NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Youth ambassador scheme launched

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today officiated at the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025 launch ceremony.

    Themed “Build a Caring & Inclusive Society, Youth Tell Good Stories of Hong Kong” this year, cadet ambassadors, through training activities and exposure opportunities, can extend their care for the community, leverage their influence and take actions to build a caring, inclusive and harmonious society, while joining hands to tell good stories of Hong Kong, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau explained.

    Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak encouraged the cadet ambassadors to learn more about youth development work by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission, including the measures stated in the Youth Development Blueprint that help address the needs of young people at different development stages.

    She also advised the cadets to seize the opportunities of participating in the training activities and service projects of Community Care Teams, through which they could broaden their perspectives, nurture their passion to serve society, further integrate into the country’s overall development, contribute to Hong Kong and the country, and tell good stories of Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Life Line Screening Reviews: What You Need To Know?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — You may have come across plenty of Life Line Screening reviews and articles. But not all of them come with the required information that you need. As such, we share with you this thoroughly researched Life Line Screening review. Here, we share with you real insights from customers, why you should use Life Line Screening and Life Line Screening scam alerts, if any. Visit The Website Of Life Line Screening To Learn More >>

    Life Line Screening is a very popular preventive health screening service. But, some people are skeptical regarding it. What is included in the service, and what are the pros and cons? In this article, we will cover everything that you need to know about Life Line Screening, plus real reviews.

    As we reveal several important points, we will also reveal Life Line Screening customer reviews and frequently asked questions.

    What is Life Line Screening?

    Life Line Screening is a preventive health screening company. The company began in 1993 and has screened over 10 million people in the United States. Each year about 700,000 people attend Life Line Screening events to get peace of mind or early detection for their risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

    Life Line Screening events take place all around the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Over the years, the company added several screenings for additional health concerns, such as diabetes and cholesterol.

    Life Line Screening allows people to choose from more than 14,000 screening locations at an affordable price. Some of the benefits that Life Line Screening offers are convenient locations, accurate screenings and affordable prices. Screenings are easy, painless and non-invasive. There is a wide selection of screenings to pick from and all the screenings use state-of-the-art technology.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    What is included in Life Line Screening?

    In this section, we will list the most common package at Life Line Screening, what to expect at your appointment, and the Life Line Screening preparation instructions.

    These painless and non-invasive screenings can identify risks that lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, including carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation.

    One of the common questions people ask is how Life Line Screening differs from getting these tests through your doctor. Often, if you are asymptomatic, your insurance company won’t cover preventive health screenings. As a result, your doctor or hospital may charge over $1,000 for one screening. Life Line Screening offers a package of 4 preventive health screenings for an affordable price and is intended for asymptomatic people in order to provide early detection or peace of mind.

    The best part is that Life Line Screening has locations all across the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Getting started is very easy as there are over 14,000 Life Line Screening locations to choose from. You can find screening locations near you by entering your zip code on their website. All the available appointments near you over the next 12 weeks will be listed and you can select the best option for your schedule.

    Once you select your location, date and time, the next page is where you enter your personal information and credit card to reserve your appointment. Upon confirming your appointment, you will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for the screening.

    Does Life Line Screening Work?

    Each year about 700,000 people across the continental United States use Life Line Screening to gain peace of mind or early detection. So, if you are wondering if Life Line Screening is worth your time, the answer is Yes. It is considered one of the highest quality preventive screening companies for people age 40 and older, and is affordable, convenient and provides accurate results.

    When writing this piece, we have done a thorough analysis of Life Line Screening to see if there are any scam alerts and we also researched several Life Line Screening reviews. It must be noted that many skeptical consumers came to the realization that Life Line Screening really works and identified their risk for illnesses.

    Why Use Life Line Screening?

    Life Line Screening is one of the most comprehensive preventive screening services available to people in the United States. More than 10 million people have participated in a Life Line Screening since 1993.

    Here are the reasons why you should consider and use Life Line Screening.

    • The screening service offered by Life Line Screening is affordable.
    • Highly trained technicians perform the screenings.
    • Screenings are painless and noninvasive.
    • Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection; both are a good thing.
    • Screenings are conveniently located in your neighborhood.
    • Life Line Screening is an established company conducting millions of screenings in over 25 years of business.

    Life Line Screening Benefits

    Life Line Screening offers benefits for both mind and body. It can detect serious illness and disease before symptoms arise. Here are some other benefits that come with Life Line Screening.

    • Preventive Health Care:

    Life Line Screening helps identify serious health risks such as stroke and cardiovascular disease. Many serious illnesses don’t have apparent symptoms in the early stages.

    • Enjoy Peace of Mind:

    Screenings provide early detection or peace of mind. Regular screenings are important as your health changes over time.

    • Reduce Potential Costs:

    Finding out if you have a health problem or risk that may lead to serious complications enables you to work with a physician to take action. Being proactive can reduce potential medical costs down the road. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection, both are priceless.

    • Flexible Screening Locations and Dates:

    One of the best things is the convenient screening locations and dates which you can pick from. Life Line Screening has over 14,000 locations across the continental United States, they make it easy for everyone to attend a screening. They also offer affordable screening packages.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    Life Line Screening Pros And Cons

    Just like any screening program, Life Line Screening has both positive and negative points. In this section, we will share the Life Line Screening pros and cons that you must consider before making your appointment.

    Pros:

    • Preventive health screenings provide peace of mind or early detection.
    • Screenings provide early detection of stroke and cardiovascular disease risk.
    • Screening packages are affordable.
    • Highly trained technicians perform the screenings.
    • Life Line Screening has over 14,000 locations across the continental United States.
    • A screening can be performed at a suitable time and location that is convenient for you.

    Cons:

    • Life Line Screening is only available in the USA, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
    • Life Line Screening is not covered by insurance.

    Are Preventive Health Screenings Right For You?

    Life Line Screening is a preventive health screening company. Preventive health screenings can be extremely beneficial when you bring your results to your physician and take action, if necessary.

    The most common package at Life Line Screening includes 4 screenings:

    • Carotid Artery Screening
    • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
    • Atrial Fibrillation Screening
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening

    This screening package is recommended for anyone age 40 or older.

    Is Life Line Screening a Scam?

    When compiling this thorough review, we have gone through plenty of reviews and Life Line Screening scam alerts. Life Line Screening is a legit company that has been screening millions of people since its inception. The company has been in business over 20 years and has a strong positive reputation in the preventive health industry.

    Life Line Screening Real Customer Reviews

    • “I am 60 years old and had a screening in May 2019 and found my right carotid artery was 70% blocked. I had no symptoms. Took the results to my doctor then to a vascular surgeon who ran his own tests. I had surgery 5 weeks ago and it was a success. You can’t put a price on health. Thank you Life Line Screening.” –Kim, Illinois.
    • “Even though I feel fine, I am at risk and wanted to get checked and be proactive about my health.” -D. Whitehead, Georgia.
    • “Life Line Screening is the only reason I’m alive today. They found the abdominal aortic aneurysm which was monitored until it got to the size that required surgery and now it is stronger than before. I recommend everyone over 50 to get checked and this is the least expensive way to get a clean bill of health that will ease your mind and maybe save your life.” –Cliff, Missouri.
    • “The doctor said I was a “walking time bomb”… I know that the screening saved my life…” -A. Bay, Tennessee.

    The testimonials reflect real life stories from Life Line Screening customers. Testimonials that include abnormal findings may not reflect the typical experience since most screening results are normal.

    Life Line Screening Reviews—Final Words

    What sets Life Line Screening apart is the ability to provide accurate preventive health screenings for people age 40 and older in the United States at an affordable price. Every year, the company has been providing high-quality preventive screenings at very affordable rates. That’s part of the reason why you will find many positive Life Line Screening reviews. Also, Life Line Screening makes it very easy to schedule your appointment.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    The FAQs About Life Line Screening

    • Is Life Line Screening a Scam?

    Life Line Screening is not a scam. It is a respected company in the preventive health screening industry. The company has been providing its services since 1993 and continues to screen about 700,000 people each year. The company is legit and conducts over 14,000 screening events across the United States each year. Many satisfied participants share good words and positive reviews about Life Line Screening. As such, if you are skeptical about the company, there is nothing to worry about.

    • How accurate is Life Line Screening?

    Highly trained technicians perform the screenings using state-of-the-art equipment. Most screening results are reviewed by a board-certified physician before they are shared with participants.

    • Is Life Line Screening a good thing to do?

    Screenings are recommended for anyone age 40 and older, and Life Line Screening is a reputable company to use. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection. Millions of Americans have used Life Line Screening.

    • Is Life Line Screening worth the cost?

    Finding out if you have a health problem or risk that may lead to serious complications enables you to work with a physician to take action. Being proactive can reduce potential medical costs down the road. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection, both are priceless.

    • Is Life Line Screening a legitimate business?

    Life Line Screening is undoubtedly a legitimate business.

    • How do I find a Life Line Screening location near me?

    The company provides over 14,000 screening events across the United States each year. Click Here to Get Special Pricing on a Life Line Screening Package!

    • What do you wear to Life Line Screening?

    After receiving a Life Line Screening appointment confirmation, the company sends all the required information on how to prepare for the screening.

    Read More: Life Line Screening Reviews

    About: RobustAlive

    RobustAlive shares e-commerce and sales news, product reviews, and the latest news on various products.

    Media Contact: admin@robustalive.com

    RobustAlive provides this review for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase done from this story is done at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase done from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website that is selling the product. The content on this release does not take any responsibility directly or indirectly.

    Affiliate Disclosure:
    The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission to RobustAlive if you opt to purchase the product recommended at no additional cost to you. This goes towards supporting our research and editorial team and please know we only recommend high-quality products.

    Disclaimer:
    Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

    Product support: info@llsa.com

    Life Line Screening
    Barton Oaks Plaza 2, Suite 130
    901 South Mopac Expressway
    Austin, TX 78746

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ac11881-bee6-4d1f-ad1d-f7e464bd869f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c30970c6-aded-4bac-9d10-1d64aca9ceac

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is marked annually on 24 March, the anniversary of the discovery of the causative mycobacterium by Dr Robert Koch. This year’s theme – “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver” – serves as an important reminder of the need for continued investment and funding in order to end the TB epidemic.* This follows the recent funding cuts to TB programs, particularly from the US, that raise serious concerns about the future of TB control and treatment efforts, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    TB is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease, claiming approximately 1.25 million lives in 2023 alone according to the World Health Organization. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has historically been the largest bilateral donor to TB programs, contributing approximately $250 million annually. This funding has been instrumental in supporting the essential TB services, particularly in high-burden countries. However, sharp reductions in aid have disrupted TB programs worldwide, with Africa and South-East Asia among the hardest-hit regions.

    Abigail Harris, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Funding cuts of this magnitude will directly impact access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, leaving millions vulnerable to disease progression and death. Without urgent intervention, we risk undoing decades of progress in TB elimination.”

    A major concern arising from these funding cuts is the potential for increased drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) cases. Inconsistent treatment due to financial constraints can lead to incomplete therapy, allowing the TB bacterium to develop resistance to standard drugs. DR-TB is significantly more challenging and expensive to treat.

    Harris continues: “If we allow funding gaps to persist, we risk facing an even deadlier TB crisis, where highly resistant strains, which require more prolonged and costly treatment, become more prevalent. The global health community must act swiftly to ensure continued access to treatment and accelerate research into new, effective therapies.”

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged immediate action to close the TB funding gap and meet global TB targets, including expanding diagnostic access, improving treatment regimens, and advancing vaccine development.

    GlobalData’s pipeline products database reveals a promising TB pipeline with 15 prophylactic vaccines in clinical development. However, continued R&D investment is essential for the most promising candidates to reach the market.

    Harris concludes: “Governments, international donors, and private-sector partners must recognize TB as the global health emergency that it is. Without sustained investment, the disease will claim more lives and pose an increasing threat to global health security.”

    *The United Nations High-level Meeting (UNHLM) on the Fight Against Tuberculosis was held in September 2023, where member states adopted a historic political declaration on TB. This contained the most ambitious targets to date in the fight against this disease and would put the world on track to ending TB by 2030 if countries follow through on their commitments.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference – Buangor, Victoria

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    CATHERINE KING – MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: […] Well, we’re here in Buangor today, but we’re announcing the Victorian recipients of the Level Crossing Upgrade program. There are 32 projects right the way across the state, the state of Victoria, all of them in regional Victoria, because we know across Australia, there’s over 23,000 level crossings, and it’s where this interacts with trains and cars and trucks together, we know they are the areas where people are at their most vulnerable. Train drivers and passengers are at their most vulnerable, and we want to make those safer. So today, the 32 regional level crossings across Victoria, $54 million a shared commitment between the Allan and Albanese Labor governments. The projects are funded under this program are the sort of lower cost but high priority areas. They’ve been chosen because there is a higher likelihood of an accident occurring, we know we’re seeing more frequency of train services. Thank you very much to the Victorian Government for that.

    Across Ararat and Pyrenees council areas, there are eight sites receiving over $14 million in funding. And as I said, there’s, such as some of them are passive already, and they’ll be receiving boom gates and also signalling approaches as well. And this is a really important program that we’ve been rolling out across the country, and it’s great to be able to do that here today.

    I’m also in Victoria, announcing the recipients of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. This is a program where we’ve increased money to local councils to ensure that they are able to build some of the more costly roads, but really to upgrade those. And there are roads across, again, regional Victoria, from Swan Hill to Leongatha and two projects in Yarriambiack, which is a terrific community, and also one in the greater Shepparton area, as well as two projects that you’ll see in the Budget on budget night across the Princes Highway, both in Lakes Entrance and Beaconsfield. Again, that Safer Local Roads is all part of the Labor Government’s commitment to actually increasing funding for regional roads.

    What we’ve done since we’ve came to office is we’ve increased, doubled Roads to Recovery funding for every single Council, not just select councils using colour coded spreadsheets, every council is receiving double the amount of money. We’ve reversed the cuts to road maintenance funding. It was pretty shocking to me when we came to office that the Liberal Party had cut road maintenance funding for our national highways, and that was a significant cut. We have not only re-indexed the road maintenance funding, but we’ve backdated it to make sure we actually filled the hole that that cut had left. So you’re seeing that work, then you’ve seen the Safer Local Roads program, the Level Crossing Upgrade program, and as well, as I said, The Black Spot Road program. So there’s been significantly more money put into those things. All of that really directed to improving our regional country roads. I’ll hand over to Martha and see if we’ve got any questions.

    MARTHA HAYLETT – VICTORIAN MEMBER FOR RIPON: Perfect. Thank you so much, Minister King, and thank you for being here in Buangor today. To have $14 million just across the Ararat and Pyrenees Shires is huge for our region. So, we know that we’re adding more weekend services on the Ararat line. We’re increasing that frequency of trains, and we need to make sure that the safety of the level crossings and the pedestrian crossings are much safer. So, the fact that we’re going to have boom gates and much higher safety is a win, not just for the people on the trains, but also people driving on our rural and regional roads. So, this is what we also can achieve when we have a genuine partner in Canberra. And it’s fantastic to be working with the Albanese Labor Government on this project. So, this has had some state government funding as well, and we’ve been able to do this together. So, it’s a big, big win for our region, and we’ll just make our roads and our rail even safer.

    JOURNALIST: Catherine, this isn’t the first announcement along here. There’s three projects underway in Beaufort at the moment, so you’re spending a fair bit of money on this particular line.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, again, really important. We know, particularly, you know, we want to get upgrades and improvements to rail and the passenger experience, but particularly, we also want to make sure it’s safer for regional communities. We know that level crossings are the one place where you do have that interaction between, if you’re a truck driver – their workplace, if you’re a train driver – the train driver’s workplace, and we know we see too many regional Australians injured, or lose their lives in level rail crossing accidents. As I said, there’s 23,000 of them across the country. We can’t remove all of them. We just simply can’t. It would be too costly to do that, but what we can do is make all of them safer, and that means better signalling, better opportunities for people to know when a train is coming. And on this particular area, when we’ve seen increase in trains frequency, increase in passenger numbers using rail, we’ve really got to do something, and they’ve been chosen to make sure you know these are the areas where the most accidents likely to happen.

    JOURNALIST: Are all of these dedicated crossings getting boom gates?

    CATHERINE KING: It’ll be a mix. So some, some will have just signalling in the way that you’ve seen in this passive crossing here. Some will have the boom gates put in. But each of them are substantial commitments. Most of them are in the over the $1 million mark. So, there’s quite a substantial amount you can do for that.

    JOURNALIST: Is some of the money for signalling as well?

    CATHERINE KING: Some of it is for what you do, you put on the track. There’s a, I don’t know the name of it, but it says it provides the opportunity for signal to then connect to the light. So it’s actually a box that goes on the train, but the engineers and people who know trains will tell you about what that looks like. It’s called an axel something or other [laughs]

    JOURNALIST: I don’t know either. [all laugh] Is this something the state government’s been wanting to work in partnership for a while?

    CATHERINE KING: Yes, so in particular, here in Victoria, we have a lot of level crossings. It’s been a, you know, his history of our fabulous rail that we have in the state of Victoria means that we’ve got substantial number of level rail crossings. I don’t know if we’ve got more than any other state. I’d have to check that fact. But I certainly think, you know, the history of our state sees that happen. So the Victorian Government has helped us choose the sites they know, obviously the frequency of their passenger and freight services and other roads that are busy as well. So this has been a true partnership between the two of us to really get these crossings improved. So 32 of them. We’ve still got more to do, but that’s a pretty good batch for Ararat and Pyrenees Shires.

    JOURNALIST: And when’s this likely to be rolled out Catherine?

    CATHERINE KING: So the money’s available now. The projects have been identified, so it’ll be rolled out this year.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah, and Martha, you’d be very happy with the new timetables out, with extra trains?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Exactly! And we’ve got some later night services as well. And it’s going to be really, a real benefit for especially those weekend passengers, uh, they’ll be able to go, go down to Melbourne, go see a show, see some of the footy, and then come back to Ararat. So I want to thank everyone locally in our at who contacted me and pushed me on that one, and we’ve been able to get some, some good wins on that.

    JOURNALIST: Was there much public feedback?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: A lot! Yeah, so,

    JOURNALIST: I tried to help…

    MARTHA HAYLETT: And from the Ararat Advocate! So a lot of people contacting me, calling me, emailing me, and they still are. So there’s lots of happy feedback about the fact that we’ve got some later night services on the weekend.

    JOURNALIST: And I think the timetable comes in, you know, about a month’s time, doesn’t it?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Yes, exactly, yeah. So it’ll kick in very soon, mid next month, and be fantastic. So we’ve got two additional services on each day. So really, technically eight, eight extra services on that…

    JOURNALIST: So I can hear a train coming.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The project protecting endangered marsupials

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The project is one of a number across the country aiming to restore eastern bettong populations.

    Eight eastern bettongs now call Mulligans Flat home as part of a conservation project.

    The release is the next step in reintroducing the species of small marsupials to mainland Australia.

    Eastern bettongs are called Ngaluda in the Ngunnawal language. They once lived in Canberra but have been extinct outside of Tasmania for more than 100 years.

    The bettongs have a pivotal role in restoring balance to Australia’s ecosystem. They spread truffle spores, helping to improve the soil, and create burrows that support native plant growth.

    Expanding their numbers at the sanctuary is a main step in rebuilding an entire food web of native species.

    Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary began rehoming bettongs in 2012. Many of these tiny native creatures now live in the area.

    “Our partners have been working for more than a decade to establish and expand the Sanctuary so we can foster new populations of threatened species and start to reverse the declines of native fauna,” Dr Jason Cummings from the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust said.

    “This latest milestone is testament to the work and support of many partners including the ANU, ACT Government, and the National Landcare Program

    “We are looking forward to seeing the bettong population grow and making bettongs available for other Sanctuaries around Australia.”

    Canberrans can visit the Sanctuary to explore an endangered ecosystem. Wildbark Rangers are available to talk about the work they do to help Australia’s wildlife.

    For more information about this project and the other animals they help to protect visit the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary website.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Book-gifting program sparks kids’ imaginations

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book-gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in children.

    A pilot phase of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been launched in Belconnen.

    Started by the famous singer in the US in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book-gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in children.

    A committed group of stakeholders from ACT Government and community organisations collaborated to create Imagination Library Kippax, which services Holt, Higgins, MacGregor and Latham.

    The group has secured funding to provide books to 146 children for two years.

    These families have a free, age-appropriate book delivered to their home each month, plus a tip sheet to help them engage with the books.

    The Imagination Library Evatt/McKellar pilot has also commenced via the Evatt Primary School Family Connect program.

    Pilot suburbs were selected due to Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data that identified higher developmental vulnerability in children in these areas.

    “Libraries ACT is excited to be partnering with so many like-minded community partners and other Government directorates to bring the Imagination Library to the ACT,” Penny Davies from Libraries ACT said.

    “Children learn best through everyday activities like singing, talking and playing games. Normalising reading as a daily activity is an important part of this. Reading aloud to children starting at birth helps build brain connections during the formation of the critical early years.

    “Public libraries play an important role in the development of early childhood literacy and the Imagination Library is a wonderful addition to the range of resources and programs available to families,” she said.

    While the Imagination Library program was introduced to Australia in 2013, it is new to the ACT.

    The Imagination Library of Australia has shown outstanding results, including increasing the amount of time parents read with their child.

    In Tamworth alone, babies’ enrolments at public libraries increased by 1000 per cent.

    The program now operates in every state and territory excluding Tasmania.

    Local families with children aged 0-3 can access the Imagination Library via local community partners, including Early Family Support (EFS) and Maternal and Child Health (MACH) services, Uniting Children and Families ACT, Capital Region Community Services (CRCS), HIPPY Australia, and The Smith Family.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Top spots to eat in Canberra’s CBD

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    We asked Canberrans on the We Are CBR Instagram page to tell us their favourite place to grab a bite to eat in the city centre. Here are the top restaurants and cafes in Canberra’s CBD, as voted by you!

    Dishing the deets on #1

    It’s no secret that Canberrans love chicken and chips. The restaurant with the most votes is Fricken Chicken on Lonsdale Street.

    An Italian love affair 

    From bottomless pasta to hand-stretched pizza, it’s clear that Canberrans love Italian food. Some local favourites include:

    Mezzalira on London Circuit    
    Amici on Northbourne Avenue  
    Mama’s Trattoria on West Row
    Briscola on Alinga Street

    Enjoy the vibrant flavours of Asia

    The café capital

    Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect flat white, a cheesy toastie or some smashed avo on toast – these cafés are the perfect place to grab a quick pick-me-up:

    Good vibes, great food  

    Looking for somewhere to grab dinner and a drink after work? These top spots are your venues of choice:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Esther finds her calling

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Esther works in the ACT Ambulance Service Communications Centre, where she answers emergency calls.

    After helping save a stranger’s life by providing CPR, Esther was inspired to pursue a career in emergency services.

    Today she works in the ACT Ambulance Service Communications Centre, where she answers emergency calls.

    She is also training as a dispatcher, as part of the Centre’s triage team which allocates resources to various jobs.

    While she enjoyed her previous career in the airline industry, Esther could not be happier in her current role.

    “I worked for Qantas in customer service for 24 years, and many of the skills I developed during that time are relevant now, because it’s all about dealing with people,” Esther said.

    “People calling the emergency line are often quite panicked, but if I can help bring down their stress levels and make them feel confident in my abilities and willingness to help, it goes a long way towards achieving a good outcome.”

    A successful outcome was certainly achieved when Esther and her husband responded to a sudden emergency in Tuross Head on the south coast, where they were holidaying with their daughters.

    “Richard and I were playing cards with our girls when we heard loud noises coming from next door and someone was yelling into a phone about needing an ambulance,” Esther said.

    “The two of us climbed over the fence and saw a man in his 50s lying on the ground, completely blue and obviously not breathing. We jumped in and commenced CPR straight away,” she said.

    As they were in an isolated area, it took a long time for an ambulance to arrive, and Esther and her husband had to keep doing compressions for a full 50 minutes.

    They were eventually assisted by a police officer, who arrived about 25 minutes into proceedings.

    “By the end I had no skin left on my hands but my husband and I just kept switching in and out – we work really well as a team,” Esther said.

    Incredibly, the man survived, and Esther and her husband were later presented with St John’s Save a Life Award, by the Governor-General of Australia, the Honourable David Hurley.

    “While it is very nice to receive an award, the best part of this was that we got to give someone some extra time with their family and friends, and I know how much that would mean to me,” Esther said.

    “If I were to take one lesson from this, it is that normal people can administer CPR, and having knowledge of first aid skills can actually save a life.”

    Esther says she’s glad that she was able to help, and is grateful that the incident helped steer her onto her current career path, where she feels she gets to make a positive difference to the community every day.

    “It really is a feel-good job because you help people in their time of need,” she said.

    “I really love going into work and absolutely love the team I work with, they are like my second family, and we enjoy spending time together in and out of the office.

    “I would absolutely recommend this job to anyone who wants a career with a real purpose – if you have empathy and like helping people you won’t regret it.”

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong’s haunting classic set for re-release

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    “A Chinese Ghost Story” was re-released in 4K on the Chinese mainland on March 21, 38 years after it first premiered in Hong Kong.

    A movie poster for “A Chinese Ghost Story” is displayed at a hauntingly decorated cinema in Beijing, March 19, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    The 1987 film, directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark, stars two of Hong Kong’s most iconic figures of the time, Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong. It tells the story of Ning Caichen (Cheung), a humble tax collector who falls in love with the ghost Nie Xiaoqian (Wong). Knowing she is enslaved by a cruel tree demon, Ning sets out to save her with the help of Yan Chixia (Wu Ma), a Taoist warrior.

    The film is loosely based on the story of Nie Xiaoqian from Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling’s “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio” and draws inspiration from the 1960 Shaw Brothers Studio film “The Enchanting Shadow,” directed by Li Han-hsiang. Ching’s version spawned two sequels and numerous adaptations and remakes.

    Combining romance, fantasy, martial arts, horror and enduring music, “A Chinese Ghost Story” enjoyed immense popularity in Hong Kong and across Asia, including in South Korea and Japan. Over the years, it has become a timeless classic and a cult favorite. It was ranked 50th on the “Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures” list, an honor presented at the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2005 to celebrate the centennial of Chinese cinema.

    Although “A Chinese Ghost Story” wasn’t released on the Chinese mainland in 1987, it gained widespread popularity among young people, especially those born in the 1980s, via videocassettes, VCDs, DVDs, downloads and video-sharing sites over the years. The film received broad acclaim, earning a score of 8.8 out of 10 on China’s review site Douban based on nearly 800,000 user reviews. Its remastered version finally premiered in mainland theaters in 2011 as a tribute to the late pop icon Leslie Cheung.

    Cheung’s fans attended preview screenings for the film’s latest re-release in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou on Wednesday evening. The 4K re-release serves as both a memorial event ahead of Cheung’s death anniversary on April 1 and an opportunity to highlight Eastern aesthetics and cinematic charm on the big screen, according to distributors.

    A performer poses for a photo in front of an installation mirroring a set from “A Chinese Ghost Story,” displayed at a hauntingly decorated cinema in Beijing, March 19, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Over time, the film’s other major stars have stepped back from the spotlight, leaving no chance for a reunion and fueling nostalgia among fans. Joey Wong, who has retired from acting, now lives privately in Canada, with recent reports indicating she has started a new moxibustion clinic. Wu Ma, another prominent actor in the film, passed away at age 71 due to lung cancer in 2014.

    “A Chinese Ghost Story” isn’t the only film being re-released. Distributors have also announced that the Hollywood action blockbuster “Furious 7” and China’s street dance drama “One and Only” will return to theaters in April. These re-releases offer audiences a chance to revisit classics while filling a current content gap in the Chinese film market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Homicide investigation launched, South Wairarapa

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Detective Inspector John Van De Heuvel:

    Two people have been taken into custody and a homicide investigation launched following the death of a man in South Wairarapa this afternoon (Saturday 22 March).

    Around 4pm Police responded to reports of a firearms incident, where a firearm was discharged at a vehicle exiting the supermarket carpark on State Highway 2, Featherston.

    A short time later a man has been located in Carterton with an apparent gunshot wound, he has since died.

    A second vehicle fled the scene and was intercepted by Police without incident at Kaitoke. The full extent of the two occupants’ involvement is a focus of our investigation.

    State Highway 2 was closed for a period of time, however, has since reopened. A scene examination will continue in Featherston over the coming days. 

    Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this event or has any information for the people involved.

    We acknowledge this was a distressing incident for those who witnessed it and the wider community.  Police will have an increased presence in the community as we work to determine what led to the altercation, and who was involved.

    If you have any information that has not been reported to Police, please contact us on 105 either online or over the phone.

    Please reference Operation Ascot – File number: 250322/8281

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Connected Beginnings site launch – Wunan Child and Parent Centre Kununurra, Western Australia

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    Can I start by acknowledging the Miriuwung Gajerrong people, the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet. Thank you very much, Auntie, for the beautiful welcome to country and the ceremony. I pay my respects to elders past and present and celebrate the diversity of our First Nations people, their ongoing culture and traditions, their education practices and their connections to land, water and sky.

    I also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of the amazing Connected Beginnings program, which I’ll talk a little bit about today as well.

    The knowledge and wisdom that communities bring to Connected Beginnings is what drives the  success to where we are today. Thank you to the Binarri Binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation for having us today, it’s super duper exciting to have you joining the Connected Beginnings family.

    And I really do want to make special mention of my very, very dear friend and very dear colleague, the amazing Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who was able to make it here with us today. Thanks so much for being here.

    I also want to acknowledge Agnes Armstrong, local Miriuwung elder who is joining us today, providing wisdom and strength to this community, and here today we also have Vanessa [indistinct] from SNAICC, and without the wonderful SNAICC and the wonderful experts like Vanessa, the Connected Beginnings program just wouldn’t be possible, so thanks for everything that you and SNAICC do.

    Also joined by representatives from Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service who have signed on as the health partner for Connected Beginnings here in Kununurra, and I want to extend my respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with us here today.

    What a beautiful site this is, what a beautiful gathering we have this morning to celebrate the opening of the very last 50th Connected Beginnings site right across Australia.

    As a very proud Western Australian, albeit from Perth, it took me seven hours of travelling to get up here – I was determined to make it – it’s so great to be here with you today to make this huge and important announcement.

    We’ve reached our target. We had a target of 50 Connected Beginnings sites right across Australia, and today marks the day, with this site opening, that we’ve reached that target, and can I say, six months before the deadline. Six months before the deadline, and have delivered not just all of them, but on time ahead of schedule as well.

    Now, for those of you who don’t know, this program, the Connected Beginnings program is really quite phenomenal, it really to me harkens back to traditional ways of doing things, traditional ways of raising children. I come from a part of world where the community raises the child. If you can’t breastfeed, you’ve got a wet nurse, your sister can breastfeed, or your sister in law can breast feed, it takes a village to raise a child, everyone goes in and raises that child. That’s how you get children who thrive, when you bring together the expertise, the parenting, health, early childhood education, language, in place and in country and on country. That’s how you get young people and children to thrive.

    As you know, Connected Beginnings is helping to close not just the gap but the gaping chasm in outcomes for our First Nations children by ensuring that health, that education and family support services work together to help children and their families have that successful transition to school, and I don’t have to tell any of you just how important those first five years of a child’s life are.

    By the time a child reaches school, 90 per cent of their brain has already developed, 90 per cent has already developed, which means that if we get those first five years right, before they get to school, we have the opportunity in our hand to change the trajectory of a child’s life, to make a huge difference and a huge impact, not just now, not just for those first five years, but well into school, into adolescence, and into adulthood as well.

    That’s how significant this program is, that’s how significant those first five years are, and that is exactly why we need as a government, working with the community, to ensure that we do everything that we can to give the very best possible start in life for our children in communities here.

    We know that when children are strong in culture and go to early childhood education and care, they have better outcomes, having that connection to their identity, to their culture, to their land, [indistinct], and place. They have better outcomes at school, they have better outcomes through adolescence and throughout adulthood.

    So when we bring together quality early learning with the strong identity grounded in culture and health support it creates a bright future for these children.

    You cannot separate health outcomes from educational outcomes, and you cannot separate educational outcomes on having a strong identity and a strong connection to community, to land, to culture.

    We’re creating this future for our youngest Australians by empowering communities to design and deliver a program in a way that supports the individual needs, and that’s the trick there, that’s the key part of it; is empowering the communities to do that. Local knowledge, local intel, years and years of traditional knowledge passed on from generation to generation to generation.

    That’s why Connected Beginnings is achieving results, because it’s about connecting communities in the beginning years of a child’s life, prioritising local knowledge and culture, ensuring that communities determine, design and implement solutions to support their own children.

    We’ve been delivering this in partnership with SNAICC, the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Connected Beginnings program exemplifies all the great things that can happen, the real outcomes that you can achieve, when you actually give community the lead, not just involve them, but give them the lead, and follow them, not get them to follow you; would be the other way around.

    Now when I – last year I visited one of the new Connected Beginnings sides in Geraldton, and afterwards I was doing a media interview, and the journalist said to me, she said, “Oh, this is a new way, a new way of doing things, isn’t it?” And I said to her, “New? No, it’s thousands and thousands of years old in how you raise children”.

    This is the traditional way in how you raise children. You bring together everyone to wrap around a child, to watch that child grow and thrive. Everyone has a part in that child’s life. This is not new, this is old ways, and this is the ways that have been used and proven for generation upon generation upon generation, and when we listen to communities and when they tell us about these ways and the ways of   and how these ways have fostered and cushioned and grown strong children and strong adults for generations, then we have that opportunity to do that for future generations as well.

    Let me tell you a little bit about the Connected Beginnings program. At the existing Connected Beginnings sites, that’s 49 of them, plus this one, number 50, the average attendance of First Nations children in centre based care has increased by more than 10 per cent. That’s the real difference it’s making.

    The existing sites have also seen an increase in the number of children on track in all five of our Australian early development census domains. So you’re getting more children attending and more children meeting the early development census domains; executive functioning, oral language, all of those things that we know is what creates successful learners in young children, as well as successful adolescents and adults.

    And this new site here in Kununurra is being developed in partnership with Binarri Binyja Yarrawoo, the Aboriginal Corporation. It will support – get this – 600, around 600 local First Nations children. That’s pretty huge. And as the 50th site, the Connected Beginnings program now with the opening of this site now has the potential to support up to 20 per cent of all First Nations children right across Australia in those vital years before school. That’s pretty amazing, pretty amazing the difference that we’ve seen it already make, and the difference that we’re going to see it continue to make as well.

    So a huge thank you from me to all of our partners who are here today and to all of our partners right across Australia who have been fundamental in making this happen, making this reality of opening our 50th site a success, a reality, and well ahead of schedule too, I’ve got to put that in again.

    I really look forward to seeing the outcomes of Connected Beginnings site here in Kununurra, watching the families and the young children thrive under this program, and I look forward to coming back here to beautiful Kununurra in who knows how many, maybe a month, maybe a year’s time, and seeing the difference that you are all going to be making here that builds on the difference you’re already making as a community here.

    Thank you to everyone involved, and congratulations on number 50. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Speech – Australians of the Year Lunch

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    I’d like to start by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people whose land we are gathered on today. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and I who celebrate the diversity of First Nations people, their ongoing cultures and traditions, their educational practices and their connection to the land, water and skies. I also extend my respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here with us today. 

    I’d like to acknowledge my good friend, colleague and fellow West Australian, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Gorman. I’d also like to acknowledge the National Australia Day Council board members and staff, and of course, Australian of The Year alumni and the 2025 nominees. That’s about as much of my speech as I’m going to read. 

    It is such an incredible honour and privilege, and indeed so humbling, to be in a room here today with so many amazing Australians. You know, I often say that in our lives we don’t often take time to look through the rearview mirror. 

    One of the common themes speaking to the Young Australians of the Year nominees this morning was two things. The first of all was that element of surprise that they were even nominated or recognised for the work that they’re doing. And the second thing that I noticed, was they talked about what everybody else has achieved, and how wonderful all the other nominees are, and how great the achievements of all the other nominees are. 

    But I want to say, to not just the Young Australian of the Year nominees, but to all the nominees, that you are here because of what you have achieved to date. But for many of you, that has meant overcoming some incredible adversity, some really great challenges, a lot of self-doubt and at times doubt from others as well. 

    So, I’d like to ask you all to use this as a time to look into that review mirror. Just take a moment to look into that rearview mirror and reflect on how far you’ve come as well. You are here because of how far you’ve come. You are here because of those incredible challenges that you overcame, because of the perseverance and the passion that you showed in making a difference and trying to make a difference to the lives of the people around you. And for that, you are an incredible inspiration. For that you are an incredible Australian. And for that, you deserve to be acknowledged.

    So, as you look in the rearview mirror, take that time today, because from now on, going forward, it’s all going to be straight in through that front windscreen as you move forward. I wish all the nominees all the very best of luck. And I want to say a huge, heartfelt congratulations to all of you, not just for being nominated for Australian of the year, not just for the work that you’re being recognised, but for the things that you do every day, for the selflessness that you exhibit in the things that you do every day to make life better for the others and the people that are around you. 

    Thank you. And good luck to all the recipients. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: CIT launches checkout-free store

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology uses AI to determine what shoppers take or return to shelves.

    CIT Bruce has launched a new campus convenience store, YalaPlus, enabled by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.

    The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the first education institution in the southern hemisphere to use the technology.

    Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology uses AI to determine what shoppers take or return to shelves.

    Computer vision and deep learning techniques simplify the shopping experience by removing checkout lines, helping students get in and out quickly.

    The technology uses synthetic datasets that mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios to ensure accuracy in virtually any environment.

    Professional services company Cognizant helped provide the solution integration to ensure seamless payment options for students.

    At YalaPlus, students enter the store using their credit card or mobile wallet at the entry gate.

    Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology then detects what they take from or return to the shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.

    When students complete their shopping, they can leave the store without waiting in line, and their credit card is charged for the items they take.

    CIT Student Association chief executive officer Andrew Scotford said the innovative stores would create an improved and more flexible student experience.

    “Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology will benefit all students, especially those studying outside of regular business hours,” he said.

    “Many CIT students are balancing work, study and training, so flexibility and accessibility are important to them.

    “There are also 48 students who live on the CIT Bruce Campus that don’t have easy access to nearby shopping. YalaPlus now offers convenient access to products such as food, beverages and other essential items.”

    CIT interim chief executive officer Christine Robertson says the Institute, now in its 95th year, is entering an exciting era of progress.

    “CIT will open a new state-of-the-art, digitally connected Woden CIT campus in 2025, but innovation doesn’t wait. We’re committed to uplifting our existing facilities and experiences for students and staff,” she said.

    The Student Association also plans to open two more stores at CIT campuses, at Fyshwick and at Bruce, in early 2024.

    Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is home to two other locations using this technology in Australia.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Learner driver first aid program launched

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The training is designed to assist young drivers if they’re involved in, or come across, a motor vehicle crash.

    The ACT Government has launched a new learner driver first aid program.

    This will provide more flexible options for learner drivers to enhance their skills and credit their mandatory supervised driving hours. 

    From 22 November, Canberrans learning to drive will have an opportunity to obtain basic lifesaving first aid skills and claim five hours credit against their required driving hours. 

    The training is designed to assist people if they’re involved in, or come across, a motor vehicle crash. 

    The program won’t just provide the skills that could save a life, it’s hoped to be a reminder to the next generation of drivers of the serious consequences of car accidents.

    Under the new program new drivers are eligible for the five credit hours if they have held a learner licence for at least three months.

    There will be eight approved courses available from 22 November, delivered either online, face-to-face or a combination of both.

    The time commitment and cost requirements for each course varies depending on the type and depth of content delivered.    

    The new learner driver first aid program builds on existing competency training for learner drivers to make sure people have a better understanding of road safety. 

    This new program joins two other road safety education opportunities available for driving hours credit:
    *    Vulnerable Road User Program offers a 10-hour credit for completing the course
    *    Safer Driver Course provides learner drivers aged under 25 with 20 hours credit towards their required driving hours.

    Together these programs provide learner drivers aged under 25 years with up to 35 hours credit towards the 100 mandatory hours, and provide them with potentially life-saving skills.

    “St John Ambulance ACT commends the government on their initiative to promote driver first aid specially aimed at learner drivers,” 2022 Senior Australian of the Year, ACT Senior Australian of the Year and St John Ambulance volunteer Val Dempsey said.

    “This initiative through St John Ambulance ACT is supporting learner drivers in developing first aid skills, so they may be prepared to step forward with capabilities, competencies, and knowledge, to save a life in the event of an emergency, particularly in road safety.”

    Learner driver first aid courses completed before the program’s commencement date, or with a provider that is not on the approved list, will not be eligible for the logbook credit.

    For more information visit www.act.gov.au/roadsafety.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Investigation ongoing following firearms incident, Gisborne

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairawhiti Area Commander:

    Police are investigating reports of shots being fired at a house in Gisborne – the latest in a series of incidents believed to be gang-related.

    About 6:30am today, Police were called to Ranfurly Street after someone living nearby heard a gunshot.

    On arrival, Police determined that a house in the street had been shot at while people were inside.

    It’s incredibly fortunate no one was injured.

    Detectives are investigating this and other incidents in the Kaiti and Mangapapa areas last week, and believe them to be gang-related.

    Police are working closely with gang leaders to work to de-escalate the conflict, and officers will maintain a highly-visible presence in the Gisborne area. Police have no tolerance for behaviour that presents a serious risk to public safety and our response to incidents of violence will be stern.

    Anyone who has immediate concerns for their safety, or that of anyone else, is asked to please call 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ‘Unleashing’ opportunities for CIT students

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Students get hands-on experience in caring for dogs.

    Forget laptops – for some students, giving treats and tummy rubs are all in a day’s learning.

    Nestled alongside bushland at CIT’s Bruce campus, CIT Dog Day Care is an authentic learning environment for aspiring animal care professionals.

    Here, students pursuing careers in animal care gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

    This not only equips them with essential skills towards a career in a field facing a shortage of qualified professionals, it’s also just great fun.

    Erin, a current CIT student, says “I’ve always wanted to do an animal course. Working here gives us a real hands-on experience so that we know what we should be looking for. We’re supported the whole way by our teachers to work with the dogs and their owners – the support gives you a real boost to deal with all parts of the job.”

    Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students provide the best of care for their doggy clients.

    This practical experience is complemented by classroom lessons throughout the week.

    Some students are completing Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASBAs), some are Fee-Free TAFE course graduates – all are gaining foundational skills towards a career in anything from veterinary nursing to dog grooming.

    As well as learning the optimal ways of communicating with the dogs in their care, students develop customer service skills liaising with their owners.

    Small dogs attend day care on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and large dogs on Fridays.

    The numbers of participating dogs are limited, ensuring students get to know each one well enough to offer individualised care.

    Each day, the dogs enjoy high-quality care including multiple walks, grooming or bath time, play, basic training and socialisation – and plenty of attention and affection.

    Maree, a supervisor, says the facility is “a unique space for students to develop real skills. Here they get a lot of preparation, true hands-on dog experience. They have an opportunity to see a range of natural behaviours and are able to develop the skills to manage situations in a supportive environment, all whilst collaborating and learning from other students.”

    The CIT Dog Day Care facility has become popular with pet owners who appreciate the personalised attention their dogs receive from the enthusiastic and dedicated students and staff.

    Its success highlights the close relationship between the Canberra community, CIT and industry, creating a safe, enjoyable environment for furry friends while contributing to the development of the next generation of animal care professionals.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Local teacher inspires with story

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Sam Davies shares his story in the Be That Teacher campaign.

    UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra teacher Sam Davies loves being a teacher.

    He is just one of eight teachers across Australia sharing their stories in a new initiative called Be That Teacher.

    The joint Australian, state and territory government campaign aims to showcase the value and importance of teachers while encouraging people to consider a career in teaching.

    Teachers across Australia share why they choose to teach and their inspirational stories about the lasting impact they have had on their students.

    “If life is about creating meaningful moments, you get a meaningful moment every day in this profession,” Sam said.

    “Every day we have the opportunity to make a real and positive difference in the lives of our young people.”

    Ewen McMahon is one student at UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra who has benefitted from Sam’s dedication.

    “I only had him for one semester in Year 11 English, but he inspired me with just how involved he is in the class – how quickly he got to know everyone personally. He will go out of his way, in his own time, to make sure everyone’s okay and understanding the work, to check if anyone has questions and has what they need to get the work done,” Ewen said.

    “He just goes above and beyond. He just really cares and that comes out through in the way he teaches as well as who he is as a person.”

    While there are many excellent teachers like Sam across the country, more are needed.

    The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan was developed to address the national issue of teacher workforce shortages.

    It is hoped both the plan and the Be That Teacher campaign increase the number of people choosing to become teachers and ensure that existing teachers remain in the profession.

    If you are a school leaver, graduate or career switcher thinking about a career in teaching, view the pathways into teaching, scholarships and support available to you.

    “I hope that anyone considering a career in teaching will be touched by these remarkable stories, and that they will see how fulfilling this profession is,” Sam said.

    Read more on the Be That Teacher website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: High school program inspiring gender equality

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Anna completed a site visit at the National Gallery of Australia.

    Anna Mongan felt sure she wanted to pursue a career in education.

    That was until she took advantage of the Understanding Building and Construction Program (UBCP) as a year 9 student at Melba-Copland Secondary School.

    The first of its kind in both the ACT and Australia, the curriculum-based program is designed to remove barriers preventing young women and gender diverse students from safely, equitably and fully participating in the building and construction industry.

    It does this through targeted, careers-focused learning in schools, to help young women and gender diverse students discover the option of this career pathway, including a vocational pathway.

    As part of the program, Anna completed a week-long work experience placement at consultancy RPS Group, where she was mentored by Practice Lead Tracy Wilcox.

    Tracy is a National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) committee member and is committed to championing diversity in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

    “I do this because I never had it myself,” she said.

    “There is a resource shortage across industry, which means there is a whole pool of talented individuals we are not even considering, this includes women. Diversity is important at all levels, and we need to open doors to give people a chance.”

    Anna’s week was packed with new experiences, including project management meetings, site visits and the opportunity to speak with RPS clients as well as those at all levels of the business.

    “The environment was very supportive and welcoming. I was given all these great opportunities to try things and listen in on things so that I get a taste of what it would actually be like to work here,” Anna said.

    Melba-Copland began offering the Understanding Building and Construction Program just this year.

    A pilot program of four schools ran in 2022, developed in a partnership between the ACT Government and NAWIC, and partly funded by a National Careers Institute (NCI) Partnership Grant.

    The program is now offered at five ACT public schools:

    • Alfred Deakin High School
    • Calwell High School
    • Harrison Public School
    • Mount  Stromlo High School
    • Melba-Copland Secondary School.

    The ACT Government is committed to a target of 10 per cent female employment in the ACT construction industry.

    Increasing women’s participation in the construction industry and other traditionally male-dominated industries is a key focus of the ACT Women’s Plan 2016–26.

    It also aligns with the Future of Education Strategy in partnering with industry to bring real-life learning into the classroom and take learning into the broader community.

    While work experience gave Anna welcome insight into consultancy work, she feels she might pursue a trade apprenticeship.

    “I haven’t quite decided what I want to do but I 110 per cent want to do it within the construction industry,” she said.

    For now, her priority is graduating year 12 – something Tracy strongly endorses.

    “It’s important to have a Plan B if you’re going into a trade. It’s all about being able to change and adapt as your body and situation change,” she said.

    Tracy’s strongest piece of advice, however, is simple: “Take every opportunity, understand your worth and back yourself”.

    At the end of her placement, Anna is happy to recommend the UBCP program to other students because it has provided her with meaningful opportunities to explore this industry.

    “I can say I will be going back to school and bragging about this great chance I was given,” she said .

    Learn more about the Understanding Building and Construction Program.

    Anna learnt a great deal on work experience at RPS Group.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New development for Constitution Place precinct

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    An artist’s impression of the new Constitution Place development.

    A new $150 million office development will be built in the city centre following the sale of an ACT Government block of land to Capital Property Group.

    The $17.75 million sale will see the developers of Canberra’s award-winning Constitution Place precinct – Bates Smart and Construction Control – deliver a six-level, 14,000sqm commercial building on the corner of Vernon Circle and Constitution Avenue.

    Construction is set to commence in mid-2024, and be completed late 2026.

    The project continues the renewal of the city centre, alongside the Canberra Theatre redevelopment and evolving Acton Waterfront.

    Capital Property Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Byron said this project would build on the success of Constitution Place.

    “We are committed to setting a new standard of excellence for office development and further revitalising Canberra’s City Centre,” he said.

    “This new development will provide high-quality, centrally located office accommodation to meet the city’s growing needs.”

    The new development will place a strong emphasis on sustainability, targeting a WELL Gold-rated Shell and Core, and aiming for a 5-star NABERS energy rating.

    It will also feature a 99kw roof-mounted solar array and have no gas plant allowing for the building to be 100% carbon neutral in operation.

    The building is also proposed to have a hybrid timber construction where part of the building structure and fabric will be built from sustainable timber, further reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

    “We are passionate about Canberra and continuing to make it Australia’s most vibrant, liveable city,” Mr Byron said.

    “Our experience in award-winning precinct design, honed over 25 years at Canberra Airport, positions us well to harness the full potential of the opportunity with this project.”

    The sale was completed through a competitive tender process with the ACT Government via the City Renewal Authority. The land sale was managed by JLL ACT.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Businesswoman of the Year flies high

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Dr Debbie Saunders, second from right, is the founder and CEO of Wildlife Drones.

    Drones and wildlife may seem like an odd coupling, but for conservation ecologist Dr Debbie Saunders, it has proven to be a real winner.

    Debbie is the founder and CEO of Wildlife Drones, a local Canberra company established in 2016 that is doing something no one else in the world is doing – tracking wildlife with drone technology.

    Her efforts to improve conservation management practices around the world has earnt her a number of accolades, the latest being 2023 Canberra Businesswoman of the Year at the recent Canberra Women in Business Awards.

    “Winning this award is pretty amazing, a real highpoint in my career. It’s nice to be recognised,” she said.

    But for Debbie, it wasn’t always easy.

    “There were a lot of naysayers over the years. People who didn’t really believe in what I was doing. But you can’t worry about that,” she said.

    “I have amazing mentors, and a support network in Canberra. You just need to surround yourself with people who lift you up and believe in you.”

    Wildlife Drones came about after a struggle to track the humble swift parrot.

    “It’s a small animal that moves dynamically across massive landscapes – it’s also critically endangered,” Debbie said.

    “My colleagues had tried to track them before. They would catch them, which is a feat in of itself, put a tag on them but when they released them, they never found them again. All of that effort, and they would just fly away.

    “So if we wanted to track them, we really needed to find a different way.”

    Debbie received an ICON grant to help develop her product (which enabled her to buy her first drone), and took advantage of the many programs and events offered by the Canberra Innovation Network.

    Now, Wildlife Drones is the only company in the world providing this kind of technology, and it’s all manufactured in Canberra.

    Governments, not-for-profits, zoos, environmental consultants and researchers are using Wildlife Drones’ technology to track everything from giant hornets and Burmese pythons in the US, to koalas and bilbies in Australia.

    Debbie says Canberra has been a great place to start up and grow a business, with a supportive innovation ecosystem that has helped her attract investment.

    “Being from wildlife background, I wasn’t sure how to do some things, like a business pitch,” she said.

    “But it’s amazing how many synergies there are between business and research. And that was the moment it clicked for me – I do this all the time, applying for grants is exactly the same thing.

    “I now have an amazing team and work on amazing things. That has been the real game changer, surrounding myself with smart and creative people who are up for the challenge.”

    So, what’s next for Wildlife Drones?

    “So many things,” laughs Debbie.

    “We’re developing a new product and it’s got nothing to do with drones.

    “With the new Global Biodiversity Framework that was signed off, and a lot of countries signed up to, businesses are now required to be accountable in terms of biodiversity. There’s an immense amount of data out there that can be used to help businesses and corporations better understand biodiversity and how to monitor and track over time.

    “We are developing software to help make use of all that data.

    “It’s great to be in a time when biodiversity is front and centre.”

    For more information about the Canberra Innovation Network go to the CBRIN website.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lights, camera, action! AUSTIN begins filming

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    AUSTIN stars Ben Miller, Michael Theo, and Sally Phillips.

    Cameras have officially started rolling on AUSTIN, a new eight-part ABC comedy series being filmed in Canberra.

    Produced by the award-winning team at Northern Pictures – in partnership with the ABC, Screen Australia, ITV Studios, and Screen Canberra – AUSTIN is the acting debut for Love on the Spectrum fan-favourite Michael Theo, who will star in the series alongside two renowned UK actors, Ben Miller and Sally Phillips.

    About AUSTIN

    When much-loved children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) inadvertently causes a social media storm, his career and that of his illustrator wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) appears to be over. That is until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue. 

    Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid forgive him? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a push over, he’s in for a rude awakening.

    Production brings support for the local screen industry 

    Supported by the ACT Government and Screen Canberra through the CBR Screen Attraction Fund and CBR Screen Investment Fund, this series will be filmed almost entirely in Canberra, with one week of filming in the UK.  

    The 28-day shoot will provide training and employment opportunities for local industry and significant economic expenditure.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fee-Free TAFE to continue

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Fee-Free TAFE is a jointly funded initiative of Australia’s Commonwealth, state and territory governments, providing tuition-free vocational education and training to eligible ACT students wanting to train, retrain or upskill.

    Fee-Free Tafe – a jointly funded initiative of the Australian and ACT Governments – will continue until 2026.

    This extension will allow Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) to deliver another 3600 places over three years from 2024 onwards.

    This amounts to 600 tuition-free places for Canberrans each semester from 2024 through to the end of 2026.

    There will be a focus on priority learners and areas of skills demand.

    Applications for CIT Fee-Free TAFE places in semester 1, 2024, open Monday, 13 November 2023 and prospective students are encouraged to apply early.

    All are invited to attend CIT Open Day on Friday, 17 November, at the CIT Reid, Bruce and Fyshwick campuses.

    CIT has successfully met its targets in the first year of delivering Fee-Free TAFE, reaching its allocated 2,530 enrolments for 2023.

    More than 1000 of CIT’s Fee-Free TAFE student enrolments have been in the care sector, in skilled areas of demand such as childcare, aged care, disability care and community services.

    CIT has also seen a strong uptake of education and training in cyber security. The Certificate IV Cyber Security has been the most popular of all Fee-Free courses with 264 enrolments.

    “CIT has shown we can successfully deliver the national Fee-Free TAFE program, making education and training more accessible to Canberrans and continuing to drive the ACT’s workforce forward, especially in industry areas of need and to priority learner cohorts,” CIT Interim CEO Christine Robertson said.

    “Vocational education and training can change people’s lives, and Fee-Free TAFE is providing opportunity, especially to priority learners. It’s encouraging to see big enrolments among our youth and job seekers, while Fee-Free TAFE in the ACT has supported 430 women in financial hardship to access education and training.

    “Students have shared how they may not have even considered vocational education and training if not for the opportunity and accessibility that Fee-Free TAFE has provided them.”

    “We look forward to seeing more students graduate of Fee-Free TAFE and becoming the carers, construction workers, hospitality staff and digital experts the ACT needs. We’ve also had many students graduate short course via Fee-Free TAFE, which has set them on the pathway to further education,” she said.

    Highlights of CIT’s Fee-Free TAFE delivery in 2023 include:

    • 268 course completions already, mainly in short courses, which is a great pathway to further study and jobs
    • 1,609 female student enrolments (more than 60 per cent of total). CIT has been enhancing diversity in student cohorts e.g. 25 enrolments for women in building, construction and electronics trades
    • 430 women in financial hardship. Fee-Free tuition has made education and training possible.
    • 1,027 enrolments in care sector related courses, across areas including childcare, aged care, disability care, and community services
    • 936 enrolments for students aged between 17 and 24
    • 774 enrolments for job seekers
    • 215 enrolments for unpaid carers
    • 163 enrolments for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • 124 enrolments for people that identify with a disability
    • 55 enrolments are for Humanitarian visa holders and 161 for other eligible visa holders
    • 30 enrolments for veterans.

    More information on CIT courses eligible for Fee-Free TAFE enrolment in Semester 1, 2024, is available at the CIT Fee-Free TAFE webpage.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Creating opportunities for women in construction

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Kaitlyn Lucas says the Women in Construction program gave her the tools to pursue a career in the construction industry.

    The ACT Government is encouraging women to consider careers in Canberra’s construction industry through an innovative training program.

    The Women in Construction program, which recently received recognition in the ACT Training Awards, encourages women and gender diverse Canberrans to enter the construction industry through a traineeship or apprenticeship pathway.

    Over five weeks, the program combines theory and practical hands-on learning with site tours, work preparation sessions and training courses to prepare participants for their placements.

    Kaitlyn Lucas is a first-year electrical apprentice who is currently working on the new CIT campus in Woden.  She says the Women in Construction program set her up with the qualifications and confidence, to pursue a career in construction.

    “A lot of the program was preparing for construction, so getting your basic qualifications, basic cards to get on site, elevated work platforms training, and first aid, which is important,” she said.  

    “My goal now is to get my qualification, and then one day I’d like to become a project manager.

    “These skills and qualifications set you up. It’s a good starting point.”

    As part of the program, participants undertake training courses including:

    • Work safely with asbestos containing materials
    • Identify and report asbestos containing materials
    • Apply WHS requirements, policies, and procedures in the construction industry
    • Prepare to work safely in the construction industry (White Card)
    • Handle Construction Materials
    • Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention
    • Course in Workplace Impairment Prevention
    • Bullying and Harassment and WHS Hazard Identification
    • Gender Equity Awareness – Safe and Respectful Workplaces
    • Workplace Mental Health Awareness.

    Each program participant is also supplied with their own personal protective equipment.

    Women in Construction Information Session 

    An information session about the next round of the Women in Construction program will be held at the Canberra Institute of Technology in Bruce. All individuals seeking to be part of program must attend the session.

    • Where: CIT Bruce
    • When: Thursday 26 October 2023, 10:30am-12:30pm

    Women in construction is delivered by Lendlease in collaboration with Major Projects Canberra and in partnership with Australian Training Company, The Umbrella Collective, Creative Safety Initiatives, The Canberra Institute of Technology, The ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority and Icon.

    More on the CIT Woden Campus’ social objectives can be found online.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Home energy support for those who need it most

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The upgrades will keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.

    The Australian Government and ACT Government have committed $35.2 million to ease the cost-of-living pressures for Canberra’s public and community housing tenants.

    Over the next three years, the ACT Government has allocated $28 million under its Home Energy Support Program package to provide energy efficiency upgrades such as ceiling insulation of up to 5,000 properties and some electrification upgrades.

    To date 186 public houses have already received insulation upgrades and over 100 electric appliance upgrades have been made.

    The additional $7.2 million investment from the Australian Government will allow for the full electrification of at least 900 properties.

    These upgrades will keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.

    The upgrades also support a just transition for Canberrans who need the most support as the Territory moves towards an electric future.

    The project is in line with the ACT’s broader commitment to phase out fossil fuel energy use (including fossil fuel gas) and become a net zero emissions city by 2045.

    Find out more about the Home Energy Support Program at https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/canberras-electrification-a-just-transition

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Meet the 2024 ACT Australians of the Year

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    2024 ACT Australian of the Year Joanne Farrell

    The four winners of the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year Awards are as diverse as they are inspiring.

    There’s Joanne Farrell, a champion for females working in construction; Ebenezer Banful OAM, a volunteer and multiculturalism advocate; Caitlin Figueiredo, a young political changemaker; and Selina Walker, an emerging Ngunnawal elder and leader.

    The ACT winners will join the other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2024.

    Take a look at the winners and find out more about their work.

    2024 ACT Australian of the Year – Joanne Farrell

    Joanne (Jo) Farrell is a champion for females in the construction industry.

    In 2020, she founded Build Like a Girl, a not-for-profit program that supports girls and women to work in trades.

    Build Like a Girl matches females with pre-apprenticeship and entry-level training, then mentors them to secure work in the construction industry.

    As the general manager of Kane Constructions ACT, Jo has pushed for a better gender balance.

    Jo works closely with government, peak industry bodies, unions, training organisations and building contractors to help them recruit, train and employ women in trade roles.

    She also led construction of Strathnairn Charity House, a project designed and mostly built by women, which was auctioned in March 2023. Proceeds from the sale were distributed to local charities.

    2024 ACT Senior Australian of the Year – Ebenezer Banful OAM

    Ebenezer Banful OAM arrived in Australia over 30 years ago.

    He has since dedicated himself to helping others understand Ghanaian and African values, promoting multiculturalism and helping newly arrived communities integrate into Canberra.

    He helped found the Companion House community organisation that supports survivors of persecution, torture and other war-related trauma.

    Ebenezer has served on numerous committees advocating for multiculturalism. He has volunteered at nearly every National Multicultural Festival and set up Radio Ghana Hour, a community station focused on Ghanaian life and culture, for which he is program coordinator and presenter.

    Respected in his community, Ebenezer’s efforts have helped create harmony and understanding.

    2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year – Caitlin Figueiredo

    Changemaker Caitlin Figueiredo is determined to give young people a say in politics.

    In 2015, she worked to bring young people’s voices into parliament through a national youth advisory council.

    This led to her election to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) board.

    She revitalised and transformed AYAC, which represents 4.5 million young Australians, creating a more diverse board that better represented young people.

    Empowering the next generation of female politicians, she co-founded a political leadership group called Girls Take Over Parliament. It connects with young women from all political parties and enables them to receive support and training from a bipartisan lens.

    Caitlin has also addressed the United Nations about the Sustainable Development Goals; this previous work establishing youth structures on gender equality is ongoing.

    Image courtesy of The Canberra Times

    2024 ACT Local Hero – Selina Walker

    Ngunnawal woman Selina Walker is a respected emerging elder and leader whose integrity has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reconciliation across the ACT.

    Selina continues her grandmother Aunty Agnes Shea’s legacy of influencing and driving change with her unwavering efforts.

    Since 2018, Selina has promoted reconciliation as co-chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council.

    As a founding member of Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation, she helps improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and children, especially those in out-of-home care.

    Selina advocates for Indigenous people within the justice system as a member of the ACT Victims of Crime and Justice Committee and has held roles to improve all children’s educational outcomes in the Catholic school system.

    A kinship carer, Selina was awarded Barnardos’ 2017 ACT Mother of the Year.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: The Hive buzzes with conversation

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Sachi, left, and Fleur are childhood friends who share a passion for garden design.

    Childhood friends Fleur Froggatt and Sachi Wimmer had never recorded a podcast before.

    Their shared passion for garden design, combined with a post-COVID desire for a new career direction, prompted them to start their podcast On Garden Design.

    They do this from The Hive – the professional podcast studio at Woden Library.

    “It’s amazing for a free facility,” they said.

    “The support is first rate and the facilities are exactly what we need. We book ahead and can always get the time we want. It’s convenient, accessible and easy to use. And while this is new technology to us, it’s been a great learning journey in every way.”

    Fleur and Sachi now release a half-hour episode each fortnight.

    While focused on the east coast of Australia, the podcast’s content translates internationally.

    They now have subscribers in 27 countries.

    “Garden design is ubiquitous to every culture and style,” they said.

    “We have listeners from places you wouldn’t think of. In fact, the one that really surprised us was Dubai.”

    Since opening in 2021, The Hive has welcomed a host of intrepid broadcasters keen to take advantage of the free facility.

    Accommodating busy schedules, the studio is available outside regular library hours – from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week.

    While the equipment is easy to use, library staff provide a studio induction tailored to new podcasters’ abilities.

    “One thing people always comment on is the excellent audio quality,” Fleur and Sachi said.

    “We’re not aiming at a professional market, but we have a broad church of listeners. We’ve even had professionals in the industry saying thank you for doing it.”

    The pair don’t hesitate to recommend the studio to anyone considering starting a podcast or elevating an existing one.

    “There are so many reasons we’d recommend it,” they said.

    “It’s a nice evolution, being Canberra girls and library users. We came to the library as kids, and with our kids, and it’s really great to take that to the next level now.”

    Book a spot at The Hive podcast studio

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Expanded project to cut emissions and power homes

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Once the project is completed, it is expected the Mugga Lane landfill gas facility will have capacity to power up to 10,800 homes.

    The ACT Government is driving a circular economy by expanding landfill gas capture at the Mugga Lane landfill.

    This will reduce emissions and provide reliable renewable energy that could power up to 10,800 homes each year.

    It is happening through the expansion of a partnership with Australian owned and operated clean energy engineers, LGI Limited (LGI), which will deliver a landfill gas expansion project.

    The project builds upon a successful three-year program. It will further enhance capabilities for capturing harmful methane emissions generated at Mugga Lane landfill and transforming it into reliable renewable energy for the ACT.

    “Emissions from landfills without biogas management systems can be a significant problem and can contribute up to 80 per cent of a local government’s carbon footprint,” LGI Founder and Managing Director Adam Bloomer said.

    The Government’s priority is to reduce and recycle organic food waste to divert it from landfill, minimising harmful waste emissions. Capturing the emissions created by the organic material that does end up in landfill, however, is also key.

    “The ACT Government’s carbon cutting approach of using proven, cost-effective technologies to capture and abate the harmful methane emissions from Mugga Lane and generate reliable, dispatchable (24/7) renewable energy is an example of what progressive governments can achieve by prioritising the environment,” Adam said.

    The expansion project will include the establishment of two additional 1 Megawatt gas to energy generators, an additional 12 Megawatt of battery storage and a 20 Megawatt grid connection with Evoenergy.

    Once the project is completed, it is expected the Mugga Lane landfill gas facility will have capacity to generate 50,000 Megawatt hours of dispatchable energy.

    This is enough energy to power up to 10,800 homes in the ACT each year.

    Adding the battery system will provide storage capacity and rapid dispatch of the renewable energy generated by the engines, at times when the grid needs it most.

    As part of the LGI partnership, the ACT has been able to reduce carbon emissions by 764,000 tonnes, over the past three years.

    More than 80 million3 of biogas has been captured at Mugga Lane, allowing for 96 Gigawatt hours of renewable energy to be generated.

    The Mugga Lane site upgrades will further enhance this.

    The project will see two additional full-time positions employed on the site and significant investment into the local economy through the engagement of local contractors for everything from concreting to catering.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: GymAware awarded 2023 ACT Exporter of the Year

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    GymAware has been awarded 2023 ACT Exporter of the Year at the Chief Minister’s Export Awards. Image: Canberra Airport.

    A Canberra business success story that developed a product now used in gyms around the world has been recognised as the ACT Exporter of the Year.

    Each year the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards celebrate the best and brightest in Canberra’s export industry and showcase the success of local businesses in global markets.

    Kinetic Performance Technology (GymAware) was awarded the 2023 ACT Exporter of the Year for their work as a global leader in velocity-based training solutions. A staggering 89 per cent of its sales are exports, with 80 per cent of these to the USA, 10 per cent to the United Kingdom and 6 per cent to France and China.

    The company’s RS and FLEX products are designed to help coaches and athletes of all levels measure and track strength training activities in the weight room. This technology has been a part of weight training for professional athletes across a range of sports, helping hundreds of teams and individuals prepare for their career-defining moments on the field.

    The company’s systems are used in weight rooms across 65 per cent of all professional sporting teams in the USA, all teams in elite Australian leagues like the NRL and Super Rugby, as well as respected international teams, such as the New Zealand All Blacks.

    “I am honoured that GymAware has been recognised as the 2023 ACT Exporter of the Year at the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards,”  GymAware founder Evan Lawton said.

    “GymAware has been a labour of love, and it’s rewarding to see our commitment to excellence being acknowledged in such a meaningful way by our own community in Canberra.”

    The ACT Exporter of the Year awards showcased several of emerging and established exporting companies. Category winners included:

    • Emerging Exporter – Infinity Avionics Pty Ltd
    • Resources and Energy – Ardexa Pty Limited
    • Sustainability and Green Economy – The Mullion Group (FLINTpro)
    • Advanced Technologies – Kinetic Performance Technology Pty Ltd (GymAware)
    • Small Business – BixeLab
    • Professional Services – Teron Labs Pty Ltd
    • ACT Promising Exporter – Catch the Sun Communications
    • ACT Promising Exporter – Science Skincare International Pty Ltd

    “It was inspiring to see so many businesses with a clear plan for identifying and pursuing valuable export markets – ultimately all Canberrans benefit when local businesses achieve export success,” CEA Technology and ACT Export Awards judge Michael Burton said.

    Businesses who are ready to export have access to support through the TradeStart program. Learn more about exporting and the assistance available on the ACT Business website: act.gov.au/business

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: ‘Mrs Mac’ commemorated in Campbell

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Violet McKenzie was a pioneer in Australian radio and electrical engineering.

    A park in Campbell has been named after Violet McKenzie, or ‘Mrs Mac’ – the woman who trained thousands in Morse code, visual signalling and international code during World War II.

    The park is located behind the Campbell shops, between White Crescent and Blamey Place.

    Violet McKenzie was a pioneer in Australian radio and electrical engineering.

    She was committed to technical education and training, especially for women.

    McKenzie also established a wireless shop in the Royal Arcade, Sydney.

    In the 1930s, she began the Electrical Association for Women and wrote the first ‘all-electric cookbook’.

    In addition, she established the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps in 1939, and campaigned to have her female trainees accepted into the Navy, which was all male at the time.

    Her voluntary work led to the establishment of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, (WRANS).

    The name Violet McKenzie Park was selected following community consultation held last year.

    An information sign was unveiled this week by with representatives from the Royal Australian Navy and WRANS ACT in attendance.

    The ACT Government would like to thank the local community that has adopted the park and helps maintain it.

    Violet McKenzie’s voluntary work led to the establishment of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, (WRANS).

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Road resurfacing works ramp up

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    In 2022 the ACT Government announced a significant increase in road maintenance of $153 million over four years to repair and preserve Canberra’s roads.

    The ACT Government’s annual road resurfacing program has returned to ensure major arterial roads and suburban streets remain safe.

    In 2022 the ACT Government announced a significant increase in road maintenance of $153 million over four years to repair and preserve Canberra’s roads.

    This is a 52 per cent increase in expenditure for road maintenance and a 150 per cent increase for asphalting.

    The program follows research by the Australian Road Research Board and focuses on road rehabilitation as well as preventative resealing.

    In 2022-23, ACT road maintenance teams repaired more than 12,000 potholes across the territory.

    Road rehabilitation projects will begin in coming months on David Walsh Avenue in Forde.

    There is also design work underway for further works on sections of the Monaro Highway, Kings Highway and Sulwood Drive.

    Road resurfacing works are generally undertaken each year during warmer weather conditions.

    The service life of a highly trafficked road is over 10 years whilst residential streets often deliver 25 to 30 years of service.

    Road resurfacing treatments include road resealing, asphalt resurfacing and microsurfacing which helps to waterproof the road, improve skid resistance and fill cracks in the pavement.

    Overnight asphalt resurfacing work was completed this week on sections of the Tuggeranong Parkway at Weston Creek over the Molonglo River.

    This follows asphalt patching work that was undertaken in the area earlier in 2023 after Fix My Street requests were received from the community.

    Major roads to receive road resurfacing treatment over coming months will include:

    • Deakin – Adelaide Avenue, between State Circle and Kent Street
    • Molonglo Valley – Tuggeranong Parkway, southbound between Lady Denman Drive and Cotter Road
    • Belconnen – Gungahlin Drive, several sections in both directions between the Barton Highway and Glenloch Interchange
    • Hall – Barton Highway, from Kuringa Drive towards the ACT/NSW border
    • Watson – Federal Highway, from Antill Street towards the ACT/NSW border
    • Belconnen – William Hovell Drive, both directions between Bindubi Street and Coulter Drive
    • City – Akuna Street
    • Tuggeranong – Anketell Street, several sections
    • Woden Valley – Various intersections along Hindmarsh Drive.

    For more information on road resurfacing, including a map of the full program and daily updates on roads receiving treatment, visit cityservices.act.gov.au

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