Though now based in Melbourne, Anna Snoekstra grew up in Canberra. Her recent psychological thriller, Only Daughter, is set in Canberra. Based largely on “Bec”, the book takes readers on a journey of intrigue and twists and turns, with a puzzle which only fits together at the very end. Chapters alternate between 2003 (when Rebecca Winter went missing after finishing her late shift at McDonald’s in Manuka) and events of 2014 when the fake Bec takes on the persona of the decade-missing young woman. … Read more.
Great news for Weston Creek! Beyond Q Bookshop and café with its wonderful collection of second-hand books including Penguin classics and rare editions, has moved to Weston (from Curtin). Located in Brierly Street’s Weston Arcade and tucked away behind a cleverly-disguised door, the bookshop offers a great range of fiction and non-fiction, its subjects ranging across many genres including art, biography, craft, environment, gardening, health, history, music, politics, philosophy and science. … Read more.
“Social research group McCrindle worked out that, on current trends, a school-leaver in 2014 would have 17 different employers and five completely different careers in their lifetime…this phenomenon is likely to speed up as jobs are replaced, displaced and augmented by technology”, say Jim Chalmers and Mike Quigley, quoting McCrindle from 18 June 2014, “Job Mobility in Australia”, The McCrindle Blog. … Read more.
Distinguished historian, Professor Jenny Hocking, will present tomorrow at Manning Clark House, on developments related to the 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam government, and discuss her research into the significance of the “Palace Letters”. As a researcher at the National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University, and an inaugural Distinguished Whitlam Fellow with the Whitlam Institute, Western Sydney University, she has received many accolades and also written books on significant figures. … Read more.
Canberrans and others who’ve ever worked for parliamentarians will not be surprised at journalist Katharine Murphy’s recent article about the stresses and strains on politicians (and their staff) in modern-day politics.
Published in Meanjin, and based on exit interviews with former parliamentarians (Greg Combet, a highly-respected former trade union leader and Rudd and Gillard governments’ Cabinet Minister; Western Australian GP-turned Coalition politician with “a streak of independence”, Dr Mal Washer; and one-time senior Labor staff member, Mat Jose), the article gets to the nub of what being in modern politics entails. … Read more.
Dr Romil Jain (Pain Medicine Specialist and Clinical Director, Canberra Hospital Pain Management Unit), recently presented the keynote address at the Getting on Top of Pain seminar in Canberra.
Conducted by the RSI and Overuse Injury Association ACT and Pain Support ACT, seminar speakers included well-known health expert, Randolph Sparks, a Clinical Psychologist and who also lectures at ANU. … Read more.
Canberra Friends of Dili recently got together at the Timor Leste Embassy in Deakin for a delicious Warming for Winter dinner, raising funds for medical and cultural activities in Timor Leste.
Hosted by His Excellency, Mr Abel Guterres, Timor Leste Ambassador, guests heard presentations from various speakers including local MLA, Chris Steel, about the inspirational work of Dr Dan Murphy’s Bairo Pite Medical Clinic. … Read more.
This year’s Canberra Writers Festival included former Canberran and Doug Anthony All Stars member, Richard Fidler (the ABC’s, Conversations), and Julia Baird, host of The Drum.
A keynote event (Ministry of Truth) hosted by ABC broadcaster, Dan Bourchier, provided lively discussion from Dutch journalist, Rutger Bregman and local journalists, George Megalogenis, Tony Jones and Katharine Murphy, covering many aspects of journalism and news, ranging from “fake news” to a brief outline of Tony Jones’s recent book (set in the 1970s Australia). … Read more.
Located in leafy Forrest (11 Tasmania Circle), Manning Clark House was the long-time home of the late Australian historian, Professor Manning Clark and his wife, Dymphna (a linguist) and their large family.
Surrounded by a large garden and designed in 1952 by architect, Robin Boyd, MCH nowadays plays host to a wide variety of functions such as book launches, conferences and seminars. … Read more.
Canberra is renowned for its magnificent autumn colours. This year is no exception and whether in the older parts of the city or the newer outlying suburbs, nature seems to be having its way.
Canberra’s colourful trees include exotic and native Australian trees such as Japanese Maples, Magnolia, Birch Trees, Maple, Linden Trees and Dogwood. … Read more.