If this year’s top lifestyle posts are anything to go by, Canberrans love free fruit, quality fashion on a budget, and Harry Potter-themed fantasy stores. Other lifestyle top ten entrants in 2018 included a story about AC/DC-themed coins, a sneak preview of a LEGO extravaganza, and an overview of one of Canberra’s biggest auctions.
Here are the stories that had readers talking in 2018…
10. Michael Milton’s next big adventure
The launch of Quizzic Alley. Photos: Tim Gavel.
For everyone wondering what champion athlete Michael Milton would do next, Tim Gavel had the answer: opening Canberra’s first Harry Potter-themed store in Fyshwick.
Tim dropped in to Quizzic Alley to check out the frothing brew, levitating broomstick and Hedwig toys, and Potter paraphernalia set to delight local wizards and muggles alike.
9. New coins ‘thunderstuck’ to celebrate AC/DC’s 45-year anniversary
Photo: Royal Australian Mint.
Lachlan Roberts’ report that high voltage coins were ‘thunderstruck’ by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Australian rock royalty came in at number nine this year.
The AC/DC coins were created in the spirit of the band’s hit single Thunderstruck, with some actually struck by 3,500,000 volts of man-made lightning.
8. Help a unique Canberran achieve her dream: Make her Miss Viva Las Vegas 2018
Miss Cherrybomb: Canberra’s contestant for Miss Pinup 2018. Photos: Supplied.
At the beginning of 2018, Nina Gbor met glamorous Canberran Miss Cherrybomb, who was gunning for the crown in international pinup competition Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup 2018.
Described as a “true unicorn and credit to Canberra”, her look elicits cherished memories of ancestral family, loved ones and the romanticism of a 1940s/50s movie star, Nina wrote.
7. Pialligo Estate: a beautiful location for an inspired wedding
Photo: Miss Gen Photography.
Early in 2018, Maryann Mussared wrote that the year was shaping up to be a big year for weddings, with an increase in demand from same-sex couples already evident.
With this in mind, she checked out Canberra wedding venue Pialligo Estate. She wrote that for those who would like to approach their nuptials with as little stress as possible, Pialligo Estate was a very good place to start. Its options range from an intimate space for a smaller cocktail reception to something that is spacious, scenic and adaptable for an elegant and grander garden wedding.
6. Travel keeps you young with Singapore Airlines
Ninety-nine year old Jack Lowe, proof that travel keeps you young. Photo: Supplied.
Ian Campbell recounted his meeting with 99-year-old Jack Lowe, who recently completed his twelfth round trip with Singapore Airlines between his home in England and family in Canberra. The cabin and flight crew who have cared for Mr Lowe many times believe he may have found the secret to a long, happy and healthy life – travel!
5. Estate sale of Tattersalls heir set to be the biggest in Canberra’s history
The sale included a large collection of antique long case clocks, with one William Kipling London clock estimated to date as far back as 1720. Photo: Canberra Antique Auctions.
When it comes to estate sales, it doesn’t get much bigger than the one Canberra saw in June, wrote Amelia Stephenson. It was the biggest estate auction in Canberra’s history when the estate of Tattersall’s heir, philanthropist and academic, Dr John Flynn, was auctioned and sold to the highest bidders.
4. Canberra’s best-kept secret high-end op shop
Photo: Nina Gbor.
Op shop aficionado Nina Gbor returned to the top ten lifestyle stories list with the first of two stories about op shopping.
She shared some of her favourite haunts, including Pandora’s at O’Connor, which she said has wonderful staff and good quality clothing. Stocked with high-quality designer, vintage and unusual pieces, Pandora’s also has an old-fashioned, good-mannered atmosphere.
3. Epic exhibition Brickman Experience comes to Canberra for the first time
Photo: Supplied.
Coming in at number three this year was a story from Lachlan Roberts about the interactive LEGO exhibition Brickman Experience, one of the largest touring exhibitions of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The exhibition made its way to Canberra in time for the September/October school holidays. Made with more than five million LEGO bricks, it showcased some of the world’s largest and most detailed LEGO models including Star Wars builds, a model Airbus A380, a quarter scale Ferrari and a flower.
Dozens of apple trees dot the roadside between Canberra and the Coast. Photo: Ian Campbell.
Claiming the number two spot is Ian Campbell’s story about feral fruit trees that have sprouted up along the road on the drive between Canberra and the Far South Coast via Cooma.
While apples are the dominant fruit, travellers with a keen eye have also spotted peach, plum, and pear trees with fruit ripe for the picking.
Ian’s advice? Find a safe spot to pull over, grab a bag of fruit, and be a part of their ongoing connection that nature has with travellers.
1. 5 op shops to visit in Canberra
Photo: Supplied.
This year’s top lifestyle story shows Canberrans love a bargain and are getting behind efforts to reduce fashion waste.
Nina Gbor’s tips for building a stylish, diverse wardrobe of unique pieces found partially in op shops had RiotACT readers clicking. She shared her pick of Canberra’s best places to pick up good quality fashion treasures, as well as reasons why it’s worth getting on the op shop bandwagon.
What were your favourite lifestyle stories in 2018?
Loading ...
