ACT News
Gang-gang
Canberra's big wet and a young Queen 60 years on
Ian Warden It rained a lot during her majesty, the Queen's, first visit as monarch to Canberra.
Gypsy Lady adds might to chopper fire-fighting squad
BEN WESTCOTT One of the world's largest and most powerful fire-fighting aircraft has joined ACT fire crew.
Plonk: a fruity little drop with an amusing savour
KIRSTEN LAWSON Wine mockumentary has some flavours from the Canberra region.
Athletics
Canberra's Melissa Breen the fastest woman in Australia
LEE GASKIN It was the culmination of a life-long dream - Canberra sprinter Melissa Breen becoming the fastest woman in Australian history.
Federal cuts to mean hard times for many, say insolvency experts
JOHN THISTLETON Business turnaround specialists say small retailers will be among early casualties of federal spending cuts in Canberra.
Green light for bigger backyard granny flats
MEREDITH CLISBY Homeowners in the ACT can now build larger granny flats in their backyards following the approval of an amendment to the city's territory plan.
Adolf Hitler cabaret act defended by Fringe Festival creative director Jorian Gardner
BEN WESTCOTT The director of the Fringe Festival Hitler-themed strip show has hit back at the ''ridiculous'' criticism.
Multicultural Festival fee rises anger stallholders
BEN WESTCOTT More than a quarter-of-a-million people attended the Multicultural Festival over the weekend.
Zombies' flash dance more than a thriller
BEN WESTCOTT Zombies took over the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sunday, to promote a new disaster preparedness program.
Pine Island fire
A small fire at Pine Island in Tuggeranong is being treated as suspicious.
'Middle managers' under threat as public service jobs cull continues
MARKUS MANNHEIM 12:01am The government's razor gangs have middle managers firmly in sight as the public service continues to shed jobs.
Zombie flashmob suprises Old Bus Depot Markets
7:50pm Green Cross Australia brought a whole new twist to disaster preparedness with a zombie flashmob in Canberra on Sunday.
Canberra Rowing Club celebrates 50 years
7:42pm The Canberra Rowing Club celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday evening.
Canberra buses out of action on Monday morning
LARISSA NICHOLSON 6:07pm About 10 buses will be out of action in Canberra on Monday morning and management are warning commuters to prepare for service cancellations.
Skydiver in hospital after accident
BEN WESTCOTT 11:49pm A man is in Canberra Hospital with serious injuries after a skydiving accident near Goulburn on Sunday.
Grass fire shuts down Hume Highway
2:28pm A grass fire briefly shut down parts of the Hume Highway on Sunday near Goulburn on Sunday morning.
Public servants no longer able to snoop on job rivals
MARKUS MANNHEIM 11:30pm Bureaucrats can no longer read the job applications of rivals who beat them to a promotion, the information watchdog has ruled.
Athletics
Melissa Breen sets Australian sprint record
LEE GASKIN 10:41pm Canberra sprinter Melissa Breen is the fastest woman in Australian history after an incredible new national record on Sunday morning.
Hutchence: the new sensation
The story behind one of our best-known rock bands is well told, writes Melinda Houston.
Off to school with laptop and password as parents study social media
FLETA PAGE Craig Dadds's daughter Robyn started high school last week, a rite of passage that for her included a new laptop.
Breastfeeding singer's poke at whingers is an online hit
EWA KRETOWICZ Musician Juliet Moody decided it was time to push back.
ACT school principals question Abbott education plan
FLETA PAGE The ACT Principals' Association has questioned a proposal designed to give school principals more autonomy.
Nazi strip show outrage
SCOTT HANNAFORD Organisers of the Fringe Festival have defended a free public performance held in Civic on Friday night that featured a performer in a Nazi-style uniform and wearing a Hitler moustache who stripped down to her underwear, amid claims it was anti-Semitic.
Ainslie building owner rejected from government asbestos scheme
FLETA PAGE The owner of the building at the Ainslie shops which contains asbestos tried to have it removed 18 years ago.
Hot dog! Brod van rocks back on Multicultural Festival's Route 66
Fleta Page, Stephanie Anderson The famous red caravan which formerly housed Brodburger is about to come out of hiding.
Heat fails to phase multicultural festival crowd
FLETA PAGE As dinner time approached and Canberra's temperature cooled, thousands swamped the annual National Multicultural Festival on Saturday evening.
Man charged with 'up-skirting' photos in Canberra
A man will face court charged with "up-skirting" a woman at the National Multicultural Festival opening.
Henry VIII's world view on display
Given the politics, and Henry VIII's illness, a Frenchman would take care presenting him with a world atlas.
Land where shamans got high to fly
Exactly what is being depicted will always be a mystery, but it's a breath-taking mystery, writes Katie Russell.
Litbits
Indie nomination for Walsh
Ron Cerabona Canberra author Kerry-Anne Walsh who has been nominated in the non-fiction category of the Indie Awards 2014.
Two identities, one story
Michele Lee's debut novel is in part a coming-of-age memoir, writes Hamish Boland-Rudder.
Fringe Festival boss slams early liquor licensing laws
STEPHANIE ANDERSON Outspoken arts identity Jorian Gardner has struck out at the ACT's "nanny state" attitude towards liquor licensing.
Picking up threads thanks to pollies
MEGAN DOHERTY A Canberra woman could end up wearing a suit once owned by a certain flame-haired former prime minister.
Rob de Castella runs the attack against junk food
MEGAN DOHERTY Rob de Castella is continuing his war on obesity by calling for junk food to be banned from school canteens.
Start sweltering week with cool approach at National Multicultural Festival
BEN WESTCOTT If you're heading to the National Multicultural Festival this weekend take a hat and sunscreen, as Canberra's weather is forecast to be hot, dry and windy until at least next Thursday.
Low rates and falling values drove buyers into Canberra's top suburbs in 2013
MEREDITH CLISBY Residents flocked to buy homes in some of the territory's top suburbs last year amid falling values and low interest rates, new data shows.
Lend Lease cleared by ASIO building debacle report
NOEL TOWELL Lend Lease has been cleared of ripping off small Canberra builders who worked on the city's huge ASIO building.
Women's action leads to ban on Canberra lawyer
CHRISTOPHER KNAUS A Canberra lawyer who had an ''intimate relationship'' with a woman seeking legal advice over a child custody battle has lost a fight to clear his name.
Raiderettes hopefuls are ready to bring it on for the 2014 NRL season
CHRIS WILSON The Raiderettes had their nails painted lime green, but the traditional cheerleaders of NRL club the Canberra Raiders denied their claws were out.
Ryan family's charitable record bid a hair-raising event
Ania Dutka The Ryan family from Royalla will shed their locks in a bid to be part of a world-record breaking buzz in March.
ACT Human Brochure campaign wins Australian Tourism award
PETER JEAN Canberra’s unique viral marketing “Human Brochure’’ campaign has won a major prize at the Australian Tourism Awards.
About Town
Magpies Belconnen race day
Photos: Jay Cronan People gather for the Magpies Belconnen race day at Thoroughbred Park on Friday, February 7.
Private Capital
Locals hunt for silver and gold
MEGAN DOHERTY Voting has opened for this year’s Logie awards and plenty of talent with links to Canberra is in contention.
About Town
Opera by Candlelight
Photos: Graham Tidy Guests enjoy the Opera by Candlelight at the Albert Hall on Friday, February 7.
Patient unconscious after bee sting
The Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter has been sent to collect a patient left unconscious after a bee sting at Bengabi.
Introducing the Argo 800: you'll never guess what it's for
Ania Dutka The ACT government has enlisted a new weapon in the fight against the growing blackberry and woody weed infestation along the Murrumbidgee River. And it means business.
ACT police pursuit policy very sensible: union
CHRISTOPHER KNAUS The ACT's police pursuit policy is balanced and safe, according to the police union, who have also praised the inquest's description of Justin "Mully" Williams actions in causing one of the city's most shocking crashes.
'Mr Fluffy' asbestos in Ainslie shops
EMMA MACDONALD Loose asbestos insulation, of the kind used by the now infamous “Mr Fluffy”, has been confirmed in the roof of the Ainslie shops.
A weekend in your suburb: 36 hours in Barton
Karleen Minney When I searched 'Things to do in Barton, ACT' I got this; "Sorry, your search did not provide any results. Please refine your selection."
Lawyer in 'intimate relationship' with client
CHRISTOPHER KNAUS A Canberra lawyer who had an "intimate relationship" with a woman seeking legal advice over a child custody battle has lost a fight to clear his name.
