Month: June 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

In brief

• Over the years, many well-known people have attended a Canberra public school.
• Some attended for a short time, for university or alongside training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
• This article lists some of these people.

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It’s no secret Canberra is a great place to live. It’s also, unsurprisingly, a great place to go to school.

We’ve pulled together a list of well-known people who have attended an ACT public school or university.

From actors to authors and artists to activists, plenty of impressive Aussies were educated right here in Canberra.

Some may have stayed only a while. Some came just for uni or a sporting scholarship. Regardless, we’re happy to claim them.

While this is not an exhaustive list, you’re bound to discover something new as you scroll.

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SCREEN AND STAGE

Alan Alder – Ballet dancer and teacher

Canberra High School

Wil Anderson – Comedian and TV presenter

University of Canberra

Imogen Bailey – Model, actress, singer

Melrose High School, Phillip College (now Canberra College)

Jon Casimir – TV producer and executive

Hawker College

Jackie Chan – Actor

Dickson College

Ronny Chieng – Comedian

Australian National University

Gary Eck – Comedian and TV presenter

Latham Primary School, Belconnen High School, Hawker College

Tim Ferguson – Comedian and TV presenter

School Without Walls (now closed), Narrabundah College

Leon Ford – Director and screenwriter

Telopea Park School, Narrabundah College

Hannah Gadsby – Comedian

Australian National University

Richard Glover – Writer and radio presenter

Australian National University

Alister Grierson – Director and screenwriter

Australian National University

Liv Hewson – Actor and playwright

Alfred Deakin High School, Canberra College

Matthew Le Nevez – Actor

Telopea Park School

Paul McDermott – Comedian and TV presenter

Dickson College, Australian National University

Rhys Muldoon – Actor

Scullin Primary School (closed, now Southern Cross Early Childhood School), Belconnen High School, Hawker College

Alex O’Loughlin – Actor

Macquarie Primary School

Felicity Packard – Screenwriter and academic

Lyneham High School, University of Canberra, Australian National University

Rachel Perkins – Director, producer and screenwriter

Melrose Primary School (now closed)

Tanzeal Rahim – Director and writer

University of Canberra

Helen Razer – Radio presenter and writer

Weston Creek High School (closed, now part of Mount Stromlo High School), Narrabundah College

Richard Roxburgh – Actor

Australian National University

Ben Snow – Visual Effects, Writer, Director

Narrabundah College, University of Canberra

James Wan – Director

Lake Tuggeranong College

Mia Wasikowska – Actor

Cook Primary School (now closed), Ainslie Primary School, Canberra High School

Kirsty Webeck – Comedian

Mt Stromlo High School, Narrabundah College, University of Canberra

Sara Zwangobani – Actor

Cook Primary School (now closed), Hawker College

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BOOKS AND NEWS

Bettina Arndt – Journalist

Australian National University

Cynthia Banham – Journalist and academic

Australian National University

Rosemary Church – International news anchor

University of Canberra

Morris Gleitzman – Author

Canberra College of Advanced Education (now the University of Canberra)

Irma Gold – Author and podcaster

University of Canberra

Stan Grant – Journalist and author

Australian National University

Emma Grey – Author

Garran Primary School, University of Canberra, Australian National University, Canberra Institute of Technology

Marion Halligan – Author

Australian National University. Marian also taught English at Canberra High School.

Sonya Heaney – Author

Melrose High School, University of Canberra

Jack Heath – Author

Lyneham High School, Narrabundah College

Ingrid Jonach – Author

University of Canberra

Emma Macdonald – Journalist

North Ainslie Primary School, University of Canberra

Andrew Marlton aka First Dog on the Moon – Cartoonist

Yarralumla Primary School

Karen Middleton – Journalist

Belconnen High School, Hawker College

Garth Nix – Author

Turner Primary School, Lyneham High School, Dickson College

Dan O’Malley – Author

Garran Primary School

Sarah Oakes – Editor and Journalist

University of Canberra

Debra Oswald – Screenwriter and author

Australian National University

Stephanie Owen Reeder – Author

University of Canberra

Jamila Rizvi – Author and journalist

Lyneham High School, Hawker College

Brendan Shanahan – Author and journalist

Narrabundah College, Australian National University

Kimberley Starr – Author

Garran Primary School

Gabrielle Tozer – Author and Journalist

University of Canberra

Karen Viggers – Author and vet

Australian National University

Sam Vincent – Author and journalist

University of Canberra

Amanda Whitley – HerCanberra founder

University of Canberra

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SPORTS

Suzy Batkovic – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Darren Beadman – Jockey

Garran Primary School, Lyneham High School

Michael Bevan – Cricketer

Stirling College (became part of Canberra College)

Abby Bishop – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Justin Blumfield – AFL player

Melrose High School

Andrew Bogut – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Edwina Bone – Hockey player

University of Canberra

Caroline Buchanan – BMX and mountain bike rider

Duffy Primary School, Lanyon High School, Erindale College

Liz Cambage – Basketballer

UC SSC Lake Ginninderra (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Bradley Clyde – Rugby league player

Hawker College

Matthew Dellavedova – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Brennon Dowrick – Gymnast

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra), University of Canberra

Danté Exum – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Linley Frame – Swimmer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

George Gregan – Rugby union player

University of Canberra

Aaron Hamill – AFL player

Fadden Primary School, Melrose High School, Phillip College (became part of Canberra College)

Lincoln Hall – Mountain climber

Telopea Park School, Australian National University

Shane Heal – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

James Hird – AFL player

Ainslie Primary School

Andrew Illie – Tennis player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Joe Ingles – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Lauren Jackson – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Stephen Larkham – Rugby Union player and coach

Australian National University

Scott Miller – Swimmer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Patty Mills – Basketballer

Lanyon High School, UC SSC Lake Ginninderra

Joanne Morgan – Netballer and coach

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Cameron Myers – Athlete

UC SSC Lake Ginninderra

Lucas Neill – Soccer player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Rennae Stubbs – Tennis player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Petria Thomas – Swimmer and Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra), University of Canberra

Marianna Tolo – Basketballer

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Emily Van Egmond – Soccer player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Mark Viduka – Soccer player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Todd Woodbridge – Tennis player and commentator

Lyneham High School, Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Ned Zelic – Soccer player

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

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MUSIC

Peter Blakeley – Singer and songwriter

Hughes Primary School

Peter Casey – Musical director

Cook Primary School (now closed)

Matt Cooper, Matt Parkitny, Alex Pearson, Joel Tyrrell, Trenton Woodley – Hands Like Houses band members

Melba High School and Copland College (amalgamated to become Melba Copland Secondary School) and Canberra High School between them

Martin Craft – Sidewinder band member

Narrabundah College

Cameron Emerson-Elliott, Toby Martin – Youth Group band members

Narrabundah College

Frank Gambale – Guitarist

Canberra High School

Peter Garrett – Midnight Oil band member and former politician

Australian National University

Adam Hyde, Reuben Styles – Peking Duk band members

Lyneham High School and Dickson College between them

Hayley Jensen – Singer and songwriter

Australian National University, University of Canberra

Steven Kilbey – The Church band member

Lyneham High School

Lisa Moore – Pianist

Telopea Park School

Tim Omaji aka Timomatic – Singer, songwriter and dancer

Narrabundah College

Tim Rogers – Musician, You Am I band member

Australian National University

Sally Whitwell – Classical pianist and composer

Australian National University

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AND STILL MORE

Jess Cochrane – Artist

Mt Stromlo High School

Stefania Ferrario – Activist and model

Telopea Park School, Narrabundah College

Rosalie Gascoigne – Artist

Australian National University

Bob Hawke – Former Prime Minister of Australia

Australian National University

Tziporah Malkah (formerly Kate Fischer) – Model and actress

Narrabundah College

Sam Mostyn – Current Governor General of Australia

South Curtin Primary School (became Curtin Primary School), Woden Valley High School (became part of Alfred Deakin High School), Narrabundah College

Hetti Perkins – Art curator, writer and activist

Melrose Primary School (now closed)

Patricia Piccinini – Artist

Narrabundah College

Sam Prince – Zambreros founder, entrepreneur and doctor

Lake Ginninderra College (now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra)

Kevin Rudd – former Prime Minister of Australia

Australian National University

Gough Whitlam – Former Prime Minister of Australia

Telopea Park School

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A COUPLE OF NOTABLE MENTIONS FROM OVER THE BORDER

David Campese – Rugby Union player and commentator

Queanbeyan High School

Mark Webber – Formula One driver and commentator

Isabella Street Primary School, Karabar High School

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ENROL YOUR CHILD IN AN ACT SCHOOL

Today, more than 50,000 students are enrolled across the ACT’s 92 public schools.

To find a school or enrol your child, visit the ACT Education website.

To apply for university in Canberra, you’ll typically apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly to the university.

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Read more like this

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Source: Airservices Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today released a consultation paper on proposed guidance for the Australian Clearing and Settlement (CS) Facility Resolution Regime.

In September 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024. This amended the Corporations Act 2001 to provide the RBA with crisis resolution powers with respect to domestically incorporated clearing and settlement (CS) facilities. These powers enable the RBA to manage or respond to a threat posed to the continuity of critical CS facility services or the stability of the financial system in Australia arising in relation to a domestic CS facility licensee.

The RBA has developed draft guidance to provide transparency about when and how the RBA would generally expect to use these resolution powers. It aims to assist CS facilities, their users, market operators and other stakeholders to understand the RBA’s general approach to resolution and the potential effects on them if the RBA decides to use a resolution power.

The RBA is inviting submissions on this consultation from interested parties by 11 August 2025. Following the consultation, the RBA will publish the finalised guidance.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

North-West woman charged with drug trafficking

Monday, 30 June 2025 – 3:45 pm.

A 36-year-old woman from Tasmania’s North-West has been charged with drug trafficking after her arrest near Ulverstone.
Police allege the woman had 140 grams of methamphetamine (ice) in the vehicle she was driving.
The quantity of drugs seized is equivalent to about 1400 ‘street deals’.
The drugs were found during a search of the vehicle by officers from the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit, after police had intercepted the car on the Bass Highway, near Ulverstone, last Friday.
The woman has been charged with one count each of trafficking in a controlled drug, possess a controlled drug, and unlicensed driving and has been bailed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on October 6.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force, Northern Domestic Violence Investigation Unit has charged a 57-year-old male following reports of domestic violence in May and across last week.

In relation to matters that occurred between 26 and 28 June 2025, the male was charged with three counts of Breach Domestic Violence Order.

The male has also been charged with Aggravated Assault and Breach Domestic Violence Order for an incident that occurred on 23 May 2025, and the same charges again for an incident that occurred on 21 May 2025.

He is remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today and investigations remain ongoing.

The female victim remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. Investigations remain ongoing into the cause of the female’s injuries.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (131 114).

Source: South Australia Police

Work will soon begin on the final stage of upgrades to Rotary Park Play Space, making the much-loved local park even more accessible, fun and family-friendly.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting the community to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 at a special Flag Raising featuring a Dja Dja Wurrung Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 10am, Monday July 7 in the Bendigo Library Gardens.

This year’s National NAIDOC Week will take place from July 6 to 13.  2025 marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

In Greater Bendigo a range of local activities will take including the Knuldoorong Art Exhibition 2025 which will launch at 5pm on Thursday July 3 at Dudley House in View Street.  The exhibition will continue on Friday July 4 to Sunday July 13 from 11am to 4pm.

The Knuldoorong Art Exhibition showcases a range of artworks and pieces from First Nations artists and creatives.  It includes paintings, weaving and jewellery with all artwork available for purchase.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the City will also light up the Rosalind Park Conservatory in Pall Mall to acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week.

“NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Cr Metcalf said.

“It is also a great opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the oldest continuing cultures on the planet,

“I encourage residents to come along to the annual flag raising in the Library Garden  and help celebrate this important annual event.”

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Types of NFP organisations

For tax purposes, the main types of not-for-profits (NFPs) are:

• charities
• NFPs that self-assess as income tax exempt
• taxable NFPs.

Depending on the type of NFP, your organisation may be eligible for a range of tax concessions. Tax concessions include:

• income tax exemption
• fringe benefits tax and GST concessions, and
• deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.

NFPs (including charities) are organisations that operate for purpose and not for the profit or gain (either direct or indirect) of individual members. All profits must go back into the services the organisation provides and must not be distributed to members, even if the organisation winds up. They can include:

• art centres
• church schools
• churches
• community child care centres
• cultural organisations
• environmental protection organisations
• neighbourhood associations
• public museums and libraries
• scholarship funds
• scientific organisations
• scouts
• sports clubs
• surf lifesaving clubs
• traditional service clubs.

Governing documents

NFPs are required to maintain governing documents that demonstrate they operate on a NFP basis, including organisations that self-assess their income tax exemption. They must have and include clauses that prevent the NFP from distributing income or assets to members, both while it operates and when it winds up.

Is your organisation a charity?

Generally, charities are eligible for more concessions than other NFPs. Charities must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and endorsed by us to access charity tax concessions.

To be a charity, your organisation must:

• be a not-for-profit organisation
• have a charitable purpose
• be for the public benefit (other than where the charitable purpose is the relief of poverty).

Examples of charities include:

• religious groups
• not-for-profit aged care homes
• homeless shelters
• disability service organisations
• universities and colleges
• animal welfare organisations
• artistic or cultural groups.

Charities can be further broken down into the following types:

PBIs and HPCs receive wider tax concessions than other charities. Religious institutions that are registered with the ACNC for the charity subtype ‘advancing religion’ may be entitled to access additional tax concessions.

More information on what is a charity is available on the ACNC websiteExternal Link.

Taxable NFPs and NFPs that aren’t charities

Some NFP organisations that aren’t charities are able to self-assess as income tax exempt if they fall into one of the 8 categories outlined in Division 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997). NFPs that seek to advance the common interest of their members and don’t benefit the broader community won’t generally meet the requirements for income tax exemption.

If your organisation is eligible to self-assess, it doesn’t need to be endorsed by us to access the concession.

NFP organisations that are not eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt are taxable, but may be entitled to special rules for calculating taxable income, lodging income tax returns and special rates of tax.

Taxable NFP organisations may have to lodge an income tax return or notify us that one is not necessary.

Deductible gift recipients and NFPs

Some charities, clubs, societies and associations are also deductible gift recipients (DGRs).

DGRs are organisations that are entitled to receive tax-deductible gifts. DGRs are either:

• endorsed by us
• listed by name in the tax law.

Tax deductions for gifts are claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift. Gifts are also referred to as donations.

To be entitled to receive tax-deductible donations, an organisation (including a charity) must be a DGR.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The east coast gas supply outlook for 2025 and 2026 has deteriorated despite an easing in gas prices in the second half of 2024, according to the ACCC’s latest gas inquiry report, released today.

The report finds that there is a risk of shortfall in the fourth quarter of 2025 and throughout 2026 if Queensland LNG producers export all uncontracted gas.

It is expected that southern states will need to continually rely on gas from Queensland as their local reserves deplete.

There is no change to the medium-term outlook, with structural shortfalls on the east coast still projected from 2028 unless new gas supply is brought online.

“Gas prices eased over the past 6 months, reflecting movements in international prices and an increase in market activity following implementation of the Gas Code,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“However, prices continue to be higher than pre-2022 levels. Concerningly, supply into the domestic market has fallen since that time and gas is increasingly being sold on a short-term basis, posing challenges for gas users who need longer-term certainty for their businesses.”

“Gas policy in recent years has largely been directed towards the LNG producers to ensure that their uncontracted gas is available in the short term to avert domestic shortfalls,” Ms Brakey said.

“For long-term energy security and affordability, however, it is critical to address underlying barriers to more efficient investment in domestic supply.”

There are sufficient gas reserves and resources to meet projected domestic demand for at least the next decade, but these are yet to be developed due to a combination of policy, technical and commercial factors.

Long-standing impediments to the development of east coast gas reserves by a diversity of suppliers need to be addressed, the report recommends.

The report finds that Queensland’s gas reserves and resources, which are substantially held by the LNG producers, will be key to meeting the needs of the east coast gas market.

The report examines individual Queensland LNG producers’ export operations and their role in the domestic market given each of the LNG producers’ different gas holdings and impacts on the domestic market.

The report also includes preliminary observations on how the market has responded to regulatory changes implemented since 2022-23.

“The information in the June report will enable stakeholders to make more informed decisions in response to the most recent forecasts of the east coast’s supply-demand balance,” Ms Brakey said.

“The report also provides a robust evidence base to support informed engagement by the market, government and the public on policy decisions and regulation, including in respect of the upcoming Government Gas Market Review in the context of continuing concerns about the adequacy of gas production and the efficiency of the east coast gas market,” Ms Brakey said.

The supply outlook for 2025 and 2026 has deteriorated

The short-term supply outlook for the east coast has deteriorated since the December 2024 report as some key producers have downgraded their production forecasts. The ACCC now expects between a 2 petajoules (PJ) shortfall and an 11 PJ surplus in the fourth quarter of 2025.

There is a risk of shortfall throughout 2026 if the Queensland LNG producers export all their uncontracted gas. Refilling gas storage facilities over summer, when gas demand is typically lower, will be essential to meeting demand in the southern states next year, particularly for the winter months.

The June inquiry report includes the supply outlooks for the Queensland LNG producers.

“The LNG exporters are the only producers with discretion to either export their uncontracted gas, or supply it into the domestic market, so understanding what can affect this ‘swing gas’ and the decisions they could make about gas will be necessary for consideration of options to manage shortfall risks and for effective policy responses,” Ms Brakey said.

Forecast east coast supply-demand balance in Q4 2025 and 2026 (PJ)

Source:  ACCC analysis of data obtained from gas producers and of AEMO’s 2025 GSOO domestic demand forecast (Step Change scenario).

Note:   Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Prices have continued to decrease but remain higher than previous years

Prices offered by producers and retailers showed a moderate decline over the second half of 2024. This continues the trend observed since the peak of the 2022 energy crisis and is consistent with changes in international prices and domestic supply-demand conditions.

Prices offered by producers to retailers for 2025 supply averaged $13.34 per gigajoule (GJ) between June and December 2024; a 10 per cent decrease from the previous six months. Retailer offers to commercial and industrial (C&I) users over this period fell by seven per cent to $14.34 per GJ. Offers for 2026 supply fell by seven per cent over the same period for both producers and retailers.

However, market activity was lower, with fewer offers being made during the second half of 2024 compared to the first half of that year. Gas volumes contracted under long-term Gas Supply Agreements over this period remained below pre-2022 levels.

Background

In 2017, the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry to improve transparency of the gas market in Australia and support its efficient operation, and to monitor gas supply. On 25 October 2022, the Government announced the extension of the ACCC’s gas inquiry role through to 2030.

The ACCC’s next interim report is scheduled for September 2025.