The month of July 2025 was a memorable period for the Australian Capital Territory, marked by sporting triumph and a landmark moment in the nation's space exploration history. The Canberra Raiders continued their formidable form on the rugby league field, while Australia's inaugural astronaut made a special appearance in the capital.
Raiders Secure Top Spot in Stellar NRL Season
The Canberra Raiders entered July riding a fantastic wave of success, extending their impressive winning streak in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Canberra Stadium. The team's performance throughout the month solidified what would become a stellar year, culminating in them finishing the 2025 season as the NRL minor premiers. The joy of the team was captured in moments like when Raider Kaeo Weekes celebrated a try scored by teammate Xavier Savage, showcasing the squad's cohesive and dominant form.
Historic Inspiration: Australia's First Astronaut Visits Questacon
In a separate but equally significant event, local students received a major dose of inspiration. Australia's first official astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, visited Questacon for a special engagement. Speaking to The Canberra Times, Ms Bennell-Pegg expressed her profound honour at the achievement. "It's a huge honour to have graduated as an astronaut, let alone an Australian astronaut, which is greater than I could have ever even hoped for when I applied to be one," she said. Her visit provided a tangible connection to space exploration for Canberra's youth.
Community Safety and Local Events
Beyond sport and science, community safety was also in focus. ACT Fire and Rescue personnel demonstrated crucial fire-safe behaviours for the home, providing vital education to residents. Meanwhile, the capital's event calendar remained bustling. Highlights included the Summernats Braddon Fringe Festival on Lonsdale Street and the Street Machine Summernats 38 at Exhibition Park, ensuring the city was alive with activity.
The images from July 2025 paint a vivid picture of a dynamic Canberra—a city celebrating local sporting heroes, welcoming national pioneers in science, and prioritising community wellbeing through education and engaging local events.
