News

Recently celebrating 10 years since inception, a milestone for any organisation, Project Independence has a new CEO to usher the organisation into its next decade. It is her first role in the community sector but Dianne O'Hara comes to Project Independence with a wealth of experience. She brings to the organisation business development skills and experience working with government and...

When it was announced the National Health Co-op went into voluntary administration earlier this year, the team at the member-owned and operated The Food Co-op Shop and Cafe in the Canberra CBD didn't feel any jitters. The Food Co-op is all about sustainable, organic food for a good price, and runs largely off volunteer support. In return for their time...

We have all heard the awful tales of dodgy plumbers. From leaking taps to flooding floors, and the dishonesty of those who take payment but disappear without finishing the job. The ACT plumbing industry was hit particularly hard in the wake of an ACT Supreme Court finding against a Canberra company for false and misleading representations in 2019. Master Plumbers...

The ACT has dropped to third in Australia's economic rankings following a spike in unemployment against the national trend, CommSec's new State of the States report has revealed. The Territory's unemployment rate jumped 1.3 percentage points in June to 4.9 per cent, the ACT's second consecutive monthly increase. While the ACT's unemployment rate is on par with the national rate,...

Innovative businesses doing everything from airport artificial intelligence and quantum sensors, to telehealth for chronic pain and online fashion, have been awarded the combined funding of around $260,000 in a recent round of grants. A partnership between the ACT Government and Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) has seen nine diverse startups secure funding through the aptly named Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant....

Are you building an innovative business that will make Canberra a better, more amazing place to live and work? From your business model through to accessing capital, an accelerator program will fast-track your business while connecting you to important networks and a supportive ecosystem. The GRIFFIN Accelerator is a three-month intensive program run by a group of seasoned Canberra entrepreneurs...

Water and sewerage rebates of up to $75,000 for accommodation providers and $15,000 for small private tourism companies will be offered by the ACT Government under new tourism support measures. Businesses will be able to claim the rebates for the first two quarters of 2021-22, with around 90 accommodation providers and up to 20 tourism venues able to apply for...

The ACT Government has recently introduced a new 'Small Business Owner' pathway through which Canberra business people can apply for a government nomination for either a 491 or 190 visa for people who can fill skill shortages. While an ACT nomination does not guarantee the individual's migration outcome, it does trigger a formal visa invitation letter from the Department of...

As Victoria follows NSW into yet another lockdown, the V-shaped recovery is looking a little wobbly, but Bendigo Bank economist David Robertson has given the territory a cautious thumbs-up. The latest round of quarterly economic data for the ACT is a mix of results, showing Canberrans are utilising government stimulus measures to improve their stay-at-home life while the capital's property...

When Mirko Milic discovered two of his staff members were sleeping in their vans, it drove home how ‘invisible’ Canberra’s homeless problem really is. The Canberra Toyota dealer principal and Vinnies CEO Sleepout veteran says ‘invisible homelessness’ is a genuine problem in our community. Mirko has just completed his 10th sleepout, placing third on the fundraising ladder and bringing in...

Four-and-a-half years ago, Fiona Lester was busy on the market circuit where she sold handmade goods ranging from heat packs to baby and toddler clothes, depending on what she needed herself at the time. She began to tire of the routines of a regular stallholder – having to constantly set up and pack down tables and drag boxes around, as...

A new partnership between two Canberra businesses is leading to meaningful employment for people with disabilities. The initiative is part of disability employment services company LEAD's mission to connect people with a disability with employment. Initially, LEAD's resource team operations manager, Jeff Thompson, came up with the idea for workers to be employed as couriers for Farrah's Liquor Collective. After...

When the team at Maloney's Property celebrates its 25th anniversary in October 2021, Canberra's charities will receive the gifts. Plans are underway for the annual Maloney's Long Lunch, which last year raised $130,000 for the Chappell Foundation's campaign against youth homelessness. Canberra youth charity Raw Potential was also a recipient of $75,000. Principal Peter Maloney hopes this year's event will...

A recent push from Ginninderry's SPARK Training and Employment Program has seen 10 women complete a 10-week course designed to give them exposure to working in the trades or construction sector. Ginninderry's head of community, training and employment, Emma Sckrabei, says the program is designed to introduce women to an industry in which they are currently nationally underrepresented. "In 2006,...

Being an international student can sometimes be an isolating experience, and this was never truer than throughout the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. For University of Canberra student Malsha Kalpage, it was an internship that helped him connect with people he otherwise wouldn't have met. Originally from Sri Lanka, Malsha came to Canberra three years ago in order to pursue his...

A meal and a cold beverage from the local club with family and friends is a Friday night ritual for many Canberrans. Now one local club is allowing you to give back to the community by doing so, without ever paying a cent more than before. Canberra Southern Cross Club's community rewards program commenced in 2015, and was designed to...