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

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.

Feel safe and supported in everyday life

ARTHRITIS ACT is continually working on improving services and access to much needed support for pain and debilitating fatigue in the Belconnen area, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“Our main office has a team of exercise physiologists who undertake a wide range of exercise programs specially designed for people with any chronic pain conditions,” she says.

“These programs include the popular strength and balance program, designed to assist you to reduce the likelihood of having a fall that may cause injury.

“Our tai chi for falls prevention, and programs such as chair yoga and pilates for people with chronic pain conditions, assist those concerned about their falls risk to feel safer in their everyday lives.”

Rebecca says Arthritis ACT has recently welcomed a new physio, Emil, who has a special interest in assisting those with neurological conditions, including people who may be recovering from strokes or living with conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, as well as anyone, including sports people, with injuries and/or surgical rehabilitation needs.

“Arthritis, Pain Support and ME/CFS ACT is a membership organisation which provides a suite of allied health and exercise classes, and run free, regular education and information sessions,” she says.

“These sessions are aimed at improving your understanding of your condition and to provide information of services and options that may be available to you to assist you to live your best life.”

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

Quality aged-care services since 1992

VILLAGGIO Sant’ Antonio was established by the Italian community for older Australian Italians to maintain links with the Italian community, says general manager Katrina Cubit.

“Now nearly 40 years on from initial inception, Villaggio welcomes all cultures and nationalities,” she says.

“The board of directors, chaired by Mr Dominic De Marco, works closely with the management team to continuously improve the quality of care and services delivered to permanent and respite residents living both in the residential aged care facilities and in the 60 independent living units.”

Katrina says the facility, located close to Belconnen shops, is set among beautiful, landscaped gardens and boasts a contemporary new wing with 29 generously proportioned single ensuite rooms.

“The facility offers a chapel and hairdressing salon, and our lovely hairdresser ensures each resident looks their best for regular events catered for by our onsite kitchens delivering fresh and tasty meals,” she says.

“Villaggio has two buses to offer planned outings to places of interest throughout the Canberra region. Residents enjoy the services of 24-hour registered nurses, a qualified team of care staff plus physiotherapists, a dietitian, speech therapist and podiatrist.

“Everything we do is driven by our universal mission to enhance the lives of ageing adults and their families.”

Villaggio Sant’ Antonio, 35 Burkitt Street, Page. Call 6255 1794, or visit villaggio.com.au

New owner puts design study to practice in blooms

EIGHT Stems is a florist in Macgregor that has been open for seven years, but Sanela Khan and her partner took over the business two months ago.

“I was studying art and design, and so my partner bought me the business so that I could use and grow my skills and creativity,” says Sanela.

“We offer fresh florals, everlasting florals, curated gifts, and bouquets and flowers for any special occasion.”

For an extra special treat, Eight Stems offers bouquets with additional candles, chocolate bars from Lemon and Myrtle, and/or local wines, including from Nick O’Leary, Mount Majura, Lark Hill, Clonakilla and Lerida Estate, with a choice for red or white at the checkout.

“And, we offer same-day delivery for $15, Monday to Friday, but orders need to be placed by 1pm,” says Sanela.

“Our beautiful fresh floral arrangements are all designed and made to order, and we have a wide selection of seasonal flowers sourced from a range of local and international growers.

“Or bring a smile to a loved one’s face with our blooming selection of bouquets made especially for them.”

Eight Stems, call 0468 358338, or visit eightstems.com.au

Friendly, comprehensive pilates studio

JORDANA Martin opened Feel Better Pilates in late October, but has been teaching pilates for seven years.

“I live in Belconnen so having the studio in Hawker is very practical, but it also has the space for what I offer, is central and has plenty of free parking,” she says.

“Feel Better Pilates offers small group classes for mat, reformer and tower pilates. I’m trained in comprehensive pilates, and while reformer has its place, it was important for me to offer more than that. Most studios don’t offer tower pilates and I wanted it to be accessible, not just private sessions.

“It is also very important to me that I know everyone’s names, and know about their previous injuries so that I can tailor the session accordingly. We keep our classes smaller so that you won’t get lost in the crowd.”

Jordana currently has an intro offer of $60 for six classes

“It’s about making a connection, and it brings the most joy to my life to be able to welcome and help others. It lights my soul on fire.”

Feel Better Pilates, Shop 2, 72-74 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 0402 723207 or visit feelbetterpilates.com.au

Pupcakes to brighten a pooch’s day

OWNED and run by father and daughter David and Ashlinn Reid, there are years of hospitality experience backing Stella’s By The Lake.

David and Ashlinn say Stella’s provides a friendly and warm cafe experience where everyone is welcome.

The cafe in Belconnen is offering pupcakes for $5.90 that have become very popular amongst pooches that visit the cafe, as well as mimosas for their owners and taco spiced corn fritters.

“We’re dog friendly, and we have a lovely, nice grass space across from Lake Ginninderra,” says Ashlinn.

“We also offer kids milkshakes and juices, baby chinos and a variety of cakes and ice creams.”

David says Stella’s focus is on simple but good food, and creating a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

“Stella’s is making a great name for itself with locals, shoppers, families, office workers and, of course, lake walkers who enjoy the all-day breakfast and lunch menu options, coffee and drinks that also include alcoholic beverages and sweet treats.”

Stella’s By The Lake, 63/1 Beissel Street, Belconnen. Call 6253 0370.

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.

“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.

“We’re offering 10 per cent to 30 per cent off selected floorstock.”

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

Family business working with love, for clients

INSTANT Colour Press (ICP) was established in 1982 by Warren Block, run alongside his partner David McInnes, says joint owner and son, Richard Block.

“Myself and my sister joined my father in the family business at the beginning of this year,” he says.

“I initially started helping the business just to offer some more support, but I ended up enjoying the work.

“We are the only printing business in the Belconnen area, and we always have been.”

Richard says ICP offers printing of “pretty much anything”, including business cards, books, corflutes and now, for kids birthday parties, they can print and cut out cartoon characters.

“We have just made an exciting major investment in new equipment, allowing us to do high speed large format printing and cutting, with a Mimaki JFX200-2513 EX Flatbed printer and Mimaki CF22-1220 RC-5 Flatbed cutter,” says Richard.

“We are only the second printing business in Canberra to have a cutter.

“Together, we as a family have a terrific and professional business relationship, because we’ve worked together before in a publishing business, which is how ICP was founded.

“We love doing what we do, serving clients and helping to make their projects look their best.”

ICP, 21 Rae Street, Belconnen. Call 6253 1866, or visit instantcolourpress.com.au

Beauty services for all walks of life

A COMMITMENT to real results is what keeps The Aesthetic Emporium CEO, Steffanie, passionate about her work.

“It’s a passion driven by educating my clients, debunking beauty myths, and really concentrating on individual needs and concerns in a professional and authentic manner,” she says.

“We officially opened our doors at Weetangera on Valentine’s Day.

“We have free parking right out front, and we’re only seven minutes from Belconnen Mall and 12 minutes from Civic, so it’s super central but away from the chaos and traffic.”

Steffanie says her expertise and education is derived from great teachers in the industry, being based in Melbourne working alongside dermal clinicians, nurses, doctors and surgeons.

“I have been fortunate enough to be exposed to advanced, non-invasive cosmetic treatments and innovative services and technology in a skin space,” she says.

“We offer all of the standard beauty and aesthetic treatments, including rosacea, non-surgical face lift, melasma, acne scarring, burns, skin tags, moles and tattoo removal.

“We are about to launch new treatments, including one treatment no one in Canberra is offering.

“We are very excited about it – these services are for all walks of life. Everyone is accepted into our clinic with a warm welcome.

“We offer quality not quantity. We have a wide range of cosmeceutical products in stock, as well as gifts, with an online store being built as we speak.”

The Aesthetic Emporium, 3/16 Weetangera Place, Weetangera. Call 6183 0456, or visit theaestheticemporium.com

Bookkeepers making sense of Uber issues

JOHN Scarano, of JS Bookkeeping and Accounting Services, has been asking some of his Uber-driving clients: “Is it still worthwhile?”

“We look after a few clients that drive Uber cars and over the last four years there’s been a number of tax office discussions with Uber,” he says.

“If they’re not up-to-date with the current changes they could be over-claiming GST or not transmitting enough GST to the tax office. 

“If they don’t get proper advice the tax office always tends to do audits on not just Uber drivers but also people in the transport industry.

“There is some confusion with drivers as to what they can and can’t claim and we’re happy to assist them with questions.”

But John, who has been an accountant for more than 35 years, doesn’t just work with Uber drivers and says he particularly enjoys working with small businesses.

“I enjoy helping them start up correctly, choose the right business structure and I enjoy assisting them in deciding which accounting software they can or should use,” he says.

“And I make sure I talk at their level to make things easier.”

JS Bookkeeping and Accounting Services, Unit 2, Hawker Professional Centre, 134 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 6255 3555.