Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Draft designs for the new playground in Watson have been shaped by early community feedback.
Canberrans are invited to provide feedback on the draft design for a new playground in the inner north.
The new playground will be built in the area next to Canberra Technology Park, which was selected for its open green space, distance to the Phillip Avenue light rail stop, future Garden City Cycle Route and the Watson shops.
It will also complement the local neighbourhood park being constructed along Aspinall Street as part of the Section 76 development.
The draft design has been shaped by earlier community feedback with a range of features including:
playground equipment including swinging, climbing, agility and group play elements
open grass area
two multi-use courts – one full size and one half-size for a range of activities such as tennis, basketball, handball, and hopscotch
amenities including shelter, power, accessible seating, barbecue, drinking fountains and bins
accessible toilets with baby change facilities
concrete paths, on-street parking spaces, bike parking and two accessible parking spaces.
The design also includes elements to reflect the playground’s inner north surroundings taking inspiration from Mount Majura Nature Reserve and its native Glossy Black-Cockatoo, which have influenced the colours of the playground.
Approximately 90 new trees will be planted as part of the build and existing trees around the perimeter of the playground will also be kept.
Feedback can be provided via the YourSay Conversations website and is open until 25 October 2023: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au
Construction on the new playground is expected to begin next year.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
ACT Apprentice of the Year Tessa Valter
The winners of the ACT Training Awards, recognising Canberra’s vocational education and training (VET) sector, were announced on Thursday 14 September.
The event celebrates outstanding apprentices, trainees, VET students, teachers, employers and training providers and showcases excellence across the ACT’s VET sector.
Tessa Valter was named ACT Apprentice of the Year and was just one finalist whose hard work and dedication were acknowledged on the night.
Tessa completed a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrical with Global Energy Training Solutions and is a mentor to newer apprentices within the business.
She also actively encourages other females to apply for apprenticeships.
Tessa and her fellow ACT winners will progress to represent the territory at the Australian Training Awards at the end of the year.
2023 ACT Training Award winners – Individual winners
ACT Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year – Poppy Chalmers
ACT Apprentice of the Year – Tessa Valter
ACT Trainee of the Year – Cyrus Wren
ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Emma Brown
ACT Vocational Student of the Year – Marija Rathouski
ACT VET Teacher of the Year – Peter Redfern-Elliot
Norm Fisher Award – Edward Nathan
2023 ACT Training Award winners – Organisation winners
ACT Industry Collaboration Award – The Spark, Australian Training Company, and Lendlease Women in Construction JobTrainer Program
ACT Small Employer of the Year – Pups4Fun
ACT Large Employer of the Year – Communities at Work
ACT Small Training Provider of the Year – McMillan Staff Development
ACT Large Training Provider of the Year – Canberra Institute of Technology
Canberra’s VET sector continues to offer high-quality training providers and a diverse range of courses to meet the needs of both students and employers.
Opportunities for students’ continued learning and development go a long way in helping to address workforce skills gaps in the region.
Source: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an alleged sexual assault that took place at a fast-food restaurant this morning.
About 6:30am, police received reports of a sexual assault on a 19-year-old female in the bathroom of a fast-food restaurant on the corner of Parsons Street and Railway Terrace. The female alerted staff who then called police.
Investigations are ongoing to locate the alleged offender and determine the circumstances of the incident.
Police are calling for any witnesses within the area at the time who may have information that can assist police in their enquiries to make contact on 131 444.
Source: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities
The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a 26-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident in Alice Springs yesterday.
Around 4:40pm, police received reports that a 24-year-old female had been strangled and punched multiple times to the face in a vehicle at a set of traffic lights on the corner of Stott Terrace and the Stuart Highway by a male known to the victim.
It is alleged that the incident occurred around 8am and afterwards, the male took her to his residence where he stole the female’s phone so that she could not seek assistance. Hours later, she located her phone and reported the incident to police.
General duties members attended and witnessed the man fleeing from the residence. A cordon was set up and he was arrested after a short foot pursuit. The female was transported to Alice Springs Hospital in a stable condition to be treated for facial injuries.
The male has since been charged with:
Unlawfully Cause Serious Harm
Choking, Strangling or Suffocating
Theft
Breach Bail
He is remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Source: New South Wales Department of Education and Communities
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 21-year-old female in relation to a stabbing incident in Katherine last night.
About 7:45pm, police received multiple reports that a 41-year-old male, who is known to the alleged offender, had multiple stab wounds to his shoulder.
The male was transported to Katherine Regional Hospital by St John Ambulance in a stable but serious condition. He was later transported to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment to his injuries.
Investigations are ongoing and the crime command have carriage.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Submit your best weather photos to the Bureau of Meteorology’s 2026 Australian Weather Calendar competition for the chance to be featured in the next edition.
The 2025 edition of the calendar featured an atmospheric foggy sunrise over Mornington, Western Australia, a glowing aurora australis from Squeaking Point, Tasmania and a stunning storm and rainbow combination in Nightcliff, Northern Territory.
Each year, 13 photos sent in by photographers from all corners of the country are selected by a panel of Bureau judges to feature on the calendar’s cover and each month.
The calendar includes a meteorological description explaining the science behind each of the phenomena, written by the Bureau’s meteorologists, beside each photo.
Senior Meteorologist Andrea Peace, one of the judges of the competition, encourages people from all corners of the country to send in their spectacular weather photos.
“The Bureau invites anyone who has taken a great weather photo anywhere in Australia to submit it for the next edition of the Australian Weather Calendar,” she said.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my position at the Bureau is being involved in judging the competition and seeing all the incredible photos submitted, featuring the diverse array of weather the Bureau forecasts in Australia.”
Competition entries close for judging at 5:00pm (AEDT) on 31 March 2025.
To be eligible for the calendar, photos must be original and with only minor adjustments accepted, which must be listed with the entry.
Images cannot be digitally enhanced, altered or manipulated (including via the use of filters and digital software).
The Bureau’s Australian Weather Calendar is released annually, with photo entries remaining open perpetually for future editions.
The Hon Jim Chalmers MP Treasurer Member for Rankin
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Member for Kingston
The Hon Steve Whan MP Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Member for Monaro
The Albanese and Minns Governments are partnering to connect disadvantaged young people with education, training and employment in NSW.
Both governments are investing $5 million each into the Get Back in the Game Program – helping local organisations deliver specialist support to young people aged 15 to 21.
The funding, through the $100 million Commonwealth Outcomes Fund, will support around 1,400 young people a year who may not have reached their full potential.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Get Back on Track would help to tackle intergenerational disadvantage in communities across NSW.
“This is all about helping more young people get great training, get a great job and get ahead,” the Treasurer said.
“No matter who you are or where you live, you deserve a decent education and a decent opportunity to earn a good living and provide for your loved ones.
“We’re backing local organisations to give local kids the opportunities they need and deserve.
“Programs like this one will help us tackle intergenerational disadvantage in communities right around Australia where a national approach on its own will never be enough.”
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said investing in local partnerships ensures Government funding is tailored to the needs of young people and their communities.
“The Outcomes Fund will give community organisations under the Get Back in the Game Program the flexibility to design and deliver services for young people that recognises where they are at and will get the best results they need,” Minister Rishworth said.
“I am excited to be partnering with the NSW Government on the program so community organisations can get on with their important work with young people across NSW.”
Minister Whan said empowering our youth is crucial for building a stronger future for NSW.
“I’ve met some of the young people who have benefited from this program – it quite literally has changed their lives. From being disengaged from school to building a career. It is producing results for young people,” Minister Whan said.
“By investing in skills training and education opportunities, we are ensuring that no young person is left behind. This program will provide essential pathways for those who need it the most. Thank you to the Albanese Government for investing in this important program.”
Participants must be aged 15-21 and not be a current participant in any Commonwealth or NSW program or service supporting youth transitions to work or study.
The Get Back in the Game program is the last of the four projects to be announced from the first Expression of Interest process under the $100 million Commonwealth Outcomes Fund.
The Outcomes Fund gives providers the flexibility to tailor services to the needs of communities and young people. They receive payments when outcomes are achieved.
The Fund aims to achieve service delivery and funding reform as part of the over $200 million Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage package.
Sue Watson, Manager of Yourtown’s Get Back in the Game program, said that the program funding will make a real difference for disengaged youth.
“Yourtown works together with young people to uncover and supercharge their strengths, providing the practical training, education and skills development they need to land a job and break the cycle of unemployment,” Ms Watson said.
“Our program creates pathways to help young people unlock their potential and achieve a bright future. This funding makes a real difference to these young people.”
Two people have been arrested after a car and caravan crashed in the Adelaide Hills.
It will be alleged that about 2.20am today (Saturday 22 March), a man called police after his Nissan Patrol 4WD was stolen from his house in Finniss.
Police located the Nissan soon after driving east on Callington Road and pursued the vehicle. A second vehicle, a Great Wall station wagon towing a caravan then overtook the police car, sideswiping it as it drove past.
Both officers inside the vehicle were not injured.
The Great Wall station wagon and caravan then lost control and crashed on Callington Road at Woodchester, with the male driver running away from the scene.
The 35-year-old Wellington man returned to the scene soon after and was arrested. He will face numerous charges including endanger life, drive disqualified and illegal use of a motor vehicle, after checks showed the caravan had been stolen from Mount Compass.
The Great Wall station wagon was not stolen.
The Nissan returned to the scene and the driver, a 30-year-old Murray Bridge woman was also arrested.
She has also been charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, breach of bail and drive unlicenced.
Both people have been refused bail to appear in court on Monday.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Left to right: Care Financial Counselling and Consumer Law CEO Carmel Franklin and Care Consumer Law Principal Lawyer Agata Pukiewicz.
A free legal service that supports Canberrans involved in consumer or credit law disputes has received a funding boost ensuring it will be available for another year.
The Consumer Law Duty Service assists with disputes in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). It is available to all Canberrans but prioritises helping people who may not be able to afford legal representation.
Canberrans can seek free legal advice and in some cases representation from the service when they bring their disputes before ACAT. This improves the access to justice for vulnerable Canberrans by placing lawyers at the same location as ACAT.
The free legal service can assist with issues between individuals and businesses including:
disputes relating to the sale of goods or services, and unfair contract terms
debt recovery (contacted by debt collectors, or served with legal documents about debt)
consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards or personal loans).
Care Consumer Law solicitor Agata Pukiewicz says that staff find fulfilment in supporting those who are most disadvantaged in the community.
“Our legal team consists of staff who are very committed to social justice and achieving positive outcomes for our clients, which brings a huge level of satisfaction and fulfilment,” Agata said.
“We help with fair trading and contract matters, including consumer protections under the Australian Consumer Law (consumer guarantees), unfair contract terms and misleading and deceptive conduct.
“We also deal with debt recovery and bankruptcy issues, where we assist clients who are pursued by creditors and debt collectors in relation to alleged or outstanding debts.”
Agata said the rising cost of living had increased the demand on the free legal service.
“Many Canberrans, even those previously living on comfortable household incomes, are now experiencing financial pressures and even hardship,” she said.
“We are observing an increase in home and car repossessions, with lenders more ready than before to take such drastic actions, and sooner. We are also observing more people owing several credit cards, payday lending and Buy Now, Pay Later debts, even to the extent of having to resort to Buy Now Pay Later products to meet most basic living expenses, such as grocery shopping.”
New funding has been provided by the ACT Government to local community organisation Care Incorporated to allow the service to be extended for another year.
The funding comes in response to the increasing need for legal support in relation to consumer or credit law disputes, and the challenges faced by people on low or middle incomes wanting access to this legal advice.
The service is available Monday from 9am to 4pm in the Legal Assistance Room at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, 15 Constitution Avenue.
More information about the service is available on the Care Community Services website: carefcs.org/acat-duty-service
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Canberra-based business WV Technologies saves more than 100,000 devices from ending up in landfill each year.
E-waste is being thrown away and piling up at an alarming rate across the world. As technology changes and improves, 40 million electronic devices are being discarded each year.
Canberra-born business WV Technologies is tackling this problem head-on and is a great example of circular economy in action.
Circular Economy
A circular economy ensures that materials and resources are captured and recirculated, adding value to products that were previously considered waste. Circular economies create jobs and reduce waste.
Through servicing a national group of business and government departments, WV Technologies saves more than 100,00 devices from ending up at the tip in landfill.
Computers, laptops, tablets and phones are sanitised, refurbished, and resold by WV Technologies, which helps reduce the impact of e-waste on the environment. Through its business model, WV Technologies contributes the same in energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction as removing around 40,000 households from the grid.
WV employs specialised staff to sanitise each device and destroys all data held before the device is resold.
“Some IT devices are recycled which does reduce the impact on the environment but if we can refurbish and reuse IT assets, we can be 40 times more effective in saving energy and resources,” Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber said.
“Alternatively, devices that are not suitable for refurbishment are broken down and recycled where possible, recovering maximum resources and minimising the amount of e-waste ending up in landfill.”
Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber.
Community and social benefits
Some items that are refurbished are put into a community laptop program to assist students at the Canberra Institute of Technology who may not be able to afford their own.
WV Technologies also employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at-risk youth and long-term unemployed.
To find out more about WV Technologies and its circular economy business in action, please visit the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au
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