When 81-year-old Jim James thinks of palliative care, he doesn't think of the quiet corridors of Clare Holland House, or a dimly lit hospital ward in the Canberra Hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He thinks of his friend Peter Sutton, who drops by twice a week for a cuppa, a lively conversation and often an outing.
Mr James – who has stomach cancer – is typical of a growing number of cancer sufferers and those facing the end of their lives in that he would like to stay in his own home for as long as he can.
- Sex, lies and frequent coarse language feature in the annual Australian Public Service shame files published by the Merit Protection Commissioner.
- Misunderstandings, assumptions, and "departures" from normal procedure caused the accidental release of an alleged domestic violence offender from custody earlier this month.
- Minister for Education Joy Burch held discussions with the director-general of ACT Education to determine which findings from an inquiry into the boy in cage affair would be released to the public.
- ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has confirmed the Manuka shopping precinct will host a one year trial of smart parking technology in 2016.
- The ACT government has rejected calls for a full-scale review of security and management practices at the territory's prison as contraband and drugs continue to pass through its walls.
- Malcolm Turnbull will make Australia's disturbingly high rates of violence against women his first order of business, declaring "real men don't hit women" and that the scourge that has already accounted for 63 deaths this year has been "overlooked for too long".
- Two Al Jazeera journalists who were arrested alongside Australian Peter Greste for reporting false news are today home with their families after Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a sudden pardon for 100 prisoners.
David Pocock goes over to score the opening try against Fiji. Photo: Getty
The World Cup of minnow nations had the Wallabies on edge for more than an hour as they were forced to put up an almighty fight to beat Fiji in their tournament opener.
The underwhelming 28-13 win at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium begs the question as to whether it was a tournament-building grind or worrying signs for the road ahead.
David Pocock scored two tries in five minutes - both from the back of rolling mauls - to lift the Wallabies to victory.
- Canberra Raiders welfare officer Dean Souter says players cannot plead ignorance to the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, as they are educated ad nauseam about the risks.
- Former ACT Brumbies coach Andy Friend is lapping up World Cup fever in Japan after their upset win over South Africa, describing it as the "self injection" the game needed. Japan couldn't repeat their heroics against Scotland though.
- Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua concedes his inter-squad rivals have a head start, but he wants to make sure coach Michael Cheika has "fond memories" of his time in gold to win a permanent starting spot.
- Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander wants Canberra to have an ANZ Championship team, but thinks a similar set-up to AFL club Greater Western Sydney might be a better fit.
- New Canberra Raiders under-20s coach Brett White says his success will be judged more on how many young players are developed into first graders than on-field results.
- Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has praised Celtic for standing by rejuvenated midfielder Tom Rogic during his horror injury run, and has backed Robbie Kruse to emerge from his similar battles.
- A day of badly kept footy secrets finished in kind, with premiership coach John Worsfold declaring his wish to succeed James Hird as coach of Essendon.
8:26am: Traffic is still backing up around the site of a single car crash on Gungahlin Drive earlier today, just north of Ginninderra Drive.
8:13am: Police say Gungahlin Drive is fully open to traffic after a single car crash blocked one northbound lane, just north of Ginninderra Drive, earlier this morning.
The car has been moved off the road and a tow truck is on the way however, the area may still be congested.
7:56am: A single car has crashed on Gungahlin Drive, closing one lane of northbound traffic just north of Ginninderra Drive.
Police say there is a lot of debris at the crash site so, try and avoid the area if you can.
7:51am: It looks like there's been a crash at the Gungahlin Drive and Ginninderra Drive intersection in Bruce. We'll bring you more information as it comes to hand.
If you are stuck in traffic or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
Tens of thousands public servants at key agencies including Medicare, Centrelink and the Tax Officer will walk off the job today in a move designed to add to the pressure on the Government as strike action by Border Force and Immigration officials continues at international airports.
Canberrans are being encouraged to find their inner child and have a night at the circus. The latest show from Circus Oz, But Wait . . . There's More, has just rolled into town and will be on until Saturday, September 26.
Join education staff from the Australian War Memorial as they share stories about some of the outdoor memorials and works of art in the Memorial's Sculpture Gardens during the Floriade festival period. September 21 until October 6.
Or check out the Memorial's Hands on History: kids can try on uniforms, handle real items, and hear incredible stories of Australians in wartime these school holidays. September 21 to October 8.
Murrumbateman is again hosting this year's Australian Cool Climate Wine Show - head along and find out what makes cool climate wines so special. September 21 until September 26.
Explore props and poses in portraits these school holidays through drawing and creative activity at the National Portrait Gallery. September 19 to October 11. Bookings essential.
Botanica showcases Bisonhome's recent ceramic and glass designs among a continuously evolving display of flowers and scents. September 19 to October 11.
Australia's biggest celebration of spring, Floriade, is on at Commonwealth Park until October 11. Open 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.
Canberra Botanical's 2015 artwork exhibition seeks to merge the disciplines of art and science, by exploring the structure of plants and their innate beauty. September 19 to 4 October 4.
If you can't get enough of bright flowers this spring check out the Tuliptop Gardens Festival at the Sutton plantation just of the Federal Highway. Until October 11.
Mimi Miladinovic and Alisa Nguyen in Kingston for the opening night celebrations of the brand new Salotto Bar. Photo Melissa Adams
Whether it was in Kingston for the opening night celebrations of the brand new Salotto Bar or at the Albert Hall in Yarralumla for the Artist's Society of Canberra's annual members Spring Art 2015 exhibition, the Canberra Times photographers have been busily snapping away on the social scene.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Shirley Shackleton and Peter Greste laid wreaths for war correspondents and their families at the dedication of the War Correspondents Memorial. Photo: Andrew Meares
The wife of news cameraman and murdered member of the Balibo Five Greg Shackleton said the dedication of a new memorial to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian war correspondents was one of the happiest days of her life.
Laying a wreath at the War Correspondents' memorial at the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday, Shirley Shackleton was flanked by journalist cause celebre Peter Greste, whose conviction for terrorism charges by the Egyptian government has created international outrage.
Mr Greste's Al Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who were arrested alongside the Australian journalist are today home with their families after Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a sudden pardon for 100 prisoners.
Today: Partly cloudy. Patches of light frost early this morning. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h dropping to 15 to 25 km/h in the late afternoon, then becoming light in the evening. Min 1, max 14.
Friday: Partly cloudy. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h tending southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning, then becoming light in the evening. Min 1, max 15
Saturday: Cloudy. Light winds. Min 2, max 17.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the afternoon, then becoming light in the evening. Min 1, max 19.
Monday: Mostly sunny day. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning. Min 2, max 20.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds. Min 1, max 18.
