Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Experience a taste of France in Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Flute is one of Canberra’s French-style cafes. Image: VisitCanberra

If the 2024 Olympic Games have you wishing you were in Paris enjoying everything France has to offer, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your French fix here in Canberra!

From visiting a delicious French café, to pretending you’re cycling in the Tour de France, find some French inspiration right here.

Visit a French café

Canberra is home to many French cafes that will serve you up a French macaroon, eclair and more! Dive headfirst into sweet treats from the following venues:

Dine at a French Restaurant

Feeling a bit fancy? Enjoy various French meals and dishes at one of Canberra’s French-inspired restaurants. You may still be in Canberra but your taste buds will take a trip to France.

Learn French

Bonjour, au revoir, merci. Did you know over 30 per cent of English words come from the French language? Even if you aren’t planning a trip to France, learning a new language can challenge your mind and even enhance your memory and problem-solving skills.

Alliance Francaise has a French course for all levels and ages. You can book for a one-on-one class, young learners or adult classes all with different levels and experiences.

Canberra Institute of Technology also provides French language courses and will teach you speaking, listening, reading and writing. You’ll learn the basics of French as well as appropriate sociocultural knowledge and sensitivity.

Head to a French art exhibition

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao is on display at the National Gallery of Australia from 29 June 2024 until 7 October 2024. Explore French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s art and controversial legacy through talks, programs, films and his collection of works, plus artwork from contemporary artists from the Pacific.

The Alliance Francaise also has a gallery of its own. French, Francophiles and Australian artists alike are invited to display their work on the Alliance’s exhibition rooms.

Enrol in a French cooking class

Learn to whip up delicious French cuisine in the comfort of your own home. You can learn online or in person and wow your friends and family at your next dinner party.

The French Cooking Academy allows you to boost your kitchen skills right at home. You’ll learn about iconic French flavours, authentic recipes and upskill your cooking.

Make your own Tour de France

The Tour de France is iconic in France and would be a great way to see the country, but unfortunately in Canberra you need to watch from afar. Instead, why not create your own Tour de France right here and explore Canberra by bike? There are many bike paths throughout the city with tracks available for beginners all the way to advanced cyclists.

Catch Olympic fever at the AIS

No Paris? No problem. Head over to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena for the full Olympic experience. The AIS will host two watch parties for the Olympic Games, where visitors are invited to relax on a bean bag and watch the Games on the big screens. You can also head along to the AIS Visitor Centre to watch the Channel 9 broadcast of the Games. It will be screening until 11 September.

For more information, read the Our Canberra story.

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More rentals coming to Canberra’s Inner North

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The site is located close to the light rail and the city centre.

The ACT Government has sold its first dedicated Build-to-Rent site.

Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the site in Turner with Cedar Pacific. At least 270 dwellings will occupy the site in Canberra’s Northbourne Avenue corridor. At least 40 of these homes must be affordable rentals.

The site is Block 3 Section 57 and is 7,068m2. It is close to public transport, shops and services.

The ACT Government released the site in October 2022 with the developer to pursue an innovative build-to-rent model.

The initiative means there will be more homes for Canberrans, and more affordable homes for those that need them. It will give tenants longer term security.

The release of this land is among a range of measures to improve the number, choice and affordability of homes in Canberra. These measures will meet the needs of our growing population, which is on track to reach half-a-million people by 2027.

The ACT Government is also supporting community housing providers to deliver Build-to-Rent projects with an affordable rental component as part of its $80 million Affordable Housing Project Fund.

Build-to-Rent is part of the ACT Housing Strategy 2018-2028.

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Work begins on Phillip oval upgrades

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The first stage of work includes construction of a new standalone community sports pavilion. (Artist’s impression)

Construction has begun on the first stage of upgrades to the Phillip District Enclosed Oval.

The first sod has been turned on the oval, located on the corner of Ainsworth Street and Albermarle Place.

The project’s first stage will be a new standalone community sports pavilion. There will also be extra car parking spaces.

Local construction company Projex Building Group will deliver this first stage.

Further work will also begin soon. These will include:

  • LED sportsground lighting
  • a new storage shed
  • general oval upgrade works (new irrigation system and new turf wicket)
  • refurbishing the existing Michael O’Connor Grandstand.

The project is due to be finished in mid-2025.

The upgrades will meet the growing needs of local sporting groups. Woden Valley residents can also use the oval to meet and play different sports.

The ACT Government engaged with community and sporting groups to develop the designs.

Canberra Royals Rugby is one of many sporting groups that will benefit from the upgrades. “This is a fantastic outcome for all involved,” President of Canberra Royals Rugby Union Club Dr Jim Taylor said.

The upgrades will bring the oval into line with other high-quality enclosed government sportsgrounds across the ACT.

For further details about the project, including details of the community consultation process, visit the YourSay website.

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Do you know the next ACT Australian of the Year?

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The 2023 ACT Australians of the Year: Caitlin Figueiredo, Joanne Farrell, Ebenezer Banful OAM, and Selina Walker

When you hear the phrase “ACT Australian of the Year”, what do you think of?

If it’s a lifelong successful career with a long list of awards, you may have the wrong idea.

According to Lily Harrison, this is a common misunderstanding.

Lily Harrison was a member of the selection panel for last year’s ACT Australian of the Year Awards. She is also the former Co-Chair of the ACT Youth Advisory Council.

“We really limit our opportunities to celebrate young Australians if we look for a long-term and decorated commitment to the community, rather than for genuine interest and involvement,” she said.

“Naming a recipient can be about recognising and encouraging young people who are active in their community, passionate about something and who have potential.”

Lily read through many nominations last year. She said that her favourite ones to read were for people who didn’t have any awards or titles.

“People who weren’t having a national reach, but who had identified a need specific to their community and were using their particular skill set to respond to that need,” she said.

Nominations close on 31 July 2024. Now is the time to nominate the people in your life who inspire you.

Lily said reading the nominations was her favourite part of being on last year’s panel. Some were from people who loved their grandparent or friend. Others were on behalf of highly accomplished professionals.

“Both were heartening to read and, collectively, the nominations described a community of Canberrans who are passionate, innovative, showing up and making a difference,” she said.

It only takes one nomination for an individual to be considered for the award.

“Regardless of whether someone is named as recipient, or not, knowing someone has noticed their work and taken the time to write a nomination, can be a really rewarding acknowledgment and source of encouragement,” Lily said.

Lily suggests including both the tangible and intangible elements of a nominee.

“The nominations where you could really tell how much the nominee cares about the work they’re doing and how much they are valued by their community were, to me, so much more powerful than those with an enormous number of attached documents and links to news articles,” she said.

“That being said, if you’re nominating them for something like their fundraising or their skill in organising a particular event, be specific about how much money they raised and the number of people who attended. It can be hard to name someone as a recipient if they sound really wonderful but you’re ultimately unsure what it is they’ve achieved.”

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Construction starts on Garden City Cycleway

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The route will help make it easier for Canberrans to choose active travel.

Work has begun on a new active transport route that will better connect the suburbs of the inner north with the city.

The Garden City Cycleway will reduce traffic congestion and shape a liveable, sustainable city.

The cycleway will be positioned east of Northbourne Avenue. It will run through:

  • Watson
  • Downer
  • Hackett
  • Dickson
  • Ainslie
  • Braddon.

It will then join with Canberra’s main cycling network on Bunda and Allara streets.

It will mirror the highly used Sullivans Creek path on the western side of Northbourne Avenue.

The first stage of works will be a new cycleway from Cooyong Street in Braddon through to Angas Street in Ainslie.

The first part of construction will be along Torrens Street. There will be a four-metre-wide concrete walking and cycling path in the eastern verge of Torrens Street. It will run from Cooyong Street to Henty Street. There will also be a three-metre-wide path continuing from Henty Street to Ijong Street in Braddon.

The existing concrete path will be removed and replaced. Six new raised concrete zebra crossings will also be constructed along the route for safe passage.

The $10 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments. Each is committing $5 million.

Procurement is underway for the next two construction packages. These will include works along:

  • Torrens Street
  • Ijong Street and
  • Angas Street.

These works include new traffic lights at the intersection of Limestone Avenue and Ijong Street.

Construction of the first package along Torrens Street between Cooyong and Ipma Street is expected to take around seven months to complete. It is expected to be open for use in early 2025.

For more information, visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au/Infrastructure-Projects.

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Smiley face signs support safety around schools

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

New radar speed check signs are being trialled as schools return for a new term.

New smiley face speed check signs are being trialled as schools return for term 3.

Motorists can expect to see the new signs at some ACT schools.

They will light up with a smiley face when a vehicle drives at or below the speed limit.

If a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the LED sign will show a sad face.

The ACT Government has used the smiley face signs before and they have proven successful in slowing drivers down.

It is hoped the signs will remind Canberrans to drive carefully and keep kids safe.

“The 40km/h school zone is important because it gives motorists extra time to stop in an unexpected situation,” Road Policing’s Detective Sergeant Sean Evans said.

“If everyone abides by the road rules and takes a few extra seconds when driving through school zones, children will arrive and leave school safely.”

These radar speed check signs are not speed cameras. They instead alert motorists in real time if they are adhering to the speed limit.

The signs are for information only. They do not record any vehicle information.

Mobile speed cameras will continue monitoring school zones across the ACT.

Parking safely around schools

The ACT Government will also target illegal parking around schools, as well as sporting events and sportsgrounds.

Both licence plate recognition vans and parking inspectors will be out in force.

“Students are some of our most vulnerable road users and it is critical that motorists driving and parking in school zones understand the importance of abiding by the speed limits and parking legally to keep students safe.” Access Canberra’s Emily Springett said.

“A key area of focus will continue to be ‘line of sight offences’ and ‘parking in no stopping zones’ which can present a danger to students crossing the road.”

Anyone parking dangerously or illegally can expect to receive a fine. These range from $132 to over $640.

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Your guide to Tuggeranong’s best public art

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Moth Ascending the Capital is one of Tuggeranong’s most iconic public artworks.

Canberra is lucky enough to be home to many art galleries and museums. However, there are pockets of amazing outdoor art sprinkled all over the city.

Tuggeranong is no exception. Here are some of the amazing artworks you can see right in your own neighbourhood:

Tuggeranong Pumphouse

Artist: Dai Cameron and AJ
Location: Cowlishaw Street, Greenway 

The artists taught aerosol painting skills to Tuggeranong College students while completing this artwork. It features freshwater cray from the nearby lake and inspiration from nature in the area.

The piece is also inspired by graffiti styles from the legal graffiti wall scene that started in the late 1990s to early 2000s in Canberra. The style is a mashup of a style of fast graffiti called future funk.

Find out more about Dai Cameron.

Unnamed mural

Artist: David Cragg
Location: Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club, 101 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway

This mural is one of three painted at the Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club. Artist David Cragg mentored a group of ‘silver sprayers’ (older artists), from the Seniors Centre to paint the walls. The artwork depicts eye-catching local wildlife with mountain ranges in the distance.

To see more of David’s work, check out his Instagram .

Platypus Story toilet block

Artist: Kristie Peters
Location: Mortimer Lewis Drive, Greenway

Local Wiradjuri artist Kristie Peters digitally designed this mural.

The vinyl wrap mural depicts our native platypus. Kristie says, the platypus represents individuality and encourages our community to be unique.

See more of Kristie’s work here.

Unnamed mural

Artist: Geoff Filmer
Location: Kambah ACT Government depot, Chirnside Circuit, Kambah

Artist Geoff Filmer depicts a blend of fauna and flora painted at the Kambah depot. The work incorporates earthy colours which invites viewers to appreciate the detailed fauna and flora, like the cockatoo.

To see more of David’s work, check out his Instagram.

Firestorm Story Tree

Artist: Bryan Carrick and Mount Taylor Estate community
Location: Between Ammonn and Bolden Places, off Sulwood Drive, Kambah

This artwork was carved on one of the trees that was left standing after the 18 January 2003 firestorm. It’s a symbol of the community’s spirit and resilience.

Find out more.

Kambah Sheep

Artist: Matthew Harding
Location: Kambah Village Shopping Centre, corner of Drakeford Drive and Marconi Crescent, Kambah

This work includes not only sheep, but also:

  • Christmas beetles
  • a sheep dog
  • hardwood poles inlaid and marked with found farmyard objects.

Artist Matthew Harding was inspired by the rural history of the area.

Find out more.

Moth Ascending the Capital

Artist: Alexander Knox
Location: Drakeford Drive median at Summerland and O’Halloran Circuits, Kambah

Alexander Knox designed this sculpture to represent a bogong moth bursting into flight.

Find out more.

Gathering Place

Artist: Wellspring with Brian Carrick
Location: Mortimer Lewis Drive, East Tuggeranong Lake

Gathering Place is part of a recreational and ceremonial place. The creators intended the space to encourage reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the region.

Find out more.

We Are Fishes

Artist: Andrew Townsend
Location: Corner of Reed and Cowlishaw Streets, Tuggeranong

This is a pair of fishes that swim in the air between Tuggeranong Arts Centre and Lake Tuggeranong. The sculpture is made from a pair of wind vanes.

Find out more.

Decollete

Artist: Michael Le Grand
Location: Manning Clark Offices, Tuggeranong

This is another nautical-themed work reflecting the design of Tuggeranong Arts Centre. This sculpture was intended to be at entrance to the Centre. Following changes to the entryway, Decollete moved to its current location.

Find out more.

Angel Wings

Artist: Phil Price
Location: Corner of Soward Way and Drakeford Drive, Tuggeranong

This 10-metre-tall sculpture features aerodynamic wings that move in response to the wind. The sculptor described it as a celebration of being alive.

Find out more.

Discover more public art in Canberra or find street art and graffiti in your area .

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Become someone’s hero this DonateLife Week

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Heather and her husband, Steve, are enormously grateful for Heather’s second chance at life.

Ainslie artist Heather Aspinall knows what it’s like to benefit from another’s generous act.

This DonateLife Week – Sunday 28 July to Sunday 4 August – she shares her story to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Heather’s journey

In 2018, Heather was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition.

“Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency (AATD) is a condition that usually affects the lungs, but in some people causes irreparable liver damage (cirrhosis),” Heather said.

“It took a few months for it to sink in that I was, in fact, dying and that transplant was my only chance to survive.”

In the years following her diagnosis, Heather was extremely unwell.

She had to have large amounts of fluid drained weekly from her abdomen. She was also treated for aneurysms.

While on the transplant list, Heather and her husband, Steve, waited patiently for ‘the call’.

It came in January 2023. A donor liver was available.

“In many ways I struggled a lot with the idea that someone else would have to die for me to live and that I did not feel worthy of all that sacrifice and effort,” she said.

“There is no greater gift, nothing more generous than to save another person’s life with the gift of your organs or tissue.”

Life post-transplant

Eighteen months on and Heather’s health continues to improve gradually.

“Before the transplant my life was basically being a full-time medical patient,” she said.

“I am feeling much better than I used to. I’m walking up to 3km a day and looking forward to being able to return to dance classes and ice-skating soon.

“My adult son is getting married later this year and every part of me is grateful that I will be alive to see it and be there for him to share in his joy and happiness. One day soon I hope to be able to hold a grandchild in my arms and know how precious life is to be able to do so.”

A second chance at life

Four in five Australians say they support organ donation, however, only 27 per cent of Canberrans have registered their wishes on the Australian Organ Donor Register, which is below the national average.

Heather urges everybody to register during DonateLife Week.

“It is such an easy way to become somebody’s hero! You don’t need to be a superhero, just a kind person with a generous heart (maybe literally!),” she said.

“Every day, there are many occasions when I have to think to myself, I’m here because of the grace, kindness and generosity of my donor and their family, and whisper ‘thank you, donor’ to myself.”

Register now

It only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or with three taps on Express Plus Medicare app.

Heather before (left) and after her transplant.

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Sustainable Household Scheme saves Canberrans millions

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) has generated over $46.9 million in savings for Canberrans.

The ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) has generated over $46.9 million in savings for Canberrans.

The SHS provides zero-interest loans to help with the costs of energy-efficient upgrades.

Since it began in July 2021, savings have been achieved through products including:

  • rooftop solar systems
  • batteries
  • ceiling insulation
  • replacement of gas or inefficient electric appliances with efficient electric appliances.

The SHS has also supported Canberrans to buy electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The upgrades are resulting in energy bill and fuel cost savings.

The Sustainable Household Scheme

Through the SHS, eligible Canberrans have access to up to $15,000 in zero-interest loans.

Loans can be used on a range of energy-efficient upgrades, such as:

  • efficient heating and cooling
  • cooktops and hot water systems
  • solar panels
  • battery storage
  • electric vehicles
  • ceiling insulation.

Savings across Canberra

New data shows the approximate spread of these savings across the ACT.

Tuggeranong leads the way with $12.3 million saved on bills so far.

  • Tuggeranong: $12.3m
  • Belconnen: $12.2m
  • Gungahlin: $10.1m
  • Canberra Central: $3.4m
  • Weston Creek: $3.1m
  • Woden: $3.1m
  • Molonglo: $2.3m
  • Rest of ACT: $0.3m

Rooftop solar is particularly popular. Approximately 58 per cent of solar installations in the ACT since the start of the SHS used an SHS loan.

Reducing costs and emissions

The SHS has approved over $225 million in loans and supported the installation of over 19,000 sustainable upgrades since it began.

This not only saves households money on energy bills, but it also helps reduce the territory’s emissions.

The SHS contributes to the ACT achieving a sustainable, resilient future, with a target of net zero emissions by 2045.

It is a key part of the Government’s strategy to lower emissions and tackle climate change, while supporting ACT homes to reduce power bills and growing jobs in the region’s renewable energy industry.

Find out more about the SHS at climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/sustainable-household-scheme

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Call for information – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is continuing to call for information in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday.

Police are interested in speaking to the occupants of the pictured vehicle, which was seen in the area at the time of the alleged assault.

Police do not believe the vehicle’s occupants were involved in the incident, but believe they can assist with ongoing enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500036419. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.