An 81-year-old Curtin woman has faced court today after she was charged in relation to a collision on Parkes Way in November last year.
About 1pm on Saturday, 16 November (2024), a grey Mazda 3 was travelling along the Glenloch Interchange slip road from Caswell Drive towards Parkes Way. A short time later the grey Mazda 3 collided head on with a maroon Haval station wagon.
The driver of the Haval, who was 32 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision, was transported to hospital.
Tragically, the collision resulted in the loss of the driver’s unborn baby.
Earlier this year, investigators from the Major Collision Team summonsed the driver of the Mazda 3 (an 81-year-old Curtin woman) to face a charge of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The woman is next scheduled to appear in court on 11 September 2025.
Mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug practitioners, and lived and living experience workers can apply for financial support to ease the cost of study and take the next step in their careers.
The scholarships provide up to $13,000 for allied health, AOD and LLEW study; $3,000 contributions to support postgraduate nursing; and full-fee coverage for Graduate Diplomas and Masters in Mental Health Nursing.
Rachel Griffiths was a registered nurse for 11 years before starting her transition to specialty practice as a mental health nurse in 2020.
In 2021, she was awarded a $3000 postgraduate mental health nurse scholarship. The scholarship gave her an incentive to study a Master of Mental Health Nursing, says Rachel.
“The Masters helped me to incorporate things that I wasn’t aware of before starting my Masters. I was able to implement the information that I learnt at my workplace at that time.
“My journey has been so fantastic, and I’ve been given so many opportunities.”
Rachel encourages people working in the mental health and AOD workforce to apply for the scholarships.
“You’ve got nothing to lose”
Administered by the Department of Government Services and TheCollective, these scholarships are designed to relieve financial pressure, open leadership pathways and increase the mental health and alcohol and other drugs workforce’s capability.
The program is key to delivering the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-2024. It builds a workforce that is skilled, diverse and supported to thrive and in turn, strengthens services and outcomes for people, families and carers across Victoria. In 2024-25, 496 scholarships were awarded to the mental health workforce.
The scholarships respond directly to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which called for urgent growth and support of the workforce. Since the Royal Commission, more than $600 million has been committed to workforce initiatives, leading to a 25% increase in workforce.
A 26-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with multiple driving offences after allegedly driving recklessly through Belconnen yesterday.
About 4:40pm (Thursday 24 July 2025), police observed a stolen Toyota Camry while conducting patrols in Dickson.
Police followed the vehicle from Lyneham to Belconnen before directing the driver to pull over.
The 26-year-old man then allegedly refused to stop, accelerating aggressively towards police and narrowly missing an officer.
The driver took off at speed, and was seen driving recklessly, including through red lights and on the wrong side of the road.
At about 5:55pm, the man lost control of the vehicle and crashed on Ginninderra Drive.
The man – who was subject to a good behaviour order and had a disqualified licence – was arrested by police at the scene.
He has been charged with three counts of reckless driving, driving motor vehicle without consent, two counts of failing to stop for police, three counts of running a red light, driving while disqualified, and other offences.
Police suspect the 26-year-old man was also involved in dangerous driving incidents on Tuesday 22 July 2025 and Thursday morning 24 July 2025 where he allegedly narrowly missed schoolchildren and other members of the public, and drove at an officer. Enquiries into these incidents remain ongoing and further charges are expected be laid.
Anyone who witnessed a champagne-coloured Toyota Camry being driven erratically in North Canberra or has dashcam footage of the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website. Please quote reference number 8113604.
An 18-year-old man will face the Children’s Court today following a police investigation in relation to a home invasion in Conder earlier this year.
Police also allege a neighbour who came to assist was struck with a baseball bat before the group fled the scene in stolen cars.
The man will face charges of riding in a motor vehicle without consent, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, possess offensive weapon with intent, damage property, take motor vehicle without consent and breaching two good behaviour orders.
This is the second person charged in relation to the home invasion, after a 24-year-old woman faced court in February this year for her involvement in the incident.
Investigations into this matter remain ongoing and further charges are expected to be laid.
Anyone who has information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7947413. Information can be provided anonymously
Two men will face court after separate choking and punching incidents in the City on Sunday morning.
The first incident involved a 38-year-old man from Ngunnawal who at about 4.10am on Sunday (20 July 2025) allegedly pushed another man after he was accidently bumped when moving around a nightclub. He then allegedly grabbed the other man by the throat, causing the other man to fall to the ground unconscious.
He will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 21 July 2025) charged with choke person and render insensible, and affray.
ACT Policing’s Territory Targeting Team officers also responded to an alleged coward punch incident.
About 1.50am officers attended a city nightclub after a man was allegedly punched in the head several times by a 20-year-old Victorian man.
The punches were allegedly thrown quickly and without notice and rendered the other man unconscious.
A 20-year-old Victorian man was arrested and will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with affray.
ACT Policing is reminding Canberrans that assaults such as these are incredibly dangerous and can cause significant injury or death. Police will not tolerate this type of offence in our community and will act on the incidents to the full extent of the law.
ACT Policing is aware of planned protest activity in the ACT that may occur from tomorrow (Saturday) through to Tuesday.
Commemorative activity is expected on Canberra Avenue outside the Russian Embassy on Saturday (19 July 2025).
On Sunday afternoon (20 July 2025) a rally will occur at Parliament House that will include a march to Yarralumla.
Further activity based at Parliament House is expected to occur on Tuesday (22 July 2025) to coincide with the commencement of the 48th Parliament.
There may also be protest activity at individual businesses or locations across the ACT from Sunday to Tuesday.
Minor traffic disruptions may occur on Sunday afternoon as the march moves from Parliament House to Yarralumla. Drivers are asked to consider their route if they do not want to be delayed when driving nearby.
ACT Policing supports the right of people to peacefully protest, however the disruption of business activity or other criminal activity will not be tolerated.
For non-urgent police assistance please call 131 444. In an emergency, please contact Triple Zero (000).
Traffic disruption updates will be provided when required via ACT Policing social media accounts.
Police have issued more than 1,000 fines totalling more than $500,000 since the expansion of ACT Policing’s online reporting last year.
Since May 2024, Canberrans have been able to provide dash-cam or mobile phone footage of driving offences to the online reporting portal.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, police received more than 1,800 reports and issued more than 1,100 traffic infringement notices. Almost 250 cautions were also issued to drivers.
The most common infringement was traffic light offences, followed by driving without due care and negligent driving, and then overtaking offences.
Detective acting Inspector Sean Evans said running red lights is a dangerous and selfish act that puts yourself, your passengers, and other road users at significant risk.
“The longest you’ll wait for a green light in Canberra is approximately a minute and a half. Slow down and be patient because saving a minute isn’t worth risking a collision,” Det. A/Insp. Evans said.
To complete the online form, you must be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the driving offence you witnessed when requested by ACT Policing.
You may also be required to provide a formal witness statement to police and attend court as a witness to confirm the information provided in your witness statement.
Police will support witnesses through the court process, noting that many matters are dealt with by police without proceeding to court.
Original publication:Wednesday, 16 July 2025 1:10pm
A 28-year-old Gowrie man will face court today after allegedly stealing from and tendering counterfeit currency at multiple City retail businesses this week.
About 9.20am on Monday (14 July 2025) the man entered a sunglass store where he allegedly stole a pair of Versace sunglasses, with staff allegedly observing the man to be in possession of a knife.
Police attended the store soon after the incident and later on Monday, viewed CCTV of the incident.
About 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, 15 July 2025) ACT Policing was contacted by security officers after the man was found to be attending retailers and allegedly paying for goods using counterfeit notes.
Soon after, he was observed entering a sports store where he allegedly stole multiple items of clothing.
Police attended and located the man allegedly trying to avoid apprehension by hiding down an alleyway.
Upon searching the man, police located a pair of Versace sunglasses, numerous counterfeit $100 notes and a duffel bag filled with multiple new clothing items.
The man – who was subject to bail conditions at the time of his arrest yesterday, will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 16 July 2025) charged with three counts of theft, possess counterfeit money and breach of bail.
Original publication:Wednesday, 16 July 2025 8:23am
A 59-year-old NSW man will face the ACT Magistrates court today after being charged with multiple child sexual assault offences that allegedly occurred in Calwell in the early 90’s.
In 2021, ACT Policing received a report regarding alleged assaults by a Calwell man against a child under 5-years-old that were alleged to have occurred in 1994.
Investigators believe that during the 1990s and early 2000s, the man participated in church groups at multiple locations across the ACT. During this time, he also held roles at a High Commission, as an after-school care worker and as a swimming instructor.
In December 2024, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse investigators travelled to the Blue Mountains (NSW) to speak with the alleged offender – a 59-year-old man.
He was later charged with seven counts of act of indecency (child under 10 years) and five counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 years.
He first appeared in court in April 2025 and is scheduled to next appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 16 July 2025).
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station or calling 131444.
If your report relates to this matter, please quote 6919708.
ACT Policing is seeking dash-cam footage following a shooting in Banks last week.
To assist with the investigation, police are seeking dash-cam footage from anyone driving on Tharwa Drive or in Banks between 11:30pm Tuesday 8 July and 12:30am Wednesday 9 July 2025.
Anyone who was driving in those areas during that time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 8099468. Information can be provided anonymously.