12 March 2026

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FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Nick Samaras

EDITOR Vincent Samaras news@newstimemedia.com.au

Alan Biddle

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3/21 Albany St, Fyshwick ACT 2609

to celebrate culture and community for Harmony Day

South Canberra will come alive with colour, music and dance later this month as South.Point Shopping Centre hosts a Harmony Day celebration designed to bring cultures together in the heart of the community.

The celebration, to be held on Saturday 21 March between 11am and 2pm in Centre Court, will include a multicultural concert, activities for kids, and a colourful parade through the shopping centre.

For South.Point Marketing Manager Carole Arulantu, the event is about far more than entertainment; it is about the function of the shopping centre as a meeting place for the local community.

“Harmony Day is a celebration of diverse cultures,” she says. “It’s something that’s very big in schools across Australia, but as a shopping centre we also want to embrace that diversity and bring the community together to celebrate.”

Since she joined the centre seven months ago, Carole says she has come to realise the importance

of the centre as a hub in the Canberra south community.

“What I’ve realised after being here is that South. Point is very much a community hub and everything we do, we like it to be community-related as well.”

The Harmony Day celebration is part of that broader vision of creating meaningful experiences within the centre.

The event will feature performances from seven cultural groups, strategically programmed in association with Fair Canberra, showcasing the richness and diversity of Canberra’s multicultural community.

Audiences can expect a lively program of dance and music, featuring Indian traditional dance, Chinese dance, Pacific Islands dance, Greek dance, Nepalese dance and Brazilian Samba dance . One of the highlights of the program is expected to be an African choir.

“The African voices are going to bring the whole building down,” Carole says. “They’re going to sound

absolutely beautiful.”

For many residents in Canberra’s south, she says events like this provide an opportunity to experience cultural performances closer to home.

“A lot of people here would normally have to drive into the city to attend the annual National Multicultural Festival,” she says.

Instead, South.Point is aiming to bring that spirit of celebration directly to the southern community.

“In collaboration with Fair Canberra, we will be bringing multiculturalism and global culture to the deep south”, says Carole.

Alongside the stage performances, families attending the event can also take part in a range of free hands-on cultural activities for children.

Three community groups will host craft tables where kids can learn traditional techniques from di erent cultures.

for a finale before taking part in a colourful parade through the centre.

The procession will travel through South.Point so that visitors and retailers across the centre can experience the celebration.

For Carole, Harmony Day also carries a powerful message about inclusion and understanding.

“I hope people take away respect and inclusivity,” she says.

“We’re bringing multiculturalism to the deep south”

The Pacific Islands community will teach children how to make decorative garlands and potentially grass skirts, while another activity will focus on Chinese lantern making.

Members of the Thai community will also be running a craft activity where children can create hibiscus flowers using nylon fabric.

“It’s really about community engagement at its best,” Carole says.

At the conclusion of the performances, all participating cultural groups will return to the stage

“In Australia, we readily embrace di erent cultures and communities. At a time when there’s so much conflict happening around the world, this is when we come together.”

“As Australians we care, we include and we respect. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Harmony Day celebration was also shaped by feedback from the community.

With a background in tourism and events, Carole says she wanted to better understand what visitors were hoping to see at the centre.

“We went out with a small survey and asked people what they would like to see in this space,” she says. “One of the things we heard was to bring mini multicultural events into the centre.”

While the Harmony Day concert will run for three hours, it is also part of a much bigger plan.

In the future, South.Point hopes to expand these cultural celebrations beyond the shopping centre

itself and into the surrounding local precinct.

“Down the track, we aim to execute festivals on Anketell Street including Indian, Chinese, Greek, Pacific Islands and African festivals,” she says.

With Canberra’s population continuing to grow and diversify, she says the Harmony Day celebration and any future events are an opportunity for communities to connect, learn and celebrate together.

“Canberra loves multiculturalism,” she says. “And we’re excited to bring these celebrations to the south and we welcome all of Canberra to join us.”

South.Point’s Harmony Day celebration takes place on Saturday 21 March from 11am to 2pm in Centre Court. Entry and all children’s activities are free.

A BUCKING GOOD TIME

AT SOUTH.POINT

Think you can last 8 seconds? hink

Ride the mechanical bull for your chance to win 1 of 10 family passes to the Yass Rodeo The first 50 registrations will receive a $25 The Stable Door gift voucher Sunday 22 March 11am to 3pm Centre Court Free to register Register at Concierge Must be 18+ to ride

Radio waves that rocked Canberra

by GEORGIA CURRY

Picture a young Peter Garrett with long blonde hair in his first year at ANU in the early ‘70s, who responds to a call-out for students to go on air at a brand new community radio station called 2XX.

Both Garrett and 2XX began public life at the height of political activism and this year our oldest community radio station turns 50, having survived conflict, criticism and even an arson attack.

The ANU campus (where 2XX began in 1976) was a far cry from today’s renovated and sanitised institution – it was a vibrant, grungy hub where both Garrett and 2XX cut their teeth on politics.

“I was a uni student in Canberra and I was in my first year doing arts and law, living on campus,” Garrett said. “The word went out, we need people to play music and the next thing you know I was playing my favourite music on 2XX and I’ve never forgotten it.”

[continued from page 8]

Over five decades, 2XX has faced its share of controversy, with complaints to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal that its content was “explicitly lesbian and homosexual propaganda”, to debates on the importance of feminism in broadcasting, or folk music versus punk.

A suspected act of arson in 1988 damaged the station’s transmitter (possibly related to the station’s anti-apartheid activism and boycott). Despite this, 2XX continued to express solidarity with the antiapartheid movement and was quickly back on air.

Back in its uni days, 2XX transmission only reached the ANU residences, but later, it extended out to Tuggeranong and a fair way down the Hume Highway before it dropped out. Today, it can be livestreamed (2xxfm.org.au), so 98.3FM now reaches the world.

Declan O’Connell, who’s worked with 2XX since 1991, said the radio station arrived at the right time to pick up niches that weren’t covered on the ABC

or commercial stations.

“It was very much part of a milieu at the time,” he said. “You think of the times, like 1976, the Whitlam government had been sacked just six months before that. John Kerr, the Governor General, every time he stepped on the campus there’d be protests. There was a lot of movement and student activism.”

Today, Canberra’s oldest community radio station is based at Civic’s Griffin Centre with three studios and digital sound.

A 2XX 50th anniversary exhibition that will include a recreation of the original studio will be held at CMAG from 6 June to 6 September. Stay tuned.

US and Israeli actions in Iran probably legal, but certainly morally sound

For the record, I certainly support the US/Israeli military actions against Iran. Whilst regime change would be a great result, even if the current war leaves the Iranian military and revolutionary guard neutered, it will be a good thing for the world and the long-suffering people of Iran. Albo has done the right thing supporting it.

Is it legal under international law? Funnily enough, it probably is.

Article 51 of the UN Charter (see Google) “recognises the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs

against a UN member, allowing force until the Security Council takes necessary measures.”

That’s a moot point, as China and Russia can always veto any Security Council resolution that may help the US and/or Israel. So, as Iran has attacked Israel and US troops in the Middle East on numerous occasions over the last three years, especially Israel using its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, the two good guys in all this seem well within their rights in responding how they have.

I am not going into any sort of detailed discussion on the war’s progress; suffice to say, there are already many obvious lessons from it as far as Australia is concerned. We already have, it seems, a real problem with diesel fuel supply and storage, so essential, especially in our rural areas, to ensure we all get fed. Fuel stocks are still far too low. They should be at least 90 days and not 34. We also need them to be stored in Australia, not the US. We only have two working fuel refineries.

“Dad isn’t ready for aged care”

We need to reopen the six we closed in the last six years and maybe build some more.

We need to urgently drill for more gas and open new fields and extend existing ones. I’m not sure if we can reopen old oil fields or even open a few new ones, but it would be great if we could.

Well done to our government for offering asylum to the brave Iranian women’s football team, who protested against their regime’s treatment of its own citizens by refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem last week. The regime has said these girls will probably be shot as traitors when they get home.

There is little other practical help we can give. We only have one available destroyer able to go there. Mind you, the useless Poms are no better — and their destroyer is still being repaired due to the dockworkers only being able to work 9 to 5 due to lack of defence funding.

In the meantime, here’s hoping this war will end soon and the people of Iran will be better off for it.

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.

Gold for the ACT at national tourism awards

by NICHOLAS FULLER

At the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Fremantle last week, Floriade 2024 won Gold in the Major Festivals and Events category; Questacon won the Major Tourist Attractions for the second year in a row; Alivio Tourist Park won Bronze in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category, receiving national honours for the third year in a row; and Shaw Estate won Bronze in the New Tourism Business category.

“These awards highlight the strength of our local tourism sector: a sector that contributes almost $8.5 million a day to our economy and represents one in every eight ACT businesses,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who is also Minister for Tourism and Trade, said.

“Floriade is one of Canberra’s most loved events. Last year’s Floriade was our biggest yet, and its success each year is a testament to the dedication of the organisers, volunteers, and

local partners who help bring this celebration of nature and culture to life.

“I would also like to congratulate Questacon on its significant back-to-back achievement, continuing to inspire curiosity and ignite a passion for science in visitors of all ages.”

Questacon said: “It is an honour to be recognised for inspiring and engaging our visitors with the wonders of science and technology. A big thank you to our amazing visitors, and dedicated staff and volunteers for your continued support!”

The ACT’s 16 recipients of the Canberra Region Tourism Awards in November 2025 were finalists in the national awards across a range of categories, representing local venues, events, institutions and attractions.

“Canberra’s tourism operators continue to achieve outstanding results,” Mr Barr said. “It is wonderful to see so many of them recognised at a national level.

ALICIA PAYNE MP

GRANTS BULLETIN

“These finalists are ambassadors for our city. Their commitment to excellence reflects the character of Canberra, which is creative, welcoming and always looking ahead.”

For more information on the awards, visit australiantourismawards.com.au.

Ecstasy for Raiders, agony for Brumbies

It was a mixed bag for Canberra’s men’s footy teams over the weekend, with the Raiders registering a thrilling golden-point victory, while the Brumbies coughed up a late lead to suffer their first defeat of the season.

Canberra’s life without Jamal Fogarty started in astonishing fashion, with new No.7 Ethan Sanders scoring a field goal to claim a 29-28 win over Manly.

After a late Sea Eagles’ flurry forced Saturday’s contest at Brookvale Oval to extra time, 22-year-old Sanders needed just one attempt to seal victory.

Fogarty, in his Manly debut against his former team, had forced golden point with the last kick of normal time after Canberra players were ruled offside on his two-point field-goal attempt.

He slotted the penalty after the fulltime siren, before his Canberra replacement got the last laugh with his first chance in the extra period.

“He had more pressure on him tonight than any player on the field,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said of Sanders.

“His game tonight was very, very mature, well beyond the amount of games he’s played. That was probably his fifth game in first grade.”

Meanwhile, the Brumbies suffered a heartbreaking loss to rivals Queensland Reds, with coach Stephen Larkham admitting he has another conundrum lingering in his mind.

The Brumbies’ undefeated start to the season ended in the cruellest way when Carter Gordon stormed over for a diving try after the siren to seal a 34-31 victory for the Reds in Canberra.

The hosts were in the box seat, leading by 11 points with less than five minutes remaining, but their opponents flicked a switch to steal the win.

Larkham’s team’s efforts came even without Rob Valetini, who’d been rested, and the injured pair of Corey Toole (leg tightness) and Ollie Sapsford (hamstring).

But now, the coach says he will be forced to rest about 12 of his stars over the next few weeks.

“We’ve got to get the assessment of where everyone’s at,” Larkham said.

“There’s a strong list from Rugby Australia, with the advice that they can’t play more than six games in a row, and obviously, playing seven games in our first trot is going to be challenging.”

Time to Downsize? Curious about Retirement Village Living?

2026 ACT RETIREMENT VILLAGE

EDUCATIONAL FORUM

As more senior Canberrans look to downsize from the family home and simplify responsibilities, the choice of desirable accommodation and lifestyle is a key decision.

ACT Retirement Villages o er an independent lifestyle and provide a variable range of services, facilities and pleasant activities from which new friendships can be forged. In turn, residents pay to enter and reside in a village and charges may also be levied on village exit.

This year, the ACT Retirement Village Residents Association (ACT RVRA) teamed up with Phillips Wealth and KJB Law to present a FREE 2-hour morning program on the Transition into and Experience of Retirement Village Living

We are delighted to have the ACT Attorney General, the Hon. Tara Cheyne open proceedings. A program of fantastic speakers will discuss legal and financial considerations when entering a Retirement Village; residents will share their insights regarding Retirement Village living; and the ACT Human Rights Commissioner for Retirement Villages will talk about relevant matters that cross her desk.

Copies of the slides will be available at the event.

A complimentary light lunch will be served during which several businesses and services can talk with you about their products and services for seniors.

The ACT RVRA informs and advises Retirement Village residents and those interested in village living. Importantly, we also represent their interests to operators and government. If you find this major annual event informative and helpful, why not become a member of the ACT RVRA on the day?

Registration is essential and a gold coin donation welcome.

The FORUM is proudly supported by Phillips Wealth Partners, KJB Law, Tetlow Legal and the ACT Human Rights Commission. The ACT RVRA is grateful to the Hellenic Club for its support.

Retirement Village Educational Forum 2026

Transitioning into & Experiencing Retirement Village Living

Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Hellenic Club, 1 Matilda St, Phillip ACT 2606

Opening: The Hon. Tara Cheyne MLA, Attorney General for the ACT

Jo Twible & Emma Bragg: Village Models and Legal Considerations when Entering a Village

Craig Phillips: Financial Considerations when Entering a Village

Meet the residents: Village residents share their experience. Moderated by Luisa Capezio

Karen Toohey, ACT Discrimination, Health Services, Disability & Community Services

Commissioner: My Experiences in Supporting Retirement Village Residents

ENTRY & LUNCH - REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL

Online: Scan the QR code to register

Email: enquiries@actrvra.org.au Call: 02

Guiding clients through with experience and empathyfamily law

Having spent over four decades in the practice of family law in Canberra, experienced family law solicitor Geo Mazengarb has recently joined the team at DDCS Lawyers with his wealth of knowledge and his empathetic approach to dealing with complex family law issues.

After studying law at the Australian National University, Geo began practising in 1983 and has spent most of his career working in family law. It is an area he says continues to challenge and engage him because no two matters are ever the same.

“Every client’s circumstances are unique,” he says. “Their expectations and experiences are novel to them, and we need to work through all of that to achieve an outcome.”

In family law cases, disputes can happen when people are going through a lot of emotional stress in their lives, and Geo says that his work is not just about the legislation. While legal knowledge is obviously vital, it’s also important to understand the circumstances of the client.

“When I first meet a client, I’m identifying both their emotional needs and their legal needs,” he explains.

An important part of Geo ’s methodology is helping the client concentrate on where they would like to be when the process is complete.

At the beginning of the process, Geo often asks the client to consider where he or she would like to be in 12 months’ time.

“Most clients simply want to reach

a point where they can move on with their lives,” he says.

Where possible, Geo works with clients to resolve their family law issues in a constructive and court-free way. The process of negotiation and mediation can often play a key role in reaching a pragmatic and workable agreement, which can prevent costly and stressful court proceedings.

However, in situations where legal action is required, Geo provides his clients with the experience and confidence needed to go through the entire legal process. Along the journey, Geo emphasises his commitment to working closely with his clients.

“The idea is that we walk alongside the client through the process,” he says. “Sometimes we walk slightly ahead

to guide the path, but we never walk behind.”

For Geo , family law is not simply about legal outcomes, but about helping people move forward with clarity and confidence.

Rattenbury’s renewables claim I can see why former Liberal leader Leanne Castley wanted nothing to do with the Greens here in Canberra. In his column in the latest CW (5 March), Greens leader Shane Rattenbury rolls out the tired, old lie (also used by Labor) that Canberra is powered by 100% renewable energy. I’m not sure how politicians of Rattenbury’s standing and others get away with this blatant lie. The fact is that the vast majority of Canberra’s electricity is supplied by gas and coal from NSW and less than 10% of the renewable energy the ACT uses is produced from within its own borders.

Could you imagine living through a cold, freezing Canberra winter relying just on renewables? The already full hospitals would be full of people with cold-related illnesses and there would be many more deaths. Rattenbury at least got one thing right in stating that Canberra is a very high consumption city, all those public servants and academics working inside in the summer with their air conditioning turned up and in the winter with the heaters using more of those fossil fuels he likes to demonise. Not to mention all the other devices they have powered in facilitating their energy-eating lifestyle.

The ACT under Labor and Greens have seen the biggest reduction of Canberra’s green space and an abundance of heatinducing concrete apartments and high-rises. They have overseen the closure of public health facilities such as outdoor swimming pools. Yet they still like to present themselves as some kind of environmentalists. What a joke.

Rattenbury’s lies and misinformation are nothing new, as he once infamously stated that Captain James Cook landed in Botany Bay on Australia Day 1788, when he had been dead for nine

years and had landed in Australia 18 years previously. Woops.

- Ian Pilsner, Weston

Stefaniak on Gaza

In his opinion piece (CW 12 Feb) Bill Stefaniak seeks dialogue with pro-Palestinian protestors, yet calls them out as “anti-Israel/ Jewish”. Conflating anti-semitism with opposition to Israeli policies is a ploy to shut down legitimate criticism. It is disingenuous of Bill to do so, knowing that many Jewish people are equally critical of Israeli government policies. To be pro-Palestinian is not to be antiJewish. Tarring all protestors as such uses the same distorted logic that fosters anti-semitism.

While there is an undercurrent of anti-semitism in Australia, its recent upsurge can be directly linked to increased awareness of the heinous actions of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people. It’s an owngoal, inflicted on the Jewish people by the Israeli government. The atrocities, by both Hamas and the IDF, in Gaza have focused attention on Israeli policy and actions as a whole. The theft of Palestinian land in the West Bank, the destruction of their homes and livelihoods by colonising terrorists (who euphemistically refer to themselves as “settlers”) has been ongoing long before October 2023. That this is encouraged by the Israeli government shows that they have no intention of ever allowing a Palestinian state. That is the elephant in the room and why people feel the need to protest.

Please Bill, enlighten us “who have no idea what the issues are about” in your next column with your views on Israeli settlements, a two-state solution and what is needed to bring a lasting peace to the region. You can’t just blame it all on Hamas – the problem is much bigger and more complex than that.

- David Briese, Mawson

Gender based violence can happen to anyone – ‘Believe Me’ says Katherine Berney

by BERNIE RYAN

It seems fair to say that teenage Katherine Berney could not have imagined her grown-up self sitting downstairs from her place of work as Director of Gender Based Violence Prevention, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), speaking with a journalist about genderbased violence.

A mother and stepmother of three, former Executive Director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance and the ACT recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership, Ms Berney says that growing up, she had no experience with domestic or family violence.

“I was in a family where there was no domestic violence. It wasn’t even on the radar of things that you talked about,” she says.

Ms Berney, whose parents, Clinton and Maureen, and brothers Derek and Hugh, settled in Canberra over thirty years ago, once thought that her career would be in music and acting.

Whilst her school life in Canberra “… was not an amazingly happy time for me”, Ms Berney says that she also had “… some great inspiration from some of my teachers”, which resulted in her pursuing creative endeavours. The first and most impactful was with the Canberra Children’s Choir.

“I loved singing, and probably the most important part of my youth was with the Canberra Children’s Choir,” she says. “It was a

really happy part of my life.”

Canberra Children’s Choir not only spawned lifelong friendships but lay the groundwork for what became successful studies for Ms Berney at the ANU Canberra School of Music and education, travel and performance opportunities both in Australia and internationally.

These included in Scandinavia, London, Italy and Germany.

Ms Berney also enjoyed extra acting roles in Home and Away, All Saints, and more, but realised in her late twenties that singing and acting as a career wasn’t for her and that she missed her family.

So, she moved back to Australia and commenced a marketing role with Coca-Cola Amatil.

However, Ms Berney then found herself in an abusive relationship, which lasted three years.

Though, like many, it took her a while to realise that she was in one.

“Of course, I fell into the trap of thinking that physical violence is the only demonstration of violence,” she says. “And it’s absolutely not.”

“I’m one of the cases that had no physical violence, but the coercive control was out of control.”

Ms Berney remembers thinking she was “going crazy”, because of the mixed messages and gaslighting that are features of controlling relationships.

“I kind of then had a moment where everything fell apart, and I had to ask myself, ‘Who am I, what is it that I want from my life and how can I be happy?’”

“And I absolutely didn’t know,” she said.

It was the love and support of her family that led to her return to Canberra, “…for my safety”, said Ms Bernie, where they helped her rebuild.

“We’re not going to let you forget who you are,” her family told her.

Once home in Canberra, Ms Berney decided to connect with what gave her joy and later took a job with the Red Cross in Vanuatu, which she loved.

When this concluded, and at the age of 34, Ms Berney met her now husband Jon.

Of Jon, Ms Berney says, “He is the person who showed me that it isn’t actually difficult to love someone and for it to be a really good experience.”

While she says she has always cared about the rights of women, her experience in an abusive relationship is what translated that

concern into the passion with which Ms Berney has worked in the gender-based violence sector for over a decade.

“It was never for the best,” she says.

“But that experience has provided me with a unique lens on how I view life, and has given me an empathy that perhaps I wouldn’t have had before.”

Gender-based violence can happen to anyone.

Ms Berney cautions against it being an ‘other people’ problem, and stresses that a significant difference we can make is, “… to believe someone when they tell you it’s happening,” she says.

And what would this mother and fierce advocate do with a magic wand if she had one?

“Seriously, I would not have a job,” she says.

“I want to be redundant in my job, because that would mean people are safe and happier, which makes a better Australia.

“For a society with less violence is good for every single person.”

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AFPA blames flooded Belco police station on government neglect

After Saturday’s heavy rainfall, the Winchester Police Centre (Belconnen) and former Traffic Operations Centre were flooded — the latest incident the Australian Federal Police Association says reveals the ACT Government neglecting police accommodation.

Operational and corporate work areas and the gymnasium were affected, an ACT Policing spokesperson said. Some areas suffered significant water damage, and affected staff have been moved to alternate work areas while repairs are underway. The Winchester gymnasium is closed until repairs and cleaning are complete.

No-one was injured. ACT Policing is working with its facilities maintenance provider and

the government’s Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS), which owns and manages the building, to determine the cause of the leak.

Police minister Dr Marisa Paterson said she and ACT Chief Police Officer Scott Lee were working together to ensure the station remained safe and fit for officers to use.

AFPA president Alex Caruana, however, said the same areas had flooded repeatedly in recent years and accused the ACT Government and JACS of “a long-standing failure”.

“It [is] unacceptable that ACT Policing staff continue to work in a building plagued by recurring infrastructure failures,” Mr Caruana said.

GIVIT donation of the week: Dining table

GIVIT is an ACT Government partner working with an organisation that provides support to individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness and social isolation. They are seeking support for a mother who is experiencing hardship. This mother had been struggling with mental health and addiction but is doing her best to take care of her children. She has been working with services to provide them a safe and stable home. They will soon be moving to their own place, but they require support with furniture. The organisation is requesting a dining table to help them set up their new home. Your donation will mean a lot to this family as they start over. Generous Canberrans can donate a dining table or fund the purchase of this item. 100% of your financial donation will be used to purchase what’s needed. To help please visit: GIVIT.org.au/what’s-needed, search; Location State: ‘ACT’, Keywords: ‘dining table’ and Suburb: ‘Conder, 2906’.

Friends ANBG Thursday Talks

Don Fletcher will present the next Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Thursday Talk on Thursday 19 March. A retired ecologist, Don will discuss goannas in the Canberra region and what is needed to conserve and restore them. The talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette, opposite the Visitor Centre, from 12.30–1.30pm. Bookings at trybooking.com/DJUMO. Gold coin, note and EFTPOS donations welcome.

community noticeboard  email news@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘HYH’ in the subject field

Bold Bandannas stall

The Bold Bandannas will hold their final fundraising stall before Relay for Life on Sunday 22 March, 9am–1pm, at the Harmonie German Club. Browse a range of homemade items including chutney, relish, jam, marmalade, lemon and passionfruit butter, knitted children’s cardigans, knee rugs, crocheted hand towels and more. All proceeds support the team’s participation in Relay for Life on 28–29 March. Enquiries: Jan on 0451 679 220.

VIEW Club

Gungahlin Day: Genevieve Jacobs AM, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, will be the guest speaker at the next club lunch meeting on Wednesday 25 March. The meeting will be held at The Lakes Golf Club, Gungahlin, from 11.30am. Cost is $35 per person and visitors are welcome. To attend, phone Helen on 0413 923 933.

Queanbeyan: The next meeting is on Thursday 19 March at the Tourist Hotel, Monaro Street, Queanbeyan, from 12pm for a 12:30pm start. Guest speaker Melissa Freasier from Downsizing with Care will talk about decluttering and organising. Lunch is available to purchase, with a lucky door prize and raffle on the day. Cost is $10 plus lunch. New members welcome. RSVP by Sunday 15 March to Sue on 0448 427 237 or queanbeyanview@gmail.com.

Access

Electric Program

Start

energy costs If you’re a homeowner in financial hardship you might qualify for free gas to electric appliance upgrades and ceiling insulation for your home.

the QR code to do a quick eligibility self‑assessment. Or contact Care on 6257 1788 or energy@carefcs.org

PUZZLES & STARS

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)

The urge to complain is natural. It’s the mind naming what’s wrong, and that’s the first step in fixing it. Just don’t set up camp there. Looping cycles of thought don’t solve problems, though they may air emotions. This week, you’ll move past the words and into action.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)

You’re not losing sleep over being good at everything because no one needs to be – especially when you know what you’re here for. You’ll focus on the one thing that matters most to you. Your passion surges and you put in the time, learn all there is to know and become so masterful at it.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21)

BRAIN BUSTERS

1 In relation to the Australian group known as the ACTU, what does the T stand for?

2 The Alboran Sea is situated directly south of which large peninsula?

3 Nicomachus was the father of which well-known Ancient Greek philosopher?

4 In which US state is the Kennedy Space Center located?

5 Jeremiah Manele became prime minister of which island country in May 2024?

You are patient because you know what it’s like to be the unwitting victim of an impatient person. It’s hard to perform or do anything when someone is rushing you. Patience is just better leadership, and outcomes are better when everyone is cool. You’ll embody it and be popular for this.

CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22)

To find the middle ground you must first know the position of each side. What are the extremes? Where are people coming from? You’ll find out this week. You’ll ask questions that inspire honesty. You’re willing to hear it. You can’t build anything worthwhile on falsehoods.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)

You know what it feels like to keep trying again even when you’re not sure you’ll ever get it. The experience makes you the ideal partner, parent or boss. It keeps you from thinking “I’m above this”. Instead, you think, “I’ve been there”. You don’t rush to judge, and they love you for it.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)

Yes, you can give a pep talk, but what people really need from you this week isn’t enthusiasm; it’s truth. Honesty can be an uncomfortable thing to deliver. But it’s going to change how the week goes so it’s worth figuring out a way to deliver the grounded, practical help you give so well.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 23)

The project or relationship isn’t going to plan. Slow down and assess where you’re at, what you expected and whether the discrepancy matters. Resist patching things up just to feel productive. To fix something that’s not really the problem is a waste of energy.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24-NOV. 21)

The sunk cost fallacy is the tendency to keep investing in something because of what you’ve already put into it, even when continuing no longer makes sense. Staying in a losing situation only increases the investment. Let your next move be only about future benefits and costs.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

Ambition is often born from things like desire, lack, comparison or hunger. Whatever the source, it’s propelling you now. And you don’t always get what you aim for, but you never walk away emptyhanded. This week, the outcome may vary, but the expansion is guaranteed.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)

It’s OK to change your mind, even better to take your time with decisions. The fates will wait on you as you try to see things from different points of view and finally make a choice you feel good about. It’s not about getting everything right; it’s about really trying to do what’s best for all involved.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

Someone around you feels emotionally layered in a way that requires decoding. You might feel like you’re being pulled into analysing them. You are not obligated to solve someone else’s psyche. But if you’re intrigued, then sure, explore it. If it feels draining, you can always opt out.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) You’ve been brave, facing the facts instead of ignoring them, doing the work instead of taking the easy route. You’ve moved through your feelings and now you’re right at the point of making a change. All you have to do now is step through the door. It’s OK if you don’t feel ready.

WIN! Penguin Kids Easter Prize Pack

Celebrate Easter with Penguin Kids by winning this prize jampacked full of hop-tastic children’s books, including beloved reads featuring classic characters like Peter Rabbit, Bluey and Spot, plus new favourites like Emma Memma! Further fun can be had with the addition of a Peter Rabbit Easter bundle, including plush toy, building blocks and sippy cup (Total RRP $290)!

ENTER TO WIN!

To enter, email competitions@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘Penguin Kids Easter’ in the subject field. Tell us your name, full contact details (including street address) and your favourite thing about Easter. Entries close 9am Friday 20 March 2026 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person. Entrants must be aged 18+. To enter, you must be subscribed to a Canberra Daily newsletter.

Comedian with a complex

by GEORGIA CURRY

Comedian Sammy J has a Phantom comic book obsession that he needs to get off his chest, and he wants to explain how an awkward nerd ended up with a federal policeman searching his attic and why he owes his marriage to the United Nations.

There’s a lot to unpack here.

Sammy J’s an interesting guy: a school kid who digs global affairs, a partial law student (he made it halfway through the degree), and a musical political junky.

His new show Hero Complex is a kind of memoir and – like all Aussie school kids who made the right-of-passage excursion to Canberra – he reminisces about his school trip to Parliament House.

But this wasn’t any old sightseeing tour; Samuel Jonathan McMillan was there as a card-carrying member of the United Nations Youth Association.

“I dressed up in a Ukrainian national outfit

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because everyone was given a country to represent,” he said. “It was my first sort of time in Canberra and it was my first time meeting other nerds as well and it really got me completely hooked on politics and global affairs.

“I think I’m the only one from that cohort who ended up as a musical comedian but it was a genuine life-changing experience, not least because I met my wife there as well.”

So picture this, it’s 1999 in suburban Frankston, Victoria, and Sammy J has to track down a Ukrainian outfit and research this far-flung Eastern European country.

When he got to Canberra with 100 other kids from around the country, it was “a pretty wild week” (even though he was bullied by Belarus and didn’t get along with Poland).

“Not many people can sort of pinpoint one week which really changed their whole lives but for me, that was it,” he said. “It was amazing, all very passionate adolescent nerds from around Australia converging.”

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pieces, natural health and wellbeing products and unique treasures from passionate local makers and artists.

Don’t forget to drop your Lifestyle lucky barrel coupon into the Lifestyle Zone (site 19) for your chance to win a stunning outdoor garden chair! Enjoy exclusive show specials, expert advice, and endless inspiration.

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14-15 March @ EPIC I 9am – 3pm Free ticketed entry

Their scholastic challenge was to solve global poverty and climate change. Unfortunately they didn’t deliver.

“We did what we could but it was a big challenge for a 15-year-old,” Sammy J said.

So what the United Nations have to do with the comic book character, The Phantom?

“It’s a great question,” he said. “The Phantom’s wife in the comics is Diana, his wife works for the United Nations and so that’s what got me into the United Nations to begin with.”

Don’t worry if you don’t know who The Phantom is, not many people do, which is why Sammy J used to swap Phantom comics with his school gardener because he was the only other person he knew who liked The Phantom.

“This show is kind of my Batman Begins moment really,” Sammy said. “It’s kind of an adolescent memoir but it really goes to the heart of why I got into politics to begin with and why I’m such a politics nerd.”

In a full-circle moment, it just so happens that another boy at Sammy’s school also liked The Phantom – and he is now a prominent federal politician.

“I won’t name him, you’ll have

to see the show to see,” Sammy teased, quite chuffed he rated a mention in this mystery politician’s maiden speech.

Sammy J was destined to be a musical comedian because in Year 7, he was enthralled by the 1959 song The Elements by American satirist Tom Lehrer, which was set to the Major-General’s Song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

Sammy J memorised every word... during school lunchbreak.

“Arsenic, aluminium selenium, and hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and rehenium....” he sings down the phone line. “My Year 7 music teacher played songs of his and he was the one who taught me satirical songs. He would sing some really funny and depraved and biting songs but because he’d sing it so sweetly with his lovely little pink piano, he would just completely get

greatest love story & Juliet: A fresh twist on Shakespeare’s

A bold new take on one of literature’s most famous love stories is heading to the stage, as Free-Rain Theatre prepares to present the pop musical & Juliet at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. & Juliet is a fresh take on the Romeo and Juliet romance, but this time, the story takes a new turn, imagining what might happen if Juliet does not die. Instead, she sets out on a new journey of discovery, independence, and friendship, surrounded by an array of vibrant characters and a soundtrack of hit songs by legendary songwriter Max Martin.

Actor Jackson Gibbs, who plays William Shakespeare in the production, says the story begins with the playwright himself reconsidering the ending of his famous tragedy.

“Shakespeare has just finished writing the ending to Romeo and Juliet and it’s opening night of the show,” Jackson says. “When he presents it to the cast

away with it.”

When Sammy J first started writing songs, he tried to follow Tom Lehrer’s style and write about the entire Melbourne train network.

“I memorised every train station in Melbourne, which I realised was a very short-sighted thing to do because I couldn’t travel interstate with that song,” he said. “But, you know, you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Whether you’re a Phantom fan or not, or whether or not you’re a political nerd, or just an outsider who never really belonged, Sammy J has got you.

Sammy J’s Hero Complex is at The Canberra Theatre on Friday 20 March. Tix: canberratheatrecentre. com.au/show/sammy-j-2026

and to his wife, Anne Hathaway, they look at it with a slightly less enthusiastic eye than he does.”

After the pair begin rewriting the story together, Jackson says Shakespeare finds himself challenged in ways he doesn’t expect.

“He really does take on quite an antagonistic role through most of the show,” he says. “It’s about walking that line where the audience might want to hate him at times, but still find something lovable about him.”

Vanessa Valois, who plays Anne Hathaway, says the character offers a powerful perspective within the story.

“Anne is an absolute dream character to play because she has so much depth and heart,” Vanessa says. “She realises that she deserves to be more than just the wife or the support to her husband, more than a supporting character in someone else’s story.”

While the musical delivers plenty of humour and

The cast of Free-Rain Theatre Company’s production of & Juliet, running at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre from 31 March to 26 April.

spectacle, Vanessa says it also carries an emotional depth that resonates with audiences.

“I think the thing with this show is that it’s light and fun and glittery, but it also has these really poignant, heartfelt moments that shine through,” she says.

“Ultimately it celebrates strong women, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud to be putting on stage.”

Free-Rain Theatre Company’s production of & Juliet runs at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre from Tuesday 31 March to Sunday 26 April. Tickets and information are available at theq.net.au.

time out

Booktalk

This week, Jeff Popple reviews three entertaining Australian novels ideal for autumn reading. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Old Games by Fiona Hardy

Affirm, $34.99

Fiona Hardy’s Unbury the Dead was one of my favourite Australian crime tales of 2025. Fresh and witty, it featured a great central character pairing in the form of dodgy Melbourne investigators, and marginal criminals, Alice and Teddy. Now in Old Games, the pair are back, a bit more battered and a lot warier. When they are hired to find the stolen ashes of a longdead celebrity tennis player, they are expecting a simple job and a quick payday, but things quickly escalate and soon they find themselves caught up in a complex web of old rivalries and violence. A lively and entertaining read.

The Drowning by Fiona Lowe HQ, $32.99

Fiona Lowe’s stories about secrets, families and moral dramas in small-town Australia always make for popular reading, and The Drowning is another enjoyable tale. As a child, CC loved spending her summers with her four much richer cousins at their holiday home on the Victorian coast. She was always treated as part of the family, and when she inherits a fifth of the beachfront property, she is delighted. Her cousins are less thrilled, and when the feud over what to do with the property turns tragic, CC finds herself in danger. Another thoughtprovoking, character-driven story by the always reliable Ms Lowe.

The Gambler by J. P. Pomare

Hachette,

$34.99

Melbourne-based author J. P. Pomare is a master of the twisty, unpredictable thriller and his latest novel, The Gambler, is another tightly plotted tale that takes you down some unexpected paths. Asked to investigate why a respected local woman opened fire at a political rally, killing a young university graduate, American private eye Vince Reid is surprised to find a key witness on the run and old crimes coming to the surface. Briskly paced, The Gambler keeps you keenly turning the pages as it weaves its way through some interesting background to an exciting and surprising conclusion. Highly recommended.

The comedians conquering Canberra

by GEORGIA CURRY

A lawyer walks into a bar. The joke’s not on him because lawyer Patrick Hornby and his four comedian buddies run a comedy festival that sells 21,000+ tickets and has gone from a four-day event to a two-week, 70-show extravaganza.

Comedian Patrick is one of five directors of the Canberra Comedy Festival – along with David Graham, twins James and Benjamin Stevenson, and Tim Duck – and his role seems to be the token lawyer, of which there are plenty in comedy.

Think Shaun Micallef, Rebel Wilson, Craig Reucassel, Anh Do, etcetera.

“I think it’s just that ability to work with words and I think they’re probably

pretty bored with their day job and keen to get a laugh,” Patrick said.

“It’s the structure of words that goes into a law degree and people being confident on their feet, always looking for an audience anywhere they can get it.”

Patrick makes sure he fits in a bit of stand-up before he goes into court “just to get edgy again”.

As a fair-skinned redhead from Townsville, Patrick can appreciate the funny side of life.

The 48-year-old migrated south to Canberra “as a form of selfpreservation,” and after growing up on a diet of the D Generation and Canberra’s own Doug Anthony AllStars, he was hooked (he’s a big fan of fellow redhead funnyman Luke McGregor).

Patrick is one of about 30 comedians residing in Canberra, with backgrounds ranging from unemployed students to best-selling author to a marriage celebrant.

Canberra seems to breed great comedians (Bron Lewis, whose show has already sold out, and Emma Holland, who had to add a second

show). Perhaps local comics like Kirsty Webeck have flourished here because they live in a capital city that is the brunt of jokes nationwide.

We’ve had to learn to laugh about it.

Canberra Comedy Festival runs from 11-22 March. For more: canberracomedyfestival.com.au

Now sh wing

How to Make a Killing (M)

In prison, death row inmate Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) tells his tale of woe to a priest while awaiting his execution. Becket explains that his mother was exiled from the wealthy Redfellow family for choosing to keep her teenage pregnancy. Years later, while working at his suit sales job, Becket’s upmarket childhood friend Julia (Margaret Qualley), plants the seed for Becket to eliminate his competition to his inheritance, so that the pair may be together.

The extremally likable Glen Powell does a great job at getting the audience onside his cunning, murderous character from the outset. Having been disowned at birth from his rightful status, the blue-collar Becket works towards fulfilling his mother’s wish for him: to fight for the life he “deserves” to have. Cue lining up his estranged

family tree that ultimately leads to the family patriarch, Whitelaw Redfellow (Ed Harris), Becket starts befriending, infiltrating and then removing his highly unlikable, vacuous extended family.

Lead Glen Powell effortlessly guides the audience along his character’s moral decline as he learns to eradicate his rivals in increasingly darkly humorous ways. Along his journey, Becket encounters characters that may serve to divert him from his treacherous goal. However, the pot of gold is large, and the sly intermittent encouragement from femme fatale Julia may be too seductive to bear.

Verdict: a slick and stylish morality play.

- Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net

Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.

CREATIVE AGEING ARTS FESTIVAL

MARCH 20-29 ACROSS

CANBERRA

UPSTAGEING Canberra is a bold, joyful celebration of creativity, connection and positive ageing. Spanning ten days and more than 200 events across 50 venuesfrom Tharwa to Hall and everywhere in between - this inaugural festival showcases the extraordinary talent, stories and contributions of older Canberrans. From art exhibitions, theatre and live music to workshops, talks and community gatherings, UPSTAGEING invites people of all ages to participate, explore and be inspired. Most events are free or low cost, making it easy to join in.

Explore the full program online at cotaact.org.au/upstageing/ or just search “#UPSTAGEING”(with an ‘E’).

#UPSTAGEING

PROGRAM �

FRI MARCH 20

LONG PLAY – AN ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC SHOWCASE

Dissent Cafe & Bar, Civic

COCOON AT THE NFSA

Arc Cinema, Acton

SAT MARCH 21

HAPPY TOGETHER- SINGING AND DANCING –AUSTRALIAN CHINESE CULTURE EXCHANGE AND PROMOTION ASSOCIATION

Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon

CREATIVITY & WISDOM USING CLAY MOULDS

Flynn Community Hall, Flynn

THE ODD COUPLE (DEMENTIA FRIENDLY)

Arc Cinema, Acton

SUN MARCH 22

THE WOMEN’S ROOM ‘UNDERESTIMATED’ COMEDY SHOW

Ainslie Football & Social Club, Ainslie

VOCALLY ENGAGED – A SINGING WORKSHOP BY A QUICK SING WITH EWAN LAWRIE

Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO SWING – SAVOY BALLROOM-STYLE DANCE – CONNEXION BIG BAND & CANBERRA SWING KATZ

Hughes Community Centre, Hughes

SUNDAY STORY TIME AT THE MILL THEATRE

Dairy Road Mill Theatre, Fyshwick

MON MARCH 23

SENIORS ROCK!! BY MEMBERS OF WODEN SENIORS CLUB

Woden Seniors Club, Woden

TUE MARCH 24

MUSIC AND MEMORIES BY RICHARD INGS MUSIC

Hughes Community Centre, Hughes

OPEN REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SING WITH TOBY CHOIR

Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Greenway

WED MARCH 25

TANGO PERFORMANCE WITH LIVE MUSIC BY TANGO SOCIAL CLUB OF CANBERRA

Hughes Community Centre, Hughes

LESSONS FOR THE LIVING. STORIES FROM A STAND-UP COMEDIAN WHO NEEDS A LITTLE SIT DOWN! BY SARAH STEWART

The Street Theatre, Civic

THU MARCH 26

CRAFT IT FORWARD (CHARITY CRAFTING SESSION)

Fitters’ Workshop Kingston

THE THURSDAY BOOK CLUB BY JEN WEBB

Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic

WALTZING WITH THE MATILDAS – ZEST: DANCE FOR WELLBEING

National Portrait Gallery, Parkes

SAT MARCH 28

WOMEN AND CREATIVE AGEING: A FORUM

Hughes Community Centre, Hughes

IN THE MOOD FOR SWING. FEATURING THE BLAMEY STREET BIG BAND

Lanyon Vikings Club, Conder

THE WORLD AT OUR FEET BY WORLDLY GOODS CHOIR (SHORTIS AND SIMPSON) AND GOLD DANCERS

Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon

LIVE FAST DIE OLD

Rose Cottage, Gilmore

AUTUMN DAYS –MONOLOGUES AND SHORT PLAYS BY ARTSOUND

Manuka Arts Centre Gardens, Manuka

SUN MARCH 29

DANCING FEET ’26 BY CANBERRA MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA

Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon

THE SOUND OF CANBERRANS BY AUSTRALIAN RUGBY CHOIR AND BRINDABELLA ORCHESTRA

Hughes Community Centre, Hughes

OUR STORIES BY CANBERRA CHORAL SOCIETY

James Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes

“OUR TIME TO SHINE – UPSTAGEING WITH ACTCAA”

Gungahlin Eastlake Club Function Room, Gungahlin AND MANY MANY MORE!!

FIND THE FULL PROGRAM BY SEARCHING #UPSTAGEING OR COTAACT.ORG.AU/ UPSTAGEING-PROGRAM/

FESTIVAL-LONG EVENTS

UPSTAGEING ART AND CRAFT HUB

Fitters Workshop, Kingston

UPSTAGEING ART EXHIBITION

Fitters Workshop, Kingston

UPSTAGEING ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, SHORT FILM AND VIDEO COMPETITION EXHIBITION

Sense Yowani, Lyneham

MASTERS WORK 117 EXHIBITION

The Art Shed, Tharwa

THREADS OF TIME BY NETWORKS AUSTRALIA

Canberra Spinners And Weavers, Chifley

THE ART OF AGELESS STYLE WITH LINDA

Online: bottlegreenandyellow.com

SCULPTED BY STYLE

Craft+Design Canberra, Canberra City

MORE THAN JUST STORY

Civic Art Bureau, Canberra City

What’s on!

& Lifestyle Show

14 - 15 MAR

The ultimate destination for home and lifestyle inspiration. With over 100 exhibitors, the Home and Lifestyle Show is your go-to destination for home and lifestyle inspiration, professional information and an opportunity to find some amazing show specials! It’s all under one roof for one weekend only at Exhibition Park in Canberra!

EPIC, 14-15 March; register for your free ticket at theshowroomcanberra.com.au

FUN

Skyfire

14 MAR

The skies above Lake Burley Griffin will light up with Canberra’s favourite free event, Skyfire, returning thanks to Hit 104.7 and Mix 106.3. There will also be plenty of culinary delights from an array of food trucks.

Lake Burley Griffin, Saturday 14 March

SPORT

Raiders vs Bulldogs

19 MAR

The Raiders return to GIO Stadium for their first home match of 2026 with a blockbuster Thursday night clash against the Bulldogs. GIO Stadium, Thursday 19 March; raiders. com.au

SPORT

Brumbies

vs Chiefs

20 MAR

The ACT Brumbies host the Chiefs for round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific Season at GIO Stadium.

GIO Stadium, Friday 20 March; brumbies.rugby

FESTIVAL

Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival

21 MAR

Featuring over 40 exhibitors from around Australia, the Canberra Craft Beer and Cider Festival features the ‘best of the best’, with opportunities to enjoy beer, cider, seltzers and now including distilleries showcasing gin, vodka and other premium spirits.

Mercure Braddon, Saturday 21 March; canberrabeerfest.com.au

St Patrick’s Day: When everyone’s Irish (Especially after one drink)

with DR VIVIENNE LEWIS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA CO N T R IBU

Every year on 17 March, something quite extraordinary happens. People who have never set foot in Ireland, can’t locate Dublin on a map, and whose family tree is firmly rooted in suburban Australia, suddenly announce, with great confidence, that they are “actually a little bit Irish.” St Patrick’s Day has arrived!

The evidence is everywhere. The sky turns suspiciously green (or perhaps that’s just the reflection from novelty hats). Pubs overflow with people wearing shamrock sunglasses, leprechaun beards, and T-shirts declaring “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” — often worn by people who would recoil in horror if kissed by a stranger on any other day of the year.

I do, however, have some legitimate claim. My grandmother was Irish, which means I feel fully entitled, once a year, to lean into the festivities. I’ve always loved Irish culture, particularly Irish dancing. There is something mesmerising about the rhythm, the speed, and the sheer seriousness of dancers whose upper bodies barely move while their feet appear to be possessed.

From a psychological perspective, St Patrick’s Day is fascinating. It’s a perfect example of what we call social permission. On this one day, it’s not only acceptable but encouraged to be loud, silly, sentimental, and mildly ridiculous. You’re allowed to sing songs you don’t know the words to, hug people you met three minutes ago, and feel deeply connected to strangers because you all happen to be wearing green. There’s something oddly comforting about that.

Plenty of people mark the day in quieter ways: cooking something vaguely Irish, listening to music, watching Irish dancing on YouTube, or simply enjoying the collective And then there’s the luck thing. Four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, and the comforting belief that maybe, just

maybe, something good is around the corner. Psychologically speaking, hope is incredibly powerful. Even symbolic hope.

In Canberra, it’s a day where public servants, students, parents, and retirees briefly unite under the shared banner of mild chaos and festive cheer.

The wellbeing takeaway? We underestimate the mental health value of joy, playfulness, and connection. Sometimes it’s as simple as laughing at yourself, sharing a moment with others, or giving yourself permission to enjoy something just because it’s fun. These small moments of lightness matter, they reduce stress, strengthen connection, and remind our nervous systems that not everything is urgent or serious.

So whether you’re Irish, “a bit Irish,” or just Irish for the duration of a lunch break, St Patrick’s Day invites us to loosen our grip just a little. To celebrate joy in small, slightly silly ways.

And if that joy involves Irish dancing, green food colouring, and questionable fashion choices — may the luck of the Irish be with us all.

Understanding hearing loss:

What’s really going on?

by Michelle Richards, Director & Accredited Hearing Specialist — Michelle Richards Hearing, Dickson

Many people are surprised to learn that hearing loss isn’t just one condition — it comes in di erent types, a ects people in di erent ways, and doesn’t always mean the same thing for every individual. Some hearing changes are temporary and easily treated. Others are permanent and progressive.

Understanding the di erence is an important first step in knowing when to seek help — and what kind of support may be needed.

How hearing works — in simple terms

Hearing is a beautifully complex process. Sound waves travel through the outer ear, down the ear canal, and vibrate the eardrum. These vibrations move through the tiny bones of the middle ear and into the inner ear (the cochlea), where thousands of delicate hair cells convert sound into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.

When any part of this system is disrupted, hearing can be a ected — sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly.

The main types of hearing loss

There are three broad categories of hearing loss, and many people experience a combination of them.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound has di culty travelling through the outer or middle ear. Common causes include ear wax blockage, middle

ear fluid, infections, or issues with the eardrum or middle ear bones.

The good news? Conductive hearing loss is often treatable or reversible once the underlying issue is addressed.

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type and occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is a ected. This is typically related to ageing, noise exposure, genetics, certain medications, or medical conditions.

Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, but modern hearing technology can provide excellent improvement in clarity, comfort, and confidence.

Mixed hearing loss is exactly what it sounds like — a combination of both conductive and sensorineural components

Why hearing loss doesn’t always sound like “hearing loss”

One of the most misunderstood aspects of hearing loss is that volume is rarely the main problem.

Many people tell me:

• “I can hear, I just can’t always understand.”

• “I can hear a car up the road, but not my wife in the kitchen.”

• “People mumble.”

• “I struggle in restaurants but I’m fine at home.”

• “Women’s or children’s voices are harder to follow.”

Do any of these comments sound familiar to you?

This is because hearing loss often a ects clarity, pitch, and speech detail, particularly consonant sounds that make language meaningful. Over time, the brain works harder to fill in the gaps, leading to listening fatigue, frustration, and social withdrawal. This constant e ort can place unnecessary strain on cognitive processing, and growing evidence shows that untreated hearing loss may contribute to changes in memory, concentration, and an increased risk of cognitive decline over time. Early support helps keep both communication and cognitive health on track.

The role of ear wax — more important than you might think

Ear wax (cerumen) is completely normal and protective, but for some people it can become problematic.

Narrow ear canals, hearing aids, earbuds, cotton buds, and age-related changes can all increase the risk of wax build-up. A significant blockage can cause:

• Sudden hearing reduction

• A blocked or full sensation

• Tinnitus

• Feedback or poor hearing aid performance

Importantly, wax-related hearing loss is temporary and highly treatable — but only when removed safely and appropriately.

Why early assessment matters

Even mild or gradual hearing changes deserve attention. Research continues to show strong links between unmanaged hearing loss and:

• Increased listening e ort and fatigue

• Reduced social engagement

• Cognitive strain over time

The earlier changes are identified, the more options there are — and the easier adaptation becomes.

A personalised path forward

No two ears — or lifestyles — are the same. That’s why a comprehensive hearing assessment looks at the whole picture: medical history, listening environments, communication needs, and personal goals.

There’s no pushy sales pressure — just clear information, honest guidance, and a plan tailored to you.

Michelle Richards Hearing — Ethical. Local. Independent.

Room 8, Level 3, 490 Northbourne Ave, Dickson ACT 2602

Book online at michellerichardshearing.com.au or call 02 6281 0222

Scan to book online instantly

•

•

•

• Custom Orthotics

• Children’s Podiatry

• DVA Podiatry

Limiting screen time not enough to protect kids: study

by TOM WARK, AAP

Any measure limiting the use of digital platforms by children, including a social media ban, is worth considering to protect mental health, a study has found.

The review of global evidence from more than 360,000 young people found higher use of digital media in childhood was consistently linked to depressive symptoms and behavioural problems in later life.

Digital media is defined as any platform on which users can create and consume content, including social media, video games and messaging apps. Social media was unsurprisingly the greatest area of concern, James Cook University lead author Sam Teague said.

“Digital environments are shaping child and adolescent development at a scale that we’ve never seen before,” Dr Teague said.

“When the evidence consistently links digital media use to poor outcomes, we should not treat this as a purely individual parenting problem.” With children watching less broadcast media and spending more time on platforms driven by algorithms, young brains are more frequently exposed to addictive content. Early adolescence, defined as between 12 and 14, was the age at which children were most vulnerable to mental health issues brought on by social media. However, the study also found not all interactions with digital media in adolescence were negative, with some video games associated with higher levels of attention and executive function.

WIN!

French rosé prize pack

Keep sipping through late summer with the ultimate French rosé prize pack. We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win all five rosés from this curated selection, showcasing the elegance and freshness of France’s most-loved pink styles. From elegant aperitifs to easy crowdpleasers, each wine captures the freshness and vibrancy of a European summer – perfect for making the most of the sunshine while it lasts.

The full collection is available nationally at Dan Murphy’s, in-store and online.

Enter now for your chance to win this refreshing rosé lineup.

ENTER TO WIN!

To enter, email competitions@newstimemedia.com.au with ‘French rosé’ in the subject field. Tell us your name, full contact details (including street address) and why you enjoy rosé. Entries close 9am Friday 20 March 2026 and winners drawn same day. One entry per person. Entrants must be aged 18+. To enter, you must be subscribed to a Canberra Daily newsletter.

elegant cost-effective lift for double storey homes giving homeowners the choice to remain in their homes

New year, new home.

1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments now ready to move in at The Borough, in the heart of Denman Prospect, featuring spacious floorplan and custom Flexi-Space design.

Visit our display apartments at 1 Carden Street, Denman Prospect. For more information, call LJ Hooker on 0417 668 668.

It’s more than a home, it’s a community

The Grange is in the heart of Deakin, just 300m from shops and close to medical services. Enjoy refined, independent living in your own private home, with 24-hour onsite staff for peace of mind.

Be part of a warm and spirited community where every day is yours to enjoy as you choose — from dining out in the Dining Room to social events, fitness classes, and swims in the indoor pool. Stroll nearby walking tracks or explore Canberra’s cultural gems, all just moments away.

Call Michaela Howard on 0447 695 380 to find out more.

We have a North facing light and spacious three-bedroom home which includes:

• Modern kitchen with granite benchtop, stainless steel appliances including dishwasher

• Open plan lounge and dining opening onto an outdoor entertaining area

• Good sized internal laundry with dryer

• Ample storage

• New paint and flooring

• An outdoor entertaining space

• Staff on-site at all times in case of an emergency North facing 3 bedroom home – move in ready

WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Nestled in the secluded pocket of Jerrabomberra lies a picturesque residence poised to embrace its new homeowners. Spanning two living areas plus four bedrooms, there is plenty of space for your family to spread out and relax. The large master bedroom ensures privacy and convenience with a walk-in robe and ensuite. The remaining three bedrooms all have built-in robes. The open plan kitchen, equipped with a new gas cooktop, seamlessly integrates with the family/meals area. Entertain effortlessly on the covered deck, overlooking the low-maintenance yard. Convenience is key with side access, and positioned so close to great walking trails. This residence ensures tranquility while being just a short drive from the local shopping centre and providing easy access to arterial roads, making everyday life a seamless affair.

SALE: $980,000 - $1,040,000

OPEN TIMES:

Please refer to websites for details

Trades & Services Guide

Trades & Services Guide

Trades & Services Guide

CANBERRA MINI DIGGERS

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Trades & Services Guide

Trades & Services Guide