For Benn and Mork Ratanakosol, opening a new family-friendly Vietnamese restaurant in Scullin is something of a homecoming.
Before the doors even properly swung open last night, EASY BOY! had a waiting list for bookings. Indeed, in the days since we revealed that the team behind Morks and Mínima was heading to Belconnen, the reaction has been instant, affectionate and a little bit breathless: What will it be like? Will it feel like Morks? How soon can we get a table?
For Benn, that warmth has been moving and reassuring. After building the reputation of Mínima in Yarralumla, the decision to branch back into Belconnen, where his parents ran the original Morks beween 2008-2013, has carried a hopeful question: would people remember? As it turns out, they do. They remembered family dinners in Florey, and the thrill of discovering something special tucked into a local shopping strip.
“People still remember really fondly going to Morks, either with their parents or with people who still live in the area,” Benn says. “They’ve grown up with us over time. I’m really stoked that we’re back in the Belco area.”
Taking over the former Muku Ramen Bar site at Scullin Shops, beside another beloved local name, Sweet Bones, the light, bright, corner space has expansive windows on two sides, creating an enticing view of the bonhomie inside. Décor is fun – from EASY BOY! poster art, ink-dipped curtains dividing the room and kitchen and large globe lights dangling from the rafters.
All week, people have been walking past, knocking on the door and stepping inside to say how excited they are that something new is coming to the area.
“There’s a lot of community to be found in the suburbs,” Benn says. “It’s especially strong here.”
Having had the honour of a seat at the table for opening night, HerCanberra can attest that the menu is well worth the cruise down Belconnen Way. It is mostly Vietnamese, with the broader Southeast Asian inflections and playful confidence that have made the brothers’ restaurants so memorable. The tasting menu features small dishes of pork nem nuróng spring rolls, mini bánh xèo pancake with scallop and chive, taro croquette with sesame and hot sauce, and chicken wings with fish sauce and caramel.
Chicken wings which disappeared in minutes
Slightly larger dishes arrive of kingfish ceviche with pineapple salsa and bacon and a spicy seafood noodle salad with peanut and grapefruit and pork crackling, before mains of hot-and-sour South Coast snapper, and beef short rib with young chilli relish are set down alongside jasmine rice.
We finish with a gently fragrant dessert of lychee jelly with chia seed and coconut cream.
Spicy seafood noodle salad
Each dish is balanced, interesting and delicious, particularly the hot-and-sour snapper and the caramel chicken wings – which disappeared within minutes.
Benn says the à la carte menu will offer between 10 to 12 smaller dishes—alongside a handful of larger plates and rotating specials. The focus is on sharing, grazing and enjoying one of their bespoke cocktails or a wine from their mainly Australian-based wine list.
Bookings, Benn says, are already “really healthy” – so healthy on some nights that the team has had to close them off to make sure the kitchen can deliver the quality it wants. His message is simple: if you cannot get in straight away, give it a moment. EASY BOY! is not going anywhere.
The brothers are determined to deliver something special (when have they not?) and are clearly revelling in the pleasure of being recognised by a community that never quite forgot them.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: EASY BOY!
Where: 5-9 Scullin Place
When: Tuesday – Friday 5 pm, Saturday – Sunday from 11.30 am
Web: Instagram
Mark your calendars, foodies. We’ve rounded up the freshest openings, pop-ups, limited releases, and sadly, some goodbyes happening across the capital this August.
From beer festivals and cosy raclette nights to the bittersweet farewell of a local fine-dining favourite, here’s your ultimate bite-sized guide to eating and drinking well this month.
Openings, closings and moves
EASY BOY! Mínima/Morks magic is arriving in Scullin
We predict big things for this addition to Belconnen. EASY BOY! is the latest incarnation from brothers Mork and Benn Ratanakosol, known both locally and nationally through the former eatery Morks in Kingston and current eatery Mínima in Yarralumla.
EASY BOY! promises a relaxed, family-friendly, mostly Vietnamese eatery. It opens to the public on Saturday 1 August.
Tucked away in Campbell, this Modern Australian restaurant was loved for its ever-changing menu and commitment to sourcing ingredients from small local producers. Sadly, Peonee officially called last drinks on Saturday 25 July.
Leaving a gap in Canberra’s fine-dining scene, it was a favourite of the HC team, and we’re very sorry to see the restaurant close its doors.
Capital Brewing Co. has launched a Lamington Stout
We have mixed feelings about this. Inspired by the classic bakery treat, the Lamington Stout packs layers of rich chocolate, caramel, and biscuit malts into a thick, creamy 6.5% ABV body. A jammy raspberry cuts through the rich dark profile, while toasted coconut brings unmistakable lamington energy from first sip to last.
Promising indulgent yet dangerously easy drinking, this special release won’t hang around for long – catch it on tap at the Capital Brewing Co. Fyshwick taproom before it’s gone.
K-Food Canberra is bringing Korean homemade meals right to your door
Korean food is having a moment in Canberra, but for those who are craving a cosy night at home, K-Food Canberra is the new delivery service you need to know about.
Cooking up everything from Beef Short Rib soup to spring onion kimchi, the way it works is simple: you choose your menu for either Tuesday or Saturday, choose between pick up and delivery and then enjoy your homemade Korean meals!
Limited stock is available – visit the website to see when pre-orders close.
Canberra welcomes a Chinese BBQ buffet!
You’ve had Korean BBQ, and you’ve had Japanese BBQ, but have you had Chinese BBQ? Now open at the Capital Food Market in Belconnen, The Meat House Buffet is serving up Chinese BBQ meats, hot dishes, cold dishes, fruit, and desserts.
All you need to do is load up your plate with protein and fresh vegetables, head back for noodles, fried rice, stir-fries, soups and all the sides and mix up your own dipping sauce before cooking it all yourself. Don’t forget to try one of the Asian jelly desserts!
Feasts, festivals and more: delicious foodie experiences
Teddy’s Matcha turns one
How has it been a whole year since Teddy’sMatcha popped up to bring hand-whisked matcha to Canberra? Growing a cult-like following for their unique flavour combinations (the Salted Maple Matcha is a must-try), on Sunday 2 August they’ll be celebrating at the Old Bus Depot Markets.
They’ll also be launching a new limited-edition flavour: the Raspberry Danish matcha. Run, don’t walk. Find out more here.
Don’t miss this Officina Pizzeria takeover
The team behind Pilot and Such and Such are taking over the oven for Round 2 of their pizza takeover, with chef Mal Hanslow running the show. Get along to Officina Pizzeria on Monday 10 August to enjoy a stripped-back, high-flavour menu featuring pizzas, calzones, and a few surprise extras.
With an ultra-focused lineup of around six items, counter service only, and pure culinary magic, make sure to show up early to grab a slice from some of Canberra’s top talent.
Big Box BBQ and AK’s are pairing up for another delicious dinner
Did you miss out on the last pop-up from these two powerhouses? It looks like Big Box BBQ and AK’s are pairing up once again for an unforgettable meal on Sunday 16 August.
Keep an eye out – more details should drop soon!
Grazing’s Hunter’s Feast Dinner is back for another year
Looking for an excuse to book a table at Grazing in Gundaroo? Their annual Hunter’s Feast Dinner returns on Saturday 29 August. Comprising a five-course dining experience inspired by the traditions of hunting, gathering, and sharing, the menu features wild game, native ingredients, and seasonal produce, with optional wine pairings available.
It’s priced at $155 per person (plus an additional $65 per person for matched wines), and bookings are essential.
Marshmallow, raclette, and more await at Mount Majura Vineyard
Gather around the fire pits at Mount Majura Vineyard on Friday 7 August! Promising a cosy evening among the vines celebrating the magic of winter, the Fireside Festival Raclette Night includes traditional melted raclette, scraped live over a line-up of delicious accompaniments for a classic cold-weather feast.
Plus, you can settle in under the night sky with a glass of Mount Majura wine, toast marshmallows over the open flame, and soak up the warm atmosphere. Tickets include your serve of raclette, a glass of wine, and roasting marshmallows. Book here.
A nine-course degustation awaits at The George
Celebrating one of the region’s most prized winter ingredients, The George Bar & Dining is hosting its annual one-night-only Truffle & Wine dinner on Thursday 7 August.
Truffle lovers will enjoy a luxurious menu highlighting peak Australian produce (including Moreton Bay bug and MB9 Wagyu) finished with generous shavings of fresh black truffles harvested straight from the family’s own Gidleigh Station trufferie, with each course thoughtfully paired with biodynamic drops from nearby Lark Hill Winery.
Winemaker Chris Carpenter will be on hand to guide guests through the pairings alongside Head of Horticulture Sam Foster at this intimate ‘meet the producer’ experience. It’s well worth the trip to Bungendore.
Plan ahead for this long lunch at Pomegranate
Already thinking about spring? Rutherglen’s Pfeiffer Wines is returning to Kingston’s award-winning Pomegranate this September for an afternoon of exceptional food, wine, and warm hospitality.
Guests will enjoy a curated multi-course menu paired with a selection of Pfeiffer’s finest drops, bringing together great wine, standout food, and wonderful company in the heart of Kingston.
DeVINO has an Aperol Spritz Brulé perfect for winter tipples
Woden’s own Italian enoteca DeVINOhas launched a winter special that will warm you from the inside out – a $10 mulled wine they’re calling an ‘Aperol Spritz Brulé’. Yum.
But that’s not the only new addition to the wine store and bar. They’ve also launched a new menu with ‘smaller bites’, giving people a true taste of Italy with roasted bruschetta, marinated olives with crunchy Italian taralli and paninis that can be eaten in or taken away.
Don’t miss IPA Week at BentSpoke BrewPub
Get ready for seven days of hop-focused fun as BentSpoke BrewPub celebrates all things IPA from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 August.
Beer lovers can look forward to fresh releases, a surprise tap launch, a brand-new New Zealand IPA on Tuesday, and a collectively brewed Hazy IPA dropping on Friday. You can also test your knowledge at IPA trivia with alumnus brewer Dan on Wednesday, snag prizes during Thursday’s Cranky Hour raffle, meet the brewers on Friday afternoon, and push your spice limits in Saturday’s hot wing challenge. Rounding out the week on Sunday, kids eat free!
Plus, if you manage to work your way through every IPA on tap using their ‘TRY-PA Card’ throughout the week, you’ll go into the draw to win a $200 brewpub voucher.
Make the most of the First Decade of Octomore
Whisky enthusiasts can embark on a rich tasting journey celebrating the bold heritage of Bruichladdich’s heavily peated spirit at Liquor Legends in Hawker on Wednesday 5 August.
Designed to challenge conventional Scotch making, Octomore’s young, cask-strength releases have defied critics to become iconic expressions in the whisky world. Taking you through several flights, you’ll explore early landmark releases alongside current offerings.
Gather fellow dram lovers for a memorable night of tasting. Book here.
This Braidwood distillery has been named ‘Best in Class’ at the Australian International Spirits Awards
Located just down the road in Braidwood’s Troopers Rest, we’re claiming Hold Fast Distilleryas our own.
The distillery was recently named amongst the “Best in Class Winners” at the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, recognised for its Man O’ War gin.
With the essence of a complex Navy Strength Gin, we’ll raise a glass to this local win.
Meet the Godfather of Australian whisky
Whisky lovers, this one is for you. On Wednesday 12 August, Louis is hosting an evening with LARK Distillery founder Bill Lark. Founding the distillery in 1992 – and famous for lobbying to overturn Tasmanian laws banning distillation – he has inspired over 400 distilleries across the country.
He will guide guests through three expressions from LARK’s celebrated Signature Collection (Fire Trail, Devil’s Storm, and Ruby Abyss), complemented by roaming canapés from the Louis kitchen. Guests will also take home a bottle of Fire Trail No. 151 Single Malt Whisky.
Visit Tasmania’s wine country without leaving Canberra
Love a glass of Tassie wine? Boutique producers from Canberra and Tasmania are gathering at Verity Lane Market for an exclusive tasting event on Friday 14 August.
Southern Oscillations x CBR Cellar to City @ Verity Lane Market offers the chance to taste side-by-side pours from acclaimed Canberra labels like MADA and Ravensworth alongside Tasmanian favourites like Glaetzer-Dixon and Sailor Seeks Horse.
You’ll discover how regional sunshine, elevation, and maritime climates shape the wines and meet the winemakers, compare regional profiles, and enjoy food offerings! Book your spot here.
A beer festival experience is coming to Gungahlin
Get excited, because from Friday 14 until Sunday 16 August, Cypher Brewing Co. is presenting its flagship dark beer festival. Bringing together 10 hand-picked dark brews from leading craft breweries across Australia and New Zealand, Chaos Realm III: The Dark Ascension will feature fire pits, live music, vinyl DJs, magic shows, and festival food pairings.
Sounds more like a fantasy novel than a beer festival, but we’re here for it.
When we last spoke to Corella & Crow designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley in 2025, they had just shown their very first collection at Darwin’s Country to Couture.
This time when we meet at Belconnen Arts Centre to look at their Nguramban-dhi collection, the duo is about to embark on a journey to the Top End for the second year in a row. Showing their new collection – Madhan – as part of Country to Couture on Monday 3 August, they admit that last year’s experience felt like a dream.
But after carefully shipping off 15 looks that showcase botanical dyeing, silk painting, screen printing, and hand weaving, the invitation to show once again at the biggest celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fashion design only proves that Corella & Crow is not out of place amongst the incredible line-up of designers.
“It’s an honour and absolute privilege to have a second go at it,” says Rechelle.
“We’re really excited to share skills from our Country and our town and to put that on display on a national stage,” Megan adds.
Rechelle (Corella) and Megan (Crow) started planning Madhan straight after showing Nguramban-dhi in 2025, both instantly drawn to the imagery of trees. What makes this collection unique, however, is that they began designing it before they had even spoken about the concept together.
Megan sketched while Rechelle turned the concept around in her head. Then one day, Corella approached Crow – and much like the inspiration behind their brand name – it was a moment of pure kismet.
“We hadn’t even talked about it,” says Rechelle.
“We both had all these ideas around trees, but all of Rechelle’s ideas were about regrowth and seeds, while mine were more of fire and regeneration,” adds Megan. “We both had these really different takes on it.”
Still using upcycled and recycled materials and natural items as inspiration, as the year progressed, they started narrowing down their ideas for Madhan. And while they weren’t sure if they would be invited back for Country to Couture 2026, they had four looks done before Christmas. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mad dash right until the end.
The result is a cohesive collection that both Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal women are proud of.
Beyond the runway, it has also been a monumental year of growth for the pair.
“Earlier this year we were awarded a $50,000 Creative Australia grant to support our learning and creative practice, including developing future collections and travelling to Indonesia to deepen our knowledge and skills in traditional batik dyeing,” explains Rechelle.
“More recently we were also fortunate to receive two ArtsACT Cultural Arts Grants. Megan received $15,000 to support our return to Country to Couture next year, should our application be successful, and I was awarded $15,000 to develop and present a First Nations Fashion Show here on Ngunnawal Country next year.”
While the finer details are still being locked in, the local First Nations Fashion Show will be held at Belconnen Arts and will be a true community celebration – spotlighting First Nations creatives from designers and models to jewellery makers and photographers
“We’re really excited to put a spotlight on the talent of this region,” says Megan.
“We’re representing the Canberra region, representing Wiradjuri Ngunnawal and representing our mob. You can’t be what you can’t see.”
With more information to come, keep an eye out to find out more about the First Nations Fashion Show.
From Shakespearean tragedy to psychological thrillers, Canberra’s theatre scene is serving up something for everyone this August and September.
Whether you’re after a gripping page-to-stage adaptation, an intimate cabaret evening or a school production tackling climate change, here are 10 local shows worth booking in for.
The Winter’s Tale Youth Production
Experience Shakespeare’s classic story of jealousy, loss, and miraculous redemption in a dynamic production staged by young local performers. Directed by Heidi Silberman with verse coaching from Lakespeare & Co. co-founder Lexi Sekuless, this 80-minute performance brings UK drama-school text rigour to the local stage. Spanning two kingdoms and sixteen years, the narrative moves from tragic paranoia to pastoral romance, complete with disguises, young love, and theatre’s most famous stage direction: “Exit, pursued by a bear.”
Wednesday 5 until Saturday 15 August | Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, Building 3.3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com
The Girl on the Train
Mockingbird Theatre Company presents the Canberra premiere of the stage thriller The Girl on the Train, adapted from Paula Hawkins’ best-selling novel and the hit DreamWorks film. Directed and designed by Chris Baldock, this psychological drama follows Rachel Watson, who becomes entangled in a dangerous missing-persons mystery involving a couple she observes daily from her commute. Featuring a strong local cast, this gripping 140-minute production delivers twists, secrets, and high-stakes tension in the intimate Mockingbird Studio at Belconnen Arts Centre.
Wednesday 5 until Saturday 22 August, 7.30 pm (Matinees 2 pm) | The Mockingbird Studio, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Hibernation
Experience thought-provoking local theatre as Narrabundah College Performing Arts presents Finegan Kruckemeyer’s captivating play, Hibernation. Set in the year 2030 amidst an escalating global climate crisis, world leaders enact a radical solution: plunging the entire human population into a synchronised one-year sleep to allow nature to restore itself. When humanity awakens, however, the consequences prove far different than imagined. Performed by talented student actors at the Hawk Theatre, this compelling production explores environmental responsibility, human resilience, and ethical dilemmas. Gather theatre lovers for an engaging evening of speculative drama that will spark conversation long after curtain call.
Thursday 6 until Saturday 8 August | Hawk Theatre, Narrabundah College, Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | events.humanitix.com
Diamond
Liz Lea presents Diamond, a one-woman show blending contemporary dance, song, cabaret, and burlesque, in its world premiere season at The Q. Inspired by the enduring strength and many facets of a diamond, the work reflects on the experience of ageing, exploring the resilience, courage, and beauty of women through movement, humour, and heartfelt transformation. The second in a trilogy – following RED, which toured internationally for five years – Diamond sees Lea joined by special guests in this season presented by Q the Locals. Auslan interpretation is available for Saturday performances; audio description for Friday and Saturday.
Step into the intimate surrounds of Ambrosia Lounge as the Rare Bird ensemble blends theatre, live jazz, and cabaret storytelling. Set in a lively bar setting, Love and Forgetting follows the captivating tales of a young bartender navigating longing, reinvention, and human connection. Guests can enjoy finely crafted cocktails while being transported from the banks of the Murrumbidgee to Manhattan through charming music and witty dialogue. Blurring the boundaries between performer and audience, the production offers a warm, immersive evening that celebrates the memories and stories that shape us. Gather your friends for an unforgettable night of music and storytelling.
Friday 7 until Sunday 9 August | Ambrosia Lounge, Building 2, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | milltheatreatdairyroad.com
The Glass Menagerie
Step into a beautifully fragile world of memory and illusion with Canberra REP’s latest theatrical production, The Glass Menagerie. Directed by Geoffrey Borny, this amateur production of Tennessee Williams’ classic masterpiece trades grit for magic, using wryly humorous memories, music, and striking visual effects to underscore the narrative. Set during the late 1930s Great Depression, the story follows Tom’s guilt-ridden reflections on his family: his mother Amanda who lives vitally in a romanticised past, his sister Laura who retreats into a comforting world of miniature glass animals, and the sudden arrival of a hopeful gentleman caller. It stands as a moving tribute to the survival mechanisms and fragile illusions we build just to give life meaning.
Until Saturday, 8 August | Canberra REP Theatre, Acton | canberrarep.org.au
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Free-Rain Theatre Company brings the second-longest-running Off-Broadway musical revue to Kingston’s ACT Hub. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change takes a hilarious, honest look at the modern dating landscape, tackling everything from awkward first encounters and wedding stress to family road trips and senior dating. Performed by a cast of six playing 58 distinct characters, this updated version features catchy songs and relatable vignettes that celebrate romantic chaos in all its messy glory.
Wednesday 19 August until Saturday 5 September | ACT Hub, Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | freeraintheatre.com
Saplings
Winner of the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Young People, Saplings brings a collection of raw, funny, and heartbreaking stories to Queanbeyan. Written by Yuwaalaray playwright Hannah Belanszky and directed by Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis, the play reflects the lived experiences of youth navigating the justice system. Four actors take on multiple roles against a soundtrack of original rap and hip-hop tracks created by young people. Through poetry and humour, the 80-minute performance examines survival instincts, vulnerability, and systemic challenges facing youth today. Secure tickets for an impactful day or evening performance at The Q.
Saturday 22 August, 2 pm and 7.30 pm | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Bombshells
Joanna Murray-Smith’s acclaimed play Bombshells takes the stage at The Q, stripping back social masks to reveal five women balancing internal chaos with external composure. Moving from crisis to hilarity, the production delivers five distinct monologues featuring a nervous bride, an exhausted mother, a broken-hearted cactus lover, a widow, and a feisty teenager. Unlike traditional one-woman stagings, this production casts five separate actors, bringing unique vulnerability and depth to each character’s story. Relatable and fiercely honest, it provides a night of pure storytelling, comedy, and connection for theatre lovers.
Thursday 27 until Saturday 29 August, 2 pm and 7.30 pm | The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Disney’s Frozen
Free-Rain Theatre Company presents Disney’s Frozen, The Broadway Musical at The Q. Based on the animated film, the production features songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, including Let It Go, Do You Want to Build a Snowman? and Love Is an Open Door, alongside additional numbers written for the stage. The musical follows sisters Princess Anna and Queen Elsa of Arendelle, tracing Anna’s journey with Kristoff and Olaf to break the endless winter caused by Elsa’s hidden powers and restore their kingdom. The season runs across five weeks with a local cast and creative team, incorporating costume and stagecraft elements suited to the story’s setting.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), a retelling of Jane Austen’s novel performed by an all-female cast of five, opens at the Canberra Theatre for its Australian premiere season. Originally directed by Isobel McArthur, the West End production won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and reworks Austen’s story of love, class and family expectation through a mix of dialogue and pop songs, including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain. The cast includes Amy Lehpamer, Zoe Ioannou, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Ruby Shannon and Teo Vergara.
Wednesday 16 – Sunday 27 September, various times | Canberra Theatre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Strong is the New Pretty
Strong is the New Pretty, written by Suzie Miller and directed by Sarah Giles, receives its world premiere at The Playhouse. A Brisbane Festival, Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions co-production, the play traces the formation of the AFLW, from a 2010 report recommending a national women’s league through to the competition’s launch seven years later. The docudrama draws on real events and voices from the sport, presented by a cast of eight including Lucy Bell, Amy Ingram and Tara Morice. Miller is also known for RBG: Of Many, One and Prima Facie. The season runs for three performances, with mature themes, coarse language, haze and strobe effects noted.
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 September, various times | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Peter and the Starcatcher
Peter and the Starcatcher upends the familiar story of how an orphan becomes Peter Pan. A young orphan and his companions are shipped from Victorian England to an island ruled by King Zarboff, unaware that a trunk in the captain’s cabin holds an otherworldly cargo. At sea, they are discovered by Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training, who identifies the cargo as starstuff, a celestial substance that must not fall into the wrong hands. When pirates led by Black Stache seize the ship intent on claiming the trunk, the story follows greed, despair and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. The Tony-winning production blends comedy, adventure and theatrical invention.
The Australian National University (ANU) has been educating students for eight decades, becoming an important part of Canberra and one of Australia’s leading universities.
Now, as ANU marks its 80th birthday, you’re invited to celebrate. On Saturday 15 August, come along to ANU Community Day to discover a different side of the campus and uncover the stories and histories that have made ANU what it is.
From 10 am until 4 pm, Kambri precinct will be coming to life – and there will be something for all ages.
At the Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Curiosity Unleashed will see live science shows, face painting, interactive exhibits and more. For those taking the whole family along, this is the place to go.
Alongside exhibits from Questacon (which ANU helped establish) and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, there will be a range of workshops and exhibits to entertain and inform you, including science shows from ANU science communicators and performers, a marshmallow challenge and much more.
Make sure you don’t miss holographic chocolate being made and set aside some time to explore the ANU student art market.
Meanwhile, the Discovery Zoneat the Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre is perfect for anyone curious about student creativity and innovation, history, politics, and the world around us.
View and read the stories of the handcrafted Australian of the Year trophies, meet Tappy the robot, learn how rainforests communicate, and check out screenings at the Cultural Centre Cinema, concluding at 4 pm with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
If you’re after some outdoor fun, head to Joplin Lane. You’ll find delicious meals, snacks and drinks, while live music will keep the lane vibing all day long. Other unmissable highlights? Think: a Bollywood-inspired workout, a Chinese calligraphy class, and the chance to build (and launch) your own paper rocket.
Want to explore even further? Join a bush tucker walking tour or get active with ANU Sport. It’s the perfect excuse to wander the grounds and connect with the people and ideas that have helped shape the nation.
Check out the full program – with so much happening you’ll want to start planning.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: ANU Community Day
When: Saturday 15 August, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: The Australian National University, 154 University Avenue, Acton Web: anu.edu.au
From sizzling truffle degustations to a glowing winter celebration filled with community cheer, live theatre tributes, and local pop-ups, there’s zero excuse to stay glued to the couch this weekend.
Scroll on for 70+ fantastic ways to make the most of your weekend in Canberra!
Looking for even more to do in Canberra? Check out our What’s On section to find hundreds of events happening around town.
Don’t miss…
The Forage
Canberra’s iconic original street food event is back to transform the Belconnen foreshore into a buzzing foodie heaven. Gathering the region’s best local restaurants, bars, food trucks, and performers, it’s a community celebration packed with incredible flavours and vibrant atmosphere. Grab your crew, sample delicious local bites, and soak up the lakeside vibes.
Saturday 1 August, 12 pm–7 pm | Emu Bank Inlet, Emu Bank, Belconnen | theforage.com.au
Light Up Lyneham
Rug up and bring your neighbors along for the seventh annual Light Up Lyneham—a glowing winter celebration filled with community cheer. The evening features local stalls, delicious street food, and continuous live music, including a headline performance on the Brass Stage by the 80-member Ginninderra Wind Orchestra. The highlight of the festival is the sunset lantern parade led by the illuminated Canberra Mountain Lion toward the local wetlands and back.
Gather your smartest friends and get ready for a brilliant evening of connection, friendly competition, and advocacy at the Hellenic Club Woden. The Blue Dog Foundation is hosting a special trivia night fundraiser to shine a light on an incredibly important local cause: the establishment of a dedicated Children’s Oncology Unit right here in Canberra. Currently, far too many families are forced to travel interstate during the most challenging periods of their lives. This special evening aims to build public awareness, strengthen community advocacy, and help drive meaningful change for families across the ACT and surrounding regions.
Guests can look forward to lively trivia rounds, team competitions, raffles, and plenty of fantastic prizes. Delicious food is also included in the ticket price, making it a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a night out while networking and engaging with passionate members of the community. Whether you choose to round up a table to attend, share the event with your networks, or support the foundation through corporate sponsorship or prize donations, your involvement makes a real difference. Tickets are available online now, so grab yours and help support a vital addition to our regional healthcare system.
Saturday 1 August. Doors open 6:30 pm (trivia starts 7 pm sharp) | Hellenic Club Woden, Matilda Street, Philip | tixfox.co/e/bdftrivia
National Zoo and Aquarium 28th Birthday Celebrations
The National Zoo and Aquarium is marking 28 years of conservation and protection of the natural world with a weekend of family fun. Visitors can enjoy free hayrides, mascot photo opportunities, special keeper talks, and watch the animals receive birthday enrichment. Guests will also have the chance to win lucky door prizes, including a night at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. All birthday activities are included with regular admission, offering access to animal encounters, the interactive dinosaur display, and one of Canberra’s best playgrounds.
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, 9.30 am–5 pm | National Zoo & Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla | nationalzoo.com.au
Winter in the Woods
Step into a magical seasonal escape at the National Arboretum Canberra with the inaugural Winter in the Woods festival. This exciting new celebration brings together firelight, food, and forest adventures designed to warm the soul even on the crispest winter days. Visitors can explore a fantastic mix of free, self-guided activities, alongside a curated program of bookable workshops, guided tours, and First Nations-led experiences. It is the perfect excuse to rug up, gather around the crackling fire pits, and enjoy delicious treats from the outdoor food hub during the school holidays.
Take a nostalgic drive through the history of an absolute Australian icon with Rear vision: the Holden collection at the National Archives. This fascinating exhibition traces Holden’s journey from a humble 19th-century saddlery to ‘Australia’s Own Car’ and its permanent impact on the nation’s economy, industrial landscape, and cultural identity. Visitors can explore historical archival records, rare artifacts, blueprints, and photographs that reveal the innovations, challenges, and people behind General Motors-Holden. Developed by the State Library of South Australia and expanded with national records, the exhibition also offers daily gallery talks.
Until Sunday 11 October | National Archives of Australia, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Antarctica
Explore the frozen continent at the National Museum of Australia through a fascinating exhibition sharing Australia’s enduring connection to the icy south. Visitors can discover over 100 years of Antarctic science, exploration, and survival through rare artefacts, historic equipment, and first-hand accounts from researchers. Immersive displays bring polar landscapes to life with blizzards and the aurora australis, teaching families about the region’s unique wildlife and environmental significance. It’s a captivating opportunity for curious minds of all ages to journey into an extreme environment right from the comfort of our capital.
Until Sunday 11 October | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Life in the Great Barrier Reef 360° VR Documentary
Submerge yourself in a breathtaking underwater world without leaving the inner north. Premiering at the National Museum of Australia, Life in the Great Barrier Reef is an immersive 35-minute cinematic documentary utilising custom-built 8K 360° virtual reality technology. Guided by leading scientists, reef stewards, and Traditional Owners, audiences are transported to the depths of two UNESCO World Heritage sites to encounter manta rays, whales, and rare coral spawning events, while gaining a deeper understanding of current conservation efforts.
Ongoing, session times vary | National Museum of Australia, Acton Peninsula | nma.gov.au
Special Events and Festivals
The Gallery Next Door Launch
Celebrate the official opening of Canberra’s newest art space, The Gallery Next Door. The debut exhibition showcases expressive paintings by local artist Valentyna Crane alongside whimsical ceramic creations by Elena Bozhko-Marshall. Head along to meet local creators and welcome a brand-new hub for regional art.
Saturday 1 August, 2 pm | The Gallery Next Door, Duffy Shopping Centre, Duffy | @thegallery.nextdoor
Moosechella: Mooseheads 22nd Birthday
Canberra’s iconic nightlife venue Mooseheads is turning 22, and they’re throwing a massive, multi-zone festival party to celebrate! Moosechella will transform the entire building across five distinct party zones, including the official grand opening of their brand-new outdoor beer garden along London Circuit. Expect line-ups of guest DJs, dance floors, drink specials, and non-stop energy all night long.
Celebrate International Blues Music Day with an epic six-hour showcase presented by the Canberra Blues Society. The festival kicks off with the Blues Guitar Roadshow, headlined by direct-from-the-US international star Ana Popovic alongside Australian legends Geoff Achison, Ray Beadle, The McNaMarr Project, and local hero Chris Harland. Stick around into the evening for the official CBS IBMD Party featuring sets from Nick Charles and The Sunbears to keep you dancing late into the night.
The thunder of steel, the clash of swords, and the roar of the crowd return to the Zeppelin Room as the Canberra Burly Griffins host an epic day of live medieval combat. Warriors from across Australia will descend on the capital to battle for glory in full armor. Grab a stein, cheer on the champions, and prepare for a spectacle unlike anything else in the city.
Canberra winters are famously crisp, but the National Arboretum is finding a wonderfully creative way to warm the soul this season. The popular annual ‘Warm Trees’ installation is returning to colour the landscape, transforming the local forests into a vibrant outdoor art gallery. Made possible by the incredible dedication of hundreds of local volunteers, this community-focused event wraps the trees in beautiful, handmade warmth.
Our city’s visitors and locals alike can explore more than 17 different forests across the spectacular grounds, spotting bright, hand-knitted scarves adorning everything from the towering trees on Dairy Farmers Hill to the miniature branches in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. The surrounding ‘Winter in the Woods’ program offers plenty of opportunities to rug up by the firelight, enjoy toasted marshmallows, and sip rich mulled wine under the stars.
Until Sunday 9 August | National Arboretum Canberra, Forest Drive, Molonglo Valley | nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
NFSA’s Winter Film Series
Take a cinematic journey through time and space in the Winter Film Series at Arc Cinema.
From mind-bending time travel and fractured narratives to intergalactic adventures, alien encounters and cosmic odysseys, join us for stories stretching across eras and into the far reaches of the universe.
Whether you’re drawn to contemplative tales or epic escapism, you can explore worlds reshaped by technology, desire and chance.
Until 31 August | NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Platypus Month
Discover one of Australia’s most unique, magical wildlife experiences during Platypus Month across the stunning Upper Murrumbidgee region. Running from late July through August, this annual celebration shines a spotlight on the iconic, elusive platypus through a diverse calendar of guided walks, citizen science surveys, family activities, expert talks, and local film screenings. The local waterways are home to highly active, healthy platypus populations, and the month offers a rare opportunity to join guided dawn or dusk platypus-spotting walks at picturesque river corridors. It’s an authentic outdoor adventure perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and wildlife photographers looking to connect with local conservation teams.
Until Monday 31 August | Various regional waterways and locations | act.waterwatch.org.au
Food + Drink
High Tea for a Cause
Indulge in an elegant afternoon tea while giving back to those in need. On select winter weekends, the heritage Hyatt Hotel Canberra is donating five dollars from every High Tea sold to the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal. Gather your friends and family for an exquisite spread of delicate savouries, warm scones, and sweet pastries in a classic five-star setting, all while supporting vital community housing and winter relief initiatives.
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August | Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Tipsy Tea by the Fire
Indulge in a cozy winter afternoon tea by the fire at the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club. Guests will enjoy an opulent grazing station filled with gourmet sandwiches, mini quiches, and sweet treats, paired with mulled wine, bottomless prosecco, and warm seasonal cocktails.
Escape the Sunday blues and embrace a beautiful new winter tradition in the elegant surrounds of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. The Promenade Café is throwing open its doors to serve up a spectacular, winter-warming Sunday Roast. Guests will be greeted by a wonderful sense of nostalgia, with fireplaces crackling in the historic lounges and the promise of exceptional, warm hospitality.
It is the perfect excuse to gather your closest friends and family for a classic cosy meal, featuring a traditional roast with all the trimmings. For a truly perfect finish to the weekend, you can stop by Speaker’s Corner Bar on your way out to enjoy a fireside cocktail or a premium whiskey. Spaces are bound to fill up fast for this comforting winter experience, so booking a table ahead of time is highly recommended.
Until Sunday 30 August | The Promenade Café, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | hyatt.com
Après QTea High Tea
As the winter chill settles over the capital, Canberrans looking for a cosy alpine escape don’t need to head all the way to the snowy slopes. The gorgeous QT Lounge is teaming up with the sweet geniuses at Space Kitchen to transform their sky-high venue into a winter wonderland filled with après-ski indulgence. It is the perfect excuse to gather your favourite local friends for a sophisticated afternoon of elevated comfort food and stunning city views.
Guests will be treated to a spectacular tiered stand showcasing savoury delights like a rich split pea and smoked ham soup alongside earthy wild mushroom croquettes. The sweet side of the mountain features freshly baked scones piled high with mountains of rosewater cream and strawberry jam, all topped off with a spiced mulled cider and a flowing white chocolate fountain. For those wanting a little extra indulgence, a roving cake trolley features toasted s’mores and chocolate caramel snowballs.
Until Saturday, 29 August | QT Lounge, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com
The Brunch Club at Capitol Bar & Grill
There is nothing quite like a lazy weekend morning to reset the soul, and Capitol Bar & Grill is flipping the script on your average breakfast routine. The Brunch Club is introducing an unapologetically luxurious, all-day dining concept designed for food lovers who believe the weekend deserves a bit of theatrical flair. It is a long, decadent celebration of bold flavours that will make you want to cancel the rest of your daily plans.
The kitchen is serving up elevated favourites, from fluffy buttermilk pancakes to classic cheeseburgers slathered in a special secret sauce and savoury miso-grilled salmon. The star of the show is undoubtedly the interactive Bloody Mary cart in partnership with Ketel One Vodka. Guests can watch bartenders build their custom cocktail right before their eyes, choosing from an outrageous lineup of garnishes like crispy bacon, blue cheese olives, dill pickles, and even fresh mussels.
Until Sunday 30 August | Capitol Bar & Grill, 6 Marcus Clarke Street, City | qthotels.com
Bourbon Street Sunday Jazz
Bring the soulful sounds of New Orleans straight to your winter weekends! Every single Sunday evening, Molly transforms into Bourbon Street, showcasing a fantastic, rotating lineup of local brass bands playing loose, soulful Crescent City swing. It is the absolute perfect way to escape a cold Canberra night and close out your weekend in style. You can order a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter, sit back in the cosy hidden bar, and sip on a specialised bourbon cocktail from the NOLA-themed menu. Follow the music down Odgers Lane to find the secret door.
Spend a relaxing morning by the water’s edge at this beautifully curated lakeside market. Browse handmade stalls, pick up fresh pastries after a walk around the lake, enjoy gourmet street eats, and listen to live local music while the kids enjoy free arts and crafts.
Take a Sunday drive out to Hall for one of Australia’s largest home-crafted markets. Stroll under the trees, shop for fresh local produce, plants, clothing, and unique gifts, and enjoy live music and tasty lunch options—all while supporting Hartley Lifecare.
Sunday 2 August, 9 am–2 pm | Hall Showground, Victoria Street, Hall | hartley.org.au
For Purpose Markets
Support social enterprise and make every dollar count at this unique market showcase. Bringing together local ethical vendors, your purchases directly support causes like refugee settlement, environmental protection, mental health, and LGBTQI+ communities.
Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
It will make you appreciate your Saturday morning shopping trip in a whole new way.
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.
Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.
It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Make a splash and swim for a cause at the 2026 Canberra MS Mega Swim! Held at the Australian Institute of Sport Aquatic Centre, this high-energy 24-hour team relay event raises vital funds for Australians living with multiple sclerosis through MS Go for Gold Scholarships and support services. Swimmers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome—whether you swim one lap or fifty, doggy-paddle or butterfly. If you don’t have a team, organizers will happily match you with fellow mega swimmers on the day.
Saturday 1 and Sunday, 2 August | AIS Aquatic Centre, 26 Leverrier Street, Bruce | msmegachallenge.org.au
Canberra Brave vs Central Coast Rhinos
Catch fast-paced ice hockey action as the Canberra Brave return to home ice for the second leg of an intense back-to-back battle against the Rhinos. Expect heavy hits and high energy as the home team pushes for victory in front of the local crowd.
Experience the surprising versatility and beauty of the recorder at Woodsong, a duo recital featuring Canberra’s Robyn Mellor and Melbourne’s Rodney Waterman. Playing on at least 10 hand-crafted instruments, the pair will guide listeners through 500 years of repertoire – from quiet French baroque dance suites and 16th-century love songs to vibrant African-inspired contemporary works by Soren Sieg and quirky jazz compositions.
Saturday 1 August, 3 pm–4 pm | Wesley Music Centre (Mansfield Room), 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | trybooking.com
Bjorn Again: ABBA Forever
Dust off your platform boots and sequined jumpsuits – Bjorn Again is back in town! The world’s leading, ABBA-endorsed tribute show comes to the Canberra Theatre for an afternoon of pure 1970s nostalgia. Sing and dance along to pop masterpieces like ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’, and ‘SOS’, delivered with spot-on vocals, hilarious stage antics, and authentic vintage glam.
Saturday 1 August, 2 pm–4.30 pm | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Stage and Screen
5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Everyman Theatre presents 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, a comedy by Andrew Hobgood and Evan Linder, directed by Jarrad West. Set in 1956, the play follows the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein as their annual quiche breakfast is interrupted by Cold War anxieties and a series of unexpected revelations. The production blends satire, audience interaction and physical comedy across a fast-paced 90 minutes, and features Crystal Mahon, Steph Roberts, Meaghan Stewart, Sian Harrington and Ylaria Rogers.
Until Saturday 1 August, various times | ACT Hub, Causeway Hall, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au
Dogs in Space + Director Q&A
Throw yourself into the wild, chaotic world of Melbourne’s late-1970s post-punk counterculture with a 40th-anniversary screening of the Australian cult classic Dogs in Space. Starring INXS frontman Michael Hutchence in a magnetic lead performance, the film offers a gritty yet affectionate snapshot of shared-house living, youth, and music on the fringes. Following the film, director Richard Lowenstein will take the stage for an exclusive live Q&A session.
Saturday, 1 August, 7 pm–9 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Anthony Locascio: The Divine Comedy
Comedian Anthony Locascio presents his most personal and acclaimed show yet, The Divine Comedy. After his world tour and dream wedding plans suddenly unraveled, desperation led him to a strict ten-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. This hour-long stand-up narrative charts his journey into the quietest corners of his mind, battling inner demons and returning with sharp, belly-laugh observations on heartbreaks, healing, and silence.
Memory Card returns for its third installment, turning the rooftop at Blank Cultural Platform into a vibrant fusion of visual and performing arts. Featuring live glassblowing demonstrations, ambient lighting design, digital projections, indie bands, and electronic DJs, this multi-sensory event showcases the creative edge of Canberra’s independent arts scene overlooking the city skyline.
Saturday 1 August, 3 pm–11:59 pm | Blank Cultural Platform, Level 2, 131 City Walk, Canberra | humanitix.com
Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival
Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the rich storytelling of the Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival as it returns to Palace Electric. This year’s formidable lineup showcases incredible new cinema from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden set against breathtaking landscapes. Film lovers can look forward to a spectacular mix of powerful dramas, dark comedies, and a special 60th-anniversary screening of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece, Persona. It is the perfect excuse to settle into a plush cinema seat with a warm drink, support international cinema, and explore profound cultural insights from across the globe.
Until Sunday 2 August | Palace Electric Cinema, NewActon Nishi, 2 Phillip Law Street, City | nordicfilmfestival.com.au
The Glass Menagerie
Step into a beautifully fragile world of memory and illusion with Canberra REP’s latest theatrical production, The Glass Menagerie. Directed by Geoffrey Borny, this amateur production of Tennessee Williams’ classic masterpiece trades grit for magic, using wryly humorous memories, music, and striking visual effects to underscore the narrative. Set during the late 1930s Great Depression, the story follows Tom’s guilt-ridden reflections on his family: his mother Amanda who lives vitally in a romanticized past, his sister Laura who retreats into a comforting world of miniature glass animals, and the sudden arrival of a hopeful gentleman caller. It stands as a moving tribute to the survival mechanisms and fragile illusions we build just to give life meaning.
Until Saturday, 8 August | Canberra REP Theatre, Acton | canberrarep.org.au
Talks and Workshops
Canberra Made Series: Painting Your Way Beginners Workshop
Unwind in a relaxed art class led by artist Jenny Adams of Popcorn Art. Designed specifically for beginners, this hands-on workshop focuses on vibrant color, bold shapes, and creative expression. All materials are supplied, and you’ll head home with your own finished canvas.
Saturday 1 August, 10 am–1 pm | Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Barrine Drive, Parkes | visitcanberra.com.au
100 Years of Historic East Block Tour
Have you ever walked past East Block and wondered about its history? Join a special guided heritage tour celebrating a century of government life in one of Canberra’s original 1920s buildings. Today home to the National Archives of Australia, East Block has previously served as the city’s first General Post Office, the Prime Minister’s Department, and ASIO headquarters. Explore its classic architecture and hear fascinating stories of the people who shaped the capital across ten decades.
Saturday 1 August, 11 am–12 pm | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
An Evening with Tristan Hughes
History buffs won’t want to miss the host of The Ancients podcast taking to the stage for his first-ever show outside the UK. Joined by special guests, Tristan brings signature warmth and vivid storytelling to monumental moments from ancient Mesopotamia to Rome.
Expand your cultural horizons with an engaging afternoon talk exploring visual art, history, aesthetics, and context, presented by leading national art theorists, academics, and curators at the Drill Hall Gallery series.
Discover Move me!, a striking solo exhibition by Canberra artist Elisa Crossing that champions the practice of “slow looking.” Countering the fast-paced, frictionless nature of the digital age, Crossing’s oil paintings explore the active, embodied relationship between the viewer, the studio, and the canvas. Moving between intimacy and distance, her works dissolve into abstract textures up close while revealing rhythmic structural scenes from afar, reminding us that seeing is never static.
Saturday 1 until Monday 31 August | Civic Art Bureau, Level 1, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra | civicartbureau.com
Neil Lade’s Mixed Up
Ainslie-based artist Neil Lade presents Mixed Up, an exhibition spanning four decades of his painting and sketching practice, at Q Gallery. Lade began drawing in his early teens, balancing art alongside a career in journalism and family life before turning to it more fully in retirement. The show brings together works from the early 1980s to the present, including pen and ink sketches, pieces combining ink with acrylic colour, and larger abstract works on canvas and board. His imagery moves between surreal, comical and dreamlike scenes, often blending real and imagined landscapes. Lade’s work has featured in solo and group exhibitions, and in private collections in Australia and overseas.
Until Thursday 6 August | Q Gallery, 13a Edgar Street, Ainslie | q-gallery.com.au
Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2026
PhotoAccess presents the Canberra Contemporary Photographic Prize 2026, an exhibition and competition open to photographers worldwide across all experience levels. The show brings together new work in contemporary photo media, presenting a range of approaches and perspectives within the medium.
Until Saturday 15 August, 10 am–4 pm | photo access, Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Distant blues, from a little closer
Olivia Gates presents Distant blues, from a little closer, her first solo exhibition. The exhibition explores losing, loss and being lost, alongside moments of love and joy interwoven through these experiences. Works were developed during Gates’ residency at M16 ArtSpace this year, marking her return to textiles after a decade-long focus on glass. Rather than seeking resolution, the pieces hold grounding memories and hope for an imagined life, sitting with the pull between leaving something unknown and letting it become familiar.
Worlds Beyond Waste invites viewers into a surreal ecosystem built entirely from discarded plastic laundry hamper lids.
Flutterbry transforms everyday waste into mesmerising sculptural forms that feel both organic and architectural, creating a world suspended between the deep ocean and the outer cosmos.
The exhibition will be visible 24/7, offering a different experience by day and by night, with creative lighting and dramatic shadows bringing the works to life.
Based in Canberra, Flutterbry is a visual artist also known to many locals as the former owner of the iconic Toast Bar nightclub (2001–2007).
Until Monday 17 August | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square | cmag.com.au
Ngurumbang-dhi Fashion Exhibition
Discover Ngurumbang-dhi, a striking collection by First Nations fashion label Corella & Crow, founded by talented designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. On display in the Window Gallery at Belco Arts, these beautiful works were originally created for the 2025 Country to Couture runway. Exploring the deep connection between fashion, Country, and community, the collection highlights slow fashion processes, upcycled textiles, and stunning hand-worked surfaces. Through specialiSed dyeing, mark-making, layering, and reconstruction, each garment speaks beautifully to cycles of renewal and environmental care, honoring the stories and relationships that shape First Nations creative practice.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
My Country, My Connection exhibition
Experience Full Circle, a deeply personal solo exhibition by a proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman at the Belconnen Arts Centre. This evocative showcase explores the artist’s unique journey and enduring cultural links, having been fortunate enough to live on both her grandmother and grandfather’s traditional countries for most of her life. Now living on beautiful Yuin Nation country—a place where her mother also lived for two decades while maintaining her traditional connections—the artist brings these three distinct regional relationships full circle through her creative practice. Step into the Pivot Gallery to witness this beautiful celebration of identity.
Until Sunday 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Ngiaga Art Exhibition
Step into the West Gallery at Belco Arts to experience Ngiaga, an extraordinary collaborative exhibition of mixed-media works created by First Nations artists. Grounded in spirituality, Country, and genealogy, this deeply autobiographical series explores the interconnected stages of life through ten powerful themes, including birth, heritage, society, and purpose. Each piece draws beautifully from lived experience and cultural knowledge, showing how we move through the world both as individuals and as part of a collective experience. Audiences are warmly invited to witness, reflect, and connect with this stunning, interwoven cultural map.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Yawarj Mara Young Men’s Art Exhibition
Belconnen Arts Centre proudly presents the Yawarj Mara – Strong Pathways Young Men’s Group Art Exhibition. Led by proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man Mitchell Daley, this vital program regularly engages over forty Aboriginal young people aged ten to eighteen from across North Canberra. Because creative arts are a core part of their program, this unique showcase in The Nook highlights beautiful artworks and cultural artifacts designed by the participants. Reflecting individual and collective journeys, identity, and connection to culture, these rare works aim to inspire the next generation with strength, vision, and a lasting legacy.
Until Sunday, 23 August, 10 am–4 pm | Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country
One of the most ambitious exhibitions to open at the National Gallery of Australia this year, Ngura Puḻka–Epic Country showcases major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide. These large-scale paintings depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa–the law and cultural stories–that lies within, rendered sometimes in explosions of colour, sometimes in muted, contemplative palettes. From the beginning of the APY art movement, these artists have embraced monumental works as the ultimate expression of cultural freedom. The result is an exhibition that is genuinely epic in both scale and significance.
Until Sunday, 23 August | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Glad Tidings: Susan Chancellor
Step into the serene, shifting environment of a coastal estuary with Glad Tidings, a multi-media solo exhibition by Susan Chancellor. Grounded in the visual wonders of the transition zone where land meets sea, this exhibition features vibrant works alongside a mesmerizing digital installation capturing the rhythmic movements and reflective surfaces of tidal flows.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Position/Trajectory: Matthew Freeman, Anne Pyne Irving & Tristan Ouweleen
Position/Trajectory brings together three distinct drawing practices that explore drawing as a tool for connection and meaning-making. Through varied techniques, artists Matthew Freeman, Anne Pyne Irving, and Tristan Ouweleen navigate the fleeting and the luminous, mapping how movement, memory, and change shape our experience of the world.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
UNRuly: Catherine Anselmi, David Helmers, Ro Murray & Mandy Burgess
In UNRuly, four artists embrace unruliness as a creative catalyst across sculpture, ceramics, and collaborative drawing. Through raw, expressive installations, Catherine Anselmi, David Helmers, Ro Murray, and Mandy Burgess challenge traditional form while exploring themes of material flux, transformation, and female determination in old age.
Until Sunday 23 August | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Tamara Henderson: The Gardener’s Bar
Tamara Henderson presents The Gardener’s Bar, an exhibition centred on compost as material, method and model of transformation within her practice. Drawing on processes of decomposition and regeneration, Henderson builds an ecology where sculpture, painting, film and sound emerge through shared cycles of accumulation, decay and renewal, guided by four recurring archetypes: The Gardener, The Director, Light and Sound. First realised in London in 2023, the work responds to Henderson’s Kamberri/Canberra shed and operates as a site of cultivation, production and exchange. New glass panels for this iteration were produced at Canberra Glassworks. The exhibition is accompanied by a newly commissioned collection of texts by Henderson’s collaborators.
Until Saturday 29 August | Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT | canberracontemporary.com.au
Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket
Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas. The series showcases Parke’s distinctive and acclaimed visual style and his skilful use of light and colour, to transcendent effect.The Christmas tree bucket is a candid, unsettling and often absurd portrait of family life—centred on the chaos, rituals and contradictions of the suburban Australian Christmas. It is a fond, insider’s view—sharp but affectionate—and one that the participants, after initial bemusement, actively embraced.
Parke draws from the legacy of postwar American photography while retaining a distinctly personal visual language, using light and colour to transform the everyday. The resulting photographs are both intimate and theatrical, sometimes hilarious, sometimes poetic and haunting. The exhibition also features a small selection of work from Parke’s black-and-white series Minutes to midnight 2003‒04 and a number of his handmade concertina photobooks, which he sees as a central part of his practice.
Until Sunday 6 September | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
2XX People-Powered Radio: Celebrating 50 Years
For five decades, 2XX has carried the distinct voices, grassroots politics, and community stories of the capital over the airwaves. This winter, the Canberra Museum + Gallery (CMAG) is marking this massive milestone with a brand-new exhibition celebrating Canberra’s very first community radio station and the passionate people who shaped it. Tracing its evolution from its early beginnings as Radio ANU in 1976 to a modern broadcasting pillar, the exhibition brings together archival audio, vintage equipment, photographs, and vibrant, screen-printed posters made in collaboration with Megalo. Visitors can even step back in time inside a faithfully recreated 1970s and 1980s radio studio to listen to historic broadcast excerpts. It is a nostalgic, physical celebration of local music, multicultural programming, and the independent media movements that helped define modern Canberra.
Until Sunday 6 September | Canberra Museum + Gallery, Civic Square | cmag.com.au
Vessels of Dialogue: Sarit Cohen
Influenced by Bauhaus architecture and early 20th-century Decorative Arts, Vessels of Dialogue presents whimsical ceramic sculptures by Sarit Cohen. Crafted from delicate porcelain clay, these serene, minimal forms use subtle linear rhythms and a muted color palette to explore architectural memories and space.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Correspondence: Jude Muduioa
Celebrating patience and sustained craft, Correspondence showcases Jude Muduioa’s exploration of ceramic accumulation. Each delicate element is individually shaped by hand before joining a larger structure. With restrained surfaces, the exhibition invites viewers to focus on rhythm, subtle detail, and the interplay of light and shadow.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Dwell: Suzanne Knight
Through intricately woven tapestry forms shaped like discarded plastic bottles, Suzanne Knight’s Dwell examines the complex interplay between migration, consumer culture, and ecological change. The exhibition reflects on how introduced materials and settler traditions have permanently reshaped Australian landscapes.
Until Saturday 12 September | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Fragile Structures: The Architecture of Decay
Step into a captivating collaborative exhibition by visual artists Madeline Cardone and Fran Romano. Working across glass and ceramics, the duo explores the built environment, ruins, decay, and architectural space through the deconstruction and abstraction of form. Their sculptural works examine dualities of strength and fragility, permanence and transience, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Until Saturday, 12 September (Opening night & artist talks Thursday, 30 July from 5.30 pm) | Craft + Design Canberra, Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Wangka Wakaṉutja: the story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre
Between 1979 and 1990, the Papunya Literature Production Centre produced hundreds of illustrated bilingual books–funny, moving, extraordinary documents of Pintupi-Luritja language and culture, guided by community Elders who were also pioneers of the Western Desert art movement. Many of those books have been held in the National Library’s collections ever since, and this landmark new exhibition finally brings them to life. Featuring stories, drawings, photographs, manuscripts, and oral histories drawn from multiple collections, it’s a profoundly significant celebration of Aboriginal literary culture, collective creativity, and the remarkable human effort to keep language alive across generations.
Canberra Museum and Gallery launches one of its most delightful exhibitions this April–and it’s designed for the youngest visitors. Hop In! turns the familiar family home inside out, shifting rooms in scale and perspective to invite children aged 3–12 to move, build, crawl, splash, and imagine in surprising new ways. Stretch out beneath a sky of clouds, create secret worlds under oversized furniture, or wander through reimagined kitchens and backyards where creativity has completely taken over. At the heart of the experience is Bunny Dearest, a gentle guiding companion created by artist Beci Orpin.
Until Sunday, 11 October | Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light
Questacon presents an interactive exhibition exploring the science of light through 13 hands-on exhibits. Visitors can experiment with light refraction, colour blending, shadow manipulation and reflection across multiple activity stations. The exhibition demonstrates how light travels, reflects and refracts, alongside displays of tools humans have developed to harness light. Activities include bending light, using sensors to create music, and working with lenses. The exhibition is designed for hands-on engagement with scientific concepts. Illuminate: How Science Comes to Light is a Museums Victoria Touring Exhibition running until November 2026.
Until Sunday, 22 November | Questacon–The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’
Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’ celebrates the year’s best political cartoons.
Featuring established and emerging cartoonists from across Australia, this exhibition highlights the significant contribution they make to cultural and political debates through witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings.
This year our Behind the Lines theme is the cinema, acknowledging that, like some of our favourite movies, 2025 has been full of thrills and spills, romance and heartbreak, with plenty of unexpected plot twists. Australia’s cartoonists and illustrators have tackled many of the issues that made news, including the federal election, the cost of living, energy policy, interest rates, housing security, the economy, climate change and stories from overseas.
Until December 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Gurindji Freedom Banners
A powerful new exhibition commemorating the pivotal 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off opens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Gurindji Freedom Banners: Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla–From the darkness into the light unites all ten hand-painted banners for the first time in years, telling the story of when Gurindji and neighbouring peoples, led by Vincent Lingiari AM, walked off Wave Hill Station on 23 August 1966.
Their demands for fair working conditions and return of traditional lands sparked landmark change, leading to the first handback of Aboriginal land in 1975 and paving the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The textile banners were created in 2000 by 35 Gurindji people, many walk-off participants, with one recently recreated after going missing.
Now showing until late 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures
Step into a vibrant, near-future Australia where once-impossible technologies transform how we live, work, and play. Questacon’s latest immersive gallery, Quantum Tomorrow: Imagined Futures, makes the complex world of quantum physics accessible, playful, and incredibly fun.
Developed in collaboration with Canberra illustrator Paul Summerfield, the exhibition brings tomorrow’s tech to life through colorful, highly detailed illustrations, giant airborne sculptures, and a mesmerizing cloud chamber that reveals the invisible world of tiny particles. Along the way, visitors can meet the pioneering Australian researchers who are harnessing the unique behaviors of quantum objects to solve some of the world’s most critical challenges. From un-hackable communications and personalized medicine to ultra-responsive prosthetics, you’ll discover how a quantum future promises to make ordinary lives extraordinary.
Open daily through 30 June 2027 | Gallery 8, Questacon, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay showcases two of Australia’s leading fashion designers: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, in conversation with international, multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979).
The iconic and vibrant early designs of Kee and Jackson from the 1970s and early 1980s were directly inspired by the dynamic legacy of Delaunay, who was a member of the School of Paris and co-founder of Orphism, an art movement noted for its use of intense colours and abstract, geometric forms. As well as working in traditional mediums such as painting and printmaking, Delaunay’s practice also included textile, fashion, and theatre design.
For Jackson and Kee, who were beginning their shared journey in creating clothes as works of art, the discovery of Delaunay was revolutionary. This powerful display feature a rarely-seen collection of Kee and Jackson’s garments from their archives and are shown with the National Gallery’s collection of Delaunay’s prints, drawings, textiles and costumes.
Showing now | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Yarning: Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture
Explore Yarning, a vibrant new exhibition at Australian Parliament House showcasing the creative voices and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from across the nation. Featuring artworks from over 70 young artists, the display showcases entries from the Yarning competition exploring themes of Country, identity, family, and reconciliation—including the three winning pieces. Located in the public area on the Level 1 Senate side, this inspiring collection offers a powerful platform for young First Nations storytellers.
Open daily until February 2027 | Australian Parliament House, Capital Hill | aph.gov.au
National Library of Australia Treasures Gallery
The National Library has millions of books, and the Treasures Gallery answers the frequently asked question, ‘Where are they’. They also collect other items. From maps and manuscripts to photographs and paintings, the Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from their vast physical and digital collections. Behind-the-scenes videos, pages from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice from the First Folio, a cedar bookcase carved by Dorothea Mackellar, photographs from the nation’s photo album, and a display of The Wiggles’ websites from 1997 to today from the Australian Web Archive are among the new additions.
Until December 2030 | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years
Illustra: 50 Women for 50 Years is a permanent portrait exhibition celebrating 50 years of women as residents at John XXIII College. Featuring fifty alumni, the exhibition pairs portraiture with personal reflections to capture the evolving experience of women across five decades. Photographed by ANU School of Art graduate Bronte Morel across Australia and internationally, each work is set in a location of personal significance. Together, the collection forms an intergenerational narrative of leadership, identity and community, recognising the enduring contribution of women to the College and beyond.
Permanent exhibition, open 9 am–5 pm daily | Front foyer, John XXIII College, 51 Daley Road, Australian National University, Canberra | johnxxiii.anu.edu.au
The countdown is on for the most anticipated pop culture celebration in Canberra.
The annual Oz Comic-Con is returning to Canberra for comic lovers, gamers, cosplayers and artists alike. Whether you’re a superfan or a first-time attendee, we’ve collected all the information you will need to get the most out of the fandom-filled fun.
From what to wear, who to see and how to join in, here’s your ultimate guide to the city’s most whimsical weekend.
What is it?
An annual pop-culture blend of gaming, cosplay, anime, collectibles, comics and family fun at the Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), across the weekend of Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August.
From 10 am to 4 pm, you can expect a full day of immersive experiences – from interactive workshops and community meetups to parades and live entertainment.
What’s happening?
There’s something for everyone at this year’s Oz Comic-Con – genuinely.
Credit: David Beach Hires
Comic Book Enthusiasts
At Artist Alley, comic fanatics can meet their favourite artists, comic creators and illustrators from across the country. Here, you can peruse the novels, jewellery, clothing and homewares for sale or commission a unique artistic creation of your own.
Costumers and Cosplayers
Cosplay is one of the most exciting aspects of the weekend. Cosplay Central is your space to mingle with local talent or strike a pose at the photo wall for a photographer-snapped shot.
The Cosplay Competition gives mainstream competitors a chance to show off their most imaginative designs – so be sure to apply beforehand.
Gamers
Gamers won’t be disappointed by the display this year. The fan-favourite District area and Tabletop Gaming Library are back and better than ever – think retro board games, a Just Dance stage, an Australian Esports League gaming tournament and scavenger hunts to try your hand at.
Credit: Evan Watson
Who’s attending?
Meet your favourite cosplayers, authors and artists at Artist Alley or join them at the main stage for a Q&A. It’s a lineup that can’t be missed, so check it out here.
What do I wear?
If you are an ambitious designer with an eye for costumery, this is your chance to showcase your crafting, needlework and armour-building expertise by creating your own outfit. If you’re looking for something a little less time-consuming, head over to Blossom Costumes to find a ready-made ensemble from your favourite fandom.
Is there anywhere to chill out?
In need of a place to chill or meet like-minded people? At the CommUnity Space, you can join others in celebrating your love for all things queer pop culture! If you need a quieter moment alone, head to the Headspace Reset Room to reset and breathe.
Credit: David Beach Hires.
What else do I need to know?
Planning on driving? Not to worry, EPIC has ample free car parking available onsite. For those thinking about travelling on public transport, there are several public bus routes, or jump on the light rail to Flemington Road.
What to bring? A drink bottle, a creative costume and some comfy shoes will set you up for a great day. While you can bring your own snacks, there will be various food outlets and cafes onsite for you to choose from!
The weekend is a family fun affair with a family-friendly ticket offer. A general admission adult ticket includes a free child ticket (ages five to12), while children under four enter for free. For your littlest cosplayers, the kids’ cosplay parade is a great way to get them involved, either by themselves, in a group or supported by a guardian.
So, get creating, get accessorising and get gaming – this promises to be an action-packed weekend!
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Oz Comic-Con 2026 When: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra Tickets + more information:ozcomiccon.com
Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible, and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
You probably know the name Heather Reid. A former Australian football administrator and an advocate for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in sport, she has made it possible for thousands of women to play football, both in the Australian Capital Territory and around Australia.
Named the 2026 ACT Senior Australian of the Year, we sat down with Heather about her work in supporting and mentoring players, coaches and administrators, locally and internationally and what it was really like as the first female CEO of Capital Football.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Heather Reid, an award-winning trailblazer in women’s sport, primarily in football and the 2026 ACT Senior Australian of the Year.
I was born in 1956 in Goulburn, and lived most of my pre-adult years in Snowy Mountains towns where my dad worked as a plumber and then construction supervisor on the Snowy Hydroelectric Scheme and my mum worked as a hairdresser, complete with her own small salon in the backyard at Talbingo.
I graduated from CCAE (now University of Canberra) with the first cohort of Sport Studies students and I am a founding member of the ANU Women’s Football Club and the ACT Women’s Soccer Association (ACTWSA).
I’ve been the CEO of the Australian Women’s Soccer Association (AWSA), Womensport Australia and the ACT Football Federation (Capital Football). I also helped form Women Onside to promote gender equality in football and facilitated four Onside Mentoring programs. I was elected to the Board of Football Australia (FA) in 2018 and appointed as the first female deputy chair.
I’m now happily retired and live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. After almost 50 years of studying, teaching, volunteering and working in sport, I spend a lot of time working outdoors on our 4-acre rural property, enjoying the company of our border collie, Jasper, going to yoga and the gym (although not nearly enough), mentoring aspiring leaders and staying connected with a wide network of friends and family.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I think I’ve always been a leader, from the time I was appointed high school captain. However, like a lot of kids at the time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I finished school.
I had learned to type when I was 12, so the career adviser recommended I go into secretarial work. The main suggestions in the 1970s for women who wanted a career were nursing, teaching, air hostess or office work. Looking back, I don’t recall why we weren’t given the option of becoming doctors, or pilots, or some other professional executive role.
I accepted the advice and moved to Canberra in 1974 to do a TAFE secretarial course and later became a typist and executive assistant, but after being involved as a player, coach and committee member in football, I knew that I wanted to work in sport and didn’t want to be a secretary for the rest of my life.
I was a planner, an organiser, a doer, and I had big ideas for how we could take women’s football to another level. I wanted to get more involved, especially at the national level. In 1981, a friend recommended I apply for admission to a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Studies at CCAE. While I never envisaged working full-time as a professional in sport, I graduated in 1983 and I’ve never looked back.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
When I first got involved with football, I took on several volunteer roles in admin and coaching, including the ACT team manager at the national championships in 1982. My life changed during that week in Brisbane when I met the matriarch of the women’s game, Elaine Watson OAM, who was president of the AWSA. We talked for hours almost daily about how the administration and planning for women’s football could be improved and better resourced. Elaine liked my ideas, and we forged a lifelong friendship through dedication to a mutual cause until she passed away just before Australia co-hosted the hugely successful Women’s World Cup in 2023. This event would have been icing on the cake for all of Elaine’s hard work and determination to make the women’s game popular.
The fire in my belly started when I was appointed as manager of the national team (now called the Matildas) in 1984, and I joined the AWSA Board in 1985. The AWSA was barely 10 years old, and I was 28, but I knew this would be a lifelong journey. I was appointed as the national executive director in 1986 and set up the first national office in Hackett. I started with an electric typewriter and landline telephone. Everything was new, and exciting, but very challenging as I introduced management procedures and communication processes as well as improved the training and tour arrangements for our national teams.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
Where do I start? Working in a politically charged, male-dominated environment has led to moments where I’ve told myself it was time to step away, recharge, and review my options. Two key times are fresh in my mind.
In 2011 and 2012, I was subjected to traumatic online harassment during a series of men’s Premier League finals that forced me to be more careful about where I went, who I spoke to, and who I could trust. Ultimately, I took defamation action against the main abuser and won a precedent case.
When I was on the FA Board in 2019, I was on the receiving end of more harassment and online trolling following the Board’s termination of a former national coach. I was exposed to a very nasty, orchestrated campaign to malign me and have me removed from the FA. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with cancer and had other things to focus on. I had previously resigned from my role with Capital Football and later removed myself from any FA involvement. I told myself: enough is enough, and that my health was far more important than football.
What was your biggest break?
This came in 1981 when I was encouraged to apply for admission to the Sports Studies course. However, because the course was initially established for athletes and coaches at the Australian Institute of Sport, and I didn’t fit that criteria (plus I was a 26-year-old ‘mature age student’), I started a Recreation Management course with similar units and then moved to Sports Management after I had demonstrated I could handle the studies. I graduated in 1983 and was very quickly on my way to being a professional sport administrator.
None of the work that I achieved over the years, from my time with the AWSA and subsequent work since then, would have been possible without the confidence of the Boards, especially the presidents, that I worked for and the unwavering support from my family and significant others.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve been offered a lot of advice over the decades, some needed and a lot that was unsolicited. The most treasured advice, however, came from my parents, who were two of my staunchest allies and provided nothing but unconditional love throughout my journey. Whilst I avoided talking to them about some of the nastier aspects of my work, they understood how much certain incidents hurt me. My dad used to say, “Don’t let the mongrels get you down”, while my mum would say “Rise above it”. This was their way of helping me cope with bullying and hateful remarks without stooping to the same level as the perpetrators. As Michelle Obama also famously said, “When they go low, we go high”. I love that mantra.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love that I’ve been instrumental in facilitating change for women in a sport that is truly the world game. I’m proud of the contributions that I’ve made and seeing how much women’s football is now accepted, admired and recognised compared to the early years when women were maligned and not taken seriously.
I love the women’s football community and the invaluable friendships that I have regardless of our different cultural, social, political and personal interests. I love seeing the thousands of little girls, wearing baggy shorts and big shirts, kicking footballs at our local fields on a frosty winter morning. Those scenes give me a lot of joy and satisfaction knowing the potential that girls can now realise.
I often want to tear my hair out over the gender politics and discrimination that exists in football. The constant need to argue for a better deal for women – whether that’s allocation of facilities for community clubs, or equal pay and prize money for elite athletes, or that we’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to shifting attitudes, creating more opportunities, and not accepting the tokens that are offered to pacify us. We need to crush the notion that men’s participation is the norm and women’s is an afterthought.
I despair when it comes to the governance, financial management, corruption, nepotism and political interference in our sport. Enough said.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
I’ve given up on mainstream media for various reasons, and I rarely watch commercial television. I prefer to follow reliable, authenticated experts via platforms such as ABC, SBS, The Guardian, The Saturday Paper and The Conversation as well as listen to podcasts and follow specific people and groups on social media. I keep an eye on LinkedIn and occasionally look at Instagram. I tend to consume a lot of media (some might say ‘too much’) via X / Twitter and Facebook because that’s where I mainly find out what’s happening, with the posts being timely and relevant to my interests. I can get lost in the volume of articles that are posted.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Towards the end of 2018, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. After a hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was cancer-free until mid-2021 when I was told I had pulmonary metastasis. Since then, the medical treatment, combined with some alternative therapies, has helped keep my condition under control, and I feel healthy. So, in five years’ time, I want to still be living on the Sunshine Coast, doing lots of physical work in our gardens, and thinking about what to pack for my 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup, probably in Europe. The best thing would be to hear my oncologist say that my latest blood test and CT scan results continue to be “remarkably unremarkable”.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
As a prominent leader in sport, I’ve often had people say to me that they ‘want to be like me’ when they grow up, or finish their education or playing days, or whatever else. While I’m flattered by their sentiment, I often say, “Just be your true authentic self, follow your own path and be open to new ways forward”. I encourage them to step up and be seen, to be a well-informed and courageous disrupter, and to have a reliable cohort of advocates for support, especially when times get difficult.
I’ve faced many challenges over the decades, and I don’t want others to experience some of the things that I’ve faced in the quest for cultural change and gender equity. I’m more than happy to share my experiences and empower others if it helps them navigate the hurdles that lie ahead as they seek to be their own lever for change. We must have more female leaders, change agents and decision makers in sport, so if others want to follow in my footsteps, then I’d encourage them to wear sensible shoes or sturdy boots, be confident in their purpose and have a posse of confidants to back them up.
What advice would you give your past self?
Perhaps I could have developed thicker skin or exercised better judgement on some of my actions. However, I’d say – “Well done and be proud!” And I’d remind myself that I did my best in an unselfish way, with the best of intentions, when choosing action over indifference, and always with the love of the game at heart.
The ACT Australian of the Year Awards are now open for nominations. If you know an individual who helps make Canberra a better place, nominate them and show them that their work doesn’t go unnoticed. Nominations close at midnight on Friday 31 July. To nominate and learn more, visit australianoftheyear.org.au
