Category: MIL-OSI

In brief:

• There is a lot of work happening at public schools in Belconnen.
• This includes building a brand-new school, school upgrades and an oval refresh project.
• This story gives an overview of this work.

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There’s a lot happening at public schools in the Belconnen region.

From facilities upgrades to a brand-new school, we look at some of the work that’s:

• been recently completed
• currently taking place
• planned.

This work will ensure every child has access to great, accessible, sustainable facilities and infrastructure that support high-quality education in the ACT.

Progress on Strathnairn School

Construction is well underway on what will be the ACT’s 93^rd public school.

The new Strathnairn School will be co-located with an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.

It will cater for:

• 780 students from preschool to year 6
• 130 ECEC places.

The school’s foundation principal, Nicole Nicholson, and other executive staff have been announced.

When will the school open?

Strathnairn School will open in stages.

• It will open for students in preschool to year 2 at the start of 2026.
• It is expected students from all year levels will be able to attend in 2027.

This will offer families in the Ginninderry region high-quality public education close to home.

Who can enrol?

The planned School Priority Enrolment Area (PEA) for the new school includes:

• Strathnairn
• Macnamara
• Ginninderry Stage 3
• a portion of new development in Holt, west of the golf course bounded by Fullston Way and Lionel Rose Street.

Enrol your child at Strathnairn School

Find out more about the school on the Built for CBR website

^{The Strathnairn School site in May 2025}

Have your say on a refreshed Fraser oval

The dryland oval beside Fraser Primary school is getting a refresh. This will make it more useful for students as a learning and play space.

The community can use it too. Outside school hours, sporting groups and locals can head there for exercise, sports and recreation.

Canberrans are now invited to share ideas on how best to refresh this popular space. Children and young people are encouraged to get involved.

How to share your views

Visit the YourSay Conversations website to take a survey and/or mark your ideas on an online map.

You can do this until Wednesday, 13 August.

The ACT Government has sought early ideas from staff and students at Fraser Primary School. Traditional Owners have also shared feedback on what is important to them in this new space.

Your feedback will help shape a concept design for the refreshed oval. This will be shared through the YourSay platform.

You will then have further opportunity to give feedback before the designs are finalised.

Have your say now via the YourSay Conversations website.

^{Fraser oval will be refreshed for both student and community use.}

Hawker Primary School upgrades

Hawker Primary School students and staff are benefitting from recent upgrades.

The school has welcomed new accessible car parking bays. There is also now a ramp leading to its entrance.

The front office has had a makeover with:

• a new two-door entrance
• new furniture
• LED lighting
• upgrades to the sick bay and nearby toilet.

The school now has a new printer facility room. Upgrades to the boardroom and principal’s office are also complete.

This work has been completed as part of the ACT Government’s Asset Renewal Program.

^{The Hawker Primary School front office has had a makeover.}

Upgrades ahead for Melba Copland Secondary School

The 2025–26 ACT Budget includes support for the master planning, design and construction of priority upgrades at Melba Copland Secondary School.

These will include an upgrade to the foyer at the College campus, and a plan for future works.

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The research award was presented to Dr Chloe Begg (CFA) and her team which is made up of personnel from three Australian universities and representatives from emergency management organisations from across the nation. 

The project, funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia, is being led by CFA and the Victorian Department of Education and explores how predictive fire spread maps can assist the public in making decisions in emergency situations like bushfires.  

The project was born after the 2019/2020 bushfire season when NSW and the ACT released “Red Maps” to the public but due to the number and scale of fires, there was a need identified to show the current and potential impact of them.  

Dr Begg said fire spread predictions had already been used in Victoria, NSW, and the ACT but there is interest from other jurisdictions to use them in the future.  

“The project provides an opportunity to use research and collaboration between fire agencies to ensure that the future use of these products is well considered and evidence-based,” she said.  

Dr Chloe Begg said the team has conducted multiple studies with community members across Australia to understand what information Australian’s are looking for when using maps during an emergency.  

“Predictive fire spread maps are different to existing warnings, such as those on platforms like VicEmergency,” she said.  

“We are exploring how fire spread predictions can exist within the current warnings landscape to provide even more information on what is likely to happen to give people more time and context to make decisions about their safety.” 

The research is already being used to inform fire agency practice.  

“At the end of last year, Emergency Management Victoria asked us to provide guidance based on the research to support the creation of predictive fire spread maps,” Dr Begg said. 

“This guidance was used to support the creation of maps that were published ahead of severe weather conditions forecasted for Boxing Day. ”  

The next phase of community research focuses on testing a range of different designs to understand how best to present the maps with information that community members are looking for.  

The team will continue to work together to ensure the research findings are useful and usable for all Australian fire agencies. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2026. 

Rosemary Brown, 33, along with her daughter Melissa, were last seen leaving their Blair Athol home at about 2.30am on Saturday 13 May, 2000.

Today marks exactly 25 years since Rosemary’s body was discovered in the mangroves at Garden Island on 2 July 2000. Melissa’s remains have never been found.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.

“This is a particularly disturbing case. A mother was murdered and her body disposed of.  We believe Melissa was also murdered,” he said.

“It’s tragic for the family of Rosemary and Melissa to experience this long passage of time with no answers about what happened to their loved ones.

“I have no doubt that numerous people either know what happened to Rosemary and Melissa or have information that will assist the investigation into their suspected murder.

“We appeal to them to contact police and provide that information.”

South Australia Police (SAPOL) investigators have today released additional childhood photos of Melissa as part of a renewed public plea for information.

Recently visiting their last believed location – Stirling Street, Northfield – Melissa’s father Barry and half-sister Kayla reminisced on childhood memories regarding Melissa, while expressing their desire for closure.

Describing Melissa as her “best friend”, Kayla hoped to one day give her the farewell she deserves.

“We need to know where she is and what happened to her,” she pleaded.

“We want to see the person or people who have caused our pain brought to justice.”

Barry echoed Kayla’s appeal for answers 25 years on.

“My message to the people responsible, because I don’t believe it to be just one person: it’s better to come forward now with information,” he said.

“A parent shouldn’t outlive their child… and for a long time (Melissa’s disappearance) has messed me up.

“I’m hoping some fresh information will finally come to light to help police solve the case.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

Rewards up to $1,000,000 will be paid by the Government of South Australia, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, to anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Melissa Trussell (Brown) (and/or leading to the location and recovery of the victim’s remains).

Rewards up to $200,000 will be paid by the Government of South Australia, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, to anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Rosemary Brown.

Edited footage

Since 1 June volunteers from across the state have been busy rolling up their sleeves as part of Lifeblood’s Emergency Services Blood Drive, with each donation capable of saving up to three lives.  

The drive, which runs from June to August, sees CFA compete alongside other emergency services nationwide in a friendly challenge to donate blood and plasma for patients in need.  

So far, Ringwood has emerged as the most frequented donor location and O-positive the most donated blood type, making up 37 per cent of all CFA donations. 

The milestone comes at a crucial time, with O-negative and O-positive supplies currently at their lowest levels since 2023. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated members for their ongoing contribution to the cause.  

“CFA volunteers don’t just serve their communities during emergencies, they also show up in important ways like this,” Jason said.  

“Every blood or plasma donation can help save multiple lives, so we encourage our members continue to make a meaningful difference by donating to Lifeblood.” 

Among CFA’s most committed donors is Creswick Fire Brigade member Phil Greenbank, who recently made his 650th donation. 

“I started donating with my dad in 1984 after he took part in a blood drive with his local football umpiring group,” Phil said. 

“It became something we did together for years, and I’ve just kept going ever since.” 

Phil has donated whole blood, plasma and platelets, and has also been a bone marrow donor once helping save the life of a young man who went on to celebrate his 21st birthday after a successful transplant. 

“If I’m in a position to help someone, I see it as a privilege to do so,” he said. 

“It’s an easy way to make a difference and I’d absolutely encourage others to give it a go.” 

Phil also reminded CFA members to ensure they’re registered as part of the CFA team when donating so their contributions count toward the organisation’s tally. 

“We’ve been beaten by Victoria Police the last few years. We’re behind again now but there’s still two months to go,” Phil said. 

“Let’s see if we can reclaim top spot for CFA.” 

The Innovate RAP details the City’s commitment to continuously working towards improving relationships, opportunities and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

Mayor Linda Aitken said the RAP outlined the practical actions the City would take to advance reconciliation.

“I’m incredibly proud of how far the City has come since our reconciliation journey began 15 years ago with the development of our inaugural RAP 2012-2014,” she said.

“Over the next two years the City aims to maintain our current actions, while placing a greater emphasis on strengthening relationships, fostering cultural strength and healing, promoting Noongar language in the community and further increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business opportunities.

“I would like to sincerely thank the City’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Reference Group, Ni Kadadjiny Koort, and the internal RAP Working Group for their ongoing support, commitment and collaboration, which has helped bring this Plan to fruition.”

Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine, commended the City on its fourth Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

“The RAP program’s emphasis on relationships, respect and opportunities gives organisations a framework from which to foster connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples rooted in mutual collaboration and trust,” she said.

“This Innovate RAP is an opportunity for the City of Wanneroo to strengthen these relationships, gain crucial experience and nurture connections that will become the lifeblood of its future RAP commitments.”

The Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027 has been designed featuring artwork from local Aboriginal artists and is available to read at wanneroo.wa.gov.au/reconciliation.
 

Since 1 June volunteers from across the state have been busy rolling up their sleeves as part of Lifeblood’s Emergency Services Blood Drive, with each donation capable of saving up to three lives.  

The drive, which runs from June to August, sees CFA compete alongside other emergency services nationwide in a friendly challenge to donate blood and plasma for patients in need.  

So far, Ringwood has emerged as the most frequented donor location and O-positive the most donated blood type, making up 37 per cent of all CFA donations. 

The milestone comes at a crucial time, with O-negative and O-positive supplies currently at their lowest levels since 2023. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated members for their ongoing contribution to the cause.  

“CFA volunteers don’t just serve their communities during emergencies, they also show up in important ways like this,” Jason said.  

“Every blood or plasma donation can help save multiple lives, so we encourage our members continue to make a meaningful difference by donating to Lifeblood.” 

Among CFA’s most committed donors is Creswick Fire Brigade member Phil Greenbank, who recently made his 650th donation. 

“I started donating with my dad in 1984 after he took part in a blood drive with his local football umpiring group,” Phil said. 

“It became something we did together for years, and I’ve just kept going ever since.” 

Phil has donated whole blood, plasma and platelets, and has also been a bone marrow donor once helping save the life of a young man who went on to celebrate his 21st birthday after a successful transplant. 

“If I’m in a position to help someone, I see it as a privilege to do so,” he said. 

“It’s an easy way to make a difference and I’d absolutely encourage others to give it a go.” 

Phil also reminded CFA members to ensure they’re registered as part of the CFA team when donating, so their contributions count toward the organisation’s tally. 

“We’ve been beaten by Victoria Police the last few years, we’re behind again now but there’s still two months to go,” Phil said. 

“Let’s see if we can reclaim top spot for CFA”.