Category: MIL-OSI

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Embracing the ASbA option

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Young Canberran Poppy Chalmers is now working as a training and business administration officer.

A desire to work in health care has seen Poppy Chalmers embrace success via an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA).

Poppy’s story is like many who choose a Vocational Education and Training pathway.

She knew she didn’t want the university pathway but felt unsure which direction to take.

In 2022, she started an Australian School-based Apprenticeship program with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA).

The next year, she was named ACT Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 ACT Training Awards.

She then went on to be a finalist at the 2023 Australian Training Awards.

These awards recognise students’ commitment to formal studies at school and in the workplace.

A VET pathway

Poppy had previously taken on leadership roles at school. She was selected as a Year 6 leader in 2017 and as a Year 10 Indigenous Leader in 2021.

“I am a natural leader and see myself in a leadership position. I have a lot of ideas. I’m not sure where I want to end up, but I know I have what it takes to get there,” Poppy said.

She completed a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance under a new program in the ACT called the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy.

“I didn’t particularly like school, it wasn’t something that I enjoyed. One of my friends got an ASbA in childcare and I thought that was cool, so I did a placement where she worked, and they offered me an ASbA,” Poppy said.

Moving into health care

“Though my school supported me to do the ASbA in childcare, I had always been interested in working in the health industry so when an Auntie from the Community reached out with an opportunity to do an ASbA in Allied Health through an Aboriginal company, I applied and was successful.

“I wanted to be a nurse, my Auntie was a nurse, I had spent a lot of time in hospitals because my sister has cystic fibrosis. I even went to school at the hospital. I saw the positive impact that nurses, doctors, and the hospital had on us all,” Poppy said.

Through the ASbA, Poppy got to experience what nursing and working in a hospital is all about and what is out there in terms of a future job in Allied Health. She is now employed as a training and business administration officer for Indigenous Allied Health Australia.

Poppy says applying for the ASbA was seamless, with support available if she needed it.

“The ASbA process showed me that there are so many other pathways to get to where I want to go. Doing this I saw that I can work in health without having to go to uni. I finished the Certificate III and was offered a job at the hospital as a social work assistant straight away,” she said.

The path ahead

Poppy graduated from college in 2023. She says the ASbA has given her self-confidence and redefined her idea of success.

“The ASbA has given me a lot of direction, opportunity and such a great community. When I was younger, I wanted to be a nurse but now I’m not sure because I have so many opportunities. I’ve been told I can do anything I want. You work with what you have and take every opportunity you get,” she said.

“I’m not ready for uni yet. I want to do a Cert IV in Business.

“Success is not where you get to, it is how you got there, the path you took, what you learned and did. Success for me is to experience everything I get to do. I would have a goal, but I would focus on the journey,” Poppy said.

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New operating theatres for Canberra Hospital

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The new theatres are equipped with a range of advanced features aimed at revolutionising surgical practices in the ACT.

The ACT Government has unveiled the 22 new operating theatres in Canberra Hospital’s Critical Services Building.

The new building is on track to open later this year.

As well as the new theatres, the Critical Services Building will include a bigger emergency department, expanded intensive care unit and new inpatient wards.

The theatres are equipped with a range of advanced features aimed at revolutionising surgical practices in the ACT.

These include:

  • an Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI) Suite, providing surgeons with real-time images of the brain during procedures
  • three hybrid theatres equipped with cutting-edge angiography and CT angiography systems to support a variety of vascular surgeries and guided procedures
  • two Interventional Radiography Suites, relocated from Building 12 to the Critical Services Building, offering a comprehensive range of diagnostic and interventional services
  • 16 digital operating theatres.

Access to the latest technology will improve image quality and resolution in the hospital’s operating theatres.

This will lead to more precise diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.

The new hospital building will significantly improve patient flow and experience, according to Dr Lance Lasersohn, Clinical Director of Anaesthetics for Canberra Health Services.

“I’m excited about the technology’s co-location with angiography and the new technologies that will be available in the new building, which will make work more exciting for the workforce and enable the hospital to accommodate more patients.”

The theatres are located on level 3 of the Critical Services Building, within the Perioperative Unit, which also features:

  • two spacious waiting areas
  • a Day Surgery Unit with 40 beds for admissions and post-operative care
  • a recovery area
  • a discharge lounge.

Staffing within the Perioperative Unit will be expanded to manage the operation of the new theatres and improve patient flow.

Recruitment efforts are currently underway, with Canberra Health Services implementing a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at targeting and attracting healthcare workers to the ACT.

The operating theatres are connected to the Sterilising Services Unit via dedicated lifts. This improves efficiency by facilitating the swift transfer of instruments between clean and dirty areas.

A Patient Transfer Link bridge has also been added to the Critical Services Building. This provides a private clinical connection between the new and existing hospital buildings. It enhances hospital efficiency and patient privacy by separating clinical pathways from public areas.

One of the new operating theatres

Recovery bays

Recovery bays

Children’s waiting area in the Perioperative Unit

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Meet the 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Hannah Andrevski, Roundabout Canberra founder and CEO and 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year.

Roundabout Canberra founder and CEO Hannah Andrevski has been named the 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year in recognition of her commitment to supporting families in need.

Hannah founded Roundabout Canberra in 2018 after trying to find a service where she could donate pre-loved belongings her children no longer needed.

The Holt-based charity provides safe, essential baby and children’s items to families across the ACT and its surrounds. This year alone, Roundabout Canberra has helped hundreds of children and gifted thousands of items – with each family’s dignity always upheld.

Items donated to Roundabout are cleaned, sorted and safety checked. From there, the charity works with more than 500 social workers and support workers from more than 100 organisations in Canberra and the surrounding regions to distribute the items to families in need.

Locations that items are delivered to include:

  • public hospitals
  • women’s and domestic violence refuges
  • migrant and refugee support services and more.

The name of the charity is more than just a nod to Canberra’s love of roundabouts. Roundabout reflects a mission to reduce waste and a commitment to a circular economy, where items are passed from one child to another.

Hannah was a 2019 Westfield Local Hero and a nominee for the 2020 ACT Local Hero award. She also won the Galent Management Consulting Profound Influence Award at the 2019 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region.

“It’s hard to express how much this award means to me,” Hannah said.

“I’m a very proud and passionate Canberran, having grown up here, and now raising my own family here. I care deeply about our community and want to play a role in making it a better place for all of us to live.

“It’s a privilege to get to do what I do – to provide much needed support to families in our community in a way that upholds their dignity.”

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UPDATE: Arrests – Aggravated burglary – Palmerston

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two male youths relation to an aggravated burglary in Palmerston this morning.

Earlier today, police received intelligence that the alleged offenders were at an address in Moulden.

Serious Crime, Strike Force Trident and the Fugitive Task Force attended the location and arrested two males aged 13 and 14.

Both offenders remain in police custody with charges expected to follow.

The stolen motor vehicle has since been located abandoned in Woodroffe.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Alicia Harvey said, “The actions of these individuals are despicable.

“I would like to commend the swift actions of all those involved in these arrests.

“We will continue to ensure those who engage in criminal behaviour are held accountable and are brought before the courts.”

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Arrest – Aggravated assaults – Casuarina

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two men after multiple aggravated assaults in Casuarina yesterday.

Around 2:45pm, police received reports that two men, aged 45 and 33, had each produced edged weapons during an altercation at the bus exchange.

It is alleged the pair ran into a nearby alley, chased by serval unknown persons.

During this time, it is alleged the 45-year-old stabbed a 27-year-old man in the upper chest before the 33-year-old man stabbed a 14-year-old female in the side of her chest.

Transit Security Officers apprehended the 33-year-old man while Police Officers arrested the 45-year-old man a short time later.

Both men remain in custody and are expected to be charged at a later time.

Both the 27 and 14-year-old victims were conveyed to hospital in stable conditions.

A crime scene was established and detectives from Serious Crime are investigating the assaults.

Police are seeking assistance from members of the public who witnessed the alleged assaults. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to notify police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 25088671.

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Call for information – Aggravated burglary – Palmerston

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an aggravated burglary occurred in Palmerston this morning.

Around 7am, police received reports of an unlawful entry at an address on Star Court, Woodroffe.

A neighbour at a nearby residence was alerted by the sound of items smashing and later attended the home, where they located a 71-year-old male on the ground injured.

It is alleged that two offenders assaulted the victim with an edged weapon, before stealing his grey Ford Territory station wagon.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious but stable condition where he remains for treatment.

A crime scene has been established, and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25089324. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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RIDLEY ROAD, CAMBRAI (Vehicle Accident)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Advice – Reduced Threat

We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

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VANDEPEER ROAD, KEILIRA (Scrub and Grass Fire)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Advice – Reduced Threat

We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

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STOKES BAY ROAD, DUNCAN (Burn Off)

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Advice – Reduced Threat

We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

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Measles alert for Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

Source: Australian Green Party

NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in eastern Sydney.
The source of the infection is unclear and is being further investigated. 
People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
Sunday 30 March

The Bagel Co, 475 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay, from 7:30am to 8:15am
Easts Basketball League at Waverley College, from 9:10am to 10:30am
Easts Basketball League at Rose Bay Secondary College, from 2pm to 3:40pm.

​Tuesday 1 April

TerryWhite Chemmart Gaslight Rose Bay, 484 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay, from 5pm to 5:30pm.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Physician, Dr Anthea Katelaris, said if you visited the above locations at those times you should monitor for symptoms.
“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Katelaris said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes, and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 19 April 2025.
“It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious. 
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.
“In addition, people at these locations who are immunosuppressed, pregnant, or anyone, including babies, who has not received a measles vaccine may benefit from preventative treatment. People in these groups should speak to their GP urgently or contact their local public health unit on 1300 066 055.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet.
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect ​​​on 1800 022 222.
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