Chelsea Gibson, 22, with seeds harvested from the site of the MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Jamila Toderas.
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The sad irony that flight MH17 went down in a field of sunflowers was not lost on Liliane Derden's loved ones.
The bright yellow blooms were one of her favourite flowers.
Belgium-born Ms Derden, who lived in Hall, was among 298 passengers and crew who died when the Malaysian Airlines was struck by a missile in eastern Ukraine on July 17.
She was one of 38 Australians killed who will be remembered at a national memorial service in Canberra on the first anniversary of the crash.
- Australia's Bernard Tomic was arrested in Miami after refusing to leave his hotel penthouse, amid a tumultuous fortnight for the young tennis player.
- Households in South Canberra are tipped to survive Treasurer Joe Hockey's twin budgets better than any region in Australia, according to new analysis.
- Embattled Speaker Bronwyn Bishop is facing the prospect of being forced out of her job as the fallout from the scandal over her travel expenses gathers momentum.
- Up to five layers of management will be shed or compressed at some Commonwealth departments and agencies as part of the federal bureaucracy's newly released management manifesto.
- The former union official at the centre of allegations of bribery in the Canberra construction sector says secretly recorded phone conversations in which he discussed a contractor's debts were just part of an elaborate ruse.
- A Melbourne Building physiotherapy business has called on the ACT government to abandon plans to turn the London Circuit carpark into a compound during tram construction, saying it will not only devastate businesses but harm patients.
- Private insurance giant Medibank says profit is not behind its push to dramatically reduce hospital costs, after being accused of being a "schoolyard bully" and becoming an industry "pariah" by private hospitals.
Steve Smith (left) and Chris Rogers shared an unbeaten 259-run partnership to lead Australia to 1-337 after day one of the second Ashes Test. Photo: Reuters
Australia have seized on the opportunity to bat first on a flat Lord's pitch in the second Ashes Test to hit back emphatically after their defeat in Cardiff.
Chris Rogers (158 not out) and Steve Smith (129 not out) scored terrific hundreds in a second-wicket partnership of 259 and counting as Australia sailed to 1-337 by Thursday evening.
As well as the pair batted, it could have been a very different story if Michael Clarke had not reverted from his usual preference at the toss of the coin and uttered the word 'heads'.
- Wallabies assistant coach Stephen Larkham says there is room for star flankers Michael Hooper and David Pocock on the field at the same time, drawing comparisons to the competition between George Smith and Phil Waugh.
- Burt the saltwater crocodile chose Thanasi Kokkinakis to lead off Australia's Davis Cup quarter-final against Kazakhstan after the Adelaide teenager was selected to share singles duty with Nick Kyrgios.
- The ACT Meteors have convinced Southern Stars all-rounder Erin Osborne to join the side from the NSW Breakers program.
- Brumbies loosehead prop Ruan Smith has been linked with a move to Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.
- Players may be fined rather than suspended for grade-one judiciary offences if the NRL adopts a system introduced to the AFL tribunal system this year.
- The Canberra Raiders are keeping the answer to their No.7 riddle a closely guarded secret, with skipper Jarrod Croker revealing Mitch Cornish and Josh McCrone have trained there before Saturday's home clash with Cronulla.
- Interim Canberra Brave coach Josh Unice is refusing to give up on his team's playoff aspirations in the Australian Ice Hockey League despite a mid-season coaching change.
8.43am: Motorists have been warned of long queues and significant delays on the Hume Highway at Berrima. One southbound lane has been reopened but all northbound lanes remain closed.
7am: Snow falling on the Hume Highway in the Southern Highlands is affecting traffic headed to Sydney this morning.
If you are stuck in traffic or have any info on the Friday morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
Roald Dahl favourite The BFG is being performed on stage by children's theatre group, Child Play at Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court. At 10.30am and 2pm and the same times on Saturday. Tickets $17-$18. See canberrarep.org.au.
The Salt Room will feature poetry and performance from local and international artists, including Melinda Smith, Stackhat, Danny Wild and Raphael Kabo. Hosted by Joel Barcham and Andrew Galan. From 7.30pm at Gorman Arts Centre. Tickets $5. See agac.com.au.
Uv Boi is on at Mr Wolf from 10pm supported by Mighty Morfin and Ventures. $10 entry before 11.30pm.
The Flying Fruit Circus, Australia's famous national youth circus, is performing Circus Under My Bed at Canberra Theatre until July 18.
The National Film and Sound Archive is celebrating 100 years of Australian animation with a selection of some of the best Australian animated features of the last 25 years. Friday's screening at 10am is The Lego Movie. Cost $5. Tickets online.
Last day to see Without Consent, an exhibition about the heartbreak and resilience shared by people impacted by Australia's past adoption practices at the National Archives. Free entry from 9am to 5pm.
Get your skates on and head to Skate in the City's open air ice skating rink in Garema Place. The month-long event features cultural events, DJ dance parties, professional ice skating performances and dress up nights. It's on until the end of July.
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons has urged Canberra brain cancer patient Jack Woodhams to be strong and described the brave youngster as "a true superhero".
Jack, 6, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour two months ago and discovered the benefits of music therapy while undergoing radiation treatment at The Children's Hospital, Randwick.
His parents Paul and Karyn Woodhams watched glimpses of their cheeky, music-loving son return with the help of the hospital's music therapist Matt Ralph.
A foreboding winter view with approaching storm clouds in Holt. Photo: Margo Wade.
The temperatures might be low but the natural inspiration has been running high for Canberra's amateur photographers who have headed outdoors to snap the capital's coolest season.
Holt's Margo Wade captured the view outside her window on an icy cold mid-winter day. She has entered the image in The Canberra Times' winter photo competition.
For your chance to win a share of $1000 in prizes send a maximum of three photos to photocomp@canberratimes.com.au attached as JPEG files. Full competition terms and conditions are at canberratimes.com.au
Canberra has shivered through below freezing temperatures almost every morning this month and it looks like the city will continue to do so over the weekend, with morning temperatures set to remain below zero.
Today: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the early morning. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening. Min 3, max 9.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost. Light winds. Min -1, Max 12.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Patchy fog and frost in the morning. Light winds. Min -3, Max 12.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min -2, max 13.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds. Min -2, max 15.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High chance of rain. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h. Min 3, max 14.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 0, max 15.
