THE district of Belconnen is one of the original 18 districts of the ACT, and today, some 56 years after it began development, remains one of Canberra’s most populated.

With more than 100,000 residents, the area has become home to one of the capital’s most thriving business scenes.

This week “CityNews” heads northside to chat with the Belco businesses proud to share their skills and services.

Arts in the heart of Belconnen

BELCO Arts has recently opened a new theatre along with two new galleries in an expansion that’s allowing the centre to facilitate even more creative opportunities and experiences.

“As Belconnen grows, our beautiful spot by the lake continues to be even more important as a place for the community to connect, be inspired and fuel their love of the arts,” says a centre spokesperson.

“We hope everyone who visits Belconnen will round their day out with a visit to Belco Arts – with free entry, four wonderful exhibition spaces, and a range of great drop in activities, it’s always a good time to stop by.”

On November 4, 5, and 12, visitors will be able to experience “Utopiate”, a show with a mixed ability cast that asks the question “would you choose a world without pain?”

Arriving at Belco Arts on October 7 is “Curses to Newton”, an all-ages science circus performance with Brett Hoppenbrouwer that will be on for families during school holidays.

From October there’ll also be new exhibitions opening at the centre, as well as a number of creative workshops led by professional artists.

“Belco Arts is special because there’s always something new, different and surprising to see,” says the centre spokesperson.

“We want your experience to be unique each time you visit.”

Belco Arts, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen. Call 6173 3300 or visit belcoarts.com.au

Gift shop that highlights all that Australia offers

WOMBAT Cards and Gifts is a small family business started by Monica and John Rolls in 2015.

“We started as a small market stall selling homemade greeting cards that I started making when I retired,” says Monica.

“But we stopped doing markets during the COVID-19 lockdown.”

And, while Monica says she loved that markets gave her a chance to see more of Australia, and she loved meeting all the interesting people along the way, it was time to put down some roots closer to home, and opened the Wombat Cards and Gifts store front in Belconnen in July.

“We offer cards, children’s books, puppets and plush animals, coasters and gifts,” says Monica.

“My husband, John, wanted to do metal art, too, and it took off.

“I love what I’m doing and I love that I’m achieving something by introducing people to our Australian animals.

“I love the Australian animals, I just think they’re so unique and I love expressing my joy through the store. It makes me feel happy when people come in and see the products that we have.”

And, Monica says, she’s grateful for her husband and extended family who have helped grow the store into everything it is today.

Wombat Cards and Gifts, Shop 2 31/35 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen. Call 0423 786222, or visit wombatcardsandgifts.com.au

Exercise classes help people of all abilities

ARTHRITIS ACT offers a range of group exercise classes for people of any ability and any background, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“Exercise is the very best medicine for chronic conditions, however not all exercise is the same,” she says.

“If you are a person living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or even some people living with long covid, exercise might just comprise moving all your larger joints a couple of times a day to ensure you maintain your mobility. 

“For someone living with osteoarthritis, you might want to strengthen all the structures around the joint, and someone with type 2 diabetes needs some help ensuring their body releases the energy it needs at the right times.”

Rebecca says it doesn’t matter if you haven’t been exercising for a very long time, it’s never too late to start.

“Every person needs a certain amount of exercise each week,” she says.

“We can help you no matter where you are in life, with one on one support, group classes specialising in things such as back pain, or programs to help you if you’ve been having some falls. 

“Give us a call and have a chat to our friendly team about what might be best for you.”

Arthritis ACT, Building 18, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Thousands of flavours to discover at local creamery

GOODBERRY’S Creamery is Canberra’s original frozen custard and best dessert destination, says owner Chris Maley.

“Our product is delicious, all natural and has no preservatives,” he says.

“The frozen custard is made and tastes the way ice cream used to be in the olden days when you brought it straight from your local dairy.”

Operating from 11am to 10pm seven days a week, Chris says Goodberry’s has an endless selection of delicious flavours to discover.

“We are best known for our fantastic Frozen Custard Concretes. Goodberry’s can create any flavour combination to suit any taste,” he says.

“You choose your base flavour, vanilla, chocolate or flavour of the week, then you get to choose whether you want Oreo, Violet Crumble, caramel fudge, chocolate, and so much more.

“Our flavour of the week is really popular. Last week it was Whittaker’s Blondie, this week it’s Biscoff Cheesecake, then next week it’s Mars Pods.

“Our frozen custard is also gluten free with a wide selection of gluten-free toppings and mix-ins.”

Over its 20 years of operation, Goodberry’s has become something of an institution in Canberra and it’s still growing, says Chris.

“Keep your eyes peeled for a Gungahlin Goodberry’s next year,” he says.

Goodberry’s, 4/25 Lathlain Street, Belconnen and 2/20 Gartside Street, Erindale. Visit goodberrys.com.au

Marina’s new salon makes customers ‘feel and look good’

MARINA Belibassakis opened her own hair salon, Artistry M Hair, three weeks ago.

“I’ve been hairdressing for 20 years, freelancing for the past three years and it was just time to open up my own salon and do my own thing.

“This is my journey, this is a step into doing my own thing, control my own decisions and have more freedom and flexibility, which is the dream,” she says.

“It’s nice seeing your work walking around on people, and just making people feel and look good. I like meeting people from all walks of life and making and keeping those relationships.

“We do cuts and colours, and we’re good at it,” she says.

Marina has a freelancer working with her at Artistry M Hair.

“We’ve been working together for a while, Hair by Genevieve is her business name,” says Marina.

“We provide a safe environment, we’re professional, we do the best that we can and we love what we do, and we make it fun.

“We know what we’re doing, we’re making Artistry M Hair inviting and we’re approachable.”

Artistry M Hair, Shop 70/27 Wiseman Street, Macquarie. Call 5105 7304 or 0422 348694, or visit artistrymhair.com.au

More than 40 years of tyres and suspension services 

ANYONE looking for a great deal on major brands of wheels or tyres, don’t go past Transtate Tyres, says CEO Adrian Heffernan.

“We’ve got all the major brands you know and trust, so you won’t need to shop around to find what you want,” says Adrian.

“Our feature brand is Toyo tyres which is very competitive in performance and price in the 4WD range. We also sell Pireelli, Continental, entry level tyre brands and much more.”

With their Belconnen store having been in operation for more than four decades and two other stores operating in Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan, Adrian says Transtate’s affordable pricing represents some of the best deals around.

He also says they’ve got a new workshop operating in Belconnen, where they’re specialising in suspension, logbook servicing, 4WD lift kits and brakes – services that are available across all their locations.

“We also have a big range of new trailers for personal use at Belconnen and we’ve got some tradesman trailers too,” he says.

“We pride ourselves in providing a high-quality and professional service towards our customers, all at an affordable price which won’t break your wallet.”

Transtate Tyres, 2 Egan Court, Belconnen (6253 2244), 1/347 Reed Street, Tuggeranong (6293 2538) and 141-143 Uriarra Road, Queanbeyan (6299 6747). Visit translate.com.au