Canberra's weekend events include Floriade's final days, a Jungle Collective Plant Sale, and Government House Open Day. The National Film and Sound Archive hosts a 30th-anniversary screening of Romeo + Juliet with a costume party. Other highlights include a cheese and wine evening at Grainger Gallery, Disney's Frozen musical, and a circus show by The Quizzical Mr Jeff. Book lovers can attend a screening of The Shawshank Redemption followed by a discussion, while car enthusiasts can explore the history of Holden at the National Archives.
A new Nepali food truck, The Sekuwa Shack, is parked at the Harrison District Playing Fields in Canberra. Owner Rajesh Chaudhary, who previously worked as a courier, opened it a few months ago. He says trade is busiest after sports games at the oval. The menu includes chicken sekuwa, a grilled meat skewer marinated in spices, and steamed vegetable momos served with a tomato and chilli dipping sauce. The truck is open from 2 pm to 7 pm, seven days a week.
Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has been refused bail while he awaits a retrial over the alleged murder of Victorian retiree Carol Clay. Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Niall said Mr Lynn's time on remand did not amount to exceptional circumstances. Mr Lynn, 60, is charged with murdering Ms Clay at a remote Victorian campsite in March 2020. He was acquitted over the death of her companion, Russell Hill, and he maintains his innocence. The trial is set for May 2027.
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A 34-year-old Braddon woman, Samantha Jane Campbell, has been refused bail over an alleged dangerous driving incident. Police allege she drove at two pedestrians standing near a road in Ainslie last Thursday, and only missed them after her car hit a mound of dirt. The ACT Magistrates Court heard she also allegedly fled police and was arrested over the weekend. Her lawyer sought release on strict bail conditions, but Magistrate Ian Temby said there was a clear risk of reoffending and refused bail. The matter has been adjourned to 17 November, and no pleas were entered.
Advocates say stigma still stops drug users from getting health care, even though the ACT decriminalised small amounts of illicit drugs in 2023. Speaking at a Canberra memorial for overdose victims, Hayley Shaw described nearly dying from an overdose at 14 and her friend Daniel's death at 29, after he struggled to get adequate pain relief during cancer treatment. GP Ben Harkness said some users avoid mainstream services for fear of judgement.
The Canberra Loy Krathong Festival returns to Ping Ping Thai Food in Kambah on Saturday 31 October, running from 11 am to 6 pm. Entry is free and includes cultural performances. The program features a live band, a tribute show to Thai rock musician Sek Loso, Thai dance, Thai boxing, a Thai fashion show and a pageant competition. Loy Krathong is traditionally held around the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar and is associated with gratitude and new beginnings. Food and drinks are available to purchase, and some prize-based activities carry a small fee.
The Irish Film Festival returns to Canberra's Palace Electric from Friday 6 to Monday 9 November, with its biggest programme in 12 years. The lineup spans dark comedy, horror, music, family drama and documentaries about Ireland's past. Opening the festival is Chasing Millions, an Irish-Australian co-production inspired by Belfast's 2004 Northern Bank heist. Festival director Enda Murray says Irish filmmaking now feels more confident. The 2026 event also marks 80 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Ireland, and the Irish Embassy has backed it as part of that anniversary.
Belgravia Leisure has introduced allied health services at three of its Canberra recreation centres, so people can book physiotherapy, exercise physiology and dietetics around their workouts. A physiotherapist is available at Stromlo, and an exercise physiologist and dietitian are based at Gungahlin. Sessions are open to the whole community, not only members. Patients managing chronic conditions can access discounted rates through a GP care plan, and eligible people can use Medicare, DVA, NDIS, HICAPS or workers' compensation. Belgravia says all its allied health staff are accredited.
The Suburban Land Agency released more land than planned in 2025-26, but its income was $22.9 million below budget. Income reached $406.4 million, up from $237.3 million the previous year. Some mixed-use sites, including blocks in Molonglo, have struggled to sell. The agency blamed softer market conditions, higher interest rates and deferred settlements. It has budgeted for income of $434.3 million in 2026-27, with land releases expected to increase in coming years.
Rapper Jay-Z has been selected to headline the 2027 Super Bowl LXI half-time show, his first time performing at the event. The announcement was made by Roc Nation, alongside the NFL and Apple Music, after weeks of rumours. Roc Nation has been involved in producing the show since a 2019 deal with the NFL, which was extended in 2024. Jay-Z said the appearance was a dream come true, marking 30 years since his debut album Reasonable Doubt. The game will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, 14 February.
All women will soon be able to get the pill and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections from pharmacies at lower cost. The federal government has widened a 12-month trial that was first announced for concession card holders only. The trial is expected to start early next year. The government will cover up to $38 for a pharmacist consultation, and women will pay no more than $25 per script. Health Minister Mark Butler said the change would improve access and affordability. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomed the move, while doctors raised concerns about possible misdiagnoses.
The ACT Government is considering a new suicide prevention plan and will hold a roundtable early next year, following a parliamentary inquiry into men's suicide rates. Mental Health Minister Marisa Paterson said she welcomed a multi-partisan approach. Independent MLA Thomas Emerson criticised the government's response, arguing that several recommendations were labelled existing policy despite evidence of service gaps. He called for meaningful action on the inquiry's recommendations. No date for the roundtable has been set.
Melissa Evans and Mauro Vecchi have renovated a townhouse designed by architect Bert Reid in 1982. They kept the original design, including the sunken conversation pit, slate floors and angled walls. The kitchen and bathrooms were updated, with a coral marble bench and handle-free cabinetry added. The couple and their two Russian Blue cats now live in the home, which they say feels special to live in.
Kirsten Tibballs has shared a spooky recipe for Spider Nut Cookies, taken from her cookbook Chocolate All Day. The recipe combines peanut butter cookies with a milk chocolate honey ganache truffle, which sits on top as the spider's body. Chocolate legs, eyes and red chocolate blood complete the design. The cookies are baked at 170 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes and then cooled at room temperature before the decorations are added. The recipe makes 30 to 35 cookies.
Zoë King spent 20 years in the Australian Army as a Signals corps officer before moving into consulting and technology leadership. She now works with Defence and federal government organisations at Kinetic IT, focusing on Australia's sovereign technology capability. King says she joined the Army to find purpose and challenge, and that asking for help with mental health is a strength. She advises others to follow their values rather than copy another person's path. She also said empathy is a key leadership strength.
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The ACT Government has signed contracts with Acusensus Australia and Orikan Australia to modernise the Territory's traffic and parking systems. The Acusensus contract is reportedly worth $63 million over five years, rising to $210 million if two five-year options are exercised. A staged rollout is expected to begin in mid-2027. The move comes as a petition led by John Mikita calls for an independent audit of the infringement system. The government says public servants still decide whether to issue an infringement, and it remains confident in existing systems.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has been criticised by crossbench MPs Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall over his response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines. Ryan called his speech tone deaf, while Steggall said he did not read the room. A 43-year-old man has been charged over the alleged attack, which left Haines losing both legs. Taylor rejected any link between robust parliamentary debate and political violence, and said judges should come down harder on offenders. Steggall said media, election advertising and social media should also take care with their words.
A Canberra mother, Dr Liz Allen, has received a letter saying her nine-year-old daughter no longer meets the criteria for a specialist appointment at the public paediatric allergy clinic. The daughter had been referred in January 2024 after several anaphylactic reactions. Dr Allen said the decision was made without contacting families and warned children could die from preventable reactions. Canberra Health Services said it is reviewing outpatient services so people with the greatest clinical need can be seen sooner. Opposition health spokesperson Mark Parton will move a motion calling for the original waitlists to be honoured.
