AFTER bidding farewell to the Queen, Canberra keeps itself busy in November, hosting US President Barack Obama and then the Danish royal couple, Princess Mary and Prince Frederik.

But we don’t need a visit from the American President to confirm we are a real country, argues columnist Don Atkin, questioning the way Australia caters to the “imagined anxieties of a foreign leader”. Meanwhile, fellow columnist Robert Macklin warns that President is struggling to be loved back at home, which spells trouble for Australia.

The Danish royal couple’s visit is less controversial. One of few appearances they make in Canberra is the tree planting in the National Arboretum, which 500 Canberrans brave the wet to witness.

Canberra’s oldest radio station 2CA turns 80 on November 14, and has been “all things to all people” according to program director Don Dawkins.

Greg “Robbo” Robson attributes 2CA’s longevity to the fact that “we are the incumbent radio station”. But he himself is leaving. The veteran broadcaster has resigned and will leave the breakfast chair on 2CA in December.

Let’s say hello to town crier Alan Moyse. Evolving from the old news readers, the town crier is a ceremonial position, which Alan takes to in a serious and also a fun way.

Be prepared for your next gift; it may be a ball! The Andrevski cousins starts an online business “Gift a Ball”, which they say are “bridging the gap between gifts and gift cards”.