Last Top Stories: Emily Larkin dives for the ball. Photo: Rohan Thomson

• Emily Larkin dives for the ball. Photo: Rohan Thomson

  

  Emily Larkin dives for the ball. Photo: Rohan ThomsonA $1 million sand pit in the northern suburbs of Canberra continues to divide opinions, butACT chief ministerAndrew Barrsays the controversial multi-purposeLyneham Beach Sports Facility, which was officially opened on Wednesday, will be a valuable addition to the area's growing sports precinct.The total cost of the project has blown out to $1.063 million after it was initially set to have a price tag of $750,000 when announced in February last..

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• Canberra's arts diary

  

  Detail from an image in the Face To Face exhibition at the Belconnen Community Centre.Photo: SuppliedArts diary – November 27What's on in Canberra's art sceneVISUAL:Belconnen Arts Centre:Hidden Faces.An exhibition featuring work from participants of the IGNITE Alternative Arts Academy.Lamina.An exploration of the impermanence of construction and the fragility of human existence.Both until December 13.  Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm. 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen. See:belconnenartscentre.com.au.Ad..

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• Canberra's diplomatic dawdlers: Iran, Russia and Bangladesh sparked into action by NCA

  

  "Use it or lose it" rules are forcing diplomatic missions in Canberra to take action.Plots of land worth many millions of dollars that have been sitting idle for years will soon have embassies and high commissions on them.The National Capital Authority's hardened stance against "fence sitters" on diplomatic land appears to be yielding results, according to evidence given to a national capital and external territories committee hearing in Parliament on Thursday.Iran, Russia and Bangladesh were mo..

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• Canberra's James Batchelor among 2016 Keir Choreographic Award finalists

  

  Performers James Batchelor and Sarah Aiken with philanthropist Phillip Keir, founder of the Keir Choreographic Award.Photo: Paul Jeffers Canberra-born choreographer and performer James Batchelor is one of eight artists competing for the 2016 Keir Choreographic Award.It is the second edition of Australia's first major choreographic award, launched in 2014.The finalists had to submit a five-minute video with a 20-minute choreographic idea before being selected by an independent jury to each cr..

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• WA Commerce Minister Michael Mischin denies industrial relations...

  

  WA Commerce Minister Michael Mischin denies industrial relations power shift to CanberraUpdatedNovember 26, 2015 09:40:09 West Australian Commerce Minister Michael Mischin has denied the Government is considering dismantling the state's industrial relations system and handing power to the Commonwealth, contradicting one of his Cabinet colleagues.Mr Mischin told Parliament on Wednesday evening the State Government had no plans to dismantle WA's industrial relations system.That comment came ju..

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• Canberra and the AIS could host multiple teams for Rugby League World Cup

  

  Rugby League World Cup boss Michael Brown says Canberra is the ideal base for teams.Photo: Paul ThomasCanberra could host multiple teams during the Rugby League World Cup as theACT government prepares its bid to host a semi-final.World Cup chief executive Michael Brown has backed Canberra not only as a venue for games, but the ideal base for teams preparing for the tournament.He knows the ACT intimately after his time as the Asian Cup boss, which held seven games - including a quarter-final - at..

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• Extra 1000 operations to ease Canberra's elective surgery waiting times

  

  The median waiting time for elective surgery in the ACT has fallen but is still higher than the national average.Photo: Louie DouvisDoctors will perform an extra 1000 procedures in the first half of 2016 in a bid to slash the number of Canberrans waiting for elective surgery.The ACT government will spend $11.8 million on the elective surgery blitz in an effort to slash above-average wait times.The number of patientswaiting longer than recommended for elective surgery in ACT hospitals has increas..

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• Canberra Weekender: What's on in Canberra November 27-29

  

  Project manager Louise Bilston putting the finishing touches on the SIDS and Kids ACT Christmas lights in City Walk. The lights will be switched on Friday night.Photo: Graham TidyAll weekendAdvertisementCHRISTMAS IN THE CITYYou better watch out, you better not cry... Christmas (and Santa) are coming to Civic. On Friday November 27 the month-long Christmas celebrations kick off at City Walk with night markets, concerts, camels, and Canberra's attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most li..

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• Canberra's Jessica May receives National Disability Award

  

  Canberra's Jessica May receives National Disability AwardEnabled Employment owner Jessica May has won a National Disability Award.Photo: Rohan ThomsonA Canberra entrepreneur has won a 2015 National Disability Award for her work connecting people with a disability with well-paid jobs.Jessica May foundedEnabled Employment in 2014 after having trouble finding suitable employmentwhen – following the birth of her first child – she was diagnosed with a panic disorder.The online and for-profit labour h..

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• Canberra man jailed for 'aggressive and degrading' assaults on former girlfriend - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

  

  Canberra man jailed for 'aggressive and degrading' assaults on former girlfriendUpdatedNovember 25, 2015 22:47:08 A Canberra man has been jailed for 21 months over what the ACT's Chief Magistrate labelled as "aggressive and degrading" attacks on his former partner.Adam Beniamini, 32, was charged with three counts of common assault and two counts of property damage after two incidents - the first of which was at the couple's Calwell home and the second at a nearby club.In sentencing, Chief Ma..

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