On the cover

Sally Bellchambers from @threedesserts created these gorgeous – and delicious – cupcakes for an RSPCA ACT Cupcake Day photoshoot in the Canberra Weekly office. Photo: Kerrie Brewer.

The icing on the cake: get baking for RSPCA Cupcake Day

It’s that time of year again, where we take to the kitchen and whip up our best baking creations in the name of a good cause.

The RSPCA’s annual Cupcake Day is just around the corner, and the organisation is in desperate need of support after a tough year of running shelter operations in the face of COVID-19, with supplementary income and fundraising way down.

“It’s been really, really tough in our world,” said RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson.

“We’re always reliant on fundraising, but this year … the stakes are even higher.

“We’ve not been able to do any of our face-toface fundraising, the way we have done [previously]. We couldn’t have the Million Paws Walk, we can’t have Cupcake Day [in the usual format]; those are our two major events that we have.”

While the official Cupcake Day this year falls on Monday 26 October, people are encouraged to hold a COVID-safe fundraiser on any day this month to support the RSPCA’s shelter operations. The RSPCA is encouraging events such as a virtual Cupcake Day or a sociallydistanced event in the office.

Ms Robertson said “every single dollar that we make goes straight into running the shelter”, to support the around 131 animals currently in the care of RSPCA ACT.

She said while the number of incoming animals is down slightly from last year, complaints to the inspectorate are “creeping up” after a steady number during the pandemic shutdowns.

“That is worrying; we don’t want people to not do the right thing by their animal. But we absolutely want people to tell us if they see somebody doing the wrong thing.”

RSPCA ACT has also seen an increase in people looking to be pet parents while spending more time at home.

“It was during the beginning period of COVID, we saw adoptions nearly triple, it was crazy,” Ms Robertson said.

“It’s settled a bit, but every week we get

people asking and we don’t know when animals are going to come in or what’s going to come in.

“Across the board, in the ACT, nationally and internationally too, there certainly has been a huge increase in people wanting to adopt pets, which we think is a good thing.”

She called on Canberrans to donate and fundraise to support the animals and the shelter’s work. She said seeing some ACT teams and individuals on the Cupcake Day leaderboard would just be the icing on the cake.

“It’s been such a tough year, but hey we’ve got cupcakes!”

For more information or to register your event, visit rspcacupcakeday.com.au

- Libby Kimber

Funds raised from RSPCA Cupcake Day help to support the work of the RSPCA ACT shelter in Weston and the animals that are cared for there. Photo: Alison Maddalena.

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sport Raiders defeat Sharks

Getty Local junior Matt Frawley scored his first try for the Raiders in their 38-28 victory over the Sharks.

A young Canberra Raiders side had no trouble coming up with a win against the Cronulla Sharks last weekend, as coach Ricky Stuart rested the club’s big names in preparation for finals. The third straight win for the Green Machine came at Netsrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, with a final score of 38- 28. Tom Starling was a standout for the side, producing a try of his own and three assists. The win keeps the Raiders in fifth place on the ladder, for a re-match against the Sharks in an elimination final this weekend. The final will be at home at GIO Stadium Canberra this Saturday 3 October 5.40pm, in front of an increased, COVID-safe crowd capacity of 9,600.

At a glance

Canberra Chill appoint new coaches

The Canberra Chill have appointed new head coaches for both its men’s and women’s field hockey teams. Ahead of the rescheduled 2021 Hockey One League, Ian Rutledge will lead the women’s side while the men’s side have named Seyi Onitiri to take up the top spot. Rutledge returns to the women’s side after coaching their inaugural season in 2019, leading them to a top four finish. Onitiri takes a step up from the 2019 assistant coach position to lead the side next season. The decision to postpone this year’s season until 2021 was announced in March, due to the global pandemic.

Weekend of local league finals

It was a weekend of Rugby League finals in the nation’s capital over the weekend, as the local comps wrapped up. The Queanbeyan Blues defeated the Gungahlin Bulls to claim the Specsavers CRRL Cup in Ladies League Tag. In the Specsavers Katrina Fanning Shield, the Bushpies defeated the Queanbeyan Blues 22-12. The Woden Valley Rams claimed the crown in the Blumers Lawyers CRRL Cup Reserve Grade over the UC Stars, 22- 4, while the Raiders Under 20’s took out the first grade Blumers Lawyers CRRL Cup over the Gungahlin Bulls, 66-10.

CBR Sports awards

The CBR Sport Awards are calling on nominations to recognise the exceptional local athletes, teams, volunteers, coaches and sporting organisations in the capital. To be held as an online event due to COVID-19 restrictions, the awards night will celebrate the region’s sports stars and community. More details for the virtual awards night will be announced soon. Meanwhile, nominations for all award categories close on Monday 2 November; visit cbrsportawards.com.au for more information.