Private Capital: Local Humans tap into social media

The tourism body’s campaign involves 101 Canberrans who will use their social media prowess to promote Canberra. They will get training and attend special foodie, outdoor or family events to boost their knowledge of the capital.

They will then each invite an interstate friend or relative to Canberra to share a ''VIP experience'' on the weekend of October 31, which will be documented on humanbrochure.com.au.

To kick of their training this weekend, "professional Instagrammer" Lauren Bath (pictured) has been flown into town to help the Local Humans brush up on their social media skills so they can show off Canberra.

And Lauren knows exactly what the 101 Local Humans are in for, having been part of VisitCanberra’s Human Brochure campaign last year.

“I really enjoyed my time. I came with my partner and did the arts and culture stream,” she said.

“Canberra was nothing at all like I expected – it made a big impression on me.”

Lauren will lead them on an ‘Instawalk’ around Canberra and the surrounding regions to share her tips and tricks.

Lauren, who used to be a chef, discovered Instagram in August 2011, and fell instantly in love. By November that year, she had bought an SLR camera, and as her photography improved so did her number of followers.

She now boasts over 354,000 Instagram followers, and makes all her money through destination marketing and other projects revolving around the social media channel.

“Originally the thing that made me fall in love with Instagram, other than the fact that it’s a visual platform, is it’s a very community-driven application,” she said.

“There’s a very strong sense of community - I’ve never met an Instagrammer that I don’t like.”

Spotted around town

The weather has certainly been a topic of interest lately, with unseasonably warm weather dominating the lead-up to winter.

So it seems somewhat fitting that Sunrise weather presenter Edwina Bartholomew and her crew spent this week in the nation’s capital, broadcasting the weather back to the studio.

The team strolled around Cockington Green on Tuesday, investigated science courtesy of a helium balloon at Questacon on Wednesday, and visited the Mint on Thursday, which Edwina (pictured, making friends with a robot at Questacon) labelled “a school excursion on steroids”.

Edwina says she’s enjoyed her down time around our fair city, visiting the National Portrait Gallery, Silo Bakery and QT Hotel, as well as doing some shopping.

“Seems Canberra has gone all hip - Lonsdale Street is as cool as any street in Melbourne, full of unique shops and great coffee,” she said.

“I actually bought a new table and sent it back in my cameraman's car. Bit big for carry on!”

The Sunrise weather team is due back in town for Floriade, and Edwina’s already got some of her itinerary sorted.

“There's still plenty more to do. We would love to visit the Film and Television Archive and I'm keen to get the Skywhale up in the air,” she said.

“We might head further afield next trip. Flint in the Vines has been recommended for a lunch. I bet I can convince Sam Armytage to tag along for that trip.”

Chop your locks for charity

Next week is Alopecia Awareness Week. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that can result in a person growing little or no hair on their entire body,

The children's charity Variety is encouraging people to do something extraordinary for kids with alopecia by donating locks of hair which will be used to create specialised wigs.

Thirty-year-old Shavaun Chapman (pictured) did just that in February this year, chopping off her locks for the cause.

“I can’t remember having it cut since I was at school and I was 30. I don’t know if I was afraid of commitment or what it was,” she said.

“All I did was tie it up in a bun, so I thought ‘why do I have long hair’?”

Shavaun, who lives in Goulburn and works in Narrabundah, said she loves the new shorter style, and feels good knowing her hair went to a good cause.

“There’s so many people who get their hair cut and don’t do anything with it,” she said.

“It’s not like it costs anything. It’s free giving.”

Shavaun is now hoping to encourage others to follow in her footsteps.

“I look around work and you see targets and I recognise them by their hair now,” she said.

“It’s free for people to give and it can change someone’s life and make them feel beautiful.”

To be eligible to donate hair, you must be able to have at least 30 centimetres chopped off, and it must not be dyed or permed. To register or find out more visit princesscharlottealopecia.com

Stock the pantry for those in need

Heading along to the Brumbies match tonight? Bring along a selection of non-perishable items and donate to Anglicare’s annual pantry appeal.

Volunteers from Anglicare will be collecting items at the east and west gates of GIO Stadium before Saturday’s match against the Rebels.

Anglicare’s Trevor Capps says that the donations will make a big difference to families doing it tough this winter.

“With all the talk that’s been happening about the financial situation, we’ve had more of a call on our pantries than ever before and we really have run low,” he said.

“We need the generosity that we’ve experienced in the past from people in the area to really dig in – we want to be there for families who aren’t able to make ends meet.”

You can donate un-used, non-perishable items such as tinned food, UHT milk, breakfast food, nappies and baby needs, school lunch spreads and snacks, pasta or rice and toiletries.

If you’re not heading to the Brumbies game, you can also donate to Anglicare’s Pantry Appeal at other locations throughout June. Visit anglicare.com.au to find out more.

Canberra contestants still shining

Our local reality TV exports are on a bit of a roll at the moment, impressing judges across the networks.

Canberra food blogger Natasha Shan is continuing her reign as one of the strong contestants on MasterChef. She even almost managed to nab immunity, scoring 8/10 for her dish from all three judges.

Over on The Voice, Thando Sikwila had her battle on Monday night, singing with teammate Candice Skjonnemand. Their mentor Kylie Minogue chose to keep Candice on her team, but Thando was thrown a lifeline when judge Ricky Martin brought her over to his team. She's through to the next round and one step closer to being crowned the winner.

Next up on The Voice, another former local Hayley Jensen (pictured) performs her battle tomorrow night (6.30pm on WIN) against teammate Kat Jade. Their mentor Kylie Minogue has selected Katy Perry's track Roar for them to sing, which Hayley is excited about.

“It’s a really powerful song and I guess the lyrics are strong and speak to me,” she said.

“I used to be quite shy and unsure of myself and now I know what I want. It’s good because whether or not I do well I guess nothing’s going to stop, so it really captures that fighting spirit.”

Hayley says she’s focused on giving 100 per cent in her performance, but has some concerns about the format of the battle.

“I’m an incredibly determined and competitive person but I’m never about cutting someone else down – that’s not something I really do naturally so I’m hoping that’s not my downfall,” she said.

At the end of the performance, it will be up to Ms Minogue who continues on in the competition.

“Hopefully she picks me,” Hayley said.

Good luck Hayley!

What's On

Don your frock or suit for the TTM Corporation Group Race Day at Thoroughbred Park on June 13. The event will raise money for cerebral palsy, with all proceeds going towards a new purpose-built centre being built in Scullin and due for completion in September. There will be guest speakers, live entertainment, lunch, fashions on the field and racing. Tickets are $150pp including three-course lunch and beverages. For bookings call 6123 1400 or email kelly@ttmcorporation.com.