Month: April 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has now arrested a 38-year-old male in relation to the aggravated assault in Katherine yesterday evening.

The man was arrested by members of the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch just after 11:00am this morning after which he was taken into custody at Katherine Police Station.

Charges are yet to be laid.

Detectives continue to urge anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and quote reference NTP2500043016.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested 2 women in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred at Casuarina last night.

At 10.27pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report from a security services company that a service station on Vanderlin Drive was being held up.

Casuarina General Duties officers attended the scene immediately and arrested 2 women aged 21 and 23 years old.

Earlier, the two women had been viewed by the service station employee attempting to steal a number of items.

When he confronted them the women allegedly threated him with edged weapons before he retreated behind the service counter and managed to lock the door.

The employee then opened the main doors to allow the offenders to exit the store where they proceeded to throw rocks and tools at the station window.

Soon after they were located and arrested and had in their possession a number of stolen items and edged weapons.

The offenders are in custody and are set to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday, 28 April.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Katherine yesterday evening.

About 6.20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report from a security officer at a local hotel bottle shop that a male had turned up at the premises with deep lacerations to his face and they were unable to control the bleeding.

Katherine General Duties officers attended the scene and assisted the 43-year-old victim shortly before St John Ambulance members arrived and conveyed the man to Katherine District Hospital.

The man told police that one of his partner’s family had used a smashed bottle to stab him in the face, with one eye also severely injured.

The offender remains outstanding.

The victim has been transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment.

Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to this incident to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500043016.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Palmerston yesterday evening.

About 6.00pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a number of youths had assault a food delivery driver outside a Palmerston fast-food restaurant.

The youths are alleged to have then stolen about $100 worth of fast food that was set for delivery.

Palmerston General Duties officers attended the scene soon and identified the offenders and a short foot chase followed.

Members of the Tactical Response Group were also in the area and assisted to arrest three alleged offenders, one aged 13 years and 2 aged 14. A fourth male, aged 13 years, was arrested later in the evening.

One other offender remains outstanding.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number P25113827.  You can make anonymous reports via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: South Australia Police

A $660,000 funding boost from Healthway will support the next generation of health promotion leaders through a scholarship program run by the Australian Health Promotion Association.

Healthway CEO Colin Smith said six exceptional graduates have recently been awarded a Health Promotion Scholarship, providing them with an incredible opportunity to launch their career.

“This program is among the few capacity building workforce programs available nationally in public health,” he said.

“Each scholarship, valued a $110,000 each, pays for 12 months full-time salary, working at an organisation of the graduate’s choice on a project they want to develop.

“Congratulations to all scholarship recipients, we look forward to your contributions to health promotion in the years to come.”

Australian Health Promotion Association National President Melinda Edmunds expressed gratitude for the long-standing partnership with Healthway.

“Over 30 years, we have provided opportunities for 85 graduates and 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship recipients,” she said.

“Not only does this scholarship program pave the way for the next generation of WA health promotion leaders, but it significantly boosts the health promotion capacity within the host organisation.”

“For many past recipients, their contributions have been so significant that the host organisations have chosen to retain them even after the scholarship has ended,” she said.

To find out more visit Health Promotion Scholarships.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

New community outreach van launched to engage with local communities

Monday, 28 April 2025 – 1:47 pm.

Tasmania Police has launched a new community outreach van to help engage with local communities.Speaking at the launch in George Town today, Commissioner Donna Adams said that the initiative was a direct response to recommendations from the Weiss Review, Tasmania Police Community Survey and Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings, and aimed to proactively bring services and information to communities who need them or have traditionally had little or no opportunity to engage with Tasmania Police.“These recent reviews have told us that our community expects better, more visible, and in-person engagement between Tasmania Police and community members,” Commissioner Adams said.“The reviews have also told us we need to continue to build trust with vulnerable community groups and Tasmanian sport and recreation organisations for the purpose of preventing, identifying and reporting grooming, and child sexual abuse.“Together with partnering organisations like Neighbourhood Watch, PCYC, and Crime Stoppers, Poli and the team are available to visit communities and community groups around the state to achieve these outcomes.”“Poli will provide visibility in the communities where they need police most.“At a time where there is a greater than ever demand for frontline policing services, you can expect that Poli will provide an additional avenue for members of the community to discuss issues important to the community and that our partner organisations may be able to assist in providing advice and assistance.“Together we can ease the pressure by adopting new community-focused solutions that ensure community safety and efficiency.”Commissioner Adams said that the Community Engagement team will take Poli to Deloraine and Agfest over the coming days before undertaking engagements in the south, the east coast and the north west coast in the next few weeks.“It’s a way of taking our people and some of our services and information directly into communities to engage with Tasmanians. It allows us to have a high-visibility police presence in vulnerable and priority communities and those that have limited opportunity to engage with Tasmania Police for key services,” she said.Funding was provided by the Tasmanian Government to support Tasmania Police in engaging and building trust with the community.Poli is being staffed by members of the Community Engagement Services team, along with local officers who will attend local events, including schools, community and sporting events, and be on hand to:• discuss local crime issues and provide crime prevention and general advice to residents and business owners• provide information and resources about personal, residential and business safety, as well as child safety and safeguarding• customise Poli’s visit to the community/community group’s needs.Poli is also available to support other key Tasmania Police initiatives such as firearm amnesties and recruitment, as well as providing information on how to identify grooming, and keeping children and young people safe from sexual abuse.Commissioner Adams said that a broader Tasmania Police Stakeholder Engagement Strategy was currently being developed, which would outline a coordinated approach to community engagement across the state and action plans to deliver key initiatives over the three-year life of the strategy.“By continuing to work together as an organisation, I am certain that this outreach initiative will prove to be a significant and positive change in how we provide targeted and focused police services to the Tasmanian community now and into the future.”For more information, check out www.police.tas.gov.au/poli

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

We’re ensuring Victorians with an eating disorder get the care and support they need with Victoria’s first public residential eating disorder treatment centre, Ngamai Wilam.

Operated by Alfred Health in Armadale, Ngamai Wilam is a brand new, purpose-built 12 bed residential centre, offering 24/7 support in a safe, home-like setting, providing specialist care for Victorians aged 18 and over who are living with an eating disorder.

Delivering on the objectives of the Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy 2024-31, the establishment of this centre represents a shift in our system towards a stepped model of care, where care is available and tailored to an individual’s needs and circumstances – where we have services that are designed to meet people where they are at.

By providing treatment, support, and care in a welcoming, home-like environment, Ngamai Wilam gives individuals the best chance at lasting recovery.

The centre’s approach to care has been co-designed with people who have lived experience of eating disorders, alongside families, carers, health professionals, advocacy groups, and experts. By centring lived and living experience in both the design of the built environment and the model of care, Ngamai Wilam offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment, care and support for individuals impacted by eating disorders as well as their families, carers and supporters.

The name, Ngamai Wilam (pronounced Nah-may Will-ahm) is inspired by the story of Nala, a wise spirit who created the first sunrise and sunset. Resonating strongly with the naming group, sunset is a reminder that as the day fades, so too can difficulties, where sunrise brings the promise of fresh beginnings and renewed strength to confront challenges.

Ngamai Wilam represents a transformative approach to care for individuals with eating disorders. With a strong focus on family and chosen supports, Ngamai Wilam is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that promotes long-term recovery.

Read more about what we’re doing to tackle the rising prevalence and severity of eating disorders in the Victorian eating disorders strategy 2024-31.

Further information

Ngamai Wilam will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week with onsite staff support, and will be integrated with existing eating disorder services across the state.

Treatment is free to consumers accessing Ngamai Wilam as a publicly funded service. Equitable access to care is provided to all Victorians with a diagnosed eating disorder.

Ngamai Wilam will progressively open to a 12-bed capacity across 2025. More information on referral pathways is available on the Alfred Health website.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Following a competitive recruitment process, the City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce Jessica Howard has been appointed the new Director Healthy Communities and Environments.

Ms Howard is a familiar face to many at the City, as she is the current Director Corporate Performance since joining the City in March 2023.

Most recently, Ms Howard has been at the forefront of the Councillor induction process and development of the 2025-2029 Council Plan, had an integral role in the recent organisation restructure and led the development of successive budgets.

She has also contributed critical thinking relating to organisation policy, systems and processes, and is a valued member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney congratulated Ms Howard on her new role and said he was pleased she would be continuing her career at the City.

“Prior to joining the City, Jess was a Director at Mount Alexander Shire Council and had a similar portfolio of responsibilities as the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate, including sport and recreation, community safety, local laws, climate resilience and project delivery,” Mr Cooney said.

“Jess is also a former Councillor at Mount Alexander Shire, where she stood on a platform of strong community participation, and she has a personal interest in sport through her extensive involvement in playing and coaching soccer locally.

“Her considerable experience in State Government and skills developed in various policy and advisory roles are also valuable.

“I look forward to Jess continuing to make a great contribution to our organisation and community in her new role.”

Ms Howard’s new responsibilities include Maternal and Child Health, immunisation, early learning centres, environmental health, local laws, climate change resilience and emergency management, parking, animal management, provision of recreation facilities, celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion, and community capacity building.

Ms Howard said she was excited to take on this new challenge.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the many organisations, clubs, groups and volunteers that the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate works with and who have such a critical role in making our community such a great place to live,” she said.

Ms Howard will transition to the Director Healthy Communities and Environments role in the coming months, following recruitment to appoint a new Director Corporate Performance.

The Director Corporate Performance role will be advertised by mid-May.

Source: South Australia Police

Curtin University’s Dr Jonathan Sae-Koew has received Healthway’s prestigious Early Career Research Fellowship to work in collaboration with the Y WA to co-design and evaluate strategies for promoting the mental health of young people in the City of Belmont.

Heathway CEO Colin Smith said Dr Sae-Koew’s Fellowship, worth $396,711 over the next three years, will support those teenagers who need it most.

“We know it is challenging for young people to thrive when resources and opportunities are limited.”

“Through this fellowship, we will be able to identify the most impactful ways to enhance their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

Dr Sae-Koew said his project will initially focus on working with the Y WA in the City of Belmont to adapt their existing youth programs to help young people reach their full potential and become productive, engaged members of society.

“We’re not starting again here, we’re building on what is already out there via some great service providers, such as the Y WA and their Base@Belmont Youth Centre, to support and promote models of work in other local government areas,” he said.

“We’ll be helping them to refine their existing services and map out what additional support might be needed to promote positive mental health.”

This announcement coincides with the opening of Healthway’s Health Promotion Research and Scholarship Programs for 2025. More than $800,000 in grants is available through the Health Promotion Research Scholarship, Aboriginal Health Research Scholarship and Health Promotion Research Fellowship programs, which are designed to support researchers in improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for Western Australians.