Zoe Marshall with her mother Alison Abernethy, brother Angus and father Rob Marshall in December. Photo: Supplied
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Canberra's Alison Abernethy imagines her teenage daughter is helping villagers on Vanuatu's Pentecost Island clear the damage left by Cyclone Pam - that's what she chooses to believe.
Her 18-year-old daughter, Zoe Marshall, is among 19 volunteer teachers unaccounted for on the remote northern island after the category 5 cyclone swept through the region on March 13, devestating much of the country.
Ms Abernethy last heard from her daughter on Thursday morning via text message as the Watson teenager bunkered down in anticipation of the storm.
"Sorry for early text but don't know when phone will work," Zoe's last text read.
"We've got a cat 5 warning, should hit us tonight. Should be all good. I love you more than most things."
- Up to 1500 public servants in the Defence Department will face the sack under a long-awaited review into the nation's Defence establishment, with the axe to begin falling within months.
- Suspected Islamic State militants have stormed Tunisia's national museum, taken hostages, then executed 17 tourists and two locals.
- The rate at which Canberrans are accessing Legal Aid ACT for domestic violence matters has almost doubled in the past three years, prompting the organisation to funnel more of its resources towards victim support as uncertainty looms over federal government funding.
- The Canberra Racing Club has called for an effective end to plans to bring together all three racing codes on one site, as the ACT government considers the possible redevelopment of all or part of Exhibition Park and relocation of the harness racing club.
- Tony Abbott and some of his cabinet ministers have canvassed the prospect of an early double dissolution election to be held in the next few months.
- It took a plunge to the depths of human horror to shake this city into an act of breathtaking compassion - on Sunday, thousands are expected to walk around Lake Burley Griffin in memory of Tara Costigan, 28, who was killed late last month.
- The number of admissions to ACT public hospitals has increased by nearly 10 per cent during the past five years as the government prepares to launch a new hospital to cater for growing demand.
Scott Sio is open to career changes after he achieves his Super Rugby goals. Photo: Melissa Adams
World Cup hopeful Scott Sio is open to the prospect of following Jarryd Hayne into the NFL, revealing a desire to take on new challenges when he feels he has fulfilled his rugby goals.
Sio's power and strength could make him a candidate for a future NFL deal if clubs come knocking.
- Abby Bishop's superb WNBL season got a fitting reward yesterday, the Canberra Capitals skipper was named as the best player in the league. It added to her Capitals most valuable player trophy from last week and capped the best season of the 26-year-old's career.
- Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana says he doesn't feel any pressure replacing injured star Jack Wighton and is happy to keep the No 1 jersey warm until his return as he comes back into the Raiders side for Saturday night's clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium.
- The ACT Brumbies will put Super Rugby ambition ahead of World Cup dreams on Sunday, with prop Ben Alexander declaring the players have nothing to prove to NSW Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika - but the Brumbies will resist the temptation to inject David Pocock into the starting line-up.
- Ominously for AFL defenders, Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren Jack says gun forward Buddy Franklin is "a lot further ahead" physically than he was at the same time last year.
- North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston feared he may have suffered a neck injury after being the victim of a dangerous tackle by Newcastle players and believes they should have known better considering the injury suffered by Alex McKinnon.
8.15am: A crash on Canberra Avenue near Hindmarsh Drive in Fyshwick has now been cleared.
If you are stuck in traffic or have any info, let us know: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
Ideal conditions should trigger the ACT's biggest prescribed burn this year near Honeysuckle Creek in Namadgi National Park today. The 2700 hectare burn is expected to take four to seven days.
The Inventi Ensemble will fill the intimate Wesley Music Centre with classical chamber music tonight at 7.30pm.
The Canberra Comedy Festival continues in the capital tonight with a number of performances across the city.
Satya Pratama and Adi Putra are opening up the new Barber Shop in Braddon. Photo: Jay Cronan
The final piece of The Hamlet puzzle will be added Thursday when The Barber Shop opens its doors at the Lonsdale Street pop-up venue.
The self-explanatory venture is the creation of Adi Putra, Satya Pratama, Kim Hoang and sits between existing stores Little Dreams and the Skeehan studio.
Putra, who has been cutting hair for 17 years, said the group wanted to create an old-fashioned, barber experience.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Former Raiders captain Terry Campese takes a bath in Raiders Lime when the milk was re-introduced in 2013. Two years after being reintroduced, Canberra Milk has stopped producing the unique-tasting lime green milk after lower than expected sales. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
Today: A mostly sunny day in Canberra on Thursday with patchy fog clearing, a forecast minimum of 10 degrees and a top of 32 degrees.
The rest of the week: Friday, mostly sunny - min 16, max 29. Saturday, partly cloudy - min 8, max 21. Sunday, cloudy - min 9, max 24. Monday, shower or two - min 12, max 28.