TODD Carney completists will be thrilled to learn that Goulburn’s Finest has had himself photographed hanging out with Australia’s favourite drug smuggler and her centrefold sister.

The Daily Telegraph has the scoop of the disgraced former Raiders star photographed with Schapelle and Mercedes Corby in Bali.

Which does sound rather more pleasant than playing rugby league in July.

Online sages are suggesting that Todd’s behaviour can in fact be explained by a singularly ambitious bucket list, which makes rather more sense than anything else in his biography.

We have made a little meme to that effect.

The post Todd Carney hanging out with the Corbys appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

ACT Ambulance Service intensive care paramedics have treated a 28-year-old male patient for upper body injuries following a worksite accident on Beaconsfield Street, Fyshwick.

The male patient has been taken to the Canberra Hospital in a stable condition.

WorkSafe ACT will attend the site.

12:04 PM

The post Worksite accident in Fyshwick appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

Firefighters are on scene at Fairbridge Crescent, Ainslie following a gas leak.

ACT Fire & Rescue are conducting atmospheric monitoring and ensuring the area remains safe following the rupture of a gas line approximately 32 millimetres in diameter.

Gas mechanics are on scene to isolate the leak which was caused by workmen on site.

1:37 PM

The post Ainslie gas line ruptured appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

TERRITORY and Municipal Services are letting Canberrans know they will start to notice the early stages of the new Molonglo River bridge, a prominent feature of the Majura Parkway project, as they drive past its soon-to-be home over Morshead Drive.

“The first segment of the Molonglo River bridge was slowly pushed out to start its journey across the river this week,” Tony Gill, Director, Roads ACT said today.

“It is one of 11 segments that will eventually form a single beam which, when finished, will run the length of the northbound bridge.

“The segments are constructed one at a time in an on-site casting yard directly behind the bridge and as each segment is finished, it is slowly pushed across the river at about 30 millimetres per minute using hydraulic jacks and a steel guiding frame.

“Once completed, the Molonglo River bridge will be a 250 metre long twin bridge which spans Molonglo River and Morshead Drive adjacent to the existing Sylvia Curley Bridge.

“One bridge will carry northbound traffic, while the other will carry southbound traffic.

“The Molonglo River bridge has been designed using a method known as the pre-cast launch construction method which was chosen because of its high level of safety and low impact on traffic during construction.

“Other benefits of this method include its small ecological footprint and its streamlined design,” Mr Gill said.

Construction commenced on the bridge embankments and piers in 2013 and will continue into 2015.

The Majura Parkway is an 11.5 kilometre dual carriageway road that will provide a safer and more convenient link between the Federal Highway and Monaro Highway.

The post A new bridge pushes out over the Molonglo River appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

MINISTER for Justice Michael Keenan says the Coalition Government has formally established a Fraud and Anti-Corruption (FAC) Centre located in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) headquarters. He says it marks a new era in the approach to dealing with fraud and corruption at a federal level.

The FAC Centre brings together the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Australian Crime Commission, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Department of Human Services, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Department of Defence, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in order to assess, prioritise and respond to serious fraud and corruption matters.

“The FAC Centre has been designed to triage and evaluate serious and complex fraud and corruption referrals to deliver an effective Commonwealth multi-agency response when serious concerns are raised,” Michael said.

“The FAC Centre will be resourced by the AFP, with partner agencies all contributing seconded members with relevant areas of expertise. It will deliver whole-of-government fraud training through a joint training team.

“AFP FAC investigation teams are also based in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide. They will investigate serious and complex fraud, corruption and foreign bribery matters, including identity crimes.

“Partner agencies will work to prioritise the most effective and appropriate investigative response to allegations of fraud and corruption matters. This will ensure that serious fraud and anti-corruption issues are dealt with in the most effective manner.

“We are proud of Australia’s position and reputation – consistently ranked by Transparency International as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. This announcement further enhances our ability to prevent and respond to serious fraud and corruption at the Commonwealth level.”

["Michael Keenan" by Attorney-General's Department - http://www.ag.gov.au/About/Pages/AttorneyGeneralandMinister.aspx. Licensed under CC-BY-3.0-au via Wikimedia Commons.]

The post Fraud and Anti-Corruption Centre comes to Canberra appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

The post Socials / At National Day of Switzerland reception, Forrest appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

The post Socials / At the The Choirs Eisteddfod launch, Red Hill appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

Simon Corbell.

SIMON Corbell has announced the development of an online form to speed up the application process for Working with Vulnerable People registrations.

More than 55,000 WWVP applications have been received by the ACT Office of Regulatory Services since the program began in November 2012.

“As background checks also need to be conducted for applicants, these registrations have understandably taken time to process,” Simon said.

“The new electronic form will enable applicants to fill out their details quickly. The data is uploaded directly to the Office of Regulatory Services database, which will also help staff to process applications, as until now they have needed to enter each applicant’s data manually.

“The electronic form is working effectively after being trialled by a number of people seeking registration.”

Applicants will need to print and sign the electronic form and submit it to the Office of Regulatory Services with the required supporting documentation. Applications can be lodged in person, at any Canberra Connect Shopfront or the ORS Shopfront at Fyshwick.

The deadline for the second stage of the registration scheme is 7 November, with those working or volunteering in services for homeless people or victims of crime, or in community services, disability services, respite care services and religious organisations requiring registration.

The form is on the ORS website.

The post 55,000 applications later an online form appears for Working with Vulnerable People registrations appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

CANBERRA students joined leaders in global technology, Australian researchers and government officials yesterday for the first Ambassador’s Innovation Roundtable, hosted by Questacon.

Over 45 students from three Canberra schools and The Australian National University attended the U.S. Embassy initiative that brought leading minds from the U.S. and Australian research, private and public sectors together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the knowledge economy.

U.S. Ambassador to Australia John Berry gave the keynote address.

Representatives from Google, Microsoft, Intuit, Boeing Australia, Raytheon, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Seeing Machines, General Electric Australia, Sense-T, BHP Billiton, IBM Research Australia, CSIRO, the Grattan Institute, and The Australian National University highlighted U.S.–Australian innovation success stories, discussed challenges in linking research and development to commercial opportunities, emphasised the importance of STEM education for future success, and explored potential innovation partnerships.

A programme of panel discussions in the morning were followed by a special student forum in the afternoon, giving a smaller group of 25 young people a chance to quiz Ambassador Berry and panelists from Google, Boeing, and Microsoft about career pathways and opportunities in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

It is hoped that the Canberra event will set the stage for future roundtables across Australia.

Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant said, “It is a privilege to host this Rountable forum and have some of the world’s most successful companies represented. We hope this forum will generate new collaborations and ideas, and inspire and empower the young people involved to make bold decisions about their careers and future study.”

The post Innovation roundtable at Questacon appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

ANDREW Barr has announced the start of work on the first stages of the the new Gungahlin suburb of Moncrieff.

$150 million will be spent on capital works for the provision of infrastructure and services

“Part of the ACT Government’s construction stimulus package, the release of multiple civil contracts is aimed at supporting and stimulating the local construction industry by sharing the work across a number of local contractors and in turn, making the majority of the estate ‘build-ready’ more quickly,” Andrew said.

“The initial work is focused in the western part of Moncrieff, a 62 hectare site that is designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 dwellings and a commercial precinct in the north east corner, adjacent to the intersection of Mirrabei and Horse Park Drives, which will include a group centre, community facilities and medium density housing.”

The post Work starts on Moncrieff appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

THE Head of the University of Canberra’s International Poetry Studies Institute, Dr Paul Hetherington, has won an $18,000 grant from the Literature Section of the Australia Council for the Arts for a residency at the BR Whiting Studio in Rome, to take place next year from 3 August 2015 – 29 January 2016.

He is one of just four Australian writers awarded six-month residencies in this round and the only one from the ACT.

Paul plans to use the residency to write 100-120 poems inspired by and incorporating visual imagery of hundreds of paintings and photographs held in Rome’s most famous art galleries, institutions and churches.

“History is inscribed all over Rome’s places and within its buildings. Its art collections are superb and the visual imagery associated with the city is extraordinarily rich, so it is the ideal location for this project,” Paul said.

“The poems will make creative use of imagery found in diverse paintings and will include references to and elaborations upon 250 to 300 artworks, exploring the relationship between visual imagery as it may be expressed in language and visual imagery as it is expressed in the visual arts.

Provisionally entitling his collection “Roman Paintings”, among others he plans to use prominent artworks like Caravaggio’s The Fortune Teller in the Capitoline Museums, Raphael’s The School of Athens in Vatican City, art from churches like the Sistine Chapel and work from the contemporary and newly opened MAXXI Museum.

Dr Hetherington also hopes to develop new links between Australian and international creative and cultural communities through this residency, making “an innovative contribution to Australian poetry.”

Paul is an internationally renowned and award-winning poet. He has produced eight full-length poetry books including his latest collection Six Different Windows, just shortlisted for the 2014 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. He represented Australia on the 2012 Australian Poetry Tour to Ireland, has twice been a finalist in the UK’s Aesthetica creative writing competition and was shortlisted for the 2013 Montreal International Poetry Prize and the 2013 Newcastle Poetry Prize. In 2002 he was the recipient of a Chief Minister’s ACT Creative Arts Fellowship.

He plans to incorporate insights gained on his residency into his teaching when he returns.

The post UC’s Paul Hetherington has won a Roman residency appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

THE recently rebranded Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres are about to stage an unusual dance residency dedicated to all thing choreographic.

“Strange Attractor” has been developed by local dancers Adelina Larsson, Alison Plevey and Jamie Win bank and will run at Gorman Arts Centre from August 11-17.

Nine dancers either based in the ACT or with a demonstrated connection to Canberra, will work with Melbourne choreographer Natalie Cursio, who will act as a provocateur, mentor, and workshop leader and provide a critical eye for the participants.

The idea came about after the success of a pilot project in 2013 held in conjunction with Ausdance’s Australian Dance Awards. In 2014, the creative team decided to offer ACT-based dance artists, or dancers with a strong ACT connection, a residency devoted solely to choreography.

Larsson says the project is more than just creating a polished piece of dance. “The focus is for artists to share their choreographic approach and to provide audiences with insight into how and why choreography is created and investigated.”

Some of the new works that will be developed at Gorman Arts Centre during the residency include Canberra-based dancer, Jamie Winbank’s, Sonder, exploring human interconnectedness, be it online, merely in passing by or in ‘real life’. Amelia McQueen will develop a process translating verbal language into physical or vocal rhythmic patterns. ACT-based choreographer, Alison Plevey, will investigate spatial dynamics that constantly, and often unconsciously, impact patterns of existence. Other participating artists include Cadi McCarthy, Laura Boynes, Janine Proost, Paul Jackson, Tanya Voges and Miranda Wheen.

The week-long residency will culminate in two public showings of works in development at Gorman Arts Centre, which will be accompanied by discussions of the participants’ choreographic ideas and investigations.

“Strange Attractor” showcase, at QL2 Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, 6pm Saturday 16 August and 5pm Sunday August 17. Bookings to strangeattractordance.eventbrite.com.au or tickets at the door.

The post Strange attraction in dance residency appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

THE history of cinema may well look upon Dutch director Anton Corbijn’s filming of John le Carre’s novel as valedictory for Philip Seymour Hoffman playing German intelligence chief Bachmann whose underlying humanity in the conflict between the good guys (most of us) and terrorist bad guys (the rest of us) puts him offside with the plods.

It’s a towering performance. But spare a thought also for le Carre whose treatment of the secret information trade provides platforms for films that transcend routine spy movies in which a hero applies violence to arrive at the obligatory happy ending.

The hero of “A Most Wanted Man” fights with cunning and hi-tech rather than fist or firearm. His small team is devoted to preventing another Twin Towers, the planning for which began in Hamburg. There, newly-arrived Russian-born Muslim illegal Issa (Grigoriy Dobrygin) is carrying a document identifying him as entitled to a large cash stash. Issa’s lawyer (Rachel McAdams) represents him in negotiations with bank executive Brue (Willem Dafoe). Issa wants the money for philanthropic reasons. Abdullah (Homayoun Ershadi) wants it to fund terrorism. CIA bureau chief Sullivan (Robin Wright) wants both money and Abdullah.

It’s wonderfully complex, deftly presented, low-key excitement for the mind. Australian Andrew Bovell has converted le Carre’s masterly logic into a fine screenplay that shuns cliché until the last minute and a half, with a closure reminding me of “The Honourable Schoolboy”, so Byzantine and complex a le Carre story that I doubt anybody will ever film it. Pity.

At Dendy, Capitol 6 and Palace Electric

The post Review / ‘A Most Wanted Man’ (M) *** and a half appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

FRENCH writer/director Luc Besson’s latest release combines science fiction, a genre that seldom charms me, with ultra-violence, a genre that can deliver great satisfactions.

You can process “Lucy” from either of those points of view. What most enhances it is a view of the universe that cocks a vigorous snoot at creationism and treats science with respect after a somewhat preposterous initial proposition.

Her boyfriend asks American-student-in-China Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) to deliver a locked briefcase to Mr Jang (Min-Sik Choi), the epitome of high-level, vile wickedness. Before long, Jang has inserted a bag of a blue substance to carry in her abdomen.

Meanwhile in France, Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman) tells students that we use only about 20 per cent of our brain’s capacity; what wonders might ensue if we learned how to employ the rest for mankind’s benefit?

The blue substance will do just that. The contents leaked from the bag in Lucy’s belly convert a feather-headed blonde into a merciless warrior working under Norman’s guidance while protected by police Captain Pierre (Amr Waked) from the pursuing Jang and his army of disposable Chinese warriors.

Flying bullets and dead bodies lead to the triumph of right and impressive CGI images distilling the universe on to a USB stick. Great fun.

At all cinemas

The post Review / ‘Lucy’ (MA) *** and a half appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

LOCALS Luke McGrath and Nick Delatovic, with band, have put together a very polished music video for your enjoyment.

Nick Delatovic – World Of Hurt from Luke McGrath on Vimeo.

Performed and arranged by Nick Delatovic, Julia Johnson, Matt Lustri, Sam King and Nick Peddle. Written by Nick Delatovic. Recorded by Sam King and Leon Twardy. Produced by Sam King.

Directed and edited by Luke McGrath. Camera by Luke McGrath, Shane Parsons and Adam Thomas. Produced by Nick Delatovic.

The post Nick Delatovic presents “World Of Hurt”, local music video appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

AUSTRALIAN audiences may not know Mikkel Norgaard, but his film about a cold case involving a woman mysteriously missing for five years certainly stands proudly among crime thrillers based on Scandinavian novels.

Colleagues find detective inspector Carl (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) hard to get on with. After a stakeout goes bad, Carl gets transferred to Department Q and told to spend the next three years summarising 20 years worth of cold cases. Detective Assad (Fares Fares) is prepared to work with him.

The case file says that when MP Merete (Sonja Richter) jumped off an inter-island ferry her body was never found. Carl and Assad disagree. Why would somebody caring for a mentally-impaired brother Uffe (Mikkel Folsgaard) commit suicide?

Indeed, Merete is alive and unwell, entombed in a plain air hyperbaric chamber where a disembodied voice tells her that he intends to increase the pressure by one atmosphere per annum. A long, slow death. Will Carl and Assad find her in time?

Of course they will. But we can be forgiven for fearing that they might not. Suspense, that’s what this Danish thriller’s about. Well crafted, familiar to fans of TV’s “New Tricks” but less comical. Worth a look.

At Palace Electric

The post Review / ‘The Keeper of Lost Causes’ (MA) *** and a half appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

Reader “Rise High” has sent in this picture of snow falling in Canberra!

“Sleet on Lyneham/O’Connor ridge at 2.24pm today” they said.

If you’ve got a better picture do email it in to john@citynews.com.au .

And now Taz has sent in shot from Florey.

“Hey john some light flakes in Florey this arvo bout 2:30″

Nicholas sent in this one:

“Hi John, I just took this in Gungahlin.”

Sami had an offering.

“It snowed a little in Ngunnawal, didn’t rest on the ground though”

The post Snow! (Sort of) appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

THE ACT Government has advised motorists of a number of rural road closures due to snow, wind and inclement weather.

The following roads are now closed:

• Corin Road at Square Rock gate, with four-wheel-drive access only beyond Woods Reserve.
• Brindabella Road where it becomes dirt is closed to all vehicles except four-wheel-drives
• Bobyan Road where it becomes dirt is closed to all vehicles except four-wheel-drives
• Mount Franklin Road at Piccadilly Circus
• Bendora Dam Road
• Orroral Ridge Road

Corin Road is currently open from Tidbinbilla Road, providing access to Corin Forest. The gate at Woods Reserve on Corin Road will be closed from 5 pm today, meaning that there will be no access to Corin Forest from that time.

The post Rural road closures appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

OH the Wig and Pen, we certainly haven’t forgotten about you. With all the brouhaha surrounding the opening of Bentspoke Brewing in Braddon, one might be forgiven for forgetting about this right gem of a venue, currently located in down town Civic.

The Wig and Pen is something of an institution within Canberra, having been the second home to many an ANU student, professor and craft beer lover alike. As well as serving up stock standard lagers, pilsners and the like, many of the Wig and Pen’s other beers are recognised for their big and boisterous nature, crying out for attention with huge chocolate and coffee overtones and substantial malt backbones. The pub hits its intention, harping back to simpler time in “ye olde country”, of locals sauntering down to their local tavern for a pint of their pub’s own brewed ale.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. Due to the current building being sold and demolished, the Wig and Pen will be shifting from its current location to a new location, 2 blocks away at Llewellyn Hall at the ANU School of Music. But although the location is shifting, much of the Wig and Pen’s famous décor and character is set to move with it, right up to even the “supporting beams” running perpendicular along the ceiling.

The intriguing move to the ANU School of Music is a best case scenario for what was once a dire situation. Talk of moving the pub to other locations including interstate had been mooted, but with the ANU’s continued expansion (I barely recognise it from my undergraduate days) its set to be a truly exciting venture for both parties concerned.

Within the next month or so, new brew hands must be trained up to the high standards expected of the Wig and Pen and owner Lachlan McOmish, all the current brewing equipment must be shifted to the new location as well as much of the current Wig and Pen facade and decor. These is also the prickly issue of what to do with the iconic signature wall which will be within the the new premises.

However, speaking with Jeremy Michael, assistant brewer at the Wig and Pen, whilst aware of the hard work ahead, he is excited by the move to the new premises. The Northern California native from beer capital Chico, CA, home of Sierra Nevada beer, sees not only a new and exciting venue to peddle great beer, but also the possibility of, among other things, a greater collaboration between the pub and the accompanying ANU school of music.

Since taking on the role of assistant brewer at the Wig and Pen, Jeremy has been working tirelessly to understand all the goings on within the Wig and Pen, and recently got to pen (no pun intended) his first brew creation at the Wig and Pen, a rich coffee flavoured dark ale. Whilst sipping on the aptly named Jerry’s lucky 13, Jeremy (or Jerry for short) also mentioned the possibility for collaborations with other brewers in the future, including the newly opened Bentspoke Brewing Co, Fyshwick’s Zierholz and the aclaimed Canberra Brewers group.

So, with Bentspoke Brewing Co. continuing their development (having just tapped several new brews), plus Zieholz continuing to do great stuff with beer and live music and the future of the Wig and Pen now secure, Canberra is set to continue in earnest along its craft beer journey path.

What’s impressing me?

• Stout-Fest; Like your stouts? Get to the Wig and Pen and get involved in their stout fest!
• Hopscotch; Ok, so far I have had little to no success in getting any scoops on what to expect on tap from this new Braddon venue, but either way, I think its going to be exciting.
• ABITA purple haze; Great lager out of New Orleans with a hint (but not overpowering) taste of raspberries

Adrian Moran has been pouring beers for over nine years and runs a weekly podcast devoted to craft beer
Twitter: @ausbeerjourney
Website: www.ausbeerjourney.wordpress.com

The post This week in beer… The Wig and Pen! appeared first on Canberra CityNews.

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to a serious collision that occurred in Phillip yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 3 August).

Around 5.45pm police attended the scene at Melrose Drive, between Hindmarsh Drive and Botany Street, after reports of a head-on collision between a white Mercedes and silver Mercedes.

The driver and single occupant of the silver Mercedes was not injured as a result of the collision.

The driver and adult passenger of the white Mercedes were conveyed to The Canberra Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. However, the infant passenger of the white Mercedes sustained a head injury and was transported to The Canberra Hospital. Her condition is listed as critical.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Collision Investigation Reconstruction Team (CIRT).

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision and has yet to speak to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.

The post Baby critical after Mercedes on Mercedes crash appeared first on Canberra CityNews.