When we contacted her, Weaver said she was doing a project for someone who didn’t want her to talk about it.

Could she be here to add her celebrity status to returned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd? The actress has been political in the past, doing an advert in a lead-up to the 1996 election, denouncing then opposition leader John Howard, suggesting he was a better actor than her when it came to various issues.

Weaver just laughed when we asked if she was here to do a kind of “It’s Time” campaign with Rudd. “Although I was crying watching Julia last night,” she said.

A legend of Australian acting, Weaver has finally caught the attention of Hollywood, nominated for best supporting actor at the Oscars in 2011 for Animal Kingdom and this year for Silver Linings Playbook.

Terribly sad news this week with inspirational Gungahlin teenager Dainere Anthoney passing away at home on Monday night after a six-year battle with cancer.

‘‘She was sitting in her favourite seat in the lounge chairs and we were all with her. It was difficult. She just took these final little breaths and a little tear trickled down from her eye,’’ her mother Yvonne said.

The softly-spoken 15-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour – or high-risk medulloblastoma – in 2009.

Throughout her life she worked to raise money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation Brain Tumour Fund, publishing two children’s books with all proceeds going to the fund.

When incurable and inoperable tumours were discovered on her spine in February, her doctor suggested she write a bucket list. She preferred to call it her ‘‘special list’’ and ticked off more than a few items, not least thanks to the generosity of Canberrans.

‘‘There were some things she couldn’t do because of the pain,’’ her mother Yvonne said this week.

‘‘She went to the zoo and fed the lions. Theodore (her beloved teddy bear) went rock climbing [for her], she had a Hummer ride. She went for a ride on a ferry and had a party to thank everyone in her life. She went to a cat show. She had an asteroid named after her.’’

Mrs Anthoney was devastated by the loss of her courageous daughter. ‘‘I’ll remember most her beautiful smile,’’ she said.

‘‘She was very special. She was admired by so many people. She really put her footprints on so many people’s hearts.’’

A celebration of Dainere’s life will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Burdekin Avenue, Amaroo. She wanted people to wear a colour of the rainbow. Her family have also asked people to bring a single flower so they can build a rainbow in her honour.

‘‘Thank you to all the community throughout her life, who read her blog, those who bought her books, those who supported her special little things she got to do. We so appreciate that and she felt blessed that so many people cared,’’ Mrs Anthoney said.

ACT Liberal Senate candidate Zed Seselja launched Dainere’s first book and helped promote her second and was moved by her determination and courage. “She was a lovely girl, an amazing girl,’’ he said.

Brain Tumour Alliance Australia has also paid tribute to Dainere. Secretary Susan Pitt said many people in Canberra and beyond followed her journey through her blog.

Ms Pitt said brain tumours killed more children (from 0-14) than any disease. ‘‘They are second only to accidental drowning as a cause of death from any cause,’’ she said.

And her big brother Jarrett, 18, will be running the City2Surf on August 11 in honour of Dainere. The event is raising money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.

* Jarrett’s fundraising page is here.

A lovely, whimsical display is now on among the trees and Wide Brown Land sculpture of the National Arboretum Canberra.

More than 100 knitters have made squares and scarves for the yarnbombing installation which will be in place throughout July.

It not only provides for a lovely scene but creates clues for a family treasure hunt for those visiting the arboretum.

Volunteers were out in force this week installing the knits. The Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra organised the warm and fuzzy effort.

There was some quick work on Thursday morning after the goings-on of the night before for the opening of the Questacon Technology Learning Centre in Canberra.

Ousted prime minister Julia Gillard had been set to open the new Questacon wing in Deakin – there was a plaque ready for her to unveil – but that was all put into a spin by the resurrection of Kevin Rudd.

Science and Research Minister Senator Don Farrell stepped in on Thursday to launch the educational hub in the former administration building of the Royal Australian Mint. We’re assured a new plaque will be prepared.

Regardless of anything else, outgoing ActewAGL and Actew chairman John Mackay is not afraid to have a laugh at himself.

A video presentation of Mackay at his farewell function on Thursday night included some nuggets of gold.
This included the video out-takes of a musical performance Mackay prepared for a Red Faces kind of competition at one of the end-of-year staff dinners.

Mackay, solemn-faced in his office, tells the staff it will be a tough year ahead for ActewAGL and he wanted to acknowledge that in song, the camera panning out to reveal him holding a guitar as he launches into (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden.

‘‘Launches’’ might not be exactly the right word, with Mackay having a little trouble belting out the country tune, the camera operator helpfully reminding him to remember to play the guitar.

There was also some file footage of him testing out a personal hovercraft like the ones that appeared at the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony. The camera caught a very sudden stop in which Mackay went horizontal over the handle and was probably very glad at the time that he had already fathered three children.

Canberra artist Mick Ashley continues to produce some eye-catching posters.

After his Canberra Centenary series, he’s ventured into parodies of 1950s B-movies like The Blob for inspiration.
His one of a killer Skywhale (It came from Centenia!) apparently has set tongues wagging when Ashley had a stall at the Handmade Market.

And his Terror on Northbourne, Culling Has Evolved is all about when good kangaroos go bad. Or just have enough of being shot.

‘‘I’ve also done ASIO, carp, Questacon and made a statement about those people who walk around like zombies with their smartphones (Dawn of the Device, Resistance Is Futile),’’ Ashley said.

‘‘I’m still pumping out Canberra themes and enjoying the journey. These posters provide the lighter side of Canberra. I reckon we all need some comic relief.’’

* See mickashley.com.au.

Canberra’s own Alex Gibson, of The Voice fame, will be performing tonight at the star-gazing Crace Under the Milky Way event at the Hilltop Reserve on Langtree Crescent at Crace.

The free event, which will feature a range of high-powered telescopes from the Canberra Astronomical Society, is raising funds to support the Salvation Army. All money collected from hot food and drinks sales made by the Lions Club on the night will go to local families in need. The event is on between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

***
The next Canberra Dads catch-up for dads and their kids to have a walk around Lake Burley Griffin with a chat and coffee along the way is on Sunday, meeting at 9am at the Carillon. And humblest apologies for misspelling organiser Rick Ballard’s name as ‘‘Bollard’’ last time and for the merciless ribbing he has since received from his mates.