National Library of Australia manuscripts curator Kylie Scroope holds a rare one pound note that was recently discovered in the institution's collection. Photo: Jay Cronan
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For nearly 80 years, it lay undiscovered in a file, deep in the bowels of the National Library.
Safe but undocumented, Australia's very first pound note may well have remained hidden, had it not been for a chance inquiry last year.
The ensuing search, which took librarians on a chase from prime ministerial papers to historians' accounts and back again, has finally uncovered the note in question - in mint condition and now worth about $1.5 million.
- The new Princess of Cambridge has been given a name that is a nod to history and to the "people's princess".
- Federal public servants might win higher pay rises if they agree to take fewer sickies, as part of a softening of the Abbott government's public sector bargaining rules.
- The ACT Opposition has pledged $500,000 to ensure Canberra's four special schools all have a nurse on site.
- Australia's former top bureaucrat has leapt to the defence of the Australian Public Service, saying critics of the service were wrong.
- The scourge of ice has left Canberra's drug treatment services needing urgent investment of $1.6 million from next month's ACT budget, as users increasingly suffer from the effects of the higher-purity methamphetamine.
- Nursing staff were told not to call police after a man was discovered bashed to death in his bed at a Canberra dementia ward, an inquest has heard.
- Labor and Liberal have opened nominations this month for candidates to stand in next year's federal election but the search for candidates is complicated by the ACT election coinciding with the federal one.
- Tuggeranong residents have rejected the notion they're the "fattest and laziest" district in Canberra but believe local government could do more to encourage active lifestyles among residents.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely tipped to cut interest rates for the second time this year, despite signs that the economy is improving.
Joey Leilua. Photo: Jonathan Carroll
The Raiders' pursuit of Newcastle Knights centre Joey Leilua is the latest example of a radical overhaul to the club's recruitment policy.
- The ACT Brumbies insist a mid-season form slump has not rattled their confidence as they embark on a make-or-break tour of South Africa to revive their championship aspirations.
- Scrum expert Dan Palmer is confident he can "fill the gap" if he needs to answer a shock SOS from the ACT Brumbies.
- Blues great Brad Fittler is calling on NSW selectors to take a punt on Canberra five-eighth Blake Austin.
9:13am: Police are still waiting for two cars to be moved off the Tuggeranong Parkway after a collision this morning. An ACT Policing spokesman expected the road to be clear by 9.40am.
A tow truck is also heading to Crace to move a white van off Abena Avenue.
8:59am: One northbound lane is still closed on the Tuggeranong Parkway after the two-car crash near Lady Denman Drive, police say. A tow truck is on the way.
The collision between the car and van on Abena Avenue is still disrupting traffic in Crace. Police arrived a few minutes ago.
Meanwhile, Gungahlin Drive is now clear after a three-car crash. The third car has been moved off the road.
8:47am: Police have warned drivers to watch out for a two-car collision on the Tuggeranong Parkway, the fifth vehicle accident on Canberra roads this morning.
An ACT Policing spokesman said the two cars were stuck in a dangerous position in the left-hand northbound lane, near Lady Denman Drive. Expect delays. Police are on their way.
Some timely advice from police:
8:38am: The three-car collision on Gungahlin Drive is still delaying traffic. One southbound car is still stuck on the road. Police are on the scene, awaiting a tow truck.
Drivers trying to leave Crace are also facing some traffic chaos this morning. A collision between a car and a van is holding up traffic on Abena Avenue. The van is stuck on the road. Police are on their way.
8:32am: Traffic is back to normal on Caswell Drive with the ACTION bus now off the road and the previously blocked northbound lane now open.
8:23am: All three cars involved in the Caswell Drive car crash have been moved off the road. Police have urged drivers to take care.
A little further south one of Caswell Drive's northbound lanes is still closed as a result of the ACTION bus fire.
And there is a second three-car crash on Gungahlin Drive about 100m north of Ginninderra Drive, police say. The collision is affecting southbound traffic. Two cars are already off the road but police have warned drivers to expect delays until the third car is moved.
8:08am: The second accident on Caswell Drive appears to be a three-car crash, police say. The collision near the Aranda exit has closed one southbound lane. Expect delays.
8:01am: It was an ACTION bus on fire, police say. An Emergency Services Agency spokesman said the fire was the result of a mechanical failure. There were no passengers on board the bus at the time.
Meanwhile, police have warned of further delays after a second accident on Caswell Drive, southbound. We'll bring you more details as they come.
7:50am: Police have warned drivers to expect delays on Caswell Drive - there's a northbound car fire between William Hovell Drive and Belconnen Way. Police and firefighters are on their way.
Fairbairn Avenue will be closed between the Northcott Drive roundabout and Majura Road. Morshead Drive will be closed between Fairbairn Avenue and Pialligo Avenue.
Work has also started on a series of road safety improvements on Yamba Drive in Mawson, O'Malley, Farrer and Isaacs.
Drive safely on your Tuesday morning commute and let us know if you see any traffic problems on the roads, via @canberratimes but only when its safe to do so.
The National Portrait Gallery will run Little Faces, a children's program that includes playful activities in the galleries that explore faces, colour, sound and movement in the portraits today and tomorrow.
Comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers will perform Kids Show at Canberra Theatre Centre.
Canberra International Music Festival is on until May 10.
Fashfest guest models Jenna Douros and Grace Gill in Tocumwal Lane, Civic. Photo: Rohan Thomson
They're more comfortable in trainers and gym gear, but Jenna Douros and Grace Gill will swap them for couture and makeup at this year's Canberra Fashfest.
Douros, a fitness model and blogger, and Gill, a professional soccer player, have been revealed as special guest models for the four-day fashion event.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Leo Sayer feeds Hummer the giraffe at the official opening of Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. Photo: Melissa Adams
The crowd of celebrity guests at Canberra's Jamala Wildlife Lodge on Monday night was almost as diverse as the exotic animals that prowl outside its rooms.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove mingled with entertainers, sporting legends and business minds as he officially opened the lodge, a new development from National Zoo and Aquarium owners Richard and Maureen Tindale.
Today: Mostly sunny and windy. Min 7, max 21.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Min, 3, max 14.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Min 4, max 13.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 4, max 16.
Saturday: Possible shower. Min 5, max 15
Sunday: Possible shower. Min 6, max 14
Early risers woke to a stunning neon sky this morning:
