Penny Travers

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Penny Travers

Federal Labor has given the green light to a new Canberra convention centre, pledging $100 million in funding for initial planning works, as well as a new aquatic centre, if re-elected next month. While the idea of building a convention centre and new pool in Canberra's city centre is not new, it's the first time enough money has been committed to get the projects underway.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Penny Travers |Charlotte Gore

The outgoing head of orthopaedic surgery at Canberra Hospital says the loss of a sixth surgeon is "not surprising" given changes to operational procedures he says "all of the directors of department hate". "There is no surgeon in the hospital who's happy about this," Professor Paul Smith said. "The system is really not conducive to a satisfactory standard of practice for the clinicians who are progressively being disenfranchised in that whole process.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Penny Travers

Kim Elms spends hours each day running and mountain biking along Canberra's bush trails, she describes the time spent outdoors as her "mental health break". The Air Force veteran and mother-of-three is a part of a running group, but does most of her running solo. When she heard that a female runner was allegedly grabbed from behind by a man, but managed to break free, while out on a trail at Tuggeranong Hill early last Saturday morning, she was left feeling "shocked and angry".

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Penny Travers

An Amorphophallus titanum or titan arum, commonly known as the corpse flower, has bloomed at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra for the first time. The 15-year-old plant unfurled its 135 centimetre-tall flower spike on Saturday afternoon, emanating a putrid stench described by some as smelling like "dead rat". The bloom will start to die back by Monday afternoon before returning to a dormant state for around six months.

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Penny Travers

Ten years ago, the proverb "be the change you want to see in the world" inspired Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello to start harnessing the power of hospitality to help others. Along with another friend, the pair started a cafe in Columbia where, over three years, they trained more than 40 youth living in poverty.