ACT Government Health and Community Services

08/01/2026

Great advice from our friends at the ESA about smoke which is approaching the ACT from a major bushfire burning near the VIC/NSW border.

When air quality is poor, you can protect yourself and others by:

🏠Staying inside as much as possible.
💊Keeping your medication close by.
👀Monitoring the air quality in your area and follow health advice. You can check current air quality information (PM 2.5) on the ACT Government website (www.act.gov.au), search ‘air quality’.
🫧Keeping the air in your home as clean as possible. Close doors, windows, and air vents, opening them when air quality improves and use an air filter if you have one.
🚫Avoiding any sources of smoke inside the home - including from smoking, burning candles or incense sticks.
🔁Setting air conditioning (not evaporative coolers or humidifiers) on “recirculate” or “recycle” mode can help with indoor air quality.

Get help

People who are more sensitive to the health effects of smoke should actively monitor symptoms and follow the health advice recommended by their doctor.

If you are concerned about any symptoms:
* call Health direct on 1800 022 222 for health advice
* contact your GP
* visit a Walk-in Centre for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses (https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/wic)
* In an emergency call triple zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department.

For more health advice, visit the ACT Government website (www.act.gov.au) and search ‘air
quality’.

Heads up Canberra, smoke from a major bushfire burning near the VIC/NSW border is approaching the ACT. 🔥💨

There are currently no active fires impacting the Canberra region. Bushfires in the Namadgi National Park earlier in the week are at patrol status and not producing any smoke.

Individuals with respiratory conditions, or those affected by smoke, are advised to remain indoors and close windows until the situation clears.

Call Triple-Zero (000) if you see an unattended fire, or in a life-threatening emergency.

08/01/2026

The ACT is currently experiencing heatwave conditions, which are expected to continue across the week. ☀️

If you are attending one of the many events in the Canberra region this weekend, please take extra care.

Here are some simple things you can do to stay healthy in the heat:

💧Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

☕️ Slow down on the caffeine, alcohol, and energy drinks - they can dehydrate you.

😎 Be sun smart - wear a hat and sunglasses, use SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen, and seek out shade where you can.

🫶 Check on others, especially those at increased risk of heat-related illness like babies and young children, people over 65, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, people with medical conditions, and people with disability or additional needs.

Be on the lookout for early symptoms of heat-related illness, including headaches, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and vomiting.

If you or someone in your care becomes very unwell from heat-related illness:

* Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24/7 health advice

* Contact your GP

* In an emergency call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

For more information and advice, visit: www.act.gov.au/health and search ‘summer safety’.

08/01/2026

Yo, it’s time to let your Christmas ham go 👋

There’s no badge of honour for letting your Christmas ham creep this far into 2026.

It lasts up to 14 days (depending on how you store it), so that leftover ham hogging precious real estate in the fridge has got to go.

If you haven’t already – say farewell, give it one last look, and fast track that bad boy straight to the bin. 🗑️

05/01/2026

ESA have today issued advice about the heat impacting the ACT this week ☀️

Here are some simple tips to beat the heat and protect yourself from heat-related illness: 👉
* Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water 💧
* Be sun smart 😎☂
* Stay indoors during the hottest part of the days. If you can’t stay at home, head to a shopping centre or another cool indoor public place such as your local library (check opening hours before leaving). 📚🏠
* Check on others, particularly those at increased risk of heat-related illness like babies and young children, people over 65, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, people with medical conditions, people with disability or additional needs, and people who work outdoors.🫶

Take care and be on the lookout for early symptoms of heat-related illness, including headaches, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and vomiting. 🥵

If you or someone in your care becomes very unwell from heat-related illness: 👇
* Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24/7 health advice
* Contact your GP
* In an emergency call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
For more information and advice, visit: www.act.gov.au/health and search ‘summer safety’.

ADVICE - Heatwave - ACT - Protect Yourself Against The Impacts of Heat

Severe to extreme heatwave conditions are expected this week.

Maximum temperatures in the high twenties to low thirties and overnight minimum temperatures in the mid teens are forecast early this week.

The severe to extreme heatwave will peak later this week, with maximum temperatures reaching the high thirties and overnight minimum temperatures around the high teens to low twenties.

Be aware of the risk of heat-related illness and plan ahead to keep yourself and others safe.

More - https://esa.act.gov.au/advice-heatwave-act-protect-yourself-against-impacts-heat-0

05/01/2026

What are the First 1000 days? 🧐

The first 1000 days is the time between a baby being conceived until they reach about 2 years of age. 🐥

The first years of your child's life shape their future.

To give your child their best start, it is important to be aware of the milestones during this time.

Read about milestones here:
https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/your-childs-development-from-conception-to-2-years

01/01/2026

Check in on others ❤️

The holidays can be tough for many people. Sometimes, a simple ‘check in’ can mean the world.💙

Not sure how to start a conversation? Here are a few ideas:

🗨️Ask how they’re doing or gently acknowledge if they seem down.

🦻 Listen without judgement. Give them space to share.

🙋 Encourage action or small things that might help. Ask if there’s something that’s worked for them before.

📞 Make plans to catch up soon (in person if you can). Otherwise, a call or message can remind them they’re not alone.

A little kindness can go a long way this holiday season and show someone that you care. ❤️

Help is always available if you or someone you know need support.

For information on local mental health and wellbeing services,
visit www.act.gov.au/health/topics/mental-health.

31/12/2025

Looking after your own mental health?

The festive season is often seen as a time of joy and coming together – but it’s not that way for everyone.

For some, Christmas and New Year can bring feelings of sadness, grief, or loneliness.

Life changes, being away from loved ones, losing someone close, or financial stress can all impact your wellbeing.

If you’re feeling lonely, anxious, or down this holiday season, there are steps you can take to care for yourself.

👥 Stay connected with others

⚽️ Move your body through physical activity

📱 Take time out from your devices

❤️ Practice self-care

📢 Reach out if you need support

Help is always available if you need support. For information on local mental health and wellbeing services, visit www.act.gov.au/healt

30/12/2025

✨ Be part of Reconciliation Day 2026! ✨

We’re inviting food vendors, stallholders, performers, and artists to join us for this year’s Reconciliation Day event on Monday, 1 June 2026.

📢 Expressions of Interest will open on 📆 Tuesday 27 January 2026 – start planning now!

29/12/2025

This local girl could basket-toss you into orbit. THAT'S A HIT!

Lilly trains 6 days a week in cheer, on top of regular school. In a nutshell, Lilly slays.

‘This sport is bigger than you'd expect. My next comp is in Melbourne. It’s the biggest comp outside America. 180 clubs are going; something like 23,000 individual performances – it's wild!”

Lilly will compete in the world’s largest cheer comp in Florida in 2026. The Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grant will help with some of the travel costs.

After the Grant was awarded to Lilly (who wrote the application with only a tiny bit of help from Mum!) she revealed that Audrey Fagan, who the grant is named after, was her Dad’s Aunty!

Lilly’s mum adds “Audrey was into rowing; she loved sport and was the biggest advocate for women. Now we are being supported by the grant in her name, it’s a full circle moment.”

“Lilly sacrifices everything for sport... She’s so driven. I saw that determination in Audrey rowing every morning and I see that now in Lilly. It’s beautiful.”

To hear more about the Audrey Fagan Grant and other opportunities for girls and women in Canberra, sign up to the Office for Women newsletter here:
https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/7F21FF812E1173F6

28/12/2025

Hey cutie, come here often?

26/12/2025

Got some dodgy leftover seafood lurking at the back of your fridge? Might be time to kick it to the curb.

23/12/2025

Support services over the holidays

The holiday season isn’t always easy – and that’s okay.

If you or someone you care about is finding this time of year difficult, remember that help is always available.

Local and national mental health services are here to support you over the coming weeks:

🔹 Access Mental Health (24/7 crisis support): call1800 629 354 or 6205 1065

🔹 Su***de Call Back Service: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

🔹 Lifeline Canberra: lifeline.org.au

🔹 Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au

🔹 Kids Helpline Official: kidshelpline.com.au

🔹 Safe Haven: bit.ly/3uPCsCG

🔹 MindMap: mindmap.act.gov.au

⚠️ In an emergency, always call 000.

For more information on local mental health and wellbeing services, visit www.act.gov.au/health/topics/mental-health

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season🎄