Tag: Canberra

• The 10 Best Inner-North Pints

  October 25, 2020 5:33 pm Comments Off on The 10 Best Inner-North Pints

  It’s finally Spring, and as Canberra cautiously relaxes after its stressful year, it’s time for a well-deserved pint.
  I visited, and ranked, the inner-north’s ten biggest pubs. For your convenience and my pleasure.
   

  King O’Malley’s (Civic)

  Quality: 2.5           Atmosphere: 3           Price: 3           Overall: 2.83/5
  Taking the tenth spot on this list is one of Civic’s two Irish pubs.
  Earlier this year, on St Patrick’s Day, the vibe at this pub was great. Mostly, however, there is not a lot about King O’Malley’s which is particularly remarkable. While this pub delivers the Irish staples (Guinness and Kilkenny on tap) and classic pub meals, its beer range is limited and its food is on the dearer end. By way of example, a beef burger costs $25— more than Grease Monkey’s most expensive burger.
  This is a place to consider if the occasion calls for it.
   

  Civic Pub (Braddon)

  Quality: 3.5           Atmosphere: 2.5           Price: 3.5           Overall: 3.16/5
  The Civic Pub sports a pretty standard range of tap beers, though that range notably includes Balter XPA, a decent alcoholic ginger beer, and a tapped espresso martini.
  Although its price bracket is pretty standard, sadly this pub does not offer a Happy Hour. What is most confusing about it, however, is the atmosphere. On a sunny day, the pub feels unusually dark and gloomy. Walls lined with books and a ‘yak’ (actually a buffalo) from Fat Yak apparently strive for a refined atmosphere. However, Civic Pub feels like it’s occupying an uncomfortable middle space between classy and conventional.
   

  Brew Nation (Civic)

  Quality: 5           Atmosphere: 3           Price: 2.5           Overall: 3.5/5
  With an incredible range of canned beers (which can also be taken home) and a great range of beers on tap, beer snobs – and those wanting to learn a bit more about their drink – will love Brew Nation. As a reasonably minimalist, one-room pub, the atmosphere at this place is not particularly special. However, good background music, a volume at which to talk comfortably, and notably friendly staff all add to this space’s value.
  One gets higher-end brews here, and it’s reflected in the prices.
   

  Badger & Co. (Acton)

  Quality: 3           Atmosphere: 3.5           Price: 4           Overall: 3.5/5
  The ANU’s primary bar/pub does its job reasonably well. Its beer range is not enormous, but it pleases a wide crowd, including brewery-fresh Carlton and a couple of Canberra brews in its range. The atmosphere can be good, but – to flog a dead horse – it does not hold a torch to the late ANU Bar. Arguably the best thing about this establishment (after its location) is its daily deals, whether it’s $10 schnitzels or $5 Happy Hour.
  Not a bad place for a pint.
   

  Braddon Brews (Braddon)

  Quality: 4           Atmosphere: 3.5           Price: 3.5           Overall: 3.6/5
  Being a daytime café / coffee roaster and a night-time beer bar, Braddon Brews wins some points for uniqueness.
  What’s more, for an establishment that is only sometimes a beer bar, this space offers ten pretty diverse and delicious range of tap beers. The atmosphere is good if you don’t mind drinking in an alleyway. The prices are in the middle-to-upper range.
   

  The Duxton (O’Connor)

  Quality: 3.5           Atmosphere: 3.5            Price: 4           Overall: 3.66/5
  The Duxton is a good middle-upper pub, plain and simple. Happy Hour is here from 3-5pm on weekdays, during which they offer $5 selected tap beers and $5 house wine. Outside these hours, prices are reasonably standard. They also host trivia every Wednesday.
  This pub is in O’Connor, so it’s a little bit of a trip from the ANU area.
   

  PJ O’Reilly’s (Civic)

  Quality: 3.5           Atmosphere: 4           Price: 3.5           Overall: 3.66
  This is a good Irish pub, although it suffers from the opposite fate of its counterpart in King O’Malley’s: a good range of craft beers, but an absence of the staples (Guinness and Kilkenny) needed in any self-respecting Irish pub.
  Significantly, the prices here are better than at King O’Malley’s. There’s also a decent spread of events at PJ’s, including trivia every Monday night and regular live music. This is also the stomping-ground of the Canberra Democrats Abroad. Having been here to watch the 2016 Presidential election, I’d recommend popping in for a pint over the upcoming 2020 election. 
   

  The RUC (Turner)

  Quality: 3           Atmosphere: 3.5           Price: 5           Overall: 3.83/5
  The Canberra North Bowling and ACT Rugby Union Club, or RUC, knows what it is. 
  Although the Club only offers big-name commercial beers on tap, the range of these is broader than usual, and probably sufficient for every beer-drinker. The RUC’s atmosphere is good, with live music every Friday and relaxed vibes always. Above all, the RUC’s prices stand out. In addition to cheap meal deals from Monday to Wednesday (including $12 rump steak on Mondays), the Club boasts $5 select wines, basic spirits and standard draughts during Happy Hour; $4 Coopers Pale Ale schooners on Fridays; and $3.90 basic spirits from 8-9pm every week.
  This is the place to go if you like your beers cheap and simple.
   

  Bentspoke (Braddon)

  Quality: 5           Atmosphere: 4           Price: 3           Overall: 4/5
  With a range of about 30 tapped beers and ciders, Bentspoke is – beyond all question – Canberra’s tap beer leader. If you’re willing to shell out a bit of money, you can even take some of its delicious brews home.
  Adding to Bentspoke’s aesthetic is its Lonsdale Street location, as well as its back wall of large metal kegs. In fact, all that can be detracted from this venue is its higher-price range (especially granted its new $40 minimum spend due to COVID-19). Bentspoke also lacks live music / events.
  Nevertheless, the fact remains: Bentspoke offers Canberra’s best home-made beers.
   

  The Old Canberra Inn (Lyneham)

  Quality: 4           Atmosphere: 5           Price: 3.5           Overall: 4.16/5
  Claiming the top spot on this list is a pub which barely makes it into our ‘inner-north’ scope. However, if one is prepared to venture out to this Lyneham location, good times surely await.
  The Old Canberra Inn sports an excellent range of rotating beers, as well as a huge range of packaged beers. Its prices are at the upper-middle end, though these are made better by a 4-6pm Happy Hour every weekday.
  What makes this pub truly special, however, is its atmosphere. In addition to hosting regular events, the Inn is one of very few pubs in the ACT which can truthfully boast of providing an authentic, European-style pub vibe. In the winter, roaring fires in its main room keep patrons warm. In the spring and summer, its beer garden delights. The pub’s largest room imitates German beer halls.
  If one is looking for an excellent inner-north pint, whatever the weather, then look no further.
   
   
   
  Think your name would look good in print? Woroni is always open for submissions. Email write@woroni.com.au with a pitch or draft. You can find more info on submitting here.

  Nick Mezo

• A Guide to Canberra’s Op-Shops

  October 16, 2020 1:02 pm Comments Off on A Guide to Canberra’s Op-Shops

  Thrifting or op shopping is more popular than ever. Perhaps you’ve already shopped in op shops, or are thinking of trying it. Every time I see one of those ‘thrift haul’ videos on YouTube, I get a little jealous that Canberra doesn’t seem to have many cool op shops like in the US, Europe or Japan. However, after a few years of wandering in Canberra, I can tell you, honey, you just need to look in the right places.
  First, in Canberra only, there is the Green Shed. There are three Green Shed stores in the city. 

  If you’re looking for cool home décor, definitely check out the Civic Walk Green Shed. They have a variety of tea sets, plates and more, usually in good condition. Sometimes they’ll have high quality and stylish furniture too. 
  Near the Civic Walk Green Shed is the Green Shed Underground. Most clothing items are priced at $5. Green Shed Underground can get a bit overwhelming for beginners, due to its less organised display. However, it is a fun place to hang out with friends and is conveniently close to campus. 
  Then we have the Mitchell Green Shed. It’s probably easiest to get there by car. They take a wide range of donations, from clothes to furniture, even bikes. If you’re moving house, definitely check here. Just bear in mind they don’t mark their prices, so you have to ask staff about every single item. You might want to free up a bit more time when you plan on going there.

  Then, of course, we have Vinnies and Salvos. Technically, each Vinnies and Salvos has a little bit of a different vibe and style. Other than the ones local to you, here are some that I recommend checking out. 

  Dickson Vinnies seems to have more fancy items, also generally more expensive pieces. I have seen some really good quality $40 leather jackets there, which looked like they might have cost you over $100 in some op shops in Sydney.
  Also worth checking out is the Mitchell store. The Mitchell Vinnies has more denim items than most op shops in Canberra. Not exactly sure why but, hey, I’m not complaining. Just be careful with the sizing, especially Levi’s jeans. The older the Levi’s, usually the bigger the size, even if with the same number. For example, a size 25 vintage Levi’s can sometimes fit the same as a size 30 new Levi’s. 

  For all my uni student friends that might be moving at the end of the year, other than Mitchell Green Shed, you should check out the Fyshwick Salvos. It’s huge. If you’re getting a lot at once, sometimes the staff will let you pay first and bring a truck the next day to pick up the furniture. I got a $50 discount on a set of bookshelves once. Don’t forget to check out their basement, they have board games galore.
  Sydney has Newtown and Melbourne has Fitzroy and Brunswick. We, Canberra, also have something similar: Fyshwick. I know you might be confused, but in fact Fyshwick has a few really niche, small-scale op shops. 

  Canberra Vintage & Collectible Centre has the largest collection of second hand vinyl records in Canberra, and other random retro items as well. I’ve seen a board game about WWI there, which takes 50 hours for one game. Remember, they are only open Thursday to Sunday. 
  Down the street is Dirty Janes, basically a collection of vintage antique shops. They actually have an Instagram account. Not just second hand items, there are quite a few local artists setting up shops there too. 
  If you’re more into designer pieces, check out the Designer Op Shop Emporium. This is where you can find some pretty unique pre-loved designer fashion, like vintage Chanel wool suits. They also have more designer home décor, and some $100-$400 evening dresses too. 

  I guess, needless to say, Canberra might not be like New York or London, but we do have a fair amount of cool op shops. The next time you are planning on hanging out with some mates, maybe check out one of these stylish op shops!
   
   
   
  Think your name would look good in print? Woroni is always open for submissions. Email write@woroni.com.au with a pitch or draft. You can find more info on submitting here.

  Tiana Sun

• Mooseheads Reopens: Introverts Lament

  September 30, 2020 3:27 pm Comments Off on Mooseheads Reopens: Introverts Lament

  In recent tragic news, hordes of anxious Canberrans are once again being forced to invent new reasons why they can’t leave the house on Thursday nights now that Mooseheads is reopening. Thanks to the global pandemic, nervous introverts have been given respite from the sweaty, over-crowded rooms of sexually charged socialising with people you only kind of know. Now that this brief window of peace is coming to a close, one can expect to say farewell to chilled drinks with friends and a return to the weekly hellish nightscape. 
  “If it was just Thursday nights, I could probably deal with it,” commented Anna, a chronically stressed undergraduate. “But it writes all the girls off for Fridays too. Who am I supposed to get brunch with? Am I expected to get coffee by myself? And what about Saturday nights? Are they back too? Will my torment never end?” 
  The reopening of Mooseheads is not all bad, however, with businesses surrounding the nightclub to have a massive boom. Civic Maccas is expecting a mass increase in late-night purchasing of nuggets and hash browns. Similarly, the 24-hour convenience store is expected to cash in on the return of drunk smokers who buy packets of durries to enjoy exclusively on nights out. ‘Can I cop a dart?’ will no doubt soon again be heard echoing throughout the city bus station. 
  Amina, a college social rep, also sees the positive side of Mooseheads returning, particularly for first year ANU students. “This will give them the opportunity to experience true university life. Finally, these eighteen year olds can wake up to the smell of vomit in the communal bathrooms, phones missing, and with over $100 mysteriously absent from their bank accounts. They can live, first-hand, the complex repercussions of hooking up with as many people from your college as possible. Our natural habitat is healing. It’s going to be beautiful.” 
  So dust off those white sneakers, pull out your ‘nice top’, and make sure to check on your friend with sensory-triggered anxiety, because Mooseheads is finally back and it’s time to drink irresponsibly.
   
   
   
  Think your name would look good in print? Woroni is always open for submissions. Email write@woroni.com.au with a pitch or draft. You can find more info on submitting here.

  Katie Sproule

• Southside, Why Bother?

  August 4, 2020 8:32 pm Comments Off on Southside, Why Bother?

  The ANU boasts a worldly and truly global body of students and academics that hail from around Australia and all over the world. Students (used to be able to) venture out across the globe on exchange and academics came to the ANU from places as far as Japan and Canada. However, it has always struck me that there is one very close geographic blind spot for most ANU students to visit. This region is Canberra’s Southside.
  Starting at the lakeside neighbourhoods of Yarralumla and Barton and stretching down as far as Fyshwick and Tuggeranong, Canberra’s southern district is much larger than its northern counterpart. Yet, if your only guide was the average ANU student, you would be hard pressed to find someone with practical knowledge of the inner south, let alone a place as far flung as Tuggeranong.
  The ‘iron curtain’ of interest for a lot of students falls just south of Parliament House. It is not unusual for an ANU student to live in Canberra for the four years typical of an ANU double degree and never once venture past the northern banks of Lake Burley Griffin. Wedged between Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie, ANU’s immigrant population consists primarily of Sydneysiders and Melbournians living in the familiar confines of the Inner North.
  You could say that these urbanites may just enjoy the proximity to a central business district with similar concrete and glass monoliths to downtown Sydney or Melbourne. Being an Inner Northerner myself and having lived within multiple locations all a 30-minute walk from Lonsdale St, I think that there is a more complex answer.
  It’s easiest to start with the assertion that a significant number of ANU students begin their Canberra experience living in the Inner North. There are around 11,000 undergraduate students at ANU and several thousand places in undergraduate student residential colleges, so it is likely that they begin and remain as Inner Northerners during their time here. Before becoming a virtually online university, ANU was in the Inner North and it was easier for students to live close by.
  There is a further cultural element to it. The Inner North has a connection with students that other areas of Canberra do not have. The presence of completely vegan cafés on Lonsdale street and pubs with Thursday specials say more about their target audience than ACT demographic data ever could. One trip to that hallowed establishment residing in the Sydney Building would make any sane university student attempt to live within a 15 minute drunk walking distance to Civic. Similar to Melbourne’s Brunswick and Sydney’s Newtown, the image and reputation of the Inner North is intimately tied with the activities of students, specifically consuming niche herbivorous café food and getting drunk.
  Known as Canberra’s university, ANU could more specifically claim to be the Inner North’s university. Some may disagree, and I think that an argument could be made for suburbs like the Kingston Foreshore to fall under the list of student suburbs. Perhaps a Tuggeranong campus may be needed to round off the Canberra experience. Yet the point remains— the identity of ANU is intimately linked to Canberra’s Inner North.
   
   
   

  Think your name would look good in print? Woroni is always open for submissions. Email write@woroni.com.au with a pitch or draft. You can find more info on submitting here.
   

  Eammon Gumley

• The Definitive COVID-19 Review of Canberra’s 27 Supermarket Complexes

  July 2, 2020 10:48 pm Comments Off on The Definitive COVID-19 Review of Canberra’s 27 Supermarket Complexes

  So, you’ve been stuck in social isolation with no way of leaving the house. Your outside adventures were limited to exercise and grocery shopping. Now that the restrictions have lifted, your freedom might be overwhelming. The local Woolworths isn’t quite cutting it anymore. How to choose which Canberra supermarket to revisit first?
  We can help. Over the past few months, every time we’ve needed something from the shops, we’ve changed the shopping centre (observing all hygiene and social distancing rules). As time progressed, we started to review and rate these centres. Of course, we couldn’t visit every centre in Canberra, so we settled on “group centre” level complexes. These we defined as centres that serve a group (4-5) suburbs, and as containing one or more of an Aldi, Coles, Supabarn or Woolworths, in addition to a decent selection of other shops. Large IGAs or Supabarn Express did not count, and neither did a supermarket on its own.
  Some of your favourite shops may not be included, but sadly we couldn’t cover the whole of Canberra. Despite this being the ‘definitive’ ranking, all comments on the centres are only our opinions. If we’ve left a bad review on your local shops, please don’t take it personally! So without further ado, let’s begin:
   
  District: Gungahlin
   

  Name: Marketplace Gungahlin/Gungahlin Village
  Suburb: Gungahlin
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles/Woolworths
  Rating: 6.5/10
   
  Summary: The centrepiece of Gungahlin has more character than most of the district, but a fragmented layout holds it back from being in the same league as Belconnen Westfield.
  Pros: Nice outside food vibes. More character than the rest of Gungahlin. Has the convenience of light rail. A large variety of shops.
  Cons: Layout felt fragmented. Unpleasant parking experience. Free parking only for a short time.
   

  Name: Casey Market Town
  Suburb: Casey
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Supabarn
  Rating: 9.5/10
   
   
  Summary: A modern and nuanced take on the weekly shopping experience. The Supabarn will be hard to forget.
  Pros: Stunning Supabarn. Stylish, modern interior. Large amounts of free parking. Good choice of food options. Can buy fresh pizza at the supermarket.
  Cons: Parking can get congested.
   

  Name: Crace Central
  Suburb: Crace
  Supermarkets: Supabarn
  Rating: 4.5/10
   
  Summary: Pretty much just a sterile feeling Supabarn with a handful of shops. Exists for functionality.
  Pros: Quite clean. Supabarn pleasant to shop at.
  Cons: Very sterile. Not much there. Limited albeit free parking.
   
  District: Belconnen
   

  Name: Belconnen Westfield
  Suburb: Belconnen
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles/Woolworths
  Rating: 8/10
   
   
  Summary: An expansive centre with a wide variety of supermarkets and stores, even if the aesthetic is a little dark.
  Pros: Convenient due to a lot of other stores around it. Many supermarket choices. Large amounts of parking. Bustling, expansive centre.
  Cons: Takes a lot of time walking around the mall. A bit dark and dimly lit around the supermarkets as a result of being downstairs. Parking not free after a few hours.
   
  Name: Hawker Shops
  Suburb: Hawker
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 4/10
   
   
   
  Summary: An unusual selection of shopfronts pared with an aging Woolworths led to a somewhat mediocre shopping experience.
  Pros: Perpetual smell of fried chicken from nearby KFC. Community vibes. Decent bakery on the corner.
  Cons: Quite an old feeling Woolworths. No bakery section in Woolworths.
   

  Name: Kaleen Plaza
  Suburb: Kaleen
  Supermarkets: Coles
  Rating: 4/10
   
  Summary: Does the job, but lacks charm and finesse.
  Pros: Honestly, not much going for it. Free parking though.
  Cons: Coles was a bit cramped. Lack of charm. Bit bland and clinical. Had a bit of a depressing vibe – people seemed a bit sad. Deli still used the ticket system, which was confusing.
   

  Name: Jamison Plaza
  Suburb: Macquarie
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles
  Rating: 8.5/10

  Summary: Ideal choice if you want to get out of the city and do your shopping in the burbs.
  Pros: Light and spacious, high roof. Modern and clean. Felt like a well-kept regional shopping centre. A decent selection of shops. Spacious and large Coles. Nice new Aldi. Free parking.
  Cons: Entrance is a bit gaudy. The layout doesn’t provide much adventure (i.e. unexciting).
   
  District: West Belconnen
   

  Name: Charnwood Shops
  Suburb: Charnwood
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 5.5/10
   
  Summary: Not as bad as the reputation that proceeds it. Admittedly, the smoky and concrete centre does leave a somewhat dystopian vibe.
  Pros: Large, clean Woolworths. Good fried chicken. Sensible layout. Free parking.
  Cons: Quite busy. Traffic a bit difficult to navigate. Somewhat grungy vibes.
   

  Name: Kippax Fair
  Suburb: Holt
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Woolworths
  Rating: 4/10
   
  Summary: A very regional feeling centre – can only recommend for the large, modern Woolworths or if you live out there.
  Pros: One of the largest, good looking Woolworths in the ACT. Free parking.
  Cons: Felt a bit run down. A bit claustrophobic from the narrow hallways. Has dark lighting.
   
  District: North Canberra
   

  Name: Canberra Centre
  Suburb: Civic
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles
  Rating: 8.5/10
   
  Summary: Simple, elegant layout (compared to Woden) boasting an enormous variety of modern, clean shops. Parking is a pain though.
  Pros: Nando’s. Wide range of sushi. Centrally located. Huge selection of shops. Monaro mall is a stylish new addition. Good lighting. Ten-pin bowling and Dendy’s.
  Cons: Coles is usually very busy. No free parking at all. Hard to find a park. The downstairs food court is a bit sad. No butcher despite being in the centre of Canberra.
   

  Name: Dickson Shops
  Suburb: Dickson
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 7/10
  Summary: It’s the Dickson shops – what more can you say. An urban community vibe.
  Pros: Nice variety of shops and eating places, urban community vibe. Often a sausage sizzle on Saturdays. Convenient for the inner north. Many Asian grocers.
  Cons: Not free parking generally. Woolworths is usually very busy. Can feel a bit grotty.
   
  District: South Canberra
   

  Name: Kingston Shops
  Suburb: Kingston
  Supermarkets: Supabarn
  Rating: 7/10
   
  Summary: An inner-city hipster paradise that falls down in grocery shopping and parking.
  Pros: Really good vibes, cafes and restaurants.
  Cons: Limited parking that isn’t free. The Supabarn is quite small and not ideal for your weekly shopping.
   

  Name: Manuka Shops
  Suburb: Griffith
  Supermarkets: Coles
  Rating: 7.5/10
  Summary: Unsurprisingly, similar to Kingston. Less trendy, but better for groceries.
  Pros: Decent sized Coles. Many trendy cafes and restaurants.
  Cons: Parking spaces are small and difficult to navigate. Coles is quite busy. Parking not free after a while.
   
  District: Woden Valley
   

  Name: Westfield Woden
  Suburb: Phillip
  Supermarkets: Coles/Woolworths
  Rating: 7.5/10
   
  Summary: Like Belconnen, but confusing. Vast and mysterious.
  Pros: Lots of shops, lots of space. Harry Hartog. Great for niche interests. Variety of supermarkets.
  Cons: Very confusing layout and parking. Parking not free after a while. No Aldi.
   

  Name: Curtin Shops
  Suburb: Curtin
  Supermarkets: Coles
  Rating: 6/10
   
   
  Summary: Small, inner suburban shops that retain a cosy and quaint atmosphere. Reminiscent of Dickson.
  Pros: Nice trees and open-air shops. Convenient layout. Community vibes. Free parking.
  Cons: A little bit rundown. The Coles building is not the nicest and a bit small. Limited parking.
   

  Name: Southlands Centre
  Suburb: Mawson
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 6.5/10
   
  Summary: Hidden away with a confusing layout, the expansive Woolworths and wide range of stores will reward the persevering shopper.
  Pros: Large Woolworths – spacious and high ceilinged. Fresh fruit market. Open spaces with gardens.
  Cons: Confusing layout and confusing aesthetic. Couldn’t decide what it wanted to be.
   
  District: Weston Creek
   

  Name: Cooleman Court
  Suburb: Weston
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Woolworths
  Rating: 7.5/10
   
  Summary: Pleasant shopping centre with a nice community vibe.
  Pros: Lots of free parking. Nice main street. Community vibes. Good lighting in the centre.
  Cons: Woolworths has a strangely dominating presence for the size of the centre. Had a Target but is not closing.
   
  District: Tuggeranong
   

  Name: Tuggeranong Southpoint
  Suburb: Greenway
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles/Woolworths
  Rating: 6.5/10
   
   
  Summary: Somehow blends a mix of renovation and datedness. One of the more eccentric centres.
  Pros: Very spacious, lots of stores. Wide choice of supermarkets. Novelty of climbing stairs to go down an escalator from the carpark. Has some unique stores. Ticket gate was busted (so free parking?).
  Cons: Should have stuck with the old name of “Hyperdome” which sounds way cooler. Clinical lighting. Despite what appears to be renovations, still feels dated. Climbing stairs to go down an escalator from the carpark. Takes a long time to get anywhere. Ticket gate was busted.
   

  Name: Calwell Shops
  Suburb: Calwell
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 5.5/10

  Summary: A peculiar charm emerges from the plastic and metal interior – vaguely reminiscent of a metro station
  Pros: Community vibes. Large Woolworths. Symmetric layout. Free parking.
  Cons: Lack of cafes. Rather small. Not very flattering from the outside.
   

  Name: Chisholm Village
   Suburb: Chisholm
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles
  Rating: 4.5/10
   
  Summary: Nice and spacious, but nothing much distinctive to recommend this one.
  Pros: Good Coles. Brightly lit. Open, crescent-shaped layout. Free parking.
  Cons: Not much distinctive.
   

  Name: Lanyon Marketplace
  Suburb: Conder
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Woolworths
  Rating: 9/10
   
   
  Summary: A scenic and well-designed shopping centre with all the right shops and a nice, modern interior. Too bad it is nearly out of Canberra…
  Pros: Mountain scenery. Picturesque layout. Modern interior with wood panelling. All the good shops, especially for food. Large amounts of free parking.
  Cons: Very, very, very far south…
   

  Name: Kambah Village
  Suburb: Kambah
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 5/10
   
  Summary: These shops stand out with a distinctive rural style and aesthetic, despite the size and potential lack of variety.
  Pros: Interesting rural style and atmosphere. Free parking. Nice central courtyard.
  Cons: Shops did not feel modern. A little small.
   

  Name: Erindale Centre
  Suburb: Wanniassa
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 5/10
   
  Summary: Honestly, quite forgettable.
  Pros: Large bakery. Simple layout. Largish Woolworths. Free parking.
  Cons: Aisles in Woolworths were not where we expected them. Outside was a bit plain.
   

  Name: Wanniassa Shops
  Suburb: Wanniassa
  Supermarkets: Coles
  Rating: 3/10
   
  Summary: Not the flashiest of shopping centres and feels a bit redundant considering the bigger Erindale Centre is in the same suburb. Similar vibes to Kaleen.
  Pros: Free parking. Playground in carpark??
  Cons: Lacks charm. Feels redundant. Quite cramped and claustrophobic. Not an extensive range of shops.
   
  District: Majura
   

  Name: Majura Park (NB – did not go to Costco)
  Suburb: Majura
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Costco/Woolworths
  Rating: 3.5/10
   
  Summary: Vast, but feels barren and hollow. Not a pleasant place for weekly groceries. (Note: Due to not having a membership, we did not go to Costco. If we did, it may have swung the rating)
  Pros: Costco. A huge amount of free parking. Very large Woolworths and a large number of other stores. Near Ikea
  Cons: No sense of community. Very sterile.
   
  District: Queanbeyan
   

  Name: Riverside Plaza
  Suburb: Queanbeyan
  Supermarkets: Aldi/Coles/Woolworths
  Rating: 6.5/10
   
   
   
  Summary: Large mall servicing a regional area. Hence, it has strong nostalgic regional vibes (both authors are originally from regional areas)
  Pros: VERY large Coles. A large number of convenient shops. Free parking
  Cons: Woolworths is not in the mall complex. Nothing really stands out, given how many people it services.
   

  Name: Jerrabomberra Shops
  Suburb: Jerrabomberra
  Supermarkets: Woolworths
  Rating: 4.5/10
  Summary: Quite small and isolated. Not unpleasant to visit, but also not much there.
  Pros: Free parking. Clean exterior. Homey feeling.
  Cons: Had highway service station vibes. Quite small with a lack of shops.

  Jonah Hansen

• ACT – Constructing Roads Since 1913

  May 13, 2019 9:00 pm Comments Off on ACT – Constructing Roads Since 1913

  Walter Burley Griffin – who, in case you’re wondering, designed Canberra – invested some serious thought over the layout of this prestigious city. There were warm fuzzy feels, great expectations and great things happening in general. Of course, a new city in its entirety was to rise from what was previously grassland, so it’s apparent why infrastructural reconstruction eventually became desirable. It was revolutionary – so much so that our ambitious roads and transport authorities just could not live down the feeling, and henceforth pledged to forever maintain a dynamic system of road construction, for the culture.
  We find ourselves in an era emblazoned with the fluorescent glow of makeshift roadside signs. Some of them warn you of the horrors of speeding past a road under the process of resealing. Others are a bit nicer, purposed to be taken-for-granted, like the 40km/h speed limit signs around areas targeted for perfectionist reconstruction. There are orange cones lining the path to your doorstep, always at utmost attention. Some of these are subject to ill-fate and become fallen warriors, their martyrdom caused by drivers who blatantly do not care to drive around them.
  There have been whispers amongst the Canberra- folk. These whispers carry the forgotten memories of ancient times, of times when Horse Park Drive once let drivers cruise at the blistering speed of 80km/h. Alas, they are but rumours – for any north-sider can hold testament to never having had the privilege of driving over 40km/h. Then there are those among us who take little heed of the law and choose to be bold. Such brave souls have risked everything that is nothing by driving past 60km/h. We fear their boldness. It makes us yearn for the perhaps unreachable fantasy of having the courage to do so ourselves.
  But the roads and transport authorities are smarter. The growing acts of rebellion on the part of
  drivers has resulted in severe counter-action. They have since resorted to pre-medieval punishment schemes which comprise of inflicting discomfort upon all members of the public, regardless of who is deserving. In accordance, they inaugurated Canberra’s most radioactive construction spectacle yet… the Light Rail.

  Construction for the Light Rail commenced a while ago, to put it in simple terms. In fact, this blessed addition to Canberra’s never-ending road construction aspirations has integrated itself with Canberra’s identity so well, we are not even looking forward to its completion. All things considered, the greater public has become oblivious to the entire purpose of the construction. That there ever was an endgame.
  This construction has grown on us – everything about it, including the barren tracks, lined with the infamous orange cones that run from the very heart of Gungahlin to the very heart of Civic. They leave a trail of traffic congestion in their wake, irradiating their surroundings with strict speed-limit restrictions. And let’s turn a complete blind eye to the fact that the route targeted for construction happens to be the only major connection to the city from northside Canberra. Because construction for the culture, right?
  Yet travel times within Canberra are still not taken at face-value. Tourists, interstate visitors and those from overseas are all subjected to false allegations about travel time – with one such example being the infamous claim that the city is at a 20-minute drive from literally anywhere in Canberra. For sure… except that they’ve conveniently excluded the fact that this only occurs under exceptional circumstances. Circumstances wherein, by some unearthly force of nature, road construction ceases. As we all know, such circumstances will never present themselves, period.
  And hence it is said that road construction and, more appropriately, its re-construction, will live on forever and always. This feat has woven itself into the very essence of Canberra, becoming one with its identity and making a mark on our history. We as a people have accepted its fundamental niche in our existence – but just how willingly we did so remains the subject of much controversy.
  So, this one’s to Canberra – for the culture.

  Samia Ejaz

• Sorry, Prime Minister Who?

  April 13, 2019 6:34 pm Comments Off on Sorry, Prime Minister Who?

  Once upon a time, Australia used to go to the ballot box and vote for a party, a team to become the federal government… unfortunately, the last time that happened was literally when I was five.
  I have absolutely no recollection of Australians voting for a government and then having that same, or substantially similar, government makeup when they next went to the ballot box three years later.
  The election has now been called, and truthfully, I have no faith that a re-elected Morrison Government will still have ScoMo at the helm in three years.
  In the last decade, we have had five different prime ministers: Rudd, Gillard, (Rudd again briefly), Abbott, Turnbull, and finally, Scott Morrison. It may be fun to watch the unscheduled media circus every time there is a leadership challenge but is variety what we really want for the nation’s top job?

  “…it should not be an idyllic dream to hope that the government at the beginning of their term actually resembles the government which seeks re-election.”

  When Kevin ’07 was elected we we thought he would be in it for the long-haul.  Tony Abbott promised stability following the Labor Party’s woes, but then the sad opinion polls saw him out too. On and on it goes, until we reach today – over a decade of party infighting, opinion polls determining the end of politicians’ careers. One of the biggest ironies is that the minority government, led by the first usurper Julia Gillard, was marked by more stability and passed more new laws than any of the coalition governments since.
  Now I do not like gambling, but I’m going to take a guess and say that the Coalition will lose the election. At least part of the reason is that nobody actually knows who is part of the Coalition.
  Naming government ministers has become like one of those niche Buzzfeed quizzes which test your intellect. Personally, I will be impressed if you can name just four government frontbenchers.
  Scott Morrison bus-ted?
  For a PM who is supposed to specialise in marketing and slogans, he has failed to build brand recognition around his government. Sure, he might have created his own persona as a ‘fair dinkum’ bloke travelling the country in his bus, but he hasn’t done the same sell-job with his party.
  With many of the old guard, retiring and the party still unable to acknowledge that there are not very many female representatives, the only thing they’re trying to sell me is the budget (because that’s supposed to make me excited…). I know barely any of this government’s policies and don’t know if they’ve changed since old Malcolm was top-dog. All I get from the media is that it is a new face but the same product, and the government has done nothing to prove that wrong.
  Maybe I’m being unfair: there are so many members of Parliament and there is no way we can know them all. But with so many leadership challenges, and with so many ministers retiring from the Liberal Party, I have no idea what the next three years will look like if people decide to vote blue.

  “It may be fun to watch the unscheduled media circus every time there is a leadership challenge but is variety what we really want for the nation’s top job?”

  In comparison, Labor at the moment may not be wholly stable, but at least I can name a few likely frontbenchers and have a basic knowledge of their voting records. More than anything, they’ve made a point of letting the media and voters know that they have learnt the lesson from the last time and will not be doing the same again. And they’ve been kind of orderly during their time in opposition.
  The ‘broad-church’ of the Liberal party has cracks in the building and a dwindling congregation.  The Nationals are playing personality politics between the biggest male egos. It is going to take some real effort to make me believe that they can all play nice.
  Everyone has different things to think about when heading out for their May 18 democracy sausage, but one team certainly hasn’t assured me that they won’t fall apart halfway through the game. 
  The Coalition government, the Labor party and the media make a big deal of the fact that there is a lot of infighting up on Capital Hill. Perhaps this is coming to be what we expect from Australian politics.  But if this is the new norm, should we really just accept it? I think not. This is the election to make it clear that factional disputes should not determine who is the Prime Minister.
  And really, it should not be an idyllic dream to hope that the government at the beginning of their term actually resembles the government which seeks re-election.

  Ben Lawrence is the the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Woroni. The opinions in this piece are his alone and are not representative of Woroni. If you would like to submit an article on the election, please email a pitch outlining your idea to write@woroni.com.au.
  No matter your political persuasion, it is important that you have your voice heard. Make sure you are enrolled to vote and that your details are up to date on the AEC website. 

  Ben Lawrence discusses how ‘ScoMo’ has failed to build brand recognition around his government.

  Ben Lawrence

• ADORN

  February 16, 2019 1:06 pm Comments Off on ADORN

  “Love is free and when one is honest with themselves, they are liberated in this digital world. We’re more sensitive to our peers and everyone’s opinions due to the rate that we are bombarded with them.”
  – Miguel at his concert in Dallas, late 2018.
  Hello, I’m your subconscious.
  Make no mistake: getting to university is a big deal. It’s not only about the one or two years of work which got you that special number to apply to your degree. It’s about the entire life journey you have had up until your entrance to university. It’s about the childhood memories; those episodes of ‘Arthur’ which provided the foundation for a need to make good friends and a desire to visit something similar to The Sugar Bowl (Koko Black or Mookie, anyone?); the complaints about year seven assignments; the hormones in your teenage years; the stress of your penultimate year of school and choosing the perfect outfit for formal and graduation. Getting to university is a big deal, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise, no matter where you came from. If you’re from the Bronx of Canberra, aka Tuggeranong, or the northern suburbs of Sydney or the Apple Isle, you will be perceived by your peers in a certain light. That’s okay! Trust that most of the fun of university comes from you defying your own expectations and the assumptions that your first year peers had of you in O Week. Petty? Maybe. True? Definitely.
  Don’t be afraid.
  You might meet people in O Week who are the embodiment of all of the crushes you have ever had. You might meet people in O Week that embody all the traits of people who made you run away from your hometown. From anecdotes and personal experience, it’s pretty rare to find your lifelong best friend in O Week. That’s okay too! Prove me wrong if you can, though. For those who don’t want to go out and party in the first semester of university, join the club (ha ha… irony) and find the lit things that daylight-hour Canberrans get up to: like studying at the National Library on Sundays or walking around Lake Burley Griffin or going to Enlighten. If you don’t have that new group of friends by the end of first semester, good. You have used your judgement wisely, and second semester provides new opportunities to warm up to good people.
  I am yours and yours alone.
  Take care of yourself, food-wise. It is very easy to neglect your health and your stomach while you worry about your readings or assessment. Listen to your body and its cravings for actual orange and green vegetables and fruits when you need it. Google or test your Medical Science friends on the impact of alcohol on your system within one hour of consumption. And please, complain about how expensive food is as much as you can and hopefully someone will open a Student Soup Kitchen (but also definitely check out the Food Co-Op!).
  I am the projector and you are the projection.
  Whether you are a first year student or a final year student or a staff member, remember what a big deal it is to be at university. A significant part of this big deal is the education, right? We are all going to learn so much, both from our education and the events surrounding university and the outside world. Hopefully this year brings us greater knowledge and understanding of each other and of the world. No point learning in a vacuum! Try to get outside and see how your degree has real-world impact.
  And I am always supreme.
  Buzzwords like self-care might have come up a lot during your summer holidays. It’s great that we are talking about mental health more and about the ramifications when we don’t talk about it. University brings its challenges – both from people and the stress of the degree itself – but I promise you, it is nothing you can’t handle. You never get dealt a card that is too much for you to handle. Please be kind to everyone, and give yourself space when you need it. Reach out for help and be receptive to helping others. University is a big deal. Your mental health is an even bigger deal.

  Ashlea Lukshini

• Sustain Your Rage

  10:31 am Comments Off on Sustain Your Rage

  When you google Di Riddell, the top links are to a life coach. ‘Di Riddell brings out the best in people,’ her website reads. For the new ANU Student Centre in Kambri, this seems like a wonderfully aspirational namesake. But the first Di Riddell has no links to ANU. Dig a little deeper, and a second Di Riddell appears.
  Di Riddell, born Diana Gould, moved to Australia in the early 1960s, in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. A friend’s request that she fill in a week-long vacancy at the ANU Student Association led to a 30 year career at ANU. At the time she joined the Association, it was the only association with a leader elected democratically.
  During her time, she placed herself at the centre of a David and Goliath struggle for student representation at ANU Council. In doing so, she became an important advocate for students.
  She facilitated campaigns for health services at ANU, particularly during drug crises. She also took a stand against the lack of condoms in Canberra. In 1972, she organised a condom vending machine to be brought from a brothel in Sydney, to enable safe sexual practices for students. In a 1977 edition of Woroni, one student publicly thanked Di for helping him find emergency housing.
  She became known for averting crises, organising food and beds for activists and negotiating with the police. She established strong relationships with ACT officials while bailing out mass arrested students.
  “When a student demonstration was pending,” Detective Sergeant Ron Dillon told The Canberra Times in 1995, “I knew Di would be putting aside the Bail Money.”
  Di Riddell’s administrative tasks ultimately spread across almost all social and political campaigns of the late 20th century. She was at the heart of ANU’s campaigns for women’s rights, against Vietnam War conscription, and even the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. She organised blankets for fasting East Pakistan protesters in Canberra in the 1970s, and facilitated boycotting of the Springboks.
  In 1990, the Student Association was dissolved, and Di moved to the ANU Arts Centre. The Arts Revue was what drew Di to the Student Association at first instance in the 1960s. As time went on, her interest in the Arts increased, and led to her eventual nineties move.
  The lessening of student activism in these years was clearly another motivator for Di’s move. Speaking to The Canberra Times in the 1990s, she said “They couldn’t sustain their rage… They’re only interested in themselves.”
  Today, essential places of community engagement and grassroots activism are indebted to Di Riddell for their institution at the ANU and in Canberra. The Drill Hall Gallery, the Food Co-op and Radio Station 2XX all have links to Di’s tenure.
  The ANU Naming Committee’s choice to have the Student Centre adorned with Di’s name pays homage to the strong role ANU has historically played in activism and political engagement throughout Australia. Her influence has continuing significance for activists on campus today.
  The Di Riddell Student Centre is home to Admissions, Access & Inclusion, Overseas Student Health Cover, ANUSA, PARSA, Student Experience & Career Development, Global Programs, and Woroni.

  Bella Dimattina

• How Not to Die In O-Week: A Guide for First Years

  1:04 am Comments Off on How Not to Die In O-Week: A Guide for First Years

  These are some words of guidance from an experienced science student who managed to survive their first year at the ANU. Although it’s written in the frame of science, this article is applicable for anyone trying to survive this O-Week!
  1. Try and figure out where all your classes are going to be.
  Instead of running 30 minutes late for your first ever mandatory lab, make sure you actually know where everything is before Week 4. Go on a tour, download ‘Lost On Campus’ or figure out how long it takes to get from your favourite lunch spot to your lecture theatre. This will be incredibly helpful next week after your seven-day hangover.

  2. Drink lots of water, please. And maybe even drink responsibly?! (What an idea.)
  For many of you, this will be the first week in your life where there is a party you could go to every single night of the week. Whether you’re planning on only going to Friday Night Party or everything from your College Mixer to ANU Trivia and then Mooseheads, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water before, during, and after you start consuming any kind of alcohol. Your liver and brain will thank you for it.Or… you know, O-Week is still fun without drinking.
  3. Talk to people!
  From my experience, there’s an incredible number of interesting, smart and diverse people at the ANU, who are engaged in not only science but all areas of study. Maybe you think that free breakfast on the first day of O-Week is a dumb idea, but you’re likely to meet other people there who will agree that gelato is a good idea for breakfast, and what more could you ask for in a potential life-long friend?

  4. Go to at least one event related to your degree.
  It could be a Science Bonfire, a first-year camp or just turning up to Market Day and talking to someone at the ANU Chemistry Society stand. It’s worth getting to know other people in your degree – not only for the sake of support, but also to save you when you forget you have a tutorial in Week Three and they’re messaging you like crazy asking “Where are you????”.
  5. Make or join course-related group chats as soon as you can.
  Out there, someone in one of your courses (maybe you!) is going to have the bright idea to make a group chat. Yes, it will eventually be filled with random spam. Yes, you might not like using Facebook Messenger, but your first-year group chats will save you time and time again.

  6. Go to Market Day. Just go.
  If you feel like you might have trouble meeting people, or are really confused as to what is going on in O-Week – go to Market Day. Chemistry and Biology students – buy your lab coats and glasses from your respective society ASAP. You will be grateful when you forget you even had labs, and you already have all the stuff you need for them. It might cost $5 to join and $5 for the lab coat and glasses, but the study sessions held by many societies later in the year will make it well worth it. They don’t stock the hugest range of sizes so if you’re an extra small or extra tall make sure you get there nice and early. (You will thank me sometime.)
  7. Participate!!!I know, after 12 years of mandatory education (and maybe a gap year for those of us lucky enough to travel), that hearing someone urging you to participate isn’t what you want. However, getting involved is the one thing that I’ve seen consistently make people’s university experiences 1000% better. Chat to your course convenors, ask questions, go to available lectures, mixers, and parties, and adventure outside of your comfort zone. The people around you and the experiences you have are going to be the thing that makes or breaks this year – be yourself and do it proudly.
  8. Don’t forget that everyone else is starting out fresh.
  Even if you already know people at ANU, the start of each year is exciting and different for everyone. Don’t forget that university is a fresh start, and a place that will have heaps of incredible opportunities and friendships to see you through. Listen to advice from peers, do what makes you happy and prepare your body, mind and soul for some of the best years of your life!
  Now go forth, and live long and prosper.
   

  These are some words of guidance from an experienced science student who managed to survive their first year at the ANU.

  Arabella Young