Pause and Catch Up: 22 June
If your week felt like a blur and the news passed you by, don’t worry, you’re not alone. We know the news cycle can feel like it’s always on, always urgent. That’s why we’ve created this gentle check-in: a wellbeing-first way to stay connected to what’s happening in Canberra without feeling overwhelmed.
So pour a cuppa, take a breath, and scroll through what mattered in our city last week. Here’s your moment to pause and catch up.
Top 5 Canberra Headlines
1. Debut Built on Grit and Trust: Jed Stuart Ignites Raiders in Emotional Win
When rookie winger Jed Stuart crossed the line just 18 minutes into his debut, it wasn’t just a try, it was the result of weeks of team belief and quiet leadership behind the scenes. Backed by strong NSW Cup form and championed by senior Raiders like Joe Tapine, his moment was a testament to what happens when a club backs its people and plays with heart.
2. ACT Budget Funds New Sexual-Assault Taskforce, Legal Aid Expansion & Court Capacity
A new taskforce, frontline advocates, and more legal support are on the way to make justice more accessible and trauma-informed in the ACT. This year’s Budget strengthens how victims of sexual assault are supported during investigations, improves access to legal help, and increases court capacity to reduce delays.
3. Lifeblood Opens Plasma Donation to Thousands More Australians
From 14 July, thousands more Australians, especially in the LGBTIQA+ community, will be able to donate plasma without outdated and exclusionary wait times. This change marks a shift toward more inclusive, evidence-based healthcare, thanks to years of advocacy and a shared belief that compassion, not stigma, should guide our blood donation system.
4. ACT Budget Delivers Smarter Support for Rising Household Costs
Instead of blanket handouts, the ACT Government is taking a more targeted approach—directing increased energy rebates to those who need them most. By permanently boosting support for low-income households and coordinating with national initiatives, this year’s Budget ensures relief lands where it can make the biggest difference.
5. Belconnen Upgrades Deliver Everyday Wins for Growing Communities
Belconnen’s boom isn’t just about population, it’s about progress. With over $20 million committed in the 2025–26 ACT Budget, the Government is investing in what makes neighbourhoods thrive: safer footpaths, upgraded schools, inclusive playgrounds and revitalised local hubs. These projects are designed with locals, for locals, ensuring that public spaces evolve with the communities that use them every day.
Suburb-by-Suburb Snapshot
Here’s what’s happening closer to home, because sometimes it’s the smaller stories that shape our day-to-day lives.
Belconnen: Lake Work to Stir Up Smells, but It’s a Sign of Cleaner Waters Ahead
If Belconnen locals catch a whiff of something unusual near the lake this month, it’s not a cause for concern, it’s part of essential dredging works to improve water quality and reduce algae long-term. By disrupting settled sediment now, authorities are making way for clearer, healthier waters later.
Gungahlin: From Classroom to Trading Floor: Gungahlin Student Rises to the Top in ASX Game
With curiosity, strategy, and a cool head under pressure, Ryan from Gungahlin College turned a virtual share portfolio into a real learning triumph, finishing as the ACT’s top performer in the ASX Sharemarket Game. More than just numbers on a screen, this experience gave Ryan a front-row seat to the highs and lows of real-world markets, showing how hands-on learning can shape future leaders in finance.
Tuggeranong: Medtildas Kick Goals On and Off the Field in Tuggeranong
Blending medicine and sport, the Medtildas brought their boots and brilliance to Kambah Oval, sharing skills and stories with Tuggeranong’s future doctors and footballers. Backed by $5,000 in ACT Government sponsorship, their open training wasn’t just a warm-up for the World Medical Football Championships—it was a masterclass in showing young Canberrans how purpose, passion, and play can go hand in hand.
Woden: Molonglo’s Future Takes Shape with Community at the Helm
More than 1,000 locals helped shape a shared vision for Molonglo Town Centre, not by ticking boxes, but by offering stories, aspirations, and big-picture thinking. The result is a blueprint grounded in connection, culture, and nature, proving that when a community leads the conversation, planning becomes personal.
Inner North: From Icon to Invitation: Telstra Tower Upgrades Aim to Reignite Canberra Tourism
By funding design and planning works for Telstra Tower’s revitalisation, the ACT Budget is laying the groundwork for a renewed visitor experience atop Black Mountain. Rather than a quick fix, this early investment is about reimagining the site as a destination locals can be proud of—and tourists can’t resist.
Inner South: Colder Than Ever, But Community Warmth Breaks Through at CEO Sleepout
On a night that hit –7°C, 123 Canberra leaders gave up their beds to raise nearly $850,000 for people facing homelessness. It wasn’t just about braving the cold, it was about showing up, starting conversations, and proving that leadership means being uncomfortable for someone else’s comfort.
That’s your week in review.
Support your local. Celebrate the wins. Speak up for change. And as always, we’ll be here to help you pause & catch up next week. 💛
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