ACT Government Health and Community Services

12/06/2026

To help parents and carers, Health Services is running extended-hours flu vaccine clinics for children aged 6 months to under 5 years until the end of June.

🕤 Drop in between 9:30–11:30am (no appointment needed) or book via MyDHR.

Influenza or the flu can be serious for young children, even if they’re healthy. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. An annual flu shot is the best way to protect your child and others.

📍 Check the comments for clinic dates and locations.

[Image description: Purple promotional graphic with bold white text ‘Saturday spots available!’ and ‘free influenza vaccinations for children aged 6 months to under 5 years’. Shows ACT Government and Winter Wellness logos.]

11/06/2026

Good things come in pairs.

Like... Lilo & Stitch, Thelma & Louise, or 2 friends donating blood together! 👭 🩸 🩸

If you’ve never given blood before and you’re feeling nervous about it, go with a friend!

This Sunday is World Blood Donor Day. You can do something different this week that really counts.

You can even set up a Lifeblood Team with friends, family, or co-workers. And you can track how many lives your team has saved through your combined donations!

Visit www.lifeblood.com.au and register an appointment to choose between donating plasma, blood or platelets.

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated – you are saving lives!

And... remember to enjoy the all-important juice and snack combo you get after giving blood! 🥤🍪

[Image description: Two people in casual clothes smile at each other while they give blood. They look fit and relaxed and the chairs are big comfortable recliners and hi tech equipment surrounds them. They are on front of windows that show trees.]

11/06/2026

What a day ☀️
Canberra truly showed up for Reconciliation Day 2026 - blue skies, great vibes and an unforgettable performance from Casey Donovan

It was powerful to see the community come together to reflect, connect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and stories. Days like this remind us that reconciliation is something we all build together.

If you joined us on Monday 1 June, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experience and any feedback: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/reconciliation-day-2026

10/06/2026

I'm Zakia.

I've been with the Multicultural Hub for the last 6.5 years or so.

A lot of my job is listening and learning from the community. I understand how challenging it can be for people coming to Australia.

I came here from Fiji when I was 4. We’d had a bad experience before we left; our house got robbed. Most valuables were taken.

Dad was an electrical engineer and came as a skilled visa holder. He had a job at an energy company based in Albury. We knew no-one before arriving.

When we landed, a group of 4 Australian families from his new company were waiting. They held up a sign with our name on it. They’d set up an apartment to get us started. It had all the basics we needed, even groceries. They picked us up and drove us there.

To this day those families are still my Dad’s friends.

There were no multicultural centres or organisations to support us. But I have beautiful memories of our community growing up.

Without that warm welcome, my family's journey could have been very different.

I now run the Welcome2Canberra Expo. It offers a connection point for our multicultural communities. It’s for anyone new to Australia, or just new to Canberra.

We've got 36 stall holders this year. We want anyone from the multicultural community to come, not just those who are new to Canberra.

It’s an opportunity to find out how to connect with others in Canberra. It’s really important.
We have stall holders from employment services, school and cultural programs, emergency services, health services, sports clubs and much more!

Tag a friend you want to Welcome2Canberra!

When: Sat 13 June

Time: 10.00-1pm

Where: Southern Cross Club, Woden

Details: It’s free and no need to register, just walk in!

[Image description: Photo of Zakia sitting in a black office chair at a corner desk. She smiles warmly and her hands are clasped. She has a black top on and a stripey jacket. Colourful pictures and a phone and noticeboard, photos and cards sit on the desk and the wall behind her. ]

09/06/2026

An important notice from the ESA about the new AusAlert national warning system - including how to opt out if you wish.
Read more below.

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

There are two levels of alert:
⚠️ Priority Alert
🚨 Critical Alert

So, what’s the difference? 🤔

⚠️ A priority alert is used when there is a high level of threat.
You can turn off notifications for Priority Alerts in your phone settings, and your device won't vibrate or make the sound if it is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

🚨 A critical alert is the highest level of warning.
Your mobile device will vibrate and make a loud siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds, even if it is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’. You can’t turn off Critical Alerts.

A Priority Alert test is scheduled at 10:30 am on Wednesday 10 June 2026 near Molonglo Emergency Services Station.

If you are in the test area, or neighbouring suburbs including Duffy, Wright, Coombs and Holder, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert.

If receiving a Priority Alert might disrupt you or cause you or a family member to feel unsafe, you can choose to opt out. Find out more https://www.ausalert.gov.au/community-resources/staying-safe-ausalert

09/06/2026

Are you aged 45 to 49? Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is calling your name!

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia. But the good news is - over 90% of cases can be treated successfully if found early.

Did you know – bowel cancer can have no symptoms?

So, don’t wait.

Order your free test, get it done at home. It could save your life.

Order here www.ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or call 1800 627 701.

If you’re already aged 50 or over, you should already be testing every 2 years.

Learn more here: www.health.gov.au/nbcsp

Know someone who should order a kit? Tag them below.

[Image description: a man in an orange shirt and shorts with brown work boots reads a bowel cancer information pamphlet. He has a baseball cap on with sunnies over the top. He's sitting on steps next to a home with yellow bricks. A picture of the at home test kit is shown.]

05/06/2026

Are you sensitive to smoke?

As the weather cools, many Canberrans need to use wood heaters to keep warm. At times, this can affect local air quality, particularly when conditions are still.

If you are sensitive to smoke, it’s a good idea to monitor the air quality and take steps to protect your health.

People more sensitive to smoke include:

✅infants and children

✅pregnant people

✅people over 65 years

✅people with asthma or diabetes

✅people with a heart or lung condition.

You can find air quality readings and actions to take if air quality declines at: https://www.act.gov.au/environment/air-quality

[Image description: Poster with a dark purple background reading “Look after yourself this winter – Air quality” above a curved image of a person pushing a bicycle along a park path toward a group near a picnic, with ACT Government and “Winter wellness” branding and a website link at the bottom.]

03/06/2026

Important safety update for parents and carers!

Baby bottle self-feeding devices are now banned due to serious safety risks.

If you have one at home, please stop using it and dispose of it safely so it can't be used again.

To keep your baby safe during feeding:

- Always stay with your baby

- Never prop bottles

- Never leave infants to feed unsupervised

Access Canberra is the regulator responsible for enforcing Australian Consumer Law in the ACT.

If you see these banned products being supplied or sold, you can report it:

Phone: 13 22 81

Or visit: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/consumer-rights/get-help-with-a-consumer-issue

[Image description: A poster style graphic showing two images of baby self-feeding devices. The heading says 'Permanent Ban'. And the smaller copy says ‘A permanent ban is now in effect, due to the risk of injury or death from the use of these products to feed infants.

If you own one, stop using it immediately and dispose of it safely.’]

01/06/2026

Winter is here! Time to pull out your puffer jackets as frosty mornings and cold winds become more frequent. ❄️

As the temps drop, it’s easy to feel a bit run down. But a few simple habits can help you survive – and thrive – this winter.

☀️ Go outside and get some sunshine (hello, vitamin D!)
🚶 Be active – even a short walk can boost your mood, energy and immune system
☕ Stay connected – check in with friends, family or colleagues – small chats go a long way
🥣 Eat nourishing foods – soup season is officially here and we’re all for it
😴 Prioritise sleep – your body will thank you
💙 Look after your mental health – if something doesn’t feel right, talk to a health professional – you don’t have to tough it out alone.

For a list of resources and services to stay well this winter, see our page www.act.gov.au/campaigns/staying-well-this-winter

More tips to survive or thrive this winter in our comments below 👇

[Image description: A person sits hunched on a weathered wooden bench outdoors in Canberra, bundled inside an oversized dark puffer jacket that almost fully covers the upper body. Colourful striped pants, red socks, and sneakers are visible below. The ground is scattered with brown autumn leaves, and behind the bench are low green shrubs, a tree trunk, and a beige brick building with large windows. Overlaid text reads, “Me in Canberra right now” with a snowman emoji.]

31/05/2026

🎉 Reconciliation Day is happening TODAY at John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes!

Join us for a free, family-friendly day filled with cultural activities, live entertainment, and community connection.

🔥 Kick off the day with a community BBQ from 8.30am. Main program begins at 10am.

🧺 Bring a picnic rug and soak up the atmosphere while enjoying live performances and delicious eats from a variety of food vendors.

🚍 Free public transport is available for event-goers — Sunday timetable applies.

Plan your visit with the event program and map: bit.ly/recday26

Reconciliation Day is a time for all Canberrans to learn and share histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

[Image description: A blue promotional poster displays white text: “Reconciliation Day, 1 June 2026, John Dunmore Lang Place, and 10am to 3pm. A small rounded label at the bottom reads “Free Event.”]