May 1

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

⛅️ Weather: 18° and partly cloudy

📆Today: It’s Wednesday 1st May

News: 🍝 Brunello is Closing

Italian restaurant and wine bar Brunello will be closing on the 19th of May. The restaurant has been bought by a “well-known restaurateur”. It’s not been revealed what the new owners plan to do with the existing restaurant. The team behind Brunello will be moving on to new ventures in Canberra. More.

New Eats: 🧑‍🍳 Carlotta

Lucas Group, The team behind iconic Australian restaurants including Chin Chin, Baby and Kisumé will be bringing a new restaurant to Canberra. Carlotta will be a Mediterranean restaurant located on Scotts Crossing in the city opposite Anita Gelato. The venue will be opening in Spring and I’ll keep you updated.

This Weekend: 🛝 Play Outside Ngala Day

Play Outside Ngala Day is being held in Haig Park this Saturday. It’s a jam-packed day filled with activities for kids. There will be an Escape From PlastikaPerformance: an interactive way for kids to learn more about sustainability, A Fairy Tea Party and Charcoal Drawing. It’s happening from 11am to 3pm in Haig Park. Details here.

Sport: Raiders Team News

Canberra will be travelling to play Manly this Friday night. Captain Elliott Whitehead will be returning from a calf injury. Albert Hopoate will be replacing teenage fullback Chevy Stewart and Nick Cotric will also return to the side. Details here.

On This Day in Canberra: 💧 Googong Dam Construction Begins

On May 1st 1975 About 200 people, mostly public servants, gathered on a hillside looking down at a trickle of water from the Queanbeyan River. A blast was set off to mark the offical start to construction of the Googong Dam.

Construction of the dam wasn’t without incident. In October 1976 the largest flood recorded (up to that point) topped the dam wall. 5000 people in Queanbeyan were placed on red-alert and evacuated due to fears the partially completed dam would collapse and wash away the town. Thankfully the dam wall held and only minor damage was reported.

The dam was opened by Prince Charles in 1979.

Googong is the largest reservoir supplying Canberra’s water and while the dam is in New South Wales, it is managed by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service under a special agreement with NSW.

This Weekend: Star Wars Trivia at Reload

This Saturday (May the 4th), Reload Bar is hosting a Star Wars Trivia night. There will be prizes for the best dressed, Blue Milk Cocktails and a Lego Star Wars display. Details here.

Tidbits

Plans Submitted for New Kingston Medical Centre: Plans have been submitted to knock down the childcare centre at 19 Giles St Kingston and replace it with a 4-story medical centre. DA.

ACT Police Chief Apologises: ACT Police chief Lee apologised to victims of sexual assault after a review found ACT Police were not appropriately investigating sexual assaults and had a ‘mistaken understanding of consent’. More.

School Enrolment Opens: Enrolment for public schools in 2025 has opened. A new school in Taylor means there have been some changes to the enrolment areas. Students who are enrolled by June 7 will receive an offer from 29 July 2024. More.

Canberra Actor John Cuffe Has Died: John Cuffe has died at the age of 91. He performed on stage in London before emigrating to Canberra in the 70’s. He was known for his roles in TV and stage shows including Murder Call, The Last Bastion and Dad and Dave: Our Selection.