It has had significant impact on advancing the status of women and girls in the ACT.
This is through educational programs, campaigns and projects, including:
petitioning to mandate teaching gender equality in schools
a Sports Puberty Program and Period Dignity project. This contributed to the early thinking about the ACT Government’s commitment to free period products.
“[This award] is so important because it will help me to expand the program,” Lauren said.
Jayanti Gupta is the founder and presenter of Gender Equity Matters, a weekly 2XX radio program.
Jayanti provides women with training in radio presentation and leadership skills. She has broadcast about issues relating to gender, women and girls in the ACT.
Jayanti is the Founder and Chair of the Integrated Women’s Network (IWN). She is also one of the founders of Integrated Cultures ACT Inc.
“I always like to fight for the underdog, and I realised that women are not getting the same rights as men,” Jayanti said.
2025 ACT Young Woman of the Year Award
Anjali Sharma– climate change activist
Anjali Sharma co-introduced the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Equity) Bill.
She also coordinated the Melbourne School Strike and was lead litigant in a court case that found the Federal Government had a duty of care towards future generations (later overturned).
She works to develop the capacity of young women as climate activists in the ACT. Anjali is currently leading a team of young women in Canberra to advocate for and champion the Duty of Care Bill.
“… the need to tackle [climate change] is focused on people, including women and young people, and the rights of all these communities to thrive and prosper the way generations before us have been able to,” Anjali said.
Youths charged in relation to aggravated robbery at Prospect
Saturday, 10 May 2025 – 10:51 pm.
Police have charged two youths in relation to an aggravated robbery at a shop at Prospect Marketplace yesterday (Friday).
Police will allege that around 2.10pm, two youths entered the store and stole a quantity of money.
During the incident, a man in the store sustained minor injuries when they reportedly attempted to restrain a youth.
A 14-year-old from Invermay and a 16-year-old from Newstead have been charged with aggravated robbery and appeared before the Youth Justice Court today.
You can also find plenty of places that run workshops and classes. Some of these include:
Note: This is but a small selection on what you can find in our crafty capital.
Why craft?
Whichever your craft of choice, it likely offers benefits beyond the final product.
The activity is known to improve wellbeing. Crafting of all kinds can promote mindfulness, relieve stress and improve dexterity for people of all ages.
Crafting groups also allow people to
build social connections
learn new skills
volunteer their time and talent
practise English.
And of course, it’s lots of fun.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
In brief:
There are many Canberrans who can do with a helping hand.
The ACT has many services and initiatives that may be of benefit, whatever the situation.
This article features a list of some of these services.
There are many vulnerable people in our community. Perhaps you know someone who is:
at risk
chronically unwell
unhappy, lonely or isolated
elderly or frail
facing financial difficulty
new to Canberra.
Whether it’s a family member, neighbour or colleague you’re concerned about, reaching out is a great first step.
Where relevant, you could help them make a call or fill out a form. You could even go along to an appointment or event with them.
The list of services below is not exhaustive but may benefit someone you know. Most are free or low cost.
Help with day-to-day living
Eligible ACT residents who cannot take their bins out to the kerb, due to chronic illness, frail age or disability, can apply to have this done for them.
Community bus services are for ACT residents who find it hard to use other forms of transport. They run from Monday to Friday and have flexible routes.
The ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme provides financial help to ACT residents with a disability or significant mobility restriction that prevents them from using public and community transport.
Transport Canberra’s Flexible Bus Service helps Canberrans, such as the aged or people with mobility difficulties, get from their home to local community locations. Booking is required. Carers with a valid carers card are also welcome to travel.
Special needs transport is available for eligible students. Please check the application open dates and guidelines in advance.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bus service provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to connect with their communities and culture in the ACT and surrounding regions.
More information regarding bus operating and booking hours, eligibility and guidelines for all services is available on Transport Canberra’s website.
Mobile dental clinics Mobile Dental Clinics are an additional service for aged, school children and vulnerable Canberrans to access dental care in the community.
Canberrans can access short term loan equipment via the ACT Equipment Loan Service. This is available on referral and includes:
mobility aids
hoists
wheelchairs
hospital beds and more.
This free, short-term service is for anyone being discharged from hospital and for ACT residents needing rehab or to trial equipment.
Eligible Canberrans with a lifelong or long-term disability may be able to access the ACT Equipment Scheme. The scheme can provide long term loan equipment that will help people live at home safely.
Know someone who already has a mobility aid or appliance? Why not remind them they can have it serviced or repaired through the Clinical Technology Workshop?
Help is available to Canberrans who have experienced a change in their ability to carry out everyday activities due to a medical or health condition or disability. Brindabella Day and Ambulatory Rehabilitation Service provides a range of rehabilitation therapies.
Community Care Nursing can assist people with a range of conditions and healthcare needs. It can also be accessed in the home, if medically necessary. Nursing services include wound care, medication management and more.
Nutrition is a key part of health and wellbeing. The Community Care Nutrition Service offers specialised nutrition services to adults. As well as general healthy eating and nutrition support, the service can advise on chronic health conditions.
Adults with a chronic health condition affecting their quality of life may benefit from the Take Control – Live Well program. The three-week program helps people gain the skills and confidence to:
Social isolation and loneliness can be harmful to mental and physical health. Visiting people or inviting them places can be extremely helpful. There is also a variety of ways people can meet others or find a new interest.
Volunteering can be a great way to find connection and purpose. Canberrans looking for volunteering opportunities, workshops and advice can contact VolunteeringACT.
There are lots of events happening every day on the Meetup website. From bushwalking to trivia, book clubs to dancing, there’s something to suit every interest.
Canberrans with a business can get free business support from the Access Canberra Business Assist Team. They can help you understand permits, licenses and approvals.
The Women’s Legal Centre ACT offers free legal advice to women in low-paid and/or precarious employment who are experiencing problems at work.
Crisis help
There is help for those who have experienced domestic and family violence.
Through a range of support services, Canberrans can apply for financial support following domestic and family violence.
Canberrans can get help to plan for safety, support children, find accommodation, sort out finances, take legal action and stay safe online.
Communities at Work Crisis Support can give immediate help with food, medical scripts and other essential supports. They can also provide:
bus tickets
phone vouchers and charging
showers
hygiene products
information and referral services.
If you know someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, there is help available. Find out about more services that can help with finding a safe place to stay, getting a free meal, having a shower or doing laundry.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
NT Police Regional Crime Command has charged a 34-year-old male after he assaulted a man and was found in possession of an illegally manufactured firearm.
On 6 May, police received reports of a male physically assaulting another male and threatening him with a knife in relation to an ongoing altercation between the pair.
The following day, police conducted a random traffic apprehension on a vehicle belonging to the alleged offender and he returned a positive roadside drug test. He was also in possession of a less than Traffickable quantity of a schedule 2 dangerous drug.
Police conducted searches on several dwellings at the alleged offender’s property and subsequently seized ammunition and a disassembled firearm. The male he has since been charged with:
Aggravated Assault
Driver with Prohibited Drug in Body
Possess / Use firearm whilst unlicensed
Unlawfully manufacture firearm
Possess or use prohibited firearm
Possess less than traffickable schedule 2 dangerous drug
Possess ammunition without a permit/license
Failure to meet storage requirements x2
Possess unregistered firearm
Unlawfully modify or repair firearm
He was remanded to appear in Tennant Creek Local Court on Monday 12 May 2025.
A man has been arrested following a pursuit through the south-western suburbs last night.
About 8.30pm on Friday 9 May, patrols were called to Bonython Avenue at Novar Gardens after reports there was a man in the rear yard of a unit who was unknown to the residents.
Police spotted the man behind the locked gate and told him to come out from the yard however he entered a vehicle and drove through the gate.
The white Holden Commodore took off and as he headed out the driveway he swerved towards police who had to move to avoid being hit.
The car then headed east towards Morphett Road and continued onto Mooringe Avenue and south on Marion Road where PolAir started tracking the car.
The car was tracked by PolAir travelling without head lights and at high speeds to Lindsay Avenue where it was dumped in a shopping centre car park and the driver attempted to run from the area.
Patrols located the driver a short distance away hiding behind skip bins and he was arrested.
Police searched the vehicle where they located methamphetamine and item suspected to have been stolen.
A 33-year-old man from Stockport was charged with acts to endanger life, dangerous driving to cause a police pursuit, driving at a speed dangerous, unlawfully on premises, driving disqualified and possessing a controlled drug. He was refused police bail and will appear in court on Monday 12 May.
A rough-toothed dolphin has been euthanised after beaching itself near the rockpool at the Strand in Townsville.
A member of the public advised the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) that the dolphin stranded around 2:45pm on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
The dolphin was in poor condition and following a health assessment by a veterinarian, a decision was made to euthanise the animal.
Project Manager Tina Alderson said marine animal strandings occurred along Queensland’s vast coastline, and DETSI had added a new function to the QWildlife app that allowed people to report strandings.
“Marine animals strand for several reasons including age, illness, disease, injuries from predators or boat strikes and entanglement in fishing equipment,” Ms Alderson said.
“Strandings such as these are sad and can impact on local communities. I encourage everyone who lives or visits Queensland’s coastal communities to download the QWildlife app.
“A necropsy will be conducted on the dolphin to help determine the reasons it stranded and the results could take several weeks.”
Fast facts – rough-toothed dolphins:
Usually found in deep warm and tropical waters around the world
They have a narrow beak and rough teeth with narrow, irregular ridges
Adults can grow to 2.8m in length and weigh up to 155kg, with males being larger than females
Older individuals have distinctive pinkish, white or yellow markings on their underside
Their diet consists mainly of fish
Their dorsal fin can be almost 30cm long
The QWildlife app can be downloaded by visiting the app store or Google Play.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) has charged a 28-year-old man with child abuse offences in Alice Springs.
On Wednesday 7 May 2025, NT JACET received an urgent referral from the Federal Bureau of Investigation through the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The following day, detectives and federal agents from NT JACET, with support from Alice Springs Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Taskforce, executed a lawful search on a residence resulting in the seizure of large quantities of child abuse material. Police will allege that the man also abused a child, aged under 5-years-old, who was known to him.
The 28-year-old male has been charged with the following:
Sexual intercourse with child under 10 x 1
Gross indecency with child under 14 x 2
Produce child abuse material for use via a carriage service x 3
Possess or control child abuse material
Access child abuse material
Transmit child abuse material
He has been remanded to appear in Alice Springs Court on 10 July 2025.
NT Police Force Detective Superintendent Paul Lawson said, “The crimes committed by this individual are abhorrent.
“Preying on the most vulnerable members of our community who cannot defend themselves.
“I want to commend the seamless collaboration with our international and federal partners to target this offender and bring him before the court.
“If you abuse a child or procure, access and transmit child abuse material, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect children from harm.”
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the AFP and its law enforcement partners across Australia were committed to protecting children from sexual predators.
“Offenders cannot hide behind a screen when they carry out these reprehensible and hideous acts,” Supt Davis said.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you possess, produce or transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”
Issued for BRAY near Robe in the Lower South East.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) advises that there is a bushfire in the Lake Hawdon South Conservation Park at Bray, approximately 20 kilometres south east of Robe in the Lower South East.
CFS and Department of Environment and Water crews are currently working to contain the fire within the park’s boundaries, these operations are being supported by private landowners who are utilising heavy machinery.
This fire will continue to burn throughout the night and will be monitored by crews on scene.
The fire poses no threat to the community at this time but smoke and flames may be visible from Clay Wells Road and the Southern Ports Highway well into the night.
Hazards in the area may include reduced visibility due to smoke and emergency vehicles operating in the area.