Clown doctor Freddie, played by performer David Wells, is taking part in a six-month trial at the Kingston Centre, a geriatric care and rehabilitation centre in Melbourne's south-east run by Monash Health. Patients who were at first doubtful now look forward to his visits, and staff have joined in singing. Wells has a 47-year performing career and completed a one-year training program with Clown Doctors Australia. The organisation's artistic director, David Symons, says about 100 clown doctors have visited more than 100,000 patients this year. Wells says the work is meaningful and rewarding, though emotionally demanding.
A Canberra food guide has named five places south of the lake serving favourite bowls of phở. +84 Kitchen in Woden offers beef toppings and a stone bowl version, with a special sauce. LL's Bakery in Fyshwick serves rare beef or a special mix of tripe, tendon, brisket and beef balls. 29 Cafe & Eatery in Curtin is praised for its brisket. Noi Noi in Kingston has a clear, spiced broth, and O Bach in Tuggeranong is recommended for cold days.
House prices in seven Queensland suburbs could more than double by 2036, according to new realestate.com.au data. Woodridge is forecast to rise from $781,000 to $1.64 million, a gain of more than $858,000. Kingston is also tipped to climb sharply. West End's median unit value could reach $1.84 million, while economists warn that such growth would come at a high cost to housing affordability. The projections assume historical trends continue and are not guaranteed forecasts.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Canberra venues are hosting a range of Melbourne Cup celebrations on 3 November. The Hyatt Hotel Canberra has a garden party from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm for $200 per person, with a seafood bar and live tiramisu bar. Thoroughbred Park offers Cup day racing with general entry from $20. Free options include the Canberra Labor Club, The Dock in Kingston and Mercure Canberra, which will show the races on multiple big screens.
Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a Beenleigh service station in the early hours of 14 October. Three people arrived in a stolen black Chery Tiggo just before 1am. Two men entered the store, one carrying what appeared to be a firearm and the other a sword. They confronted an 18-year-old employee, who fled, and stole the till and personal items. The employee was not physically injured. Around 1.30am, police were called to a vehicle fire at Kingston, which they are investigating to confirm whether it involves the Tiggo.
Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a Beenleigh service station in the early hours of 14 October. Three people arrived in a stolen black Chery Tiggo just before 1am. Two men entered the store, one carrying what appeared to be a firearm and the other a sword. They confronted an 18-year-old employee, who fled, and stole the till and personal items. The employee was not physically injured. Around 1.30am, police were called to a vehicle fire at Kingston, which they are investigating to confirm whether it involves the Tiggo.
Three generations of the Notaras family have shaped Canberra's cafés since the 1920s. Greek migrant Harry Notaras opened the Highgate Café in Kingston three weeks before Parliament House opened in 1927, serving more than 4000 meals on opening day. The family's Australian roots reach back to a 1909 naturalisation certificate still held by Eleni Notaras. Sophia Notaras, now 81, recalls home life that mixed Greek customs with Australian customers, including scarce olive oil. Highgate Lane now carries the family name, while the café itself has closed.
A historic farmhouse on 1.77 hectares in Kingston, Tasmania, has been listed for sale by expressions of interest. The Old Farmhouse formed part of an original early-1800s land grant and has been owned by the same family for close to 60 years. Agent Susan Kay says the family is selling because they are downsizing. The property includes four bedrooms, a historic barn, a studio, a heated saltwater pool and a two-lot subdivision that is well advanced but awaiting final approval. The Hobart CBD is about 15 minutes away by car.
The Suburban Land Agency has given potential developers more time to submit proposals for the first stage of the Kingston Arts Precinct. The deadline has moved from 20 October to 1 December. The agency said the extension gives respondents sufficient time to prepare their proposals. Kingston Quarter will include 250 new homes, hotel, hospitality, retail and commercial space, and a multi-level carpark. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said further stages of the precinct could move forward once parking capacity is in place.
Kingston Butter Factory has released a run of upcoming events, starting with an acoustic set by Jack Jones, the singer of Southern Sons, on 31 October. Opera Queensland will stage Bravo! on 5 November, and comedian Takashi Wakasugi will top a comedy evening on 7 November. Broadcaster Rebecca Levingston is scheduled to host live interviews on two Sundays in November. Rove McManus follows on 11 December. The venue is located at 270 Jacaranda Avenue, and ticket prices and age limits differ from show to show. Full details and bookings are available through Logan Arts.
Queenies, a restaurant in Kingston, will close for the final time on 1 November. Owner Pamela Howarth announced the closure on Facebook, saying the business could not recover after a difficult past year. The restaurant's building on the corner of Giles and Kennedy streets was damaged in a 2020 hailstorm, and repeated repair attempts left tenants unsure of their plans. Queenies will host a Halloween party on 31 October. Her sister venue, Eve, remains open at 34 Giles Street, serving a gluten-free menu with Filipino and European influences.
Good Neighbour, a cafe in Kingston, has become popular with locals in just over two years since opening. Owners Fish and Hazel opened it after the closure of Gus' Place. Breakfast is served all day, and the lunch menu runs from 11:30 am. Dishes include a salmon soba and a chicken souva, while the New York-style chunky cookies often sell out by noon. The cafe is at Unit 1, 55 Wentworth Ave, and is open weekdays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, and weekends from 8 am.
Kingston's Queenies restaurant will permanently close on 1 November after struggling with financial difficulties and building issues. Owner Pamela Howarth cited uncontrollable events, likely including unresolved roof repairs from a 2020 hailstorm, as factors in the decision. The venue will host a Halloween party before its final closure. Howarth has opened a new gluten-free fine-dining restaurant, Eve, nearby, where several Queenies staff will transition. Eve, co-owned by chef Adrianne Davos, offers a unique blend of Filipino and European cuisine with extensive vegan options.
Kingston Council has welcomed Rossdale Golf Club's decision to end its agreement with the developer that proposed redeveloping the site. The club's board made the decision after considering the rezoning process and its ongoing impact on the club. The club says it is still investigating future opportunities, and no decisions have been made about its longer-term direction. Mayor Georgina Oxley said the news would be welcomed by many people who value the club's place in the local community. Deputy Mayor Sarah O'Donnell encouraged residents to support the club by becoming members, booking rounds, dining or hosting functions there.
An online information session on Phase 2 of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 1pm to 2pm. It is free to attend.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The City of Ballarat has opened a public exhibition period for its draft LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Plan 2027-2030. The plan aims to strengthen inclusion, promote participation, and support the wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people. Community feedback is being sought before the plan is presented to council for consideration. The draft plan is available on the City of Ballarat's MySay platform until 22 November.
A free course on how to safely respond to someone experiencing mental health concerns will be held at the Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre on Thursday, October 29, from 9am to 3pm. Participants who meet the requirements will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion. The course, Mental Health First Aid International, teaches people how to support someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening problem or in a crisis. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
A free workshop on succession planning for farming families will be held in Longwood on Thursday, October 29, from 9.30am to 3pm. It is being run at the Longwood Community Centre and presented by Dr Kate Burke. The session will cover protecting family legacy, keeping a business viable, and transferring wealth across generations. Participants will develop a succession timeline and set practical goals. Morning tea and lunch are provided, and places are limited, so registration is required.
Victoria's Labor government has promised 45 extra beds and 145 nurses for Werribee Mercy Hospital as part of a $1.5 billion election commitment. The plan would expand emergency departments at 12 Victorian hospitals by an average of 25 per cent and reduce waiting times at those hospitals by up to 20 per cent. Labor says the expansion depends on winning re-election. The government has not yet released construction timetables or explained how the waiting time reduction was calculated.
Premier Ben Carroll has promised to expand a dozen emergency departments by 25 per cent as Victorian Labor launches its bid for a fourth term. The $1.5 billion health package also includes 1,500 more health workers, half of them nurses, and 150 extra hospital beds, most opening next year. Labor says the expansions will cut waits by up to 20 per cent at hospitals in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The Australian Medical Association welcomed the funding but called for a review of the whole emergency care system.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has launched Labor's campaign for a fourth straight term, pledging to cut emergency department wait times. He announced $1.5 billion to expand emergency departments at 12 hospitals, with 250 extra beds and 1500 more health workers. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, speaking at a vandalised Upwey South tennis club, focused on crime and pledged 3000 new police officers. Mr Carroll accused the coalition of seeking to Americanise the health system, a claim Ms Wilson rejected. The state election is on November 28.
The Healthy Landscapes Project is holding a practical workshop on Friday, October 30, from 10am to 12pm on Axedale-Goornong Road, Axedale. The interactive session will show how physically assessing soil can reveal its health and productivity. It is open to people new to soil assessment as well as those wanting to build their skills. Participants will gain practical knowledge to better understand the soils on their farms.
Stock Sense is holding a fencing workshop in Gisborne on Friday, November 20, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Participants will learn how to install new fences using the right tools, materials and techniques. The day also covers how to inspect, maintain and repair existing fences to extend their working life. Stock Sense will lead a discussion on biosecurity and best-practice measures for protecting farms. The exact venue will be sent to participants closer to the date.
Ten-year-old Brandon Winkworth raised $500 for Bread Hub Victoria after his school charity choice was not selected. The charity matched the amount, doubling it to $1000. The money will fund vouchers for disadvantaged people in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham to use swimming and gym facilities at Laverton Community Hub and Bayfit. Laverton Community Integrated Services chief executive Michael Pernar praised the boy's efforts. Hobsons Bay mayor Diana Grima said the youngster's hard work was an inspiration. Brandon said he is proud of what he achieved.
