ON Sunday, October 28, all Weston Creek residents are invited to celebrate the 50th birthday of Weston Creek at a garden party in the heritage-listed Fetherston Gardens.

The garden party will run from 11am to 3pm on Heysen Street, Weston, to applaud the history of Weston Creek, which was named in honour of Capt George Edward Weston, a former officer of the East India Company who arrived in Australia in 1829, and was superintendent of the Hyde Park Convict Barracks in Sydney.

In 1841, Weston was granted land that, by the 1960s, was established as a residential district as an offshoot of Canberra’s first satellite city in the adjacent Woden Valley.

Construction of Weston Creek’s eight suburbs started with Waramanga and Fisher in 1968, and was followed by Weston and Rivett in 1969, Duffy and Holder in 1970, and Chapman and Stirling in 1972. Each suburb has its own local shops, and they all share the larger district centre of Cooleman Court situated in Weston.

Each suburb is named after a notable Australian and the street names in each suburb follow a specific theme such as Australian rivers, native flowers, or names of surveyors.

Weston Creek, which is now home to more than 22,000 people, has developed a strong sense of community and is also home to many friendly traders and service providers. Here are some of the best…

Travel agent Deb loves booking dream holidays

SINCE Deb Long was a child, she’s been a traveller. Her dad worked for an airline so she spent most of her life travelling with her family, and naturally, when it was time for her to choose a career in 1981, she entered the travel industry.

But, even though she’s travelled the world, Deb couldn’t think of a better place to be than Weston Creek, where she owns Weston Cruise and Travel.

It’s there where, she says, her and the experienced team love meeting customers face-to-face and helping them book their dream holidays.

“But the most important reason to book with us is when you’re travelling and you need assistance you have our support,” she says.

“When you book with us, you’re booking an ATAS-accredited agency (which is under a travel accreditation scheme).

“If you book with an ATAS-accredited agency you get peace of mind.”

Well-known for its cruises Deb has had the honour of being named the CLIA Cruise Consultant of the Year in 2013 and then its runner-up in 2016.

“Cruises are quite popular because of the great value that they represent and the all inclusiveness,” she says.

“It’s so easy to holiday in the style of a cruise. You unpack once and every morning you wake up in a new destination.”

While the Croatian coastline and Alaska is popular for its cruises, Deb recently cruised around the coastline of Norway and loved it, but, she says no matter where you are, it’s a great way to see a lot of waterlife.

Weston Cruise and Travel, Weston Arcade, Brierly Street, Weston. Call 6288 4400, email admin@westoncruiseandtravel.com.au or visit westoncruiseandtravel.com.au

Dentist daughter continues the care

WITH a passion for serving the community Dr Naren Chellappah started Weston Dental Surgery about 30 years ago as a caring practice, which provides gentle dentistry.

After Dr Naren’s retirement last year, his daughter Dr Nithya Chellappah has since taken over as the principal dentist, bringing the same caring practice into her new role.

Growing up Dr Nithya was taught to serve the community and would watch her dad volunteer his skills as a dentist overseas and in Australia, and he continues to volunteer into his retirement.

“He inspired me to follow his passion,” she says.

“At Weston Dental Surgery we care about everyone who comes through and we enjoy serving the community in whatever capacity we can.

“We pride ourselves in caring and developing a relationship with our patients.

“We’ve had families grow up with my father and now they’re bringing their young families to me.

“Lots of young people come in with anxiety that we’re happy to manage.

“We’re a family-based practice so we welcome family and children to come through for their check-ups.”

Dr Nithya says Weston Dental Surgery is also a big advocator for preventative care.

“Problems don’t have to be symptomatic,” she says.

“When the tooth becomes painful it could be advanced, so it’s always good to stay ahead of the game.”

Weston Dental Surgery, Suite 2, 24 Mahony Court, Weston. Call 6288 9448 or visit westondental.com.au

Experts at installing garden sheds

WESTON Creek locals Courtney Durran and her dad, Colin, started ACT Outdoor Structures in 2011, after seeing a need for a business which installs smaller sheds such as garden sheds.

Colin had already been installing garden sheds for more than five years before the opportunity arose for him to start a family-run business with his daughter.

Together they install sheds and sometimes cubby houses across the region in materials such as colorbond, steel and timber.

They both love working in the Weston Creek area because, Courtney says, it’s family orientated and has a close community feel.

“But we work all over Canberra,” she says.

“Because everybody needs storage. You might have kids moving back home, a growing family or you might be downsizing.

“Everything you can think of – people do need storage.”

Courtney says they can even put sheds in car parks for people in apartments.

“We get a lot of calls from people who want a more secure, lockable storage space,” she says.

And no matter what the shed, whether it’s quite small, a corner shed or a larger two-storey shed, Courtney says they install it all from the concrete up.

“We’re a one-stop, local family business,” she says.

“We try to have a quick turn around from the time it’s ordered to the time it’s installed in the backyard.”

ACT Outdoor Structures. Call 6288 1498, 0410 324273, email office@canberrasheds.com.au or visit canberrashedsandoutdoorstorage.com

Preschool with a passion for the community

WESTON Creek Children’s Centre delivers a welcoming, community focused service, which is constantly changing to meet the needs of the local families, says its director Emma Morton.

Emma, who has been at the centre for 20 years, says it was established 35 years ago and continues to grow with the community.

“We have a settled team and a settled program,” she says.

“We get to see all the children in families go through our services.

“And, because we’re a stand-alone organisation, we’re really responsive to the needs of Weston Creek families.”

Emma says a recent example of meeting the community’s needs was when it changed its approach to allow more places for babies when there was demand.

“We’re all about the children – they come first,” she says.

“It’s about creating really important and supportive relationships with the children and their families.

“Once you know a child and know how the family works, then you can work with the family in a more personal way.”

Weston Creek Children’s Centre has two nursery programs for children under two-years-old, two toddler programs for two-year-olds and a junior preschool room for children four and up.

As the director, Emma says she has a huge focus on creating a place that’s safe and welcoming.

“I saw a need for a real genuine preschool,” she says.

“Here, parents never have to worry about their children. Of course they’ll miss them, but they won’t need to worry about them.”

Weston Creek Children’s Centre, 8 Parkinson Street, Weston. Call 6288 5380, email director@westoncreekchildrenscentre.com or visit westoncreekchildrenscentre.com