November 5

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Tuesday 5th November

⛅️ Weather: 27° and partly cloudy.

30 Years of the Old Bus Depot Markets

The Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston will mark their 30th birthday this month. The markets were started in 1994 by two local women, Diane Hinds and Morna Whiting. They transformed the large industrial space of the old bus depot into a hub for local makers to sell their wares and ran the business until 2016, when it was sold to Iconic Markets and Events.

The former transport depot in Kingston was the centre of government transport operations in Canberra from 1927 to 1992. It's particularly notable for the steel fully welded rigid portal frame that was built to support its roof in 1940. It's considered to be one of the earliest examples of this technology in the world. Kingston (originally known as Eastlake) was the first industrial site in Canberra housing the Power House, Transport Depot, Fitters Workshop and the Government Printing Office.

The OBDM is holding a "Jewel of Canberra" market this Sunday, showcasing a range of high-quality handcrafted items, including bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings and more.

Something to do: 🧑‍🎨 Open Studios

As part of the Canberra Craft+Design Canberra Festival, studios from across Canberra will be opening their doors to the public this week. Here are just some of the highlights:

Koitoya: A timber workshop led by Hiroshi Yamaguchi, who gained his skills in Takayama, Japan, a town famous for its carpentry. He'll be launching his 2025 class program and holding a chopsticks-making workshop. Details here.

Canberra Region Feltmakers: There will be an exhibition of work made by members on this year’s theme of Succulents as well as a shop and mini workshop sessions including making a felt cat toy. Details here.

ANCA: Australian National Capital Artists is Canberra's largest independent artist studio organisation. They'll be opening their studios in Mitchell and Dickson, where you'll see a large variety of professional art studios practising painting, sculpture, ceramics, furniture making, blacksmithing and more. There will be a number of demonstrations, and food and drinks will be available. Details here.

Thor's Hammer: Thor's Hammer builds quality timber products from recycled timber. They'll be opening their workshop this Saturday and will be running guided tours to take you behind the scenes of Hammer HQ. Bookings are required for the workshop tours. Details here.

These are just a few of the 30+ studios open this weekend. See the full list here.

Tomorrow: 🇺🇸 US Election at PJs

PJs in the City is hosting a US election watch party with live results on the big screens and classic American food including hot dogs and nachos. They'll be open early from 10am tomorrow. Details here.

This Weekend: 🚂 ScaleACT

The ACT Scale Modellers' Society is holding their annual two-day scale modelling event this weekend. There will be model displays, competitions, a swap & sell, modelling goods and books for sale, and expert 'how to' workshops presented by some of Australia's best modellers. Details here.

Coming Up: 🇲🇽 Day of the Dead Fiesta

Celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead at the Harmonie Club on November 16. The fiesta starts with an Aztec Shaman welcoming you and doing a cleansing to get rid of the bad spirits before an action-packed show featuring 10 masked luchadors. Details here.

This Weekend: 🍼 Pregnancy, Babies and Children's Expo

Australia's largest early parenting event is coming to Canberra this weekend. Discover all you need to know from bump to birth and beyond. It's happening at EPIC. Details here.

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