Tuesday 12th August

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: Creed Bratton is Coming to Canberra + The Community Toolbus.

🌤️ Weather: 15° and mostly sunny.

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Around Canberra: 🔨 The Toolbus

I think The Community Toolbox is a fantastic idea—it’s a library of tools, appliances, and other equipment (everything from band saws, biscuit cutters, and belt sanders to sausage stuffers, sharpening stones and sewing machines)—that can be borrowed by members so you don’t need to buy and store everything yourself. It’s located in Watson, but I have good news for those outside the Inner North: the Community Toolbox is going mobile to bring the power of shared resources to more people across the Canberra region.

They’re launching a crowdfunding campaign to get the Toolbus on the road. If you’re interested in supporting the service, you can pre-purchase a Toolbox Membership. Your membership will commence on the date of your first loan and will also act as a vote in deciding where the Toolbus should stop. With your membership, you’ll be able to borrow items from the Watson base or opt for convenient pickup at one of the Toolbus stops. Details here.

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Looking Ahead: 👔 Creed Bratton

Creed Bratton—yes, that Creed Bratton from The Office—is coming to Canberra for a night of comedy and music. I had no idea Creed has such a prolific music career—he’s just released his 10th studio album, Tao Pop. Tickets go on sale Wednesday. Details here.

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🎨 Arts Around Canberra

This week’s arts wrap:

Wildflowers: Contemporary artist Rowdy brings his new collection, Wildflowers, to Canberra Art Gallery this September. They’re holding a special opening night event to coincide with Floriade, where the gallery will be transformed with real flower art installations by Canberra’s leading florists, paired with floral-inspired grazing tables and cocktails. Details here

Piotr Anderszewski: Just a few tickets remain for Polish-Hungarian concert pianist Piotr Anderszewski’s recital, where he’ll play Schubert, Brahms and Bach. Details here

Jeff Koons Statue: The NGA was recently gifted Balloon Venus Dolni Vestonice—one of Jeff Koons’s iconic balloon statues. It’s possibly the most expensive gift the gallery has received, and it’s now on display. Details here

Veiled Reflections: An introspective exhibition by early-career artist Elise Stanley opening this week at Platform by Canberra Contemporary. It includes a series of drawings and screen prints exploring the tension between fragility and strength, visibility and concealment. Details here

The Texans: Shot in Texas between 1972 and 1973 and unseen for over fifty years, these photographs by Judith MacDougall capture American popular culture with irony and verve. The Texans 1972-73 opens at PhotoAccess on Thursday alongside another exhibition, The Camera Unrepair Shop, by UK Frederick. Details here

Peter/Wendy: Ribix Productions presents the Australian premiere of Peter/Wendyby Jeremy Bloom. This hauntingly beautiful reimagining of the well-loved classic is a co-production with the Mill Theatre. Playful and inventive, full of whimsy and mischief, Peter/Wendy tells the story through a new set of eyes, asking what it means to grow up when some children never get the chance. Details here

Der Rosenkavalier: National Opera presents a fast-paced, condensed version of Richard Strauss’s beloved opera, Der Rosenkavalier. It’s coming to The Street next Saturday. Details here

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Arts: 🧑‍🎨 CAPO Arts Grants

The Canberra Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) has distributed nearly $4 million in grants, fellowships and awards. The CAPO 2025 Grants are now open, inviting creative minds to submit innovative projects across all disciplines. Know a local artist? Let them know! Details here

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Classifieds

🦞 Stumped on what to get Dad this year? Skip the gift card and make some memories and book our lavish Surf & Turf Banquet at Natural Nine (inside Casino Canberra 18+ venue).

Available for lunch & dinner on the 7 September, spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! Book now

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🍷 Canberra Cellar Door: Stop by the Canberra Visitor Centre every Saturday, 11am–3pm, to taste incredible local wines. Canberra Cellar Door also hosts small‑group classes and special events—subscribe to their newsletter to be the first to know what’s coming up. Details here.

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Classifieds support Canberra Digest

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📰 Tidbits

Hydrotherapy Pool: Construction is complete on the southside hydrotherapy pool. The purpose-built facility, located next to Lakeside Leisure Centre, supports recovery, rehabilitation and pain management for people living with chronic conditions or recovering from injury. It will open 25 August. More.

Light Rail Wraps: You might see some new light rail fits—these were designed by the winners of this year’s Rail Safety Week student design competition: Amelia Bobbin and Paddy Collins from Dickson College, as well as Lailani Arizapa and Liam Osborn from Daramalan College. You can see the entries and vote for your favourite here.

Josh Papalii: It looks like Josh Papalii won’t be off to the English Super League at the end of this year’s NRL season. The Raiders are putting together an offer to keep Papalii in green for 2026.

Heaps Normal: Canberra-born non-alc beer brand Heaps Normal (now made in Melbourne) has a new pop star investor—Robbie Williams! The brand was launched in Canberra in 2020 and is now Australia’s most popular independent non-alcoholic beer.