Families across Canberra can enjoy a range of Halloween events from late October into early November. Options include shopping centre candy hunts, craft workshops, glassblowing demonstrations, disco parties, and free community festivals. Many events run on Saturday 31 October, while some are free and others require bookings or tickets. Costume play is encouraged at many venues, with prizes offered for best-dressed children at several events.
Perth is experiencing cooler than usual temperatures for October, with cold mornings continuing this weekend. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angeline Prasad said weak cold fronts from the South West coast and cooler winds from the Southern Ocean are behind the chill. On Saturday, the city dropped to 6.4C at 5.30am and reached a maximum of 18C. Sunday's minimum is expected to be around 7C. Warmer weather is forecast from Tuesday, with temperatures of 27 to 29C expected midweek and up to 30C possible in the Perth Hills and inland suburbs.
The Hay Gun Club will host a two-day clay target shoot on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. The Saturday program starts at 10am with a 100 target point score event. The Sunday program begins at 9.30am and includes 25 pair double rise, 50 target single barrel and 50 target handicap events. Entry is $200 per nomination, and camping with hot showers is available. Cash prizes are on offer across all four events, with a high gun prize valued at $2,000 overall.
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The Royal Geelong Show will be held from 15 to 18 October in Geelong, offering plenty of attractions and activities. Independent photographer Ivan is also featured in coverage of the event.
October is the final month to establish a summer vegetable patch on Tamborine Mountain, before intense summer heat arrives. Gardeners are advised to sow tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers and eggplants, along with salad greens, beetroot and zucchini. Native shrubs such as bottlebrush and lilly pilly suit privacy hedging, while roses, zinnias and dahlias suit formal beds. Key jobs this month include mulching, pruning spring-flowering shrubs after they bloom, fertilising, and managing aphids with natural horticultural oils.
A guide to October television picks four new titles. Believe in Magic is a three-part BBC series on a UK charity founded by Jean O'Brien and her daughter Megan Bhari, which was later shut down. Carrie, a miniseries directed by Mike Flanagan, reimagines Stephen King's story in a modern high school. Gnomes is an Australian horror-comedy about garden gnomes turned killers, while Kill Jackie stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as a former cocaine dealer hunting her attackers. The guide notes where each title can be watched.
Philadelphia sports fans have had a difficult few weeks. The Phillies were eliminated from the postseason by the Atlanta Braves after losing the decisive Game 3. The Eagles lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on a late field goal, and have also lost to the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. The Flyers have won none of their first seven games, which is their worst start in franchise history. Penn State has lost three of its first six games, including one to USC at home.
Black Dog Institute is urging Australians to take part in its One Foot Forward challenge during Mental Health Month in October. Participants can walk, run or move in any way that suits them, while raising funds for mental health research. Professor Sam Harvey says walking for an hour a day can significantly reduce the risk of major depression. Since 2020, the challenge has inspired more than 200,000 people and raised over $39 million. Registrations open today at onefootforward.org.au.
