Category: MIL-OSI

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Helping Canberrans to take control of chronic illness

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

During the group sessions, participants are supported to find ways to reach their health goals and manage their chronic condition.

Nearly 50 per cent of the ACT population live with at least one chronic condition, while one in five live with two or more chronic conditions.

For these Canberrans, living their best life can seem like a challenge. Take Control – Live Well is a free program that’s supporting adults with chronic illness to make changes and live well.

“While everyone’s journey with their long-term condition is different, many people have trouble finding, accessing, or don’t know about, supports that are available in Canberra to help them live their best life with their condition,” Community Care Health Promotion Officer Chelsea Hillenaar said.

“The program helps Canberrans to feel more in control and be able to live the life that is important to you. You also get some tools to help manage the impacts your chronic condition has on wellbeing.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the Take Control – Live Well program:

What is it?

The Take Control – Live Well program is free three-week group program.

What does it involve?

There is one session per week over the three weeks. During these sessions, participants are supported to find ways to reach their health goals and manage their chronic condition.

Topics that are discussed in the group session include:

  • how to get the best out of your health appointment
  • looking after your mental and physical health
  • finding local support services
  • how to find reliable health information.

Participants also receive a book of resources. They will write their own plan to work towards living their best life.

After the three weeks, participants have the option of receiving SMS support for up to three months.

Who is it for?

The program is for adults in the ACT who live with at least one chronic condition.

What classifies as a chronic illness?

Chronic conditions are long-term conditions which are persistent and generally do not go away over time.

They can come on suddenly or gradually, and many get worse over time.

Some examples include:

  • arthritis
  • asthma
  • back pain
  • cancer
  • kidney disease
  • mental health conditions
  • diabetes
  • heart disease.

The Take Control – Live Well program is open to anyone experiencing a health condition that has lasted for three months or longer.

Where is the program running?

  • Tuggeranong Community Health Centre starting Wednesday 7 August at 1pm.
  • Online starting 10 September at 4:30pm.
  • Belconnen Community Health Centre starting Thursday 10 October at 1pm.

How can I participate?

You can refer yourself to the Take Control – Live Well program.

To register, call Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.

Find out more about the program.

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Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo for dogs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Mawson Oval is a favourite with locals.

Looking for somewhere new to exercise your dog? We’ve pulled together some of the best spots around the Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo region. There are plenty of on and off-leash spaces calling your name.

Checking out a new area has great benefits for both you and your dog. The fresh autumn air and new things to see and sniff is sure to result in a happy, tired pooch and is great for their mental stimulation.

Dog park

Duffy Dog Park – Warragamba Avenue, Duffy

This fenced dog park opened in 2022 for registered and vaccinated dogs. Remember your dog must also be desexed to enter a dog park (unless you have a permit).

You’ll find separate areas for large and small dogs, with doggie drinking water provided.

Your dog will delight in zooming around this park, which offers dirt, grass and woodchip areas to play in.

Benches, a shade sail and shady trees allow you to relax while your dog burns off energy with their pals.

Off-leash areas

There are almost 20 areas where dogs can be off-leash in the Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo region.

Here are a few good options.

Uriarra Crossing, Uriarra Road – Murrumbidgee River

This classic swimming spot is well worth the drive.

The river is split by an expansive park on the east bank. There is also a smaller, more secluded spot on the west bank.

All the beaches here are off-leash, giving your dog plenty of options to swim and socialise. But remember, not all dogs are social, so be sure to ask their owner if they can play and before patting them.

To keep your two and four-legged companions safe, ensure you always have effective control of your dog. You must be able to prevent your dog from approaching other animals or people by either restraining the dog or using commands.

To learn more about gorgeous local spots to take your dog, and about your responsibilities while using these spaces, visit cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/domestic-animals/dogs/recreation-with-my-dog.

Holder Wetlands

Located between Dixon Drive and Cotter Road, the wetlands is a great spot for both exercise and nature watching.

The popular Centenary Trail runs through this area. There is a walking track, however, be sure to move at least 10 metres from the path if you’d like your dog to go off-leash.

Mawson Neighbourhood Oval

This partially fenced oval is a favourite with locals.

Well-socialised dogs can run, play, chase balls and generally have a blast in this grassy area.

Your dog is free to roam and play on the oval while it’s not in use, However, if it’s booked for formal sport (including training sessions), you’ll need to come back another time.

Check when the sportsground is booked for use.

You’ll need to keep your dog on-leash on all footpaths, regardless of whether you’re in an off-leash area or not.

On-leash areas

Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve

Get your nature fix on this 4.5km circuit track, as you and your dog walk or run beneath the shady pines and eucalypts.

Be sure to remain on the track as you take in views of Isaacs and neighbouring O’Malley.

It’s also worth noting you may encounter horses on the track.

Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve

With beautiful views in all directions, this protected area is popular with hikers, cyclists and dog-walkers alike.

Lace up your walking shoes, snap on your dog’s leash and set out for an on-leash sniffari.

You’ll find a combination of fire trails and single tracks, surrounded by bushland.

Other on-leash areas include all streets, verges, footpaths and cycle paths. You’ll also need to keep your dog on their leash if you’re within 10 metres either side of the path.

No matter where in the region your adventures take you, you need to pick up after your dog. Failing to pick up your dog droppings is an offence that carries a fine of $150. Failing to carry the correct equipment to collect your dog droppings carries a $75 fine.

Learn more about local spots to take your dog or view on-leash, off-leash, conditional off-leash and dog prohibited areas on ACTmapi’s dog exercise area map.

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More EV chargers on the way

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Recently installed chargers are making electric vehicle charging more accessible.

A new round of ACT Government grants will fund the delivery of 39 more electric vehicle chargers (EV) across the city by 2025.

Installing more public chargers will support the ACT’s efforts to electrify Canberra’s transport system. It will help reach the ACT Government’s goal of 180 public EV chargers by 2025.

Providing more DC fast chargers will plug gaps in Canberra’s existing charger network. Having a good mix of DC fast chargers and slower AC chargers means that people can charge in a way that suits their needs. This includes charging quickly when needed or using an AC charger for longer visits like work, school, or sport.

The 39 chargers will be installed in places where Canberrans and visitors need them most, including:

  • near tourist hot spots
  • shopping centres
  • high-density residential areas.

New chargers for ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin

Three new DC fast chargers have been installed at ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin respectively to help make charging more accessible.

Each set of three chargers are 150kW and can charge six vehicles at once. They are close to nearby apartments and employment hubs.

People who live in apartments and townhouses have extra barriers to installing home chargers. This is why the ACT Government is prioritising putting public chargers in areas of high-density housing.

The government will also work with grant recipients to deliver charging bays in priority locations that will be accessible to EV drivers with mobility issues.

“It’s important to place EV charging infrastructure in convenient locations where people want to go, be it a university, shopping centre, tourism destination or somewhere they visit as part of their daily routine,” Greg Schumann, ENGIE ANZ Director of Green Mobility said.

A growing network of chargers

The successful providers for the first projects to be supported by this new funding are ActewAGL, BP, ENGIE and EVIE.

“We’re committed to keeping Australian EV drivers charged up, by rolling out a national network of bp pulse charge points,” Frédéric Baudry, President bp Australia and Senior Vice President Mobility, Convenience, & Midstream, Asia Pacific said.

“We know that the ACT is home to more EV drivers than anywhere else in Australia, and with the support of the ACT Government, we’ll be bringing the best of our charging and convenience offers to these drivers on the go when they visit bp.”

There are currently 156 public EV charging stations operating across the ACT. 39 public EV chargers with 65 charging bays* have been delivered through previous government funding. A further 21 chargers are still to be delivered under the previous grant round by the end of 2024.

Find more information on the Public EV Charging Infrastructure Fund visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

A map of public charging stations in the ACT, and across Australia, is available at www.plugshare.com.

* This figure is an indication of the number of future chargers as of May 2024. The number and location of future chargers supported by government funding is subject to change.

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Call for information – Stolen motor vehicle – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a vehicle that was stolen in Alice Springs overnight.

Around 10:35pm, police were notified that a grey Nissan X-Trail had been stolen from the Alice Springs Hospital. An unknown offender allegedly entered the X-Trail while it was parked at the hospital and drove away, picking up two additional unknown offenders nearby before leaving the area.

It was subsequently sighted driving on Larapinta Drive and later south of The Gap.

Members from Strike Force Viper, the Tactical Response Group (TRG), the Dog Operations Unit (DOU) and general duties officers responded. Police successfully deployed tyre deflation devices on the stolen motor vehicle as it travelled north on Telegraph Terrace.

The vehicle continued north along the Stuart Highway and remains outstanding.

The unknown offenders also remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25092499. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Call for information – Crime series – Lajamanu

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a crime series that occurred in Lajamanu overnight.

Around 9:10pm yesterday evening, police received reports of multiple armed youths throwing rocks and hitting buildings with bars at a worker’s camp in Lajamanu.

Across the next few hours, the youths returned multiple times, allegedly unlawfully entering compound buildings and causing damage, each time fleeing prior to police arrival.

Around 5am this morning, police were notified that several male youths had entered the yard of the clinic and stolen an ambulance, which they used to ram through the compound gates and flee the area. The clinic had also allegedly been burgled prior to the ambulance being stolen.

It is alleged there were several youths in the ambulance when it left Lajamanu, and additional youths were subsequently picked up as it travelled through Kalkarindji.

The stolen ambulance travelled across the Western Australian border, where it allegedly rammed two WA Police vehicles in Halls Creek. Fortunately, no WA Police member was injured, but the police vehicles did sustain damage.

The ambulance was subsequently located abandoned in Halls Creek, and five youths are currently in WA Police custody.

Investigations remain ongoing and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or attend your local police station. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Arrests – Stolen motor vehicles – Darwin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has made multiple arrests in relation to multiple vehicles stolen overnight across the Top End.

On Thursday 3 April, police received reports that a white Toyota Hilux had been stolen from Farrar. On Friday 4 April, police intel identified the Hilux had travelled to the Daly region and was returning to Darwin.

Around 12:25am this morning, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports of a black 4WD driving dangerously in Parap with up to six youths inside.

Around 2:25am a yellow Toyota Stout utility vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in Jingili. It was recovered by police later in the evening after it was found abandoned in Palmerston.

About an hour later, police received reports of suspicious vehicles driving in both the Roseberry and Woodroffe areas. Two vehicles were subsequently found abandoned and confirmed as stolen earlier in the evening from residences in Roseberry and Driver.

Around 4:20am, the white Toyota Hilux was sighted by police on Batchelor Road travelling with the black 4WD and a silver Toyota.

Police initiated a pursuit after the vehicles failed to stop, during which offenders allegedly threw items from the stolen vehicles at police. One police vehicle sustained a broken windscreen, and a police officer inside at the time later required medical treatment to remove glass from their eye.

The pursuit continued onto Coach Road heading towards Adelaide River, where the silver Toyota was abandoned. It was later confirmed as stolen earlier from Bakewell.

The white Toyota Hilux was also abandoned in Adelaide River, and two adults and one youth were arrested.

Police continued pursuing the black 4WD until it ran out of fuel in Daly River. Six youths aged 12, 13, 14, 14, 15 and 15, and one adult were taken into custody by Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit members, with Patrol Dog Cheeko being crucial in the apprehensions.

An additional stolen motor vehicle was also located, believed to be related to an aggravated robbery that occurred in early March. A 13-year-old female and an adult male were taken into custody in relation to this incident.

At this stage, all known stolen motor vehicles have been recovered by police. Investigations remain ongoing and charges are expected to follow.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Burns said, “This was an incredibly frustrating night for police.

“The actions of the offenders involved in this crime series were disgraceful, and it is nothing other than pure luck that no one was seriously hurt, or worse.

“I commend the excellent work by all police involved in bringing the offenders into custody, ensuring no further harm to the community could occur.”

Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Arrest – Aggravated robbery – Darwin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 23-year-old female in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Darwin overnight.

At 9:40pm, a 57-year-old female reported she had been assaulted and had her bag stolen by a female offender in Casuarina.  

The offender and the victim had both been travelling on a public bus which stopped at the Casuarina Bus Exchange. The offender allegedly followed the victim off the bus and along Bradshaw Terrace, where she began throwing rocks and bottles at the victim, before stealing her bag.

The victim called police during the assault and sought refuge inside a nearby restaurant on the corner of Bradshaw Terrace and Trower Road.  

Strike Force Trident and general duties members responded, and the 23-year-old female offender was located and arrested nearby at 9:56pm.

Some of the victim’s personal items remain outstanding and Strike Force Trident have carriage of the investigation.  

Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25093589. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Arrests – Burglary – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested six male youths in relation to a burglary and property damage incident that occurred in Alice Springs today.

Around 9:45am, police received a report that an office building on Todd Street had been unlawfully entered. An employee had attended the building, which houses multiple businesses and organisations, and witnessed up to six male youths inside. The group subsequently fled out the rear of the property.

Upon police arrival it was confirmed all offices and rooms within the building had been ransacked and extensive damaged had allegedly been caused by the offenders.

A coordinated police response involving CCTV operators and Strike Force Viper identified the alleged offenders. Multiple foot chases throughout the Alice Springs CBD and into the Todd River involving Territory Safety Division (TSD) members, general duties officers, and Strike Force Viper members resulted in the arrest of six male youths.

The offenders, aged 10, 12, 13, 13, 13 and 14, remain in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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What it’s really like to volunteer in Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Dr Stephen Utick is a volunteer with Rotary through Urban Parks and Places.

Volunteers make a significant, meaningful and positive impact on Canberra and the people who live here. National Volunteer Week in the ACT runs from 20-26 May. It’s a time to acknowledge and celebrate volunteers in your community.

Whether you like working with community members, plants or animals, there really is something for every interest and passion.

Chris, volunteer in the Emergency Department at Canberra Hospital

Before coming to Canberra, Chris had volunteered at hospitals in Adelaide and Sydney. He worked in the North Canberra Hospital before he started his current volunteer position at The Canberra Hospital.

“It’s amazing to be there and it’s inspiring being around the doctors and nurses who are just outstanding with their compassion, empathy and kindness,’ Chris said.

“Just last weekend an elderly gentleman and his wife came into the ED, he wasn’t great. I had a chat with them both and just seeing how she held his hand and after finding out they had been married for 65 years, you could see how fantastic they were together. I got to see that as a volunteer and it doesn’t get much better than that,” Chris said.

Peter, ParkCare volunteer at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Accessibility upgrades at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve mean that Peter can continue to volunteer and enjoy sharing the parks beautiful bushland with visitors.

“Since I’ve got the scooter, I can now do a whole day’s shift and the upgrades have certainly helped make me feel much more comfortable riding around and talking to people.”

Peter, volunteer at Taylor Bike Library

Meanwhile at the Taylor Bike Library, volunteers have found a way for them to combine their love of sustainability, active travel and community.

Peter is a retiree who came across the Taylor Bike Library when he recently moved to Canberra.

“The library is a non-profit organisation that provides bikes to families and communities who may not have access to them,” he said.

Peter describes his time at the library as “an incredibly rewarding experience.”

“I have learned new skills, met new people, and contributed to a worthy cause. The library provides an excellent opportunity for people like me to stay active and engaged with others in the community.”

Dr Stephen Utick, volunteer with Rotary through Urban Parks and Places.

There are over 80 volunteer groups registered with Urban Parks and Places, and activities range from litter collection to habitat enhancement, conservation, training workshops and more.

One such group is the Weston Park Nursery Heritage Project led by Dr Stephen Utick. This team of volunteers work to remove invasive plants and revegetate the gardens.

Dr Utick, who is currently a visiting curator at the Sydney Botanic Gardens, was led to volunteering through his professional network.

“I was initially invited to join Rotary about five years ago by a member who had a background in the navy, after I gave a talk in my (then) capacity as Convenor of Canberra Friends of Dili at the Department of Defence,” he said.

“First, I had been invited by ACT Urban Parks and Places to identify the camelia collection at this site after I joined Rotary. I was pleased to then showcase a tour of the site to interested members of my Club.”

There are many different ways to volunteer. Some people like formal roles coordinated through an organisation. Others prefer informal roles where they just help someone in our community. Some people volunteer regularly while others commit to one off activities like volunteering to support a big event.

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Climate Choices Business Award winners announced

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Businesses from across the Canberra region have been recognised for their sustainability achievements.

Today, businesses from across the Canberra region were recognised for their sustainability achievements at the annual Climate Choices Business Awards.

The awards recognise some of Canberra’s most innovative businesses as the city works towards net-zero emissions.

The awards received high-quality nominations from a diverse range of organisations.

This demonstrates a strong commitment to climate action and emissions reduction from the Canberra business community.

Sustainable choices can sometimes come with an upfront cost, such as those associated with appliance upgrades or installation of EV chargers. The success of businesses such as the award recipients shows that such investments will pay off – for businesses and the community.

Many of the award-winning businesses benefitted from financial assistance and expert advice from the ACT Government’s Sustainable Business Program.

Through the program, businesses can receive support to improve sustainability and demonstrate climate leadership in their operations.

2024 Climate Choices Business Award winners

Category Business/event
Zero Emissions Early Movers Goodwin Aged Care Services
Energy Star Canberra Services Club
Waste Minimisation Les Bistronomes
Sustainable Event National Folk Festival
Sustainable Small Business of the Year Embassy of Belgium
Corporate Climate Leader Waves Carwash
Innovation Excellence GREN
Minister’s Award for Leadership Steven Blakemore
The Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club (Dickson Tradies)

Find out more about the Sustainable Business Program.

For more information visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

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