03 November 2022

From the editor

I spent much of the night in the green room “assisting” our

was an inspiring and uplifting occasion at the Canberra

in Business gala awards last Thursday. Especially after the past few years of pandemic restrictions, lockdowns, and virtual events (preceded by the Black Summer bushfires and destructive January 2020 hailstorm), it felt good to be celebrating a heady mix of success, tenacity, innovation, camaraderie, and community spirit. The excitement in the air was palpable as nominees gathered to be acknowledged and presented with certificates prior to the main event.

It was heartening to catch up with other local businesswomen, some of whom I hadn’t seen in ages, and to meet each of the award winners, albeit briefly. The top award went to local nutritionist, Kate Freeman, who is in the business of helping people feel that healthy eating is achievable, and busting unhelpful and unhealthy food myths. Flip to the cover story on page 6 for more.

Reasons to be grateful this past week include celebrating success at the Canberra Women in Business awards on Thursday, Chaika Theatre’s stellar production of Collected Stories starring brilliant mother and daughter duo, Karen and Natasha Vickery, at ACT Hub in Kingston on Friday, Lisa’s blueberry cashew cheesecake, weekend sunshine, morning exercise, new season Kensington Pride mangoes, and irises in bloom. Take care,

contents

on the cover

winners of the 2022 Canberra Women in Business awards are (clockwise from left): Chaturica Athukorala, Amanda Snashall, Jo Farrell, Dixie Crawford, Rae Knopik, and Business Woman of the Year, Kate Freeman. Absent: Kristine Hewett. Photo by Kerrie Brewer. Shot on location at QT Canberra. See cover story, page 6.

A healthy win for Canberra Business Woman of the Year

Local mum and CEO of The Healthy Eating Group, Kate Freeman was crowned Business Woman of the Year at the 2022 Synergy Canberra Women in Business Awards last Thursday.

As a Registered Nutritionist with over 15 years in the field, Kate says this is a sustaining win after trying to convince Canberrans of the fallacies of fad diets for over a decade.

“I am still feeling very blown away by it all,” the Canberra Business Woman of the Year tells CW.

Accepting her award, Kate spoke to the QT Ballroom filled with her fellow women in business, empathising that in their journeys, success can feel elusive, and it can be difficult to feel like you’ve “made it”.

“After constantly tackling one challenge after the next, an award like this really makes you stop and reflect,” says Kate.

“Nutrition is a complicated space with a lot of misinformation. This is a real win for our industry.

“This is a message for others in the field who might be feeling disheartened, which is so easy to do with the strength of marketing from fad diets and social media influencers. Sometimes you feel like a broken record trying to get through.”

Kate’s journey towards building Canberra’s largest nutrition and dietetics practice began when her now 14-year-old daughter was born.

“She was such a good baby, she just slept all the time and never cried.

“So, I was exposed to a lot of daytime television while sitting at home, and it was full of ads for wanky diets and I just thought, ‘This sucks. This is the information we’re

being flooded with?’”

In 2008, Kate started ‘The Art of Eating Well’ on Blogger - known as Blogspot back in the day - sharing recipes, healthy eating advice, and dispelling myths.

She started writing for a local website in 2011 and soon readers began asking for consultations, which she was able to facilitate in her home after her son was born.

“When he turned three and was ready to go to preschool, I had to decide whether I was going to give this business a crack or go back to my public service job.”

Kate, who received her Master of Nutrition from Deakin University, was inspired to help people feel that healthy eating is achievable and to continue busting “food rules” that informed unhealthy relationships with eating.

“I’ve heard some weird ones over the years. The most common ones are about carbs, like not eating them after 4pm, and having to cut out bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes to be healthy.”

Kate laughs, “As a nutritionist, I’ve been talking about carbs for such a long time now, I can’t believe I’m still having that conversation.

“The weirdest one though was a client whose personal trainer had told her that if she gets hungry, she should drink a cup of oil. I was like, WTF?”

“It’s not actually the public’s fault; there’s so much information out there they don’t know what to believe. Stories like that keep me going, but also cause a small amount of rage,” she laughs.

The Healthy Eating Group is now two brands in one: The Healthy Eating Hub and The Healthy Eating Clinic.

The hub is an online habit-

building platform that encourages genuine change by walking users through key nutrition principles one at a time – the antithesis to changing your diet all at once, which, Kate explains, is what fad diets are.

The clinic is a face-to-face and virtual dietetic clinic, consisting of eight registered dieticians who provide individualised nutrition therapy across Australia.

Today, Kate unabashedly says that she’s had plenty of failures, “I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded.

“It was very scary, taking those risks. I spent a long time not earning much money, especially compared to if I hadn’t left the public service.

“But what the business is today is result of all the risks that did pay off, and the risks the failed ultimately don’t matter.”

To any up-and-coming business women trying to find their footing, Kate’s number one piece of advice is to learn to trust your gut.

“They might not at first, and that’s okay, but be committed to learning to trust your instincts is key in the early days. Follow them and trust yourself.”

The 2022 Synergy CWB Award winners are: Chamberlains Law Business Woman of the Year – Kate Freeman, The Healthy Eating Group Pty Ltd; Parbery Consulting Young

Business Woman of the Year – Rae Knopik, GREN and the CBR Gals Network; Synergy Indigenous Business Woman of the Year – Dixie Crawford, Nganya; Clover Canberra Small Business Woman of the Year – Amanda Snashall, Digital Design Partners Pty Ltd; Synergy Innovation Business Woman of the Year –Chaturica Athukorala, Aurabox; QT Canberra Social Impact Business Woman of the Year – Jo Farrell, Kane Constructions Pty Ltd & Build Like a Girl, and Kristine Hewett, Adamas Nexus Ltd.

- Anja de Rozario

The 2022 Synergy CWB Award winners are (clockwise from left): Chaturica Athukorala, Aurabox; Amanda Snashall, Digital Design Partners; Jo Farrell, Kane Constructions, and Build Like a Girl; Dixie Crawford, Nganya; Rae Knopik, GREN and the CBR Gals Network; and Business Woman of the Year – Kate Freeman, The Healthy Eating Group. Absent: Kristine Hewett, Adamas Nexus Ltd.

Photos Kerrie Brewer

Kate Freeman, CEO of The Healthy Eating Group, was named Chamberlains Law Business Woman of the Year at the 2022 Synergy Canberra Women in Business Awards on 27 October.

Federal budget, and sage words from the Chairman

Firstly, congratulations to Rishi Sunak, the latest British PM and a man of the Hindu religion and Indian heritage. He replaces the third British female PM. Interestingly, the Tories have managed to elect an Indian Hindu, three women and one Jewish PM to zip by the Labour side. At least Tony Blair was a practicing Catholic but no women or people of colour yet from British Labour. Mr Sunak faces a tough time, and if he can get back to reliable baseload power (especially nuclear) thus helping curb energy costs and only spends money on the one area he needs to increase expenditure in, defence, then he will increase his very slim chance of re-election. The UK needs to increase defence expenditure to about 3% of GDP from 2.2% to fight or deter further Russian aggression.

In Australia, Treasurer Chalmers and the ACT’s very own Katy Gallagher have brought down their first Budget. Whatever it did or didn’t do, it failed in two very important areas.

The first one was cutting nation-building projects in rural Australia, especially canning the construction of two new dams.

New dams not only promote water security in regional areas and build the local and national economy, they help control floods and obviously store water intakes of heavy rain to help drought-proof this country. They help harness water, a precious resource. Jon Stanhope did that here with the enlarged Cotter Dam.

The other area was defence. The budget statement dropped defence expenditure from 1.98% of GDP to 1.97%; not a huge change but not a good one, especially as we will need to raise defence expenditure to about 3% of GDP very soon to have any chance of providing an adequate defence of our country and way of life in an increasingly hostile world. Memo to Messrs Albanese, Morales and Chalmers and Ms Gallagher: you can have the greatest social welfare system and NDIS system in the world but they are pointless if you can’t defend

yourself.

A lot of money was allocated to renewables, which we still can’t store energy from.

I will leave the last word to Chairman/ President Xi, recently elected for a record third term by his cronies in the Chinese Communist Party.

Kicking off his party’s congress, President Xi said his government would “work actively and prudently towards the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. Based on China’s energy and resource endowments, we will advance initiatives to reach peak carbon emissions in a well-planned and phased way, in line with the principle of ‘getting the new before discarding the old’.”

Sage words indeed; if only the current Australian government was as sensible as its Chinese counterpart when it comes to energy policy.

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

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How a career at Macca’s shaped ‘Big Mac’ Jack

After 28 years of rising through the ranks in the McDonald’s career path, Jack ‘Big Mac’ Abdel Malak, supervisor for McDonald’s North Canberra, reflects on his very first day on the job back in 1994.

“I was 15, and I wasn’t actually looking for a job. I was asked by my parents to go help the restaurant manager do some maintenance work,” says Jack.

“I go to his Macca’s, ready to do some painting, and went in to ask what he wanted done.

“I was dressed in a singlet and some shorts

thinking I was going to do some handyman work… Turns out I was there for a job interview.

“He gave me the stare down, said ‘Is that how you dress for a job interview?’

“I was embarrassed, and when he offered me the job I couldn’t say no,” he says.

On his shift, Jack was surprised by the hustle of the crew – “there was a lot of competition to see who can make the quickest burger” – and how he was welcomed by the whole staff from day one.

“Today, I expect that from all my managers and staff. If they were to walk in and not say ‘hi’, I ask them to walk back out and try again,” smiles Jack.

Since starting as a kitchen hand at McDonald’s in Prospect NSW, Jack has worn the hats of first assistant, restaurant management, supervisor, and profit manager for 15 of the restaurants in Canberra, before settling into his preferred role as supervision manager.

“We have a saying: There’s no such thing as a bad trainee, only bad training. I always like to take that into consideration when I’m promoting a manager or training someone new,” says Jack.

“The best thing about this job is seeing people grow – people who either come from the streets and want to better their life, or just the regular shy kid at school who comes in here and becomes a manager.

Supervisor for McDonald’s North Canberra, Jack ‘Big Mac’ Abdel Malak, has worked at Macca’s in various roles for 28 years.

Over his decades working at Macca’s, Jack has seen many crew members flourish through McDonald’s Traineeship program.

“It gives them the confidence to be able to speak their mind and say what they want, without hiding behind a keyboard.”

Jack says he used to be that quiet kid. “This job taught me to be more open, assertive, how to go for what I want.”

He says all you need to work at Macca’s is a good attitude.

Now in his early 40s, Jack supervises operations at McDonald’s Belconnen on Emu Bank, the Belconnen food court Macca’s, as well as McDonald’s Kippax, Charnwood, and Cooma.

At each of these restaurants, he has seen crew members flourish through the Traineeship program, obtaining their Certificate II or III in Retail.

“We take pride in knowing that we have trained someone over several years, rather than just a couple of months, to get into management.

“By the time most trainees turn 18, they’ve already had a couple of years to learn the management skills they need.”

However, the happiest success story Jack has helped over the past 28 years has more to do with paying it forward.

Hani, the restaurant operator who hired Jack as a teenager, became a lifelong friend after providing guidance throughout the years.

“There were treacherous times in my life where, if I hadn’t chosen this path, I would have been on the wrong one. Hani guided me through that,” says Jack.

“On my first day as a restaurant manager, one of the 19-year-old managers said, ‘I don’t want to

do this anymore’ and quit on the spot.

“I said, ‘I’m not accepting your resignation; I’m going to work with you’. I never gave up on him because I could see something in him; he cared.

“Fast forward three years later, he became the restaurant manager of that store. Recently, he had his first child with his partner, another manager at the restaurant, who he wouldn’t have met if he hadn’t stayed.

“McDonald’s has definitely created friendships that I would never have imagined,” says Jack. To find out more about career opportunities at McDonald’s, visit careers.mcdonalds.com.au

Jack says he has forged lifelong friendships at McDonald’s since landing his first job as a 15-year-old.One of the main benefits of working in McDonald’s is that everyone gets in, we don’t discriminate. As a family organisation, there’s a place for everybody.

Getting our nation back on track

Last week, the Albanese Labor Government handed down our first Budget.

We have inherited a decade of neglect and a trillion dollars of debt from the previous Government.

This Budget begins our task of building a better future for Australians.

We cannot address all the problems immediately, but we have delivered a Budget that includes cost of living relief that is designed not to add to inflation, invests in the capabilities of Australians and the capacity of our economy, and begins the hard task of long-term Budget repair.

I’m proud that there is a lot in the Budget for our Nation’s Capital – investing in its people, our environment, infrastructure, and the public service which serves all Australians.

The Budget invests heavily in renewable energy, beginning the climate action that Canberrans are desperate to see.

Locally this includes three community batteries – located in Casey, Dickson and Fadden –helping Canberrans maximise the benefits of rooftop solar which will lower power bills and reduce emissions.

Our Budget invests in public and active transport, providing a $85.9 million commitment to light rail, which will help get cars off the road, ease congestion and emissions, and prepare Canberra for the future.

We will also invest $5 million to work with the ACT Government to deliver the Garden City Cycle route, making it easier for more Canberrans to cycle to work.

We will invest in restoring the health of our urban waterways, working in partnership with local Landcare groups on revegetation, weed control and water flow

management efforts to help clean up our lakes and rivers.

Other important local investments include upgrading and re-opening AIS Arena, Gorman House Arts Centre upgrades, University of Canberra’s sports hub precinct, and important maintenance work on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Scrivener Dam.

Education has also received a boost, with $6.3 million to fund 345 new places at the Australian National University and University of Canberra to plug critical skills shortages in areas such as nursing, midwifery, teaching and allied health.

Along with our plan to deliver fee-free TAFE, Labor is investing in Australians accessing the education they need to do the jobs of the future.

Canberra has some of the lowest bulk billing rates in the country; the Budget delivers an urgent Medicare care clinic for the ACT which will give more people access to cheaper healthcare and take the pressure off our hospitals.

Canberrans can also expect to see cheaper medicines – with savings of up to $450 per year helping with cost of living.

Our Budget is great for families, delivering cheaper childcare to 23,200 ACT families and extending paid parental leave to six months.

After a decade of neglect and contempt from the Coalition, the budget has allocated $72.9 million to re-build the public service.

This is not just an issue for Canberra, but an investment in good governance and service delivery for our whole nation.

I’m proud to be part of a Labor Government that is delivering on our promises and beginning the long process of getting our nation back on track.

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ACT Australian of the Year nominees announced

The nominees for the ACT 2023 Australian of the Year Awards include a man launching space rockets from Australia, a hiphop musician, an insect farmer, and a woman whose sewing is changing lives.

They are just some of the 16 people in the running to be named the ACT Australian of the Year, ACT Senior Australian of the Year, ACT Young Australian of the Year, and ACT Local Hero.

The four ACT recipients will be announced on 9 November.

Professor Tom Calma AO –Human rights and social justice advocate, consultant, and volunteer (Chapman); Robert Cook – ACT Children’s Court Magistrate and Warrumbul Court Magistrate (Canberra); Brian Triglone OAM –Founder and conductor, Alchemy Chorus (Torrens).

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The ACT award nominees are: ACT Australian of the Year: Mikaela Jade – Founder, Indigital (Phillip); Scott Wallis – Founder, Equatorial Launch Australia, Arnhem Space Centre (Garran); Olympia Yarger – Insect farming pioneer and founder, Goterra (Canberra); Heidi Yates – Human rights lawyer and community advocate (Canberra).

ACT Senior Australian of the Year: Mohammed Ali – Founder and president, HelpingACT (Franklin);

ACT Young Australian of the Year: Bryce Cronin – Engineer, designer, and founder, Access3D (Belconnen); Kofi Owusu-Ansah – Awardwinning performer and songwriter (Canberra); Camille Schloeffel – Founder, The Stop Campaign (Ainslie); Hillary Swann – Teacher and founder, Empower (Rivett).

ACT Local Hero: Nazmul Hasan – Multicultural community champion (Holder); Gaurav Malhotra – Founder, Garry Malhotra - Ken Behrens Helping Hands (Denman Prospect); Carol Mead – Founder, Sew For Change (Gordon); Dr Shamaruh Mirza –Scientist and co-founder, SiTara’s Story (Waramanga).

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The Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre wastewater treatment plant bypass dam is discharging partially treated and settled effluent into the Molonglo River, due to recent heavy rain and increased flow in the sewerage system, Icon Water advised on Tuesday.

With more heavy rainfall forecast, further discharges of

effluent may occur. Icon Water expects to process increased inflows into the treatment plant.

There is no risk to the ACT water supply, as the effluent is released downstream of Icon’s water sources. ACT residents can continue to use their taps and drinking water as usual.

For updates, go to iconwater.com. au/mediareleases

Canberra District wins awards

The Canberra District shone brightly at the 2022 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards, bringing home two major awards.

Mount Majura Vineyard was awarded the Australia Post Trophy for Best Riesling with their 2022 blend, while Poachers

Vineyard won the Australia Post Trophy for Best Pinot Noir with their 2021 blend.

The big winner was Tyrrell’s 2013 Vat 1 Semillon from the Hunter Valley, taking home the NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show.

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Girls ‘take over’ Qatar embassy

When Asha Clementi first formed ACT-based initiative, Girls Run the World, in 2018, she convinced just two embassies to allow young women to shadow their staff for a day in its inaugural run.

This followed the 18-year-old successfully sneaking into a UN security council meeting, sparking the idea for an initiative designed to empower girls aged 18 to 25 to envision themselves working in the diplomatic space.

Last month, Girls Run the World finished their largest run yet, with 60 participants going to 30 diplomatic missions across Canberra.

Haley Tobin, a 19-year-old student at ANU, and Ellie Mueller, a 22-year-old student at Deakin University, were stoked to participate in the two-day ‘takeover’ of the Qatar Embassy on 25-26 October.

Ellie, an intern at the Australian Institute of International Affairs, made the last-minute trip from Victoria to attend, after hearing buzz about the program at a conference the previous weekend.

Hayley learnt of the initiative at Model UN. “I thought I’d just give it a go and I couldn’t be more grateful that I did,” she said.

“We were very spoilt going to Qatar. They’re especially busy at the moment because of the World Cup, but they made time for us.”

Qatar will host the 22nd FIFA World Cup from 20 November to 18 December this year.

As well as learning the roles of each staff member, Qatar’s history and current space in public diplomacy, the girls were shown an overview of the plan to host the World Cup.

“I definitely feel more confident and capable to explore a career in diplomacy,” said Ellie, who one day hopes to be involved in key peacemaking negotiations.

After signing up for a unit on a whim in first year, Ellie studied the Middle East “and I just fell in love with it”.

Hayley, on the other hand, had a unique upbringing that sparked her interest in diplomacy.

“My parents are international teachers, so I’ve lived overseas since I was eight years old,” she said.

“Being able to travel around the region and live in different countries really opened my mind up to how different cultures influence the way we think and interact. I want to continue that.”

On the impact of the Girls Run the World Program, Ellie said, “Women are underrepresented in key decision-making positions in general, but it is key to sustainable development for women to get those opportunities.”

“This initiative brings into focus that, yes, we do have an important role to play and can have our voices heard.”

When building Girls Run the World, Asha made use of a network that she says has always been there.

“Women support women and it’s been something we’ve seen time and time again.”

-Anja de Rozario

Girls Run the World participants Ellie Mueller and Hayley Tobin “took over” the Qatar Embassy last week, 25-26 October.

Photo Kerrie Brewer

Canberra dragon boating regatta supports breast cancer survivors

Some in pink, some in brightlycoloured wigs, and all braving torrential rain, breast cancer survivors and their supporters took to the waters of Lake Burley Griffin in dragon boats – a bit of fun for a life-and-death cause.

Dragons Abreast Canberra held its annual Social and Corporate Regatta last month to raise awareness for breast cancer and breast cancer screening, and to support its members to participate in dragon boating – a sport that reduces the risks of lymphoedema, often a side-effect of treatment.

This was the first time the Regatta had been held since 2019.

“It’s such an important thing for us as a community to get back out on the water with our corporate supporters,” Regatta coordinator Jeannie Cotterell said.

This year, more than 20,600 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to Cancer Australia: more than 200 men and more than 20,400 women; and 3,000 people will die from breast cancer, predominantly women.

On the day, social groups and corporate supporters enter a novice dragon boating team to raise funds.

“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Ms Cotterell said.

Their commitment to joining the club in the rain impressed her.

“Everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves, and really having the time of their lives, even though it was not the best conditions.”

The Regatta has a different theme each year; this time, it was circus themed. Some attendees wore rainbow-coloured shock wigs, others painted their faces like clowns.

The Regatta raised an

estimated $7,000. That money, Ms Cotterell said, will allow members who are having financial difficulties due to the cost of treatment to still participate in dragon boating. While the club provides all the safety equipment, each member must pay Dragon Boat ACT for insurance and overhead costs of the Grevillea Park dragon boat facility.

Canberra’s is the second oldest Dragons Abreast club in Australia; it began in 1999. Its members have competed throughout and internationally.

“It gives us a place to go,” Ms Cotterell said.

“It’s a sporting support group. It’s a social opportunity where we’re moving and we’re active, but we’re also with a group of people who understand where we’ve been, and where we’re going, and the difficulties and joys and sadnesses of living with or surviving breast cancer.”

Ms Cotterell urged the public to get checked for breast cancer.

“Early detection saves lives,” she said. “If there is anything that makes you uncomfortable, go and get it checked out, because we want to keep the survival rate from this awful disease really high.”

BreastScreen ACT provides free mammograms for women over 40.

Breast cancer survivors and their supporters interested in trying dragon boating can join Dragons Abreast Canberra at their next ‘Come and Try’ session on Saturday 12 November at 9am. The first month is free.

Contact Dragons Abreast Canberra at comeandtrydac@ gmail.com for more information.

Full story online.

- Nick Fuller

Canberra Symphony community programs enrich lives with music

Bringing music to everyone who wants it in their lives is important, Canberra Symphony Orchestra bassoonist Kristen Sutcliffe believes. Over the last decade, Ms Sutcliffe, an audiologist in her day job, has put together three community programs, bringing music to people with hearing loss, with dementia, and with autism.

Orchestra concerts, she said, are important, but helping people with disabilities “pulls at [her] heartstrings”.

Ten years ago, she began to curate Rediscovering Music, a program for people with hearing loss to listen to music and enjoy music again – each year, three concerts for adults (in partnership with Better Hearing Australia), and one activity for children.

One man with cochlear implants stood up at the end of one concert, and said: “Today, I have heard music for the first time in 70 years.”

“There were almost tears in the room,” Ms Sutcliffe recalled. “Everyone was overwhelmed and emotional that it had that impact on him.”

Participants learn to listen actively to music. Often the concerts feature familiar music – movie scores, or folk songs like Greensleeves – so listeners can latch onto the melody.

Sessions focus on the range and timbre of a particular instrument.

The concerts are interactive; participants can ask questions, touch the instruments, feel the vibrations, and see how they work.

The concerts have been through every part of the classical orchestra (twice), and roamed as far afield as jazz, African drumming, and the gamelan.

CSO harpist Rowan Phemister has taught in the program for

four years. His first student was an 80-year-old woman with two cochlear implants, whose lifelong goal was to play the harp. Three years later, his student is still playing the instrument.

Deaf children, it is often assumed, cannot enjoy music, but that, according to Ms Sutcliffe, is a misunderstanding. “There is no barrier – if children have hearing loss, they can enjoy music, they can play music.”

This month, there will be a concert and workshop day for children with moderate or worse hearing loss in both ears.

In 2019, Ms Sutcliffe designed a dementia-specific concert series, Music and Memory, with the assistance of Heather Roche, a musician and psychology student.

Musical memory is one of the last facilities to go, Ms Sutcliffe explains: “People might be non-verbal, but play a song they like, and they will sing it.

“I’ve had people say to me afterwards: ‘Oh, gosh, I wish this program was around when

Canberra Symphony Orchestra bassoonist Kristen Sutcliffe curates a program for people with hearing loss to listen to music and enjoy it again.

File image Kerrie Brewer

my mum or dad or grandma or grandfather had dementia’,” Ms Sutcliffe said. “Because they might find it difficult to go in to visit them and have something to talk about. Music is a way of bringing people together and increasing that quality of life.”

As part of the program, Mr Phemister plays in aged care facilities to people who were involved in music – as musicians, teachers, or concert goers. One woman seemed to be asleep, but her fingers moved, her body remembering when she had been a cellist.

Now, Ms Sutcliffe is working with the CSO on autism-friendly performances in Canberra schools.

Concerts can be too much for people on the spectrum, due to potential sensory overload, and difficulties within a quite stilted environment, she explains. These concerts are a friendly and relaxed way for autistic children to enjoy

music. The CSO sources old, broken instruments so children can handle them; if they drop an old clarinet, who cares?

The CSO already delivers concerts every year to four special education schools; Ms Sutcliffe wanted units in mainstream schools to get the same exposure to music.

The children love it. After one recent concert, one little girl excitedly told her mother: “Music is my life!”

The program was trialled before the pandemic, and is starting up again after COVID. Next year, Ms Sutcliffe wants to grow the program to teenagers and young adults.

Ms Sutcliffe hopes that philanthropic donors will help the CSO deliver these programs.

“The more funds we have, the more people we can reach. We want to get [music] out there to everyone.”

- Nick Fuller

Full story online.

“Dad isn’t ready for aged care”

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 .

GIVIT donation of the week: art supplies

GIVIT is assisting an organisation in the ACT that provides hepatitis support services to help prevent transmission and reduce impacts. This organisation is requesting art supplies to create an artwork with the community as a form of therapy, with the aim of ultimately displaying these artworks in their office. Creating art can also help ease anxiety while individuals wait for their hepatitis results so donations of art supplies will be greatly appreciated. Generous Canberrans can fund this request, and 100% of money received by GIVIT is used to purchase art supplies such as paint brushes, paint and canvasses. To donate to or fund this request please visit givit.org.au/whats-needed, search Keywords: “paints, paintbrushes, canvas, paper”; Location: ‘ACT’.

2023 Pets of Canberra Calendar Competition

Is your pet just the cutest? Are they the bestest boy? Do they make your heart melt? Are they expert biscuit makers? If your pet ticks any of these boxes, now is your time to enter the 2023 Pets of Canberra Calendar! All furry, feathered, scaled, or hairless pets are welcome to enter. All entries will be included in the calendar. Entries close 14 November; please see www.canberrapetrescue.org.au for more details.

Plant stall

St Mary in the Valley Anglican Church will sell flower and vegetable plants on Saturday 5 November 9am2pm at Calwell shopping centre outside Mary’s Market.

Share your community event.

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

Fetes and Fairs

St Ninian’s: Saturday 5 November 9am-1pm. Christmas cakes, cakes, cookies, homemade spring rolls, salads, sausage sizzle, egg & bacon sandwich, Devonshire teas, Tastes of Tonga, garden, cut flowers, craft, treasures, jewellery, books, country kitchen, white elephant, clothing and lots more. Cash sales only. Corner Mouat and Brigalow Streets, Lyneham. Ridgecrest Retirement Village: 55 Burkitt Street, Page on Saturday 5 November 10am-2pm. Come and grab a bargain at one of our stalls. There will be sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea, raffles and many stalls such as secondhand books, plants, craft, cakes, white elephant and more.

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Red Dove preloved clothing

Red Dove preloved clothing at Tuggeranong Uniting Church, Comrie St, Wanniassa, Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 November 9am-1pm. Easy parking with auditorium full of spring specials including women’s, men’s and kids’ clothing, books, linen and bric-a-brac. Great coffee and cake for morning tea, plus a special fashion parade and supper Friday 7pm.

Southfest Chisholm Community Day

At Good Shepherd Community Church, cnr Hambidge and Proctor Streets, Chisholm on Saturday 12 November 10am-2pm. Join us for a fun community day featuring a garage sale, local community stall holders, cake stall, Devonshire tea, sausage sizzle and more.

Open Gardens Canberra

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November 10am-4pm, gardens will open to the public at: 48 Weathers Street, Gowrie (Christine’s Garden) and 45 Middleton Circuit, Gowrie (Sarah’s Garden). Free to members; $10 for non-members via Eventbrite. More info: opengardenscanberra.org.au

Hartley Markets location change

Due to wet conditions at Hall and the forecast for more rain, the Hartley November Markets will relocate to Thoroughbred Park. So, instead of heading to Hall on Sunday 6 November 10am-3pm, marketgoers will find the relocated Hartley Markets at Thoroughbred Park, Randwick Road, Lyneham. More info: hartley.org.au/markets

VIEW Club

Belconnen Day: The next meeting is on Tuesday 8 November 11.45am at Raiders Leagues Club, Holt. Cost $32 for lunch. Guest speaker: Sharon Bown, a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial. RSVP to Mary on 0414 529 563 or email keith@bigpond.net.au by 12 noon Thursday 3 November.

canberraweekly.com.au

100 Voices for Homeless People

Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music and singing on Saturday 12 November 2pm at St Andrews Church, Forrest and support people in our community experiencing housing crisis. Money raised goes to Toora Women Inc. and Samaritan House. Tickets: $10 each; $15 per family, include afternoon tea, lucky door prizes, silent auction. More info: contact 6259 2931 or admin@stpaulsginninderra.org.au

Probus Club

Narrabundah: The next meeting is on Tuesday 8 November 11am. Guest speaker: Marg Green speaking about adoption and her personal story of finding her mother. Our club meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month (except December and January) at Harmonie German Club and members usually enjoy lunch afterwards. More info: call John on 0432 435 053. Greenway: This is a mixed club and meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month 10.30am-12.30m at Vikings Town Centre Club, Tuggeranong. A short formal meeting and morning tea is usually followed by a guest speaker or other social activities. The next meeting is on 8 November. Guest speaker: Dr Claire O’Brien. More info: call Alan on 6294 7207 or look at the Club’s website.

Trading Options Workshop

Australian Technical Analysts Association presents a Trading Options One Day Workshop in Canberra on Sunday 13 November 9.30am at ANBG. The workshop aims to take participants from beginner level to trading and hedging investments. Costs apply. More info: www.ataa.asn.au or Mark 0417 334 223.

what's on  must do  must see

Synergy Indigenous Business Woman of the Year Dixie Crawford, Nganya

QT Canberra Social Impact Business Woman of the Year

Chamberlains Law Business Woman of the Year Kate Freeman, The Healthy Eating Group Pty Ltd

Parbery Consulting Young Business Woman of the Year Rae Knopik, GREN and the CBR Gals Network

Clover Canberra Small Business Woman of the Year Amanda Snashall, Digital Design Partners Pty Ltd

Synergy Innovation Business Woman of the Year Chaturica Athukorala, Aurabox

Jo Farrell, Kane Constructions Pty Ltd & Build Like a Girl, and Kristine Hewett, Adamas Nexus Ltd

Mandy Hill, Toni Marzulli, Lucrezia Samory

Penelope Twemlow, Michael Horner

Maryanne Gore, Kate Freeman, Sheena Ireland Candice Zhang, Nicole Lawder MLA, Natashia Telfer, Leanne Castley MLA

Stephanie Hogg, Daniella Pozzolungo

Willow Hart, Emily Curlewis, Alicia Lillington, Melanie Milsom

Tara Cheyne MLA, Kylie Burnett, Carly Barnard

2022 Synergy Canberra Women in Business Awards, QT Canberra. Photos: Kerrie Brewer.

Abby Burden, Helen Shaw, Michael Shaw

Wally Perenc, Stefanie Perenc

Kris Milne, Dean Hill

Mirko Milic, Stephen Cenatiempo

Joe Pratezina, Mirko Millic

Maddison Piper, Nik Milic, Nigel WardleworthGreg Miles OAM and Kristy Fiorini with the Lexus Melbourne Cup

Michael Richardson, Kym Bellas

Lexus Melbourne Cup tour reception at Lexus of Canberra, Phillip. Photos: Ayu Srimoyo

Breakfast muffins

Makes 6 | Prep 10 mins | Cook 20 mins

2 Tbsp butter, melted

6 slices white bread, crusts removed

1 Tbsp Vegemite

30g finely chopped spinach

1/4 cup (30g) grated reduced fat tasty cheese

6 eggs

2 Tbsp finely chopped raw bacon

1 Tbsp chopped chives

Preheat oven to 190°C and brush a 6-hole large muffin tin with a little of the

with

WITH TASTE EDITOR, ANJA DE ROZARIO

melted butter.

Flatten each bread slice with a rolling pin until very thin. Brush both sides of the bread with melted butter. Spread one side only with Vegemite. Press 1 slice of bread, with the Vegemite facing up, into each hole in the muffin tin.

Bake for 5 minutes or until the bread is slightly firm. Remove the tin from the oven and sprinkle spinach and cheese into each bread cup. Crack 1 egg into each cup. Season with freshly ground black pepper and top with the bacon. Bake for a further 15 minutes or until the whites are set. Remove from the tin and sprinkle with the chives before serving.

Roast beef with Vegemite gravy

Serves 6 | Prep 15 mins | Cook 50 mins

2 tsp olive oil

1kg beef roast (such as blade roast, sirloin or scotch roast, or 1.2 kg standing rib roast)

1 Tbsp Vegemite

1 Tbsp honey

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Steamed vegetables, to serve

For the quick gravy

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 Tbsp plain flour

2 cups (500ml) vegetable stock, heated

2 tsp Vegemite

1 Tbsp tomato sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Preheat the oven to 220°C.

Heat a frying pan (or flameproof roasting pan) over high heat. Rub oil over beef and cook for 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until well browned all over. Whisk Vegemite, honey, and pepper together in a small bowl and brush 3/4 of the glaze mixture over beef.

Place a rack into a roasting pan and sit meat on the rack. Roast for 40 minutes, basting with remaining glaze halfway through cooking, for medium result, or until cooked to your liking.

Remove from the oven and cover loosely with foil to rest for at least 15

minutes, while you make the gravy. Melt butter in a saucepan and scatter the flour over the top. Stir with a wooden spoon over low heat for 3–4 minutes, until lightly golden. Add the hot stock slowly, stirring constantly. Whisk in the Vegemite and sauces. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally, until thickened.

Carve the rested beef into thick slices and serve with vegetables and gravy.

2023 is the Centenary celebration for Vegemite – the iconic flavour Australia is known for worldwide. The Vegemite Cookbook celebrates 100 years of its place in our hearts and pantries, with new ways to make use of an old favourite.

The Vegemite Cookbook: Favourite recipes that taste like Australia (Penguin Random House Australia)

Canberra couple hopes to launch new game for party animals

After running out of things to say during a weekend away, the Andreskis began working on a plan, a party plan, a panda party plan. Now four years later, after many brainstorms and test plays, the couple is taking to Kickstarter to get Panda Party the card game into production.

Set in an alternate reality, the Pandaverse is where pandas rule after discovering if they ate more than just bamboo, they would have energy to do whatever they wanted. Now, they love to snack on pizza and doughnuts for their dopamine hit, but most of all, they love to party – they’re just waiting to be invited.

“Real-life pandas, they’ve got the body of a carnivore, but they just eat bamboo. It doesn’t give them any energy, they end up sleeping all day,” Ana says.

Ana and Darko have been together for six years, married for one, and are building their first home together. Both share a Macedonian background and met through a cultural hobby, folk dancing. They shortly realised their families were old friends; Darko even signed the card

wishing Ana’s family congratulations after her birth.

“We were kind of dance partners – main boy, main girl – before we became life partners,” Ana says.

When they aren’t creating alternate universes, Ana is a data analytics consultant and Darko is a graphic designer.

“I’ve always ignited the logical, mathematical problem-solving part of my brain. But I’ve always had this fire inside me to be creative and to illustrate but have never had an avenue to let that out,” Ana says.

Weeks after that car trip where Ana, her brother and Darko began the concept for the game, Ana found herself away and unable to stop thinking about pandas who like to party. She started jotting down a sketch on a hotel notepad; later she and Darko brainstormed the final design, with some pandas based on people they know, like their accountant and Ana’s mum.

“I’m a stickler for the fine details… we went back and forth, I think we just got where we

created a style for the game,” Darko says.

The goal of the game is to collect enough pandas for a house party – and the perfect panda bash houses five furry giants. Each player starts with a selection of seven food and action cards; as in real life, some food is more valuable. Doughnuts are most valuable to pandas; they can be convinced to attend the party with the right number of snacks.

Some pandas are more desirable guests than others. The standard panda is the kind of guest who brings nothing with them. Next up is your silver tier guest who comes with a once off immediate use action like the ability to pick up extra resource cards. Then, there are your gold star guests - pandas that bring special abilities which can be used at any time, as well as their own games. The games include everyone giving the cardholder a compliment or a battle of rock, paper, scissors, with the loser having to hand over a card.

“What we really wanted with this game was to have a social element to it. So, most of the gold ones are some kind of social challenge,” Darko says.

As if cute pandas weren’t enough to make you want to play, each panda’s name is a pun. Ana says for her that is where it all starts, and she can build the character around the title. They wanted to ensure the game was fun, light-hearted, and a feel-good time for every audience. For the most part, their characters are ungendered and no actions will cause players to be hurt or offended, although some of the compliments they heard during the trials were questionable.

“That’s important for us when we’re going through creative processes, like, what does this character mean? And can someone relate to it, and can they make it their own? And, if so, then we go ahead with it,” Darko says.

They are hoping to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 through Kickstarter to get the game into production, with a base pledge of the game costing $35. People will be able to add on other limited features when buying the game. Any excess funds will go straight back into improving the product; one of the stretch goals would see silver and gold tier pandas made with silver and gold foil.

“We’d be really happy just to have a card game that we can whip out and play with our family and friends, and if other people enjoy it, that’s our goal,” Darko says. To help get the party started, visit kickstarter.com or pandaparty.com.au for more information. Read an extended version at canberraweekly.com.au

- Jessica Cordwell

Ana and Darko Andreski are hoping Kickstarter will help get Panda Party into people’s homes.

Outlandish characters and costumes in Canberra’s wrestling league

Combining sportsmanship and showmanship, the Slam Pro Wrestling League is offering a wilder kind of sports entertainment in Canberra, bringing some of the best local, interstate and international competitors to Ainslie Football Club this Saturday 5 November.

The League held its debut event in December last year, and in the short time since its inception, has amassed a loyal fan base who regularly attend the bi-monthly fight nights. Providing a central hub between Sydney and Melbourne, the League is hoping to be placed on the map as a central wrestling point for the whole country.

“Basically,[we’re] promoting the

best in professional wrestling and sports entertainment in the country. We think there’s a big appetite for it in Canberra, something that’s been missing for a long time here,” says Daniel Dwyer, a member of the board of directors.

Dwyer says the board keeps its ears to the ground when looking for matchups, bringing the best to Ainslie to battle it out. Their system is based on win-loss results, who might be causing a bit of a buzz, and assessing whether a competitor is deserving of a second chance.

“If people can’t cut it and they suffer too many losses, we will kind of drop them off. Basically, let them go and reprove themselves in the

smaller groups and the smaller promotions until we bring them back,” he says.

A crowd favourite, Canberra’s own Luke ‘Hope From The Top Rope’ Watts is set to jump in the ring this weekend, going up against Robbie Eagles. Eagles has many titles under his belt and is signed to one of the biggest wrestling

leagues in the world, New Japan. However, being an established athlete himself, Luke is unphased by his opponent and is ready to hit the mat. Not only travelling with his wrestling experience, he has also represented Canberra at a national level in gymnastics and Australia at an international level in Muay Thai Boxing. He says there is something

BY THE

See Canberra’s own Luke ‘Hope From The Top Rope’ Watts (top) in action in the Slam Pro Wrestling League at Ainslie Football Club on 5 November.

Photos

Photography Studio

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

wrestling offers that other sports don’t.

“Showmanship, performance, athleticism, spectacle, and also interactivity that you might be able to get each of those at five separate events, but only pro wrestling is bringing them all together,” Watts says.

Watts grew up watching wrestling and was drawn to the showmanship and athletic expression of the competitors, something he never grew out of. His background in gymnastics and Muay Thai have helped him on his journey and in creating his finishing move – The Shooting Star Press – which is still unbeaten in the Slam League.

“I climb up to the top rope, I do a full 270-degree rotation, come down with 80 kilos, that velocity going down normally lands the 1-2-3,” he says.

Inspired by his childhood favourite, Ric Flair – often cited as the greatest wrestler of all time – both men sport bleached hair and an abundance of enthusiasm for their craft. Watts says it didn’t matter if he was competing in a sold out coliseum or small country club, Flair gave it his all and that is what he does, too.

“I know that when I get in there, I’m giving it my

all and doing my best because I want that world heavyweight championship, i want the slam championship. it’s the top of the power rankings.”

With the full body contact and over the top moves competitors use in wrestling, it is a dangerous sport that should never be attempted without appropriate training. Dwyer says someone couldn’t just walk in off the street and do it; anyone interested should find a place that offers proper training as they do at Slam Pro Wrestling Academy.

“I think a lot of it to people when they start is passion. That builds into a level of commitment and training that not many people can achieve,” Dwyer says.

Along with being one of the League’s favourite competitors, Watts is also one of the dedicated coaches at the Academy. He has spent time in both Canada and Japan learning new styles and honing his skills, and says it is a real privilege to be able to pass that knowledge on to the next generation of competitors.

“We can break people in the correct way and show them the right way to protect themselves,” Watts says.

As students learn technical skills in the ring,

they are also guided in developing their personas and taught how to interact with a crowd. Both men agree that the louder than life personalities you see in the ring are often just a further expression of the athlete themselves. If someone seems likeable, they are probably someone you would want to grab a beer with, same goes for the less desirable types.

Slam Pro Wrestling League heads to Ainslie Football Club on Saturday 5 November 7pm. Tickets via eventbrite.com.au or find out more at facebook.com/SlamProWrestling

Read an extended version at canberraweekly.com.au - Jessica Cordwell

Check out the body breaking moves in Slam Pro Wrestling at Ainslie Football Club on 5 November.

Take 6 with Colin Hay

Former Men at Work front man, Colin Hay, tours Australia solo for the first time in years this month to promote his latest album, Now and the Evermore. Hay makes a stop here in the Capital at Canberra Theatre Centre on Wednesday 16 November. CW ’s Jessica Cordwell caught up with the world-renowned performer to discuss career highlights, Ringo Starr, and iconic songs.

1 You’ve been touring with Ringo Starr, the fifth time you’ve done a global tour with him. How did you two meet/get along?

I met Ringo on the first day of rehearsal, onstage the first time I toured with him in 2003. We get along just fine. He’s the boss.

2Now and the Evermore features Ringo Starr on drums. You’ve said you grew up loving The Beatles; how is it having one of them on your own album?

It’s a dream come true. I love the track and I love the fact that he liked it enough to play on it.

3From Men at Work to a successful solo career, you’ve been in the industry for over 40 years. Are there any moments that stand out as highlights for you?

Many moments. Writing Down Under was a great moment. I remember feeling very excited when it took shape. Playing at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow was so, so great. Closing the Sydney Olympics was big, about as big as it gets. Playing with Ringo Starr was, and still is, a highlight for me.

How has your music and performing changed over the years?

This is not something I really consciously think about. But one does strive to get better and evolve and drink from the creative wellspring.

5

Do you play Down Under at every show?

Do you get sick of playing it?

I always play it, and probably always will. I don’t get sick of it because it lives inside me. It’s a big song; you have to respect that.

6 Do you have a favourite song to play?

Lately, it’s Waterloo Sunset by the Kinks.

Hear Colin Hay in his solo tour, at Canberra Playhouse, Wednesday 16 November 8pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au

4

Colin Hay brings his solo tour to Canberra Theatre, 16 November. Photo: Paul Mobley.

Now showing

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (PG)

In 1957 London, Mrs Ada Harris (Lesley Manville) goes about her day as a cleaning lady to snobby, rude clients. One day, Mrs Harris spots a client’s haute couture Dior evening dress and decides to travel to the House of Dior in Paris to buy one herself with her newly provided war widow’s pension.

Based on the first of a series of novels, the movie is sickeningly sweet and romantic, itself perfectly fitting the mould of the classic quirky and quaint English comedy; an ordinary, affable Brit finds themselves in a (relatively) extraordinary circumstance and stumbles along their path in their own way.

Like Paddington Bear, the naïve Mrs Harris is in over her head, both in terms of culture and class. While perceived as a nuisance amongst the upper crust, Mrs Harris effortlessly befriends fellow workers from the House by touching their hearts in her

effort to simply buy a dress. In turn, the kindness of these strangers assists Mrs Harris as she navigates the streets of Paris and the inner workings of the House of Dior itself, solving all manner of problems along the way; from the working conditions of our models and seamstresses to matters of their hearts.

The production is beautiful and slickly stylised, reminiscent of a Disney romantic comedy; even more so with our dreamy lovelorn Prince and Princess in dress model Natasha (Alba Baptista) and accountant André (Lucas Bravo).

Verdict: A sweet fish-out-of-water adventure that stresses the strength of kindness and the importance of chasing your dreams. 3 stars.

- Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net Viewed at the opening of the Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace Cinemas.

BY ORIEL GRA RAY

Canberra City Band celebrates women in music

Australia’s oldest and longest-running community band is celebrating living, homegrown, female composers in their concert later this month. The Music She Wrote showcases the talents of our women music makers at Hawker College on Saturday 26 November.

The concert shines a light on Australia’s often-overlooked female composers. Composer and musician Elaine Johnson says while there is now more backlash against overlooking female composers, it remains difficult to make it in the male-dominated sector.

A music teacher at a local college, Johnson has been active in the band for over 15 years, playing trumpet and as a committee member. She says even though she has come and gone through the years, returning to the band is like coming home to family.

For the past 10 years, Johnson has also been composing her own works, with the recently completed piece to be played on 26 November being her first major work. Titled Kangaroo Hill, she was inspired by the mob of kangaroos that

live on her property at Bywong.

“We were still in the drought, then we are on a long cul de sac and I saw that two kangaroos had been hit. Then I saw the tyre tacks; this person has gone out of their way, off the street just to mow down a mother and an older joey.”

The tyre tracks remained for some time; so shocked and upset that someone would purposely harm the creatures, she knew she had to include the story in her upcoming work. She also hopes to shine a light on the intimate family life of kangaroos.

One story is that of Hopadog, who used to come to eat the dog food thrown for the birds. She recalls the roo carrying a beautiful joey in its pouch; after not seeing her for a few weeks, Johnson discovered her body by the dam.

“I wanted to give my Joeyanna the chance to hop, the baritone saxophone player is the joey and learns to hop,” she says.

There is a homage to all the work that wildlife carers do. Johnson is inspired by how they put their whole heart and soul into their work and

Canberra City Band will perform Elaine Johnson’s first major work, Kangaroo Hill, at Hawker College on 26 November.

hopes to do the same with hers.

“I hope people will get that story and see our national symbol in a more positive light.”

Hear The Music She Wrote at Hawker College, 26 November 7pm; canberracityband.com

- Jessica Cordwell

Boogong thrilled and fulfilled this Halloween

More than 8,000 ghouls, ghosts and gremlins headed to Googong’s Rockley Oval for an evening full of frights at Boogong on Saturday 29 October.

The pandemic and road works had prevented the event from going ahead for the previous four years, so crowds were eager to return last weekend. The spooky season celebration is hosted by Googong, a joint township venture between residential developers Peet and Mirvac.

Malcolm Leslie, Project Director for Googong says community-focused occasions like Boogong are an important part of the township, which currently houses 6,500 residents. He says the effort attendees went to with their costumes was incredible, while the hired acts were all outstanding.

The giant graveyard proved to be the perfect meeting place for

monsters and vampires, with DJ Clique keeping the tombstones lively.

The organisers brought the best in spooky entertainment on the night with roving performers fire breathing, stilt walking and juggling their way through the crowds.

Up on stage there was a jaw-dropping axe juggling performance from Hemlock the Magnificent, who kept the crowd wanting more. They didn’t have to wait for long with Empire Performing Arts, a local dance troupe hitting the stage with upbeat performances. Undead aerialists had the crowd gasping and clinging to the edge of their seats with gravity-defying moves before The Sydney Fire Dancers finished the night with a blaze of glory.

Attendees are sure to be marking their calendar ready for next year’s event; www.googong.net

Free meditation course invites you to master your mind

What organisers says is the most comprehensive meditation course ever offered in Canberra comes to The Griffin Centre this month. The free Meditation For Life course by the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre Canberra runs for seven sessions on Monday and Thursday nights from 7 to 28 November.

The progressive sessions approach meditation from different angles, aiming to engage the numerous reasons someone may seek the practice. These reasons include meditations for love, freedom, happiness, and fulfillment.

“Everyone is looking for something different; it depends on what your goals and motivations are. That is [the other] reason we don’t charge a fee, there is no guarantee for success,” says Prachar Stegemann, programs co-ordinator for Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre Canberra.

Stegemann has been practising meditation for the past 40 years. Being a musician, he thought it might be able to help him with his performance by reducing nerves on stage and entering more into the source of the music. He found not only did it improve his musical practice, but it also improved everything about

“The results were so good and surprising, I realised that there was something here, I thought I need to explore this further,” he says.

The exploration led him to the Sri Chinmoy organisation where he has been for the past 39 years. During that time, he has travelled to 30 countries sharing what he learned. Stegemann says he doesn’t like to refer to conducting courses as teaching because he

Prachar Stegemann hopes to help Canberrans clear their minds through Meditation for Life, 7-28 November.

believes it is something that everyone has the capacity to do. The courses remind people that they can awaken the spiritual heart, and quiet the mind, with those practices being the foundation of meditation.

“When the mind is very busy or when it is stressed or worried or upset or concerned, it is like the sky being overcast on a rainy day. Those good qualities are there but we can’t see them, and we can’t feel them.”

Mr Stegemann says meditation is like exercise for the mind. Once you have exercised each day, even if it is just for a short time, your day is improved and there are physical feats you can achieve that you otherwise wouldn’t. If you master the art of meditation, depending on your motive and goals, you may be able to improve your work output, creative flow and general happiness.

Find out more about the free Meditation for Life course to be held at The Griffin Centre each Monday and Thursday, 7-28

November; canberrameditation.org

- Jessica Cordwell

WIN! Infinite Possibilities double passes

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra returns to Llewellyn Hall on 23-24 November for Infinite Possibilities, under the baton of Jessica Cottis, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director and presented by Shell. An internationally sought-after artist and communicator, this is Cottis’ first Canberra performance since May 2021.

Described as “brimming with musical electricity,” the program features a world premiere from Canberra-bred, LA-based composer Leah Curtis and an appearance from Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko, performing Sibelius’ D minor violin concerto. The concert culminates in a performance of Stravinsky’s Petrushka ballet suite, which Cottis likens to Picasso paintings in musical form.

For tickets: cso.org.au/llewellyn-series-infinite-possibilities

CW has 4 x double passes to Infinite Possibilities on Wednesday 23 November 7.30pm to be won.

independent

in Kingston

Book talk

Jeff Popple reviews three new books by Australian authors about suburban crime, military history, and mental health. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Suburban Noir by Peter Doyle

Newsouth, $34.99

Peter Doyle’s Suburban Noir is one of the most fascinating books I have read all year. Drawing partly on the private papers of his late uncle, Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Doyle, Doyle paints a vivid picture of everyday crime and life in Sydney in the 1950s and ‘60s. Engrossing vignettes of small-time heists, bad luck stories and murders, share space with bigger cases, including the tragic kidnapping of Graeme Thorne, and Doyle’s insightful reflections on society and changing times. Entertainingly written, it shines new light on what was really happening in the alleys, backyards, and bedrooms of mid-century Sydney. Highly recommended.

Hul! Hul! by Peter Stanley

Hurst, $79.99

Also full of interest is Hul! Hul! by highly respected Canberran historian Peter Stanley. The 1855 rebellion, or Hul, by the Santal people against the East India Company in Bengal is now largely forgotten. At the time, however, it was the most serious uprising that the East India Company had ever faced, and resulted in the deaths of over 10,000

Santals. Drawing for the first time on British military reports, Stanley provides a comprehensive and well documented account of why the Hul occurred, how it was fought and its many consequences. A well balanced, lucid, and informative account of an overlooked historical episode.

Minding Your Mind

by Ian Hickie and James O’Loghlin

Penguin, $34.99

Based on the popular podcast by James O’Loghlin and Professor Ian Hickie, Minding Your Mind is an entertaining journey through all aspects of our mind and our mental health. Written with humour and compassion, Minding Your Mind explores how our minds work, what happens when things go wrong, and how we can improve, and take control of, our mental wellbeing. The authors dispel some of the myths around mental health and provide a range of useful tips and insights, including how to prevent and cope with burnout. Easy to read and highly informative, this is an important book for these stressful times.

Canberra Weekly competition winners

The winners in Canberra Weekly’s latest round of competition draws are:

Jennie Jones Harlequin novels: S White, Kambah; K Gladwish, Chisholm; B Collins, Oxley; S Di Mezza, Mawson.

OC Naturals Body Wash: M Dunn, Bonner; K Smith, Harrison; S Canet, Lyons; P Ovchyni, Monash.

Murder Mystery Party packs: L Osenieks, Flynn; K Pryburne, Canberra; P McCarthy, Yarralumla; C Haron, Gungahlin.

WHAT’S ON

SUNSHINE SUPER GIRL: The story of Evonne Goolagong as presented by Performing Lines, The Q, Queanbeyan, 2-5 November; theq.net.au

503 SERVICE UNAVAILABLE: From Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerge Company, A kaleidoscopic snapshot of digital natives, Gorman Arts Centre, 4-5 November; canberrayouththeatre.com.au

POINT AND SHOOT: This veterans’ photographic exhibition shows a glimpse into the lives of Australians who served their country, HQ34, 4-6 November; pointandshoot.online

SIDESHOW: Dinner and entertainment from five fabulous performers ranging from burlesque to a fire ninja, Zoo bar, 4-5 November; eventbrite.com.au

CANBERRA SPINNERS AND WEAVERS: New exhibition Transformation with a Twist along with open day and sale, 4-5 November; canberraspinnersandweavers.org.au

UTOPIATE: Rebus Theatre’s bold new work challenging perceptions of disability-led theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 4-5 & 12 November; rebustheatre.com

BJORN AGAIN: Bring their Mama Mia We’re Back Again! tribute show to Southern Cross Club Woden, 4 November 8pm; cscc.com.au

TUGGERANONG ARTS CENTRE: Showcases two new exhibitions: Swoon! We Are Dizzy With Joy ! and All That Glitter, 5 November-12 December; tuggeranongarts.com

SARIT COHEN OPEN STUDIO: Step inside the studio of the Canberra contemporary ceramic artist, Macquarie, 5 November 10am-4pm; saritcohen.com.au

YASS VALLEY ARTS TRAIL: Showcases the region’s best artists and creators with open studios and exhibitions, 5-6 November; yassvalley.com.au

CROOKWELL GARDEN FESTIVAL: Tour 10 beautiful gardens around the area and enjoy a garden lovers’ market with plants, tools and more, Crookwell, 5-6 November; crookwellgardenfestival.com

JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL: Features a showcase of movies from Japan with screenings at Palace Electric and National Film and Sound Archive, 5-20 November; nfsa.gov.au

CANBERRA MUSEUM + GALLERY: Welcomes two new exhibitions: Tom Moore’s Abundant Water and Blanche Tilden’s ripple e ect – a 25 year survey, 5 November-12 February; cmag.com.au

AURORA: A collection of light work created by Tyler Jackson with influence from the Bauhaus, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 5-27 November; ccas.com.au

FORAGE FESTIVAL: A showcase of the best food and beverages in the Capital featuring some great music as part of DesigN Canberra, Civic Square, 5 November 2-7pm; theforage.com.au

INSPIRED WATER COLOUR PAINTING: Practise the art of mindfulness with a workshop from Social Creative, Canberra Outlet, 5 November 11am and 1pm; eventbrite.com.au

GOD IS DEAD: Dive into the very worst of the internet with Bryce Mills and Campbell Walker, The Street, City West, Saturday 5 November 7pm; thestreet.org.au

BILL BAILEY: His rescheduled Australian tour of new show En Route To Normal will stop o at Canberra Theatre, Civic, 6-7 November 8pm; billbailey.co.uk

BRIC-A-BRAC RUMMAGE: Hunt for second-hand treasure in front of South. Point, Tuggeranong, Sundays 9am-3pm.

TERRESTRIAL URBANISM: The month-long program hosts markets, exhibitions and an opportunity to explore the future of Dairy Road, 6 November-4 December; dairyroad.com.au

JUBILATE DEO: Canberra Community Chorale and Kompactus Chamber Choir perform this opera set in seven languages, Wesley Uniting Church, 6 November 5pm; trybooking.com

CAPITAL BREWING CO: Celebrates its 5th birthday with an afternoon of food, drinks and live entertainment, Dairy Road, Fyshwick, 6 November from 11.30am; capitalbrewing.co

CATHERINE BRITT: The country music sensation brings special guest Tori Darke to this performance at Tallagandra Hill Winery, 6 November 5.30pm; eventbrite.com.au

PROFESSOR BRIAN COX: Brings his live on-stage show Horizons - a 21st Century Space Odyssey to the National Convention Centre, Sunday 6 November 6pm; premier.ticketek.com.au

MEDITATION FOR LIFE: Free evening course in meditation and spiritual living, 7-28 November; canberrameditation.org

CHALKFACE: The rowdy tale of two teachers who put their di erences aside to stand up for what’s right, Canberra Theatre, 9-12 November; canberratheatrecentre.com

LIGHTBULB IMPROV: A night of comedy, completely made up on the spot, Thursday 10 November 7pm, Smiths Alternative; smithsalternative.com.

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.

Professor Brian Cox at National Convention Centre, 6 November.

Emily Egan

Reigning Miss Galaxy Australia, 2022 SunSmart ambassador for Cancer Council, and ACT young citizen of the year nominee, Emily Egan shares five things essential to her look, and a peek at what goes on underneath the skin.

On days that I don’t feel confident: “I always try to come up with some things I am grateful for and focus on my inner beauty and what my body is capable of – like running or playing sport – rather than what it looks like. I also do an extra face mask and give myself some additional TLC through a relaxing bath and some skincare.”

WITH FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR, ANJA DE ROZARIO

An insecurity that I’ve had to overcome: “Is my bright red hair. Growing up I was often criticised for being di erent, with my red hair often being a sticking point for kids to ridicule. I overcame my insecurities through recognising that everyone is unique and di erent. No one is perfect, and my red hair is what makes me unique! And now I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Something I find beautiful in others is: “Gratitude, kindness, and humility! I really appreciate others who go out of their way to brighten other people’s day and try to make a small impact in the world.”

Something local…

Anything from Peach Bud Boutique! Peach Bud has the most gorgeous collection of summer dresses and o ce styles. They will have you covered for your wardrobe all year round! I am still loving floral midis at the moment, seeing o the last of spring in style.

Something free…

Walking! Whether it be a quick morning lap of Lake Burley Gri n with the girls or an evening stroll on Ngunnawal Hill, I always feel my best when I am moving my body and getting fresh air.

Something I always keep on me… Sunscreen! I use the Cancer Council’s matte sunscreen under my makeup but always keep a travel sunscreen in my purse, especially for sunny days. When keeping UV protected and keeping the wrinkles away, sun care is a must.

protected and keeping the wrinkles

Something I splurged on/like to invest in…

Good quality shoes. You spend so much of your day on your feet so it’s so important you have comfortable footwear. I always invest in good quality work shoes (heels) and joggers for running. Current favourite brands are Jo Mercer and Wittner!

Something for days when I don’t feel the best…

Skin care and face masks. I am a skin care addict who loves the La Rosche Posay and Cera Ve skin care lines and I find the best way to wind down after a long day is with the Garnier Hydro Boost face masks.

WITH FASHION &

Simon Lam

Photo @smilewithmel

Photo @smilewithmel

Why Aussies struggle to beat peer pressure

“I’m so sick and tired of how much I drink but I don’t want to be labelled an alcoholic.” This is the all-too-common thought thousands of Australians experience every day.

The fear of being labelled or even shamed for having an issue with alcohol is enough to throw your hands in the air and simply continue drinking.

Over the past four years, we’ve found this is the #1 reason why so many Aussies continue drinking even when they know they’ve had enough – they aren’t ready for the backlash that may follow.

Isn’t that fascinating? The thought of reducing your alcohol intake or even kicking it to the kerb can leave you feeling inadequate rather than powerful.

Reducing your intake is tricky enough as it is, let alone figuring out how to deal with this during the party season. Which is exactly where we are headed. Staff parties are being booked, holidays are on the horizon, and we’re looking for that special time to switch off.

We’re all looking for that magic pill that turns off the responsibilities life presents to us every day.

As a culture, we have mastered the art of doing exactly this with the use of alcohol. We have become all too comfortable self-medicating, to the extent that we feel like we are safe, we belong, and are supported by those around us.

Sometimes, making new choices is a by-product of hearing the truth, and it’s time to hear the truth.

Why? So that you can choose differently tomorrow. So that you can confidently say “No” to that next drink.

Everyone has the confidence to back their own choices. But if you judge yourself within a community that doesn’t support those specific choices, you will continue believing there is something wrong with you.

If you want to reduce your alcohol intake yet feel uncomfortable doing so in social settings, this is a large part of the reason why.

It isn’t called The Australian Drinking Culture for nothing. It’s a culture. It provides a space for individuals to gather and feel the one thing we desire most: connection.

So, if it comes down to your decision to say “No” to a glass of alcohol or your need to feel connection, the latter will make the decision for you.

Which leads to the problem of people telling themselves they won’t be drinking tonight, yet once they find themselves in a social setting, they accept that alcoholic beverage.

Unfortunately, this truth is not often spoken about as individuals are either stuck in the realm that they’re the problem, or in groups that don’t accept they’re part of the problem.

How do we back ourselves and ultimately reap the benefits of drinking less and feeling fresh?

For now, just ask yourself this, do you have a severe issue with alcohol, or have you been trying to flourish within a culture that directly opposes your growth?

Take a breath, and ask yourself: “What do I really want to experience this festive season and who do I need in my corner to succeed?”

Find a tribe that supports your choices. To find out more, visit drinklessfeelfresh.com

Fashions

on the field

This year, the dress code for the Melbourne Cup was “all out glamour” following the last two race days’ standard of pyjamas and sweatpants on the couch. As well as the bright colour scheme, traditional trackside “no-no’s” include no denim of any kind, no cut-outs, tears or rips, tailored pants only, and absolutely no thongs. See how five stylish racegoers interpreted (and in some cases pushed) rules in racewear regalia.

Former Miss Universe Australia, Olivia Rogers dazzled in a red Oglialoro Couture gown, featuring a risqué cut-out. The intricate bejewelling is complemented by a custom headpiece from Ezara J.

We saw at Melbourne Fashion Week that womenswear inspired by film noir menswear may be a trend for 2023. Australian model Ashley Hart appears to be on board, looking debonair in this three-piece suit, complete with a neck scarf fashioned from a men’s tie.

Model Christian Wilkins wore a stunning silk green ensemble – historically classed as a “bad luck” colour due to being too similar a shade to the track. The 27-year-old said he intends to challenge race day restrictions, planning to “break” the cup carnival’s gender-bound rules.

Delta Goodrem arrived at the Birdcage wearing this Dolce & Gabbana bright floral twopiece. She paired the set (which retails for a total of $3,600) with black lace gloves, Panama hat, and heels adorned with a cute bow.

Myer ambassador Tayla Damir embraced the colourful dress code, arriving in a canary yellow silk slip dress. Her headband and the plaid of her coat tie this monochrome look together perfectly.

The other kind of tapas

In Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga, tapas aren’t a tasty snack you might wash down with a glass of wine, but something else rather delectable: the fire of self-discipline.

Tapas is one of the five ‘Niyamas’ or principles that underpin Yogic philosophy. In a Yoga context, it might be the discipline to get out of bed early, so you have time to do a meditation or some sun salutes before the rest of your day begins. In life in general, it’s forgoing the easy path of comfort or instant gratification for something more likely to give you lasting fulfilment.

When it comes to our wellbeing, it is very often the choices we make which determine the health and happiness we experience. For example, we know that if we eat nourishing food, we’re giving ourselves the best chance of enjoying robust health, yet we’re tempted by so many delicious things that may not have much nutritional value but are so hard to resist. It’s like eating a doughnut; it feels so good in the moment, but 10 minutes later you’re already

regretting it when the sugar rush turns into a blood sugar crash or, even worse, you’re full of remorse or self-recriminations.

Tapas is sometimes translated as austerity, which again speaks to the truth that life requires us to give things up. If I decide to snooze my alarm seven times before I get up, I’m not going to have time to fit in a run before I go to work. Running makes me feel more alert and energised but snoozing is so nice in the moment that I may forgo running for a few more precious minutes in bed.

What do I give up? The delectable few more minutes in bed or the energising run?

It’s important to strive for authenticity when it comes to applying the principles of tapas in our lives. Nothing is universally bad or good. Eating a doughnut could be an excellent experience and going for a run might be a dreary, energy-sapping grind.

The idea is to be honest and thoughtful with your choices, review and adjust them regularly, and then, to live them wholeheartedly.

One of the five Niyamas outlined in the Yoga Sutras, ‘tapas’ translates to discipline.

Editor’s note: This wellbeing column provides information that is general in nature. Please always refer to your preferred health professional for advice suited to your personal healthcare requirements.

Sustainability: the garden trend of summer 2023

The garden trend of the summer is set to centre on sustainability. Creating gardens in whatever outdoor space you have available in your home has become increasingly popular, and as summer draws near, it’s the optimal time to freshen up your foliage and plants. Award-winning horticulturist and landscape designer Adam Robinson shares his thoughts on the top trends for summer 2023 and his top tips for growing new life in your home.

Balcony and terrace gardens

Gardens in even the smallest spaces can be transformed into a lush and vibrant part of the home where you can grow an array of small vegetables and fruit or make a home for bees. Adam recommends a range of pots in a non-uniform grouping that still complement each other for large spaces, and one really large pot for small spaces.

Sustainable gardens

Sustainable gardens use organic soil mixes and fertiliser, allowing permeable surfaces for water to be

able to drain correctly, using organic materials that will eventually break down, or using recycled materials. Adam recommends investing in the elho Greenville self-watering plant pots to utilise its integrated water reservoir system.

Wellbeing and mental health Gardens can be a sanctuary of peace and harmony, says Adam, and creating one to suit your needs and style for your personal wellbeing and mental health is a must for 2023.

“When you bring plants into your living space, into your garden, onto your balcony or courtyard, you are inviting nature to be in your life and that can only be a good thing,” he says.

Capi Nature Rib and Row collection.

Greenville trough 70cm green leaf pot.

Sophistication and class

Undeniably sophisticated, and oozing class, optimum functionality and distinctive style, 104 Samaria Street in Crace offers high-quality contemporary living with soaring ceilings, a custom kitchen, and fashionable polished concrete floors.

Agent Sam Taylor describes the design of the home as modern industrial, and a true entertainer with open plan living areas, earthy tones, elegant fixtures, and black cabinetry.

“My favourite parts of the property have to be the polished concrete floors, custom joinery throughout including the sliding barn doors, and, of course, the amazing master bedroom with a view directly over the heated pool,” says Mr Taylor.

“What makes this home fantastic is the 8-metre solar heated pool and family-friendly layout combined with high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout that provide the perfect destination to

entertain family and friends.”

The gallery entrance boasts ample artwork space and ambient mood lighting, the living area features both north and east aspects, while the chef of the home will adore the contemporary kitchen with its butcher-top island bench, walk-in pantry and integrated appliances.

“The location is simply fantastic, nestled in one of Crace’s best streets that’s filled with beautiful homes and only moments to the Hilltop Reserve, Crace Shops, and a short drive to Gungahlin, Belconnen and the City,” says Mr Taylor.

The long list of extra features is almost endless, but the top highlights include a 6.6kw solar system with a 10kw battery, single- and double-glazed windows, a zoned ducted reverse cycle air conditioner, a secure double lock-up garage, and an upstairs rumpus room with study nook.

Agent

155 Wattle Street, O’Connor $2,950,000 LJ Hooker

1 Lang Street, Ainslie $1,810,000 Home by Holly

43 Holmes Crescent, Campbell $1,800,000 Home by Holly

20 O’Shanassy Street, Curtin $1,461,000 Civium

9B Narambi Street, Narrabundah $1,420,000 Property Collective

13 Lanaba Street, Crace $1,410,000 Stone

16 Collingridge Street, Weston $1,385,000 LJ Hooker

24 Edwin Oribin Street, Taylor $1,368,000 Confidence

4 Howarth Place, Chapman $1,347,500 Morrissey Property

5 Coleman Street, Pearce $1,340,000 Rod Meates

49 Nangor Street, Waramanga $1,325,000 Hive

27 Winchester Street, Casey $1,310,000 Luton

3 Croll Street, Wright $1,300,000 Hive

40 Olympus Way, Lyons $1,299,000 Independent

52 Marsden Street, Dickson $1,275,000 Home by Holly

12 Bonython Street, Downer $1,275,000 LJ Hooker

11 Frew Close, Nicholls $1,265,000 Solely

9 Baas Becking Street, Whitlam $1,260,000 Civium

41 Flos Greig Street, Watson $1,255,000 Blackshaw

2 Shylie Rymill Street, Bonython $1,235,000 Belle

7 Hudson Place, Jerrabomberra $1,210,000 Hive

24 Gardiner Street, Downer $1,200,000 Luton $1,200,000

70 Must Circuit, Calwell $772,500 Property Collective

3 Gorrie Close, Hawker $745,000 LJ Hooker

10 Montagu Place, Evatt $740,000 Belle

71/5 Hely Street, Griffith $710,000 Francis

27/40 Pearlman Street, Coombs $700,000 Blackshaw

8/57 Bellhouse Crescent, Moncrieff $662,500 LJ Hooker

10/115 Lampard Circuit, Bruce $660,000 Hive

37 Daramoolen Street, Ngunnawal $650,000 Blackshaw

21 Macfarlan Place, Latham $615,000 LJ Hooker

42 Boult Place, Melba $605,000 LJ Hooker

29/71 Mina Wylie Crescent, Gordon $600,000 Property Collective

14/24 Beazley Crescent, Calwell $590,000 Civium

50 Kellermann Close, Holt $590,000 LJ Hooker

Housing values fall again in October ACT house prices fall in fastest decline on record

Australia’s housing downturn has broadened during October with every capital city and rest-of-state region, apart from regional South Australia, recording a drop in housing values, according to CoreLogic’s latest Home Value Index Report.

CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless said it is probably still too early to claim the worst of the decline phase is over.

Mr Lawless said while the pace of decline is easing, Australian borrowers are continuing to face the double whammy of further interest rate hikes and persistently high and rising inflation.

This causes a genuine risk of the rate of decline re-accelerating as household balance sheets are increasingly stretched thin.

Canberra’s dwelling values dropped by 1.0 per cent during October and by 4.3 per cent over

the last quarter.

However, annual dwelling values have risen by 1.0 per cent with a total return of 4.7 per cent.

CoreLogic’s Hedonic Home Value Index shows Canberra’s Covid trough to peak growth sitting at a 38.8 per cent increase, with October values recording a 5.4 per cent decline from the June 2022 price peak.

The Canberra suburb with the highest 12-month value growth was Molonglo at 8.6 per cent, where houses sit at a median value of $771,081.

Gungahlin had the second highest rise at 2.4 per cent with a median value of $931,358, followed by South Canberra (2.3 per cent, $852,159), Weston Creek (2.1 per cent, $961,234), Belconnen (1.6 per cent, $851,228), and Tuggeranong (1.5 per cent, $839,715).

RARE FIND

‘Riley Newsome’ English cottage

A wonderful weatherboard cottage nestled in the sought-after suburb of Ainslie, 26A Hawdon Street is a fantastic opportunity to own an incredibly delightful, bright and airy, picture-perfect home.

Stepping inside this stylish abode brings a sense of peace and calm, from the marvellous garden area ideal for your Sunday morning coffee or summer barbecues with family and friends, to the soothing colour palette. Plus, the body corporate is self-managed with no fees.

Agent Stephen Bunday says the home is affectionately known as a ‘Riley Newsome’ property coming in kit form from England in the 1950s when

Canberra needed housing. Needless to say, it’s full of character and charm.

“The beautiful cedar French doors that open onto the front hardwood deck and provide a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow, the established front hedge which provides excellent privacy to the front courtyard, and the character features throughout including timber sash windows, are just a few of our favourites,” Mr Bunday says.

“The Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve, a second home to bushwalkers, mountain bikers and nature lovers, is right at your doorstep. It’s only a short two-minute drive from the wonderful Ainslie shops or a three-minute drive

ACT house prices have logged the largest fall on record, currently down 5.8 per cent over the September quarter and around $70,000 below the December 2021 price peak, according to Domain’s latest Quarterly House Price Report.

However, the average house price in Canberra still sits above the one-million mark at $1,096,114, substantially higher than before the pandemic property boom.

Prices would need to plummet by $320,000 (a further 29.9 per cent) to fall back to average pre-pandemic levels.

Canberra’s unit prices are now 4.2 per cent below the June 2022 price high, and down by around $25,000, recording the steepest price drop in two and a half years. Despite this significant drop, unit prices remain 4.6 per cent higher than one year ago.

Nationally, interest rates are rising

at the fastest rate since 1994, which Domain reports has had an obvious impact over the September quarter.

Many potential home buyers and borrowers have never experienced anything like this before, which has significantly impacted consumer sentiment.

Strong inflation levels and interest rate increases have damaged borrowing activity and increased home loan costs, adding an additional $1,482 per month to a $1 million home loan.

A downturn could be exacerbated by today’s high household debt and households vulnerable to rising interest rates, the report suggested.

Australia’s combined capital city average house price sits at $1,022,194 for the September quarter – a drop of 4.0 per cent since the June quarter.

Year on year, the combined capital average house price is up 2.3 per cent on 2021.

to the Dickson town centre, or if you want to meander a little further, only a 10-minute drive into the Canberra CBD.

“It’s an entry-level opportunity for Ainslie and perfect for a young couple or small family looking to enter the Inner North. The excellent location and functional floorplan make it a real winner.”

Nov 10am

Agent Stephen Bunday Mob 0416 014 431

Planning to downsize?

Brand new 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments selling now.

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.

Hurry, final stage now selling

59 Mountain Circuit

AUCTION

Sat 19/11/2022, 10am onsite

VIEWING Sat 5/11/2022, 11.20-12 noon

Sun 6/11/2022, 11.20-12 noon

Wed 9/11/2022, 5.30-6pm

CONTACT Michael Potter 0413 830 598

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

Modern Home

for a Growing Family

Our

contemporary retirement village makes

for you to make the most of every day. Ditch the mower and enjoy the social community, neighbours you know, and your own home without the time-consuming

We’ll even change the lightbulbs.

For

Westfield, the

Bellerive’s

and the heart of Woden,

and many of

Buying with Homefinders Real Estate

Wow will be your first reaction when you walk through the beautiful glass Art Deco door to the magnificent living room with timber floors, a gas fireplace and architecturally designed ceilings.

This property has nothing to be done to it and it is outstanding.

The large kitchen meals area has beautiful lighting and topclass chef’s appliances, including a built-in plumbed refrigerator.

A double oven, built-in microwave oven and steam oven, an extra fridge drawer and a separate steam oven are amongst its many superb features.

On the ground floor, there is a very spacious study complete with built-in bookshelves. Up the amazing staircase are three bedrooms, all with built-in-robes. Upstairs is also the best master bedroom, with a walk-in robe with large shelving, plus the most spectacular ensuite complete with bath and deluxe fittings, you’re bound to be impressed.

The sparkling heated pool set in the landscaped gardens with entertaining areas will again Wow you, as will the large storage room and an internal double lock-up garage and paved extra parking on the side.

Rifle Range Road, Bombala

So much River frontage!

Located minutes from the main centre of Bombala with panoramic views over the Bombala River and local countryside this is a wonderful offering for the opportunistic investor!

• 28.07ha/69.361ac (approx.)

• Approximately 1.8kms of frontage to the

Bombala River

• Zoned R5 Large Lot Residential

• Current Building Entitlement and/or subdivision potential (subject to council approval)

This is a very unique offering with loads of potential!

Bombala – A beautiful area that is in a wonderful location and home of the platypus, approximately 1 hour to the South Coast beaches Tathra, Merimbula, Pambula and Eden; 1 ½ hours to the Snowy Mountains and the NSW ski fields; 2 hours South of Canberra; flights out of Merimbula to Melbourne and Sydney daily.

For sale by EOI closing

18th November 2022 5pm

Christine McIntosh M 0427 584 004

Christine.mcintosh@nh.com.au

Nutrien Harcourts Bombala

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

Call 02 6282 1782

•

Our 2 bedroom homes are beautifully renovated and come with:

spacious kitchen with granite benchtops

• Open plan living and dining areas opening onto spacious balconies

• Master bedrooms with plenty of

•

•

•

bathrooms

internal laundries

brain busters

1 What was Jackson Pollock’s first name?

2 Beginning with ‘R’, an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources is called a what virus?

3 The French word “garçonne” was used to describe which fashion style of the 20th century?

4 What is the most common forest plantation species in Australia?

5 Which well-known Aboriginal artists’ collective derives its name from a settlement 240km northwest of Alice Springs?

6 Who directed the award-winning film Samson and Delilah?

7 And who played Delilah in that film?

8 London began as a Roman settlement around AD50; by what name was it then known?

9 Who did Roger Federer beat to secure his first French Open title?

10 And what is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the French Open men’s singles?

Solutions crossword

(4)

8 Raunchy (5)

(9)

of the uS (7)

13 Loud and forceful (10)

15 Clergyman (9)

16 Made clear (9)

18 Orator (7)

19 Exaggeratedly enthusiastic (7)

20 Part of the limb remaining after amputation (5)

22 Brings up (5)

23 Skin sensation (4)

WIN! On the Line film passes

This call might destroy his career, his family, his whole life.

For the past 25 years, Elvis has been giving advice to live callers on his emblematic night Talk show. He ignores the warning signs of his boss who sees the ratings of his show dropping. Helped by his switchboard operator Mary, a new young producer Dylan and an intern June, he faces every situation with ease, experience, and charisma. One night, he receives a call from Gary who is about to do something dramatic. Gary will take Elvis on a journey he will never forget.

On the Line (M) releases in cinemas 17 November.

CW has 10 x On the Line in-season

to be won.

WIth patsY bennett

www.patsybennett.com

2022

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

scorpio oct 24 – nov 22

tuesday’s lunar eclipse signals a fresh chapter in a key relationship if you were born before mid- n ovember, and at work or regarding health if you were born afterwards. You may discover your purpose lies somewhere new, and so are drawn to a fresh circumstance. You’ll enjoy a reunion.

AquA rius jan 21 – feb 19

this week is likely to include key changes, principally in your personal life or domestically. You will make great headway by being practical, especially if everyone else is being erratic. a change of circumstance will open your mind to new opportunities for travel and personal fulfilment.

celebrity birthday

Delta GooDrem

November 1984

Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem has the knack of echoing other people’s feelings in her music, bringing her fans closer and resonating with the masses. Combined with a strong work ethic, her success is also fueled by deep understanding of what people need. Because the world is changing rapidly, her work, too, will change as new doors open and bring fresh ventures and experiences her way. Some of her new projects may even be a surprise!

TAurus a pr 21 – maY 21

tuesday’s lunar eclipse in taurus brings a new chapter entailing a fresh circumstance or even a surprise. f or many, this will involve a change in your personal life and, for mid- m ay taureans, a change in your usual daily routine or at work. Your long-term plans could add value to your life.

LEo jul 23 – aug 23

You may be surprised and delighted by developments involving your favourite activities such as travel, selfdevelopment or legal matters. You may be drawn to update a communication device, a vehicle or vehicle parts. romance will flourish if you focus on common ground with your partner.

sAgi TTA rius nov 23 – dec 21

tuesday’s solar eclipse spells the chance to overhaul your usual daily routine and personal life. c onsider whether a debate that has been bubbling under revolves around principles and/or traditions and where your loyalties lie. this is a good time to set practical ideas in motion.

cA pricorn dec 22 – jan 20

You’ll enjoy an impromptu or out of the ordinary get-together this weekend, but you’ll need to focus on logistics. You may be prone to overindulgence, so keep an eye on spending, especially if you’re in debt. tuesday’s lunar eclipse points to a fresh chapter with family or domestically.

pisc E s feb 20 – mar 20

You may change your mind about crucial plans. restlessness at work or regarding a health situation needn’t lead to frustration. look for a smooth path ahead instead. c onsider giving someone who surprises you the benefit of the doubt, unless their plans are untenable.

A ri E s mar 21 – apr 20 b e prepared for out-of-the-ordinary developments and for the option to try something new with a financial or personal commitment. e xpect a fresh agreement. this may come about unexpectedly, or will take you in a new direction. check that agreements resonate with your bigger-picture goals.

g E mini maY 22 – jun 21

It’s all change this week, and you may well be surprised by developments that close a chapter in your daily routine or at work. b e prepared to make key decisions that involve either close friends, family or an organisation. You could make great progress at work and with a beloved project.

cA nc E r jun 22 – jul 22

You’re turning a corner in your general direction and you may surprise even yourself with decisions you make. a s you embrace a new start, be sure to see the bigger picture rather than expect things to continue as they are. s omeone close may influence where you take things now.

virgo aug 24 – sept 23

d evelopments will bring the chance to see someone in a new light and how best to move ahead with them. tuesday’s lunar eclipse will heighten decisions about shared resources such as space at home, joint duties or finances. s omeone you share any of these areas with may surprise you.

L ibr A sep t 24 – oct 23

s omeone who can be unpredictable will behave true to form, and tuesday’s lunar eclipse will spotlight an unexpected solution. You’ll appreciate the opportunity to discuss your ideas and to consider ways to establish more stability in life. avoid gambling both emotionally and financially.

“Where nature meets perfection”

Start making your list and checking it twice with LeapFrog’s top toys for Christmas.

Meet Sparky the phonics firefly! As he zips around the Spinning Lights Letter Ring, this friendly little bug will light up each letter to introduce letters, letter sounds, spelling and animals. Delightful animations of Sparky and the animals accompany each discovery. Sparky loves to play hide and seek. Children can listen to the letter and letter sound clues to find the letters Sparky is hiding behind. Finding the firefly helps build early reading skills by getting preschoolers to look for Sparky again and again.

CW has 4 x LeapFrog Spinning Lights Letter Ring toys to be won, valued at $49.95 each.

WIN! LeapFrog Spinning Lights Letter Ring WIN! Back on Country books

Back on Country is a joyful story about the power of reconnecting to family, culture and Country, from 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, co-writer Ellie Laing, and Barkindji illustrator David Hardy.

“Where are we going again?” asks Lucy.

“Back on Country,” says Mum. “Where we’re going is where your nanna comes from, where we come from. Our Country is special to us. You’ll see.”

It’s Lucy and David’s first time back on Country. They meet their cousins and Elders, and see special places, learn local language words and hear stories as old as time.

Join them to feel the strength that comes from being back on Country.

by Allen & Unwin, $24.99, allenandunwin.com

Back on Country to be won.

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 11 November 2022 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person per giveaway. Entrants must be aged 18+.