DonateLife Walk
Aiming to promote organ and tissue donation across the Canberra community, the Gift of Life DonateLife Walk is a free event on Wednesday 26 February 6.45am starting from Rond Terrace, at the end of Anzac Parade. According to the Organ and Tissue Authority, in 2018 Canberra had one of the lowest rates of registration for organ donation in Australia. Only one in four Canberrans are on the national organ and tissue register compared to one in three nationally. Register for the walk online at giftoflife.asn.au
Rainbow Wave rescheduled
Due to recent bushfire events, the Rainbow Wave Festival in Merimbula NSW, which was to be held on 22 February, has been rescheduled to 2 May. The event will feature a parade down the main street, live music, drag queens and more; rainbowwavefestival.com
GIVIT donation of the week: Large storage tubs
A locally based humanitarian project is seeking items to help newly arrived refugee families settle into life in Canberra. The storage tubs will help families store and sort belongings such as clothing, toiletries, household items and children’s toys until they are able to acquire permanent furnishings for their homes. The storage tubs requested are 12 large (50L-80L), clear/opaque with lids. Delivery options: Items to be dropped off. To donate, visit givit.org.au/items-needed, search ‘storage tubs’ and select requests located in ACT. After you pledge the item, you will be contacted by the relevant charity to arrange pick-up or drop-off.
Budgerigar show and sale
The Canberra branch of the Budgerigar Society of NSW will hold its 46th Annual Show on Sunday 23 February from 10am at St Jude’s Primary School, Mulley Street, Holder. There will be hundreds of budgerigars of many different varieties and colours, birds for sale, and food and drink available. Free public entry.
Photographic Fiesta
The Canberra Photographic Collectors Society will hold its Autumn Photographic Fiesta (Photographic Market) on Sunday 23 February 10.30am-1.30pm at Canberra Irish Club, Weston. There will be hundreds of antique and collectable cameras, usable film and digital cameras, photographic equipment and accessories, and photographic books for sale. If you have a camera or photographic equipment you would like to sell, bring it along and it can be put on the Club Table to try be sold for you (a small commission charged if sold). Free admission and parking. More info: contact Andrey 0422 981 777 or Ray 6258 8399.
Inner training
Subud Canberra will hold an open afternoon at their community hall at 26 Jenke Circuit, Kambah on Saturday 22 February 2.30pm. The Subud latihan or inner training is a way for people to discover their inner self. The process offers an opportunity for people to follow a spiritual path together and in harmony. All welcome.
Welsh Society of Canberra
The Society will be holding its annual celebration of St David’s Day with a dinner on Sunday 1 March at Weston Creek Labor Club. All with Welsh connections or an interest in Wales welcome. Booking and pre-payment essential, via email [email protected] or call 0408 089 235. More info: find @canberrawelsh on Facebook or visit their stall at the Multicultural Festival on Sunday 23 February.
VIEW Club meetings
VIEW Clubs raise money for The Smith Family for disadvantaged children in their Learning for Life program.
Gungahlin Day: The next meeting is Wednesday 26 February 12pm at Versatile Restaurant, Federation Square, Nicholls. Cost: $35 for two-course lunch. Guest speaker: Carolyn Odgers from GIVIT. RSVP to Angela 0458 012 402 or Margaret 6230 2892 by 22 February 9pm.
Weston Creek: The next meeting is at Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden on Tuesday 3 March 11.30am. Cost: $30 for two-course lunch. The speakers will be Judy and Rob Roberts on the restoration of Allwood Cottage. RSVP: Barbara on 6286 4626 by 27 February 5pm.
Climate refugee meeting
Climate change could displace 140 million by 2050. Will these people be treated the same as today’s asylum seekers? Professor Will Steffen, world leading expert in the field of climate change, will join Dr Fanny Thornton and Dr George Carter to explore these questions at a public meeting hosted by the Canberra Refugee Action Campaign on Wednesday 26 February 6.30-8pm at Copland Lecture Theatre, ANU. Free admission.
Staying Healthy in a Changing Climate
The Health Care Consumers’ Association of the ACT presents a seminar that gives information on how to stay healthy in our changing climate, including: preparing for climate emergencies; managing poor air quality, smoke and heat; managing the stress caused by the changing climate and climate damage; best sources of information. At Hughes Community Centre, Wisdom Street, Hughes on Wednesday 26 February 1-3pm. Parking front and rear. RSVP to [email protected] or call 6230 7800 by 24 February. Refreshments provided.
Bonsai exhibition
The Canberra Bonsai Society and the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) are hosting the 2020 Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai at the Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG on Saturday 29 February 9.30am-4.30pm and Sunday 1 March 9.30am-4pm. There will be a display of over 50 bonsai, suiseki and related items created by Canberra and visiting interstate artists, demonstrations and guided walks through the Gardens. Entry: $5 adults, $3 concession, accompanied children u12 free. More info: cbs.org.au
Free parenting course
A free four-week parenting course, offered by Parentline ACT for all mums and their babies, is being held each Friday 10am-12pm. Set in the grounds of Glebe Park, this course will give mums an opportunity to meet others while enjoying a free picnic brunch each week. Learn self-care, manage change, understand your baby, and gain parenting skills. The first group starts Friday 6 March. To enrol, call 6287 3833 or email [email protected]
Financial planning help
In the aftermath of the bushfire disaster, financial planners across the country have come together to offer the Financial Planning Bushfire Pro Bono Program to help those impacted by the bushfires to rebuild financially. The program is a joint initiative from the Financial Planning Association of Australia and the Association of Financial Advisers. Eligibility criteria apply. More info: call 1800 560 685 or visit fpa.com.au to apply for assistance.
Psychological support
A free psychological support service has launched for veterinary and wildlife carers treating the millions of wildlife and livestock impacted by the bushfires. The initiative is being led by veterinarian wellbeing charity, Love Your Pet Love Your Vet, who have partnered with Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi) to connect those caring for animals on the frontline with volunteer registered psychologists. The free counselling services will be offered over the phone and online via Skype or Zoom. More info: loveyourpetloveyourvet.com.au/bushfire-support
Disability support
Disability support not-for-profit, IDEAS, has launched a bushfire crisis relief exchange website for people with disability to access equipment and non-perishable consumables for their needs in times of crisis. The website consolidates information for people with a disability and provides access to essential items and equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers and scooters, during and following the bushfires. More info: ebility-bushfire.ideas.org.au/index.php/en
ADFAS lecture
Hear Charles Harris talk about the work of AM Cassandre – a style guru in an age full of style, the Art Deco period – on Monday 2 March 6pm at the National Library. To register, email the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society via [email protected] or call Sally on 0420 536409 (leave a message). The lecture costs $30 (payable at the door) and includes refreshments afterwards.
Free pelvic floor workshops
Women of all ages are invited to attend this free workshop on Tuesday 3 March 1-4pm at Tuggeranong Community Health Centre (147 Anketell Street, Tuggeranong). Presented by a physiotherapist from ACT Health, this workshop will provide information, education and self-help strategies for women who are experiencing continence problems or wishing to prevent them. The workshops will cover issues relating to: bladder and bowel control/incontinence; bladder and bowel prolapse; and concerns pre/post gynaecological surgery. Bookings essential. Contact the Community Heath Intake Team on 5124 9977.
Cupid’s Undie Run
On Sunday 22 March, thousands of Aussies will run in their undies in support of the Children’s Tumour Foundation (CTF) to shine a light on what it means to live with the genetic disorder, Neurofibromatosis (NF). Organisers hope to raise over $500,000 for CTF so it can continue to provide critically important support for those impacted by NF and fund research to develop treatments that will one day lead to a cure. Registrations are open at cupidsundierun.com.au
PEERS bootcamp
The Program for Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) will run in a bootcamp format in 2020. Participants learn and practise evidence-based social skills in a supportive environment. The first bootcamp program will be ‘Meeting and Maintaining Friendships’, which will be covered in four sessions starting on 21 March 1-7pm in Turner. Bootcamp programs are open for all ages from 13 years up. To register or for further information, contact Moira on 0447 248 797 or [email protected]; or Amanda on 0419 250 922 or [email protected]
Five Peaks Cycling Challenge
Organised by Woden Rotary, the Five Peaks Challenge is a non-competitive cycling event to be held in Canberra on Sunday 26 April. All money raised will go toward Canberra Sleepbus and Australian Rotary Health. Early bird registration available until 29 March. Details and registration at rotaryrides.org.au
Mother’s Day Classic
Registrations are now open for the 2020 Mother’s Day Classic walk and fun run. The annual event raises awareness and funds for life-changing breast cancer research and is held in up to 100 locations across Australia on Mother’s Day, this year on Sunday 10 May. More info: mothersdayclassic.com.au
