modern family lifestyle. Auction:

Located in the heart of Deakin, just 300m from the shops and close to medical facilities, The Grange retirement village offers you independent living in your own private home without the hassle of the building maintenance, and the security of knowing staff are onsite 24 hours a day in case of an emergency.

Join the vibrant and welcoming community where you can live life your way. Enjoy lunch or dinner in the private dining room. Take part in the many social activities or interest groups in the village. Keep fit at one of the regular exercise classes, the indoor pool or the many walking tracks nearby including Red Hill. Indulge your passion for culture at the many museums and galleries close by.

Call 02 6282 1782 to book a tour

Call 02 6282 1782 to find out more www.thegrangedeakin.com.au

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It’s more than a home, it’s a community

We believe a home is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where you feel you belong. At Marigal Gardens, you’ll enjoy access to great facilities and feel part of an already established and thriving community, exclusive to over 55s. Where family and friends are always welcome.

When you’re ready to unwind or entertain in the privacy of your own home, you’ll enjoy:

• generous open plan living areas designed to be practical and inviting

• well-appointed kitchens with all the modern conveniences

•reverse cycle air-conditioning

• double glazing

• abundant light and ingenious use of space

• sophisticated neutral palette and subtle textures create a timeless canvas to add your own personal touch

• internal access to a secure car space

•24-hour emergency assistance at the push of a button

Experience convenient and comfortable living, many with breathtaking views, in your choice of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments at Marigal Gardens.

This penthouse apartment stretching over 180sqm of living space includes a wraparound balcony, three bedrooms, two separate living areas, and a discrete master bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite. Extra features

include a double oven space, double glazed windows, and a large bathroom and laundry room. Giving true meaning to sky high living, this apartment will have you watching the sunrises and sunset from the comfort of your lounge.

Enjoy the panoramic views extending from Telstra Tower to Yerrabi Pond. A gym and pool are included in the complex and the pool also has great views, but not as good as your new home.

EER 6.0

Auction Wed 7 Dec 6pm

View Sat 12 Nov 10-10.30am

Agent Bri Williams Mob 0408 787 896

LJ Hooker Gungahlin 6213 3999

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First showing of a movie (8)

In which year was Stonehenge roped off from the public as a result of serious erosion?

And which four days each year, however, does English Heritage still permit access to the site?

Under Italian law, dry pasta can only be made from either of which two ingredients (and water)?

The Ishihara colour test is used to test for what?

What is the floral emblem of Queensland?

How many teams play in the National Rugby League competition? 7 What species originates from the lake underlying Mexico City and is sold as a pet under the name “wooper looper” in Japan? 8 Pteromerhanophobia is a fear of what? 9 What is the official currency of Nauru? 10 At 44 hectares and with a population of around 800, what is the smallest country in the world by both area and population?

10 november – 16 november 2022

WItH patsY bennett

www.patsybennett.com for personal readings, contact p atsy through her website to make an appointment, or call 0448 808 333.

facebook: facebook.com/patsybennettpsychicastrology

Instagram: instagram.com/patsybennettastrology

celebrity birthday

Radha Mitchell 12 November 1973

actress Radha Mitchell will embrace the chance to step into new projects that will encourage her to dig deep to use her inner resources and skillsets to reveal fresh abilities and self-expression. Some of the avenues she decides to take may even surprise her as she moves into new territory. Simultaneously, she’ll bring inspired ideas to the table and will therefore avoid impulsive decision-making in relation both to work and her personal life.

virgo aug 24 – sept 23

this is a lovely week to invest in your favourite people as events will feel refreshing. Just avoid making abrupt changes in a plan you’ve already put in motion, as you may be disappointed or experience strong emotions. e nsure you do adequate research if making far-reaching decisions.

libra sep t 24 – oct 23

Your usual daily, domestic, work or health routines will improve and you’ll appreciate a change of pace or of place. Your finances and self-esteem are due for a boost which you’ll find refreshing. Just avoid gambling, both financially and emotionally, as you may not have all the facts yet.

scorpio oct 24 – nov 22

You’ll find this week transformative on many levels. f irstly, you’ll enjoy socialising this weekend. s econdly, a trip or developments at home could be beneficial and will mark a long-term change in your big-picture circumstances. Just avoid arguing with those you must rely on for now.

sagittarius nov 23 – dec 21

a change in your schedule will have a knock-on effect in your personal life such as a boost in self-esteem or even finances. a change at work or at home promises to be uplifting, but you must keep an eye on plans and agreements, as deviating from these could cause unwanted outcomes.

pisces feb 20 – mar 20

You’ll enjoy mingling with like-minded people at social events this weekend. b e positive as you could boost both your personal life and finances this week. b ut you must avoid stirring up the sensitivities of someone who can be unpredictable and so must work towards positive outcomes.

gemini maY 22 – J un 21

a fresh daily routine due to changes in your general direction or work will begin. With this, your shared duties and responsibilities will also alter. the more facts you gather, the clearer your path ahead. avoid a battle of wills with a colleague or a family member as it could be long-standing.

capricorn dec 22 – Jan 20 the changes you make now, both in your personal life and financially, could be ideal if you base decisions on the correct information, so be sure to research circumstances carefully. avoid gambling, both financially and emotionally for best results now. a trip or social event will be fun.

aquarius Jan 21 – feb 19 a change in your status promises to be transformational. You’ll enjoy a boost in self-esteem and potentially also financially. the key to remaining in a positive cycle lies in good planning. avoid allowing a scarcity mindset to undermine your decisions. b ut equally, be sure to be realistic.

aries mar 21 – apr 20

a change of duty, schedule or routine will signal the start of something new and you’ll enjoy the chance to celebrate on your own terms. However, there will also be the need to consider how best to manage the new phase. f ind ways to collaborate for the best results moving forward.

taurus a pr 21 – maY 21

You’ll enjoy socialising and you’ll also appreciate a sense of accomplishment this weekend and at the start of next week. Your status is changing and you’ll gain a combined sense of power with trepidation about how the future will unfold. f or this reason, you must avoid impulsive choices.

cancer J un 22 – J ul 22

You’ll enjoy the company of likeminded people, and a positive change in your shared duties or domestic circumstances. It’s a good week for collaborations. b e sure to avoid simply charging ahead with decisions; take the time to think things over. s omeone close will have good news.

le o J ul 23 – aug 23

You’ll enjoy the opportunity to flap your wings a little. a trip will feel transformative. look for clever ways to plan ahead and avoid being at loggerheads with someone you must collaborate with. Your usual routine could improve, so be sure to invest time in your favourite activities.

SATURDAY 19TH NOV 2022

Enter to win

Harlequin Australia has four fantastic book packs to give away in this edition of Canberra Weekly.

Jillaroo from Jacaranda is a captivating contemporary romance about new beginnings and risking it all from bestselling Australian author Mandy Magro. We also have a copy of Jacaranda

Enter for a chance to win this month’s most sought-after women’s fiction titles.

For more information on any of these titles, go to romance.com.au

PLAYING IN THE SHED

I have always been interested in woodwork so playing in my shed was always fun making things like rocking horses for my grandchildren and other family and friends. There is a lot of satisfaction in taking a piece of wood and turning it into something that you know will be cherished for many years and hopefully be passed on for many generations to come.

VETERANS GUITAR GROUP

I became a member of the Veterans Guitar Group about 10 years ago. We get together once a week and have a great time having a chat and playing a few songs. We also have a project where we collect guitars and ukuleles, repair them if need be and donate them to other Veterans and disadvantaged people.

EMC JAM SESSIONS

I volunteer at the Early Morning Centre, where I get together with some of the guests and we have a great time having a jam session. These people are some of the best musicians you could meet, and it is always great to meet them. The EMC are always looking for volunteers; please give them a call.

My favourite things

Colin Greef

Ex Navy Warrant O cer, Member of Solider On

I am originally from England and my wife Avril is from Northern Ireland. In 1978, I left the Royal Navy after 11 years and signed on with the Royal Australian Navy where I served 22 years. We arrived in Australia with two daughters, Kelley and Shan, and soon settled into the Australian way of life. After serving 33 years in the Navy and a short time in civilian employment, I decided to retire. As soon as I retired, I was determined that it was to be the start of another part of my life. The problem was what was out there to keep me occupied in the days/years ahead. Being a Veteran, I have always been a member of di erent community groups, but I wanted to be in a group that had the same interests as myself. Wanting to help people in the community led me to the following interests and groups that I have the pleasure of being a member of for many years.

MEMBER OF THE AFP VOLUNTEERS IN POLICING

The Volunteers in Policing Program supports the activities of ACT Policing. Many of the volunteers are retired and have a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience, helping ACT Policing in a number of roles. Police volunteering is very rewarding and really appreciated by ACT Police O cers.

SANTA CLAUS

I have been Santa Claus to children for 40 years and I have loved every year. There is nothing better than putting a smile on the face of a child. I have visited children who have now grown up and had children of their own. These are three of my best friends – Charlie, Matthew and Samuel. Charlie and Matthew have been very sick this year, but Santa will be visiting again this Christmas.

Colin Greef, pictured with his wife, Avril.