Welcome Back
Welcome back to 2026 and happy Australia Day. The team has made it through the new year period and is excited to be back for another big year. We are already settling into the rhythm of January and looking forward to building on everything the community achieved last year. There is plenty in the works for the months ahead, from new programs to improved services, and we cannot wait to share it with you as the year unfolds.
Chief Minister Visit
Reflecting on the end of last year, we are proud to have hosted another important engagement with a visit from Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Health Minister Rachel Stephen‑Smith and Chief Allied Health officer Dr Sue Fitzpatrick. Their visit to the EQUIPD Community Gym provided an opportunity to showcase the hard work of our growing community and staff over the first 12 months.
As always, the priority was to give the ministers a genuine look at the gym in action. The visit gave the chief Minister the chance to see how the space operates day to day, meet members and hear directly from the people who use the service. It was a great opportunity to show the strength of the community and the work delivered on the gym floor and in exercise classes. We also used the visit to reinforce the importance of preventive health and the role that Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Exercise Scientists play in the wider health system.
Now the initial reopening period is behind us, we have a much clearer picture of both the business model and the model of care, and the signs are promising for discussions about services delivered sustainably, well into the future. There was a media release on the day, along with a few talkback radio interviews to round it out. The full release can be found here:
https://equipdalliedhealth.com.au/news/2025/11/media-release-21st-november-2025/
Christmas Wrap Up
Thank you to everyone who came down to the gym for our 2025 Christmas party. It proved to be another great event with a fantastic turnout. With a barbecue feast cooked by the team and more than enough dessert brought by members to sink the gym, it was a great way to wrap up the year in festive spirits. We look forward to doing something even bigger and better this year.
In the Christmas spirit, we were proud to support the Lions Club and sold many Lions cakes and puddings, with proceeds going to the Lions Youth Haven. It is a fantastic local cause that we are pleased to support through members Shirley and Ron Bull.
Saturday Opening – From 21st February
Getting into some big news based on strong feedback and interest. We are happy to confirm that the gym will now open on Saturdays from 7:00am to 1:00pm, starting Saturday 21 February 2026.
These hours will be reviewed in six months to see if any adjustments are needed based on demand and staff requirements. If you would like Saturday access to continue, please take the opportunity to come in, boost the numbers and squeeze in an extra workout where you can.
For anyone looking to change up their routine, Tuesday and Thursday remain our quieter days. If you prefer three consecutive training days without hitting peak periods, adding Saturday now makes this possible.
New Low EverActive Classes
EverActive has always been our most popular class series and has now grown into running multiple sessions each day. It currently runs in its standard format, as well as High EverActive, which offers a high intensity, circuit‑based option.
From the start of February, new Low EverActive classes will be added to the timetable. These chair‑based sessions are designed to support strength and balance in a safe, low impact and social environment. Low EverActive will run three times a week on:
Monday: 1:15pm to 2:15pm
Wednesday: 11:45am to 12:45pm
Friday: 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Please also note that Duncan’s 8:00am class, originally an EverActive session, now runs as a High EverActive class in line with typical class intensity and exercise prescription.
A flyer outlining the key differences between all three EverActive formats will be available soon.
Friday Class Changes – Tai Chi and Yogalates
From Friday 6th February, Yogalates will run from 10:30am to 11:30am. Tai Chi will then run from 11:45am to 12:45pm. This small shift brings both classes forward by 15 minutes and allows each to
run as a full 60‑minute session.
Updated Group Fitness Timetable
The group fitness timetable will now settle into the following schedule for the foreseeable future:
Group Exercise Physiology Class
You may have noticed that the gym becomes especially busy once the clock hits 1:00pm. This is
when the team runs a 60-minute group exercise physiology class, supporting a wide range of clients who receive additional support on the gym floor each day. If you would like to learn more about the class or discuss eligibility, please speak with one of the team. The gym remains open during this time, so this is simply a heads up as you plan your sessions.
MADC participants, please note a slight change to the timetable has occurred. A new version will be available at the front desk over the coming days. We will also speak directly with anyone who may
be affected by the changes.
EQUIPD Community Advisory Group
Between editions of this newsletter, the first meeting of the EQUIPD Community Advisory Group took
place. It proved to be a valuable sounding board and a great opportunity for member engagement. Much of the discussion focused on preparations for the Chief Minister’s visit, with strong agreement on purpose and direction. The session then opened into broader discussions about future open‑forum style engagement and how the group can help shape EQUIPD’s ongoing processes. Interest remains high, and all gym members are welcome to join future sessions.
The next meeting is planned for 23 February at 3:00pm. Invites will go out to existing participants,
but you are welcome to simply show up in the group fitness room on the day.
Upgraded Book Library
You may have noticed a new bookshelf holding our growing community library. Feel free to take or leave a book at any time and a reminder that free copies of CityNews and The Senior are also restocked regularly and available for your convenience. There is also a printed binder of the first ten issues of this newsletter for anyone who would like to look back on highlights over a coffee!
We hope to continue growing this area, including plans for organised free resources to help guide your exercise journey both within EQUIPD and out in the community.
Student Recap
A big thank you to all the students who spent time with us throughout 2025, and best of luck as you head into the profession. This year we expect several University of Canberra fourth year clinical exercise physiology students on placement, along with a number of third year exercise science students gaining experience on the gym floor and in group fitness classes. We may also see some allied health assistants coming through the programs at CIT if things progress to plan.
Support at Home Aged Care Packages
With updated Support at Home legislation now passed, we encourage all members with new or grandfathered Support at Home packages to get in touch to see whether EQUIPD can assist with clinical services as part of your plan. We remain associated providers with many local and national organisations and will continue to strengthen our involvement in the scheme.
While we are unable to assist those on the Commonwealth Home Support Program, we welcome the transition to Support at Home and the increased choice it will offer over the coming years.
International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Canberra 2025
Dylan attended the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, held in Canberra late last year, with Steve joining for a social event in the MOAD Kings Hall. The forum brought together influential speakers and sector leaders to explore system improvement, inform quality initiatives and share practice‑transformation projects from around the world. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from experts shaping national and international quality and safety frameworks.
The program also featured keynote sessions from leaders redefining what safe, high quality and patient centered care can look like. Notably, Samantha Bloom, World Para Surfing Champion and bestselling author, shared her lived experience and highlighted an incredible example of resilience and recovery. Her keynote set the tone for a program centered on inspiring solutions and future‑focused ideas.
Social Event Planning
We are already tossing around ideas for a mid-year, community event to rally the membership base around a food drive that matches, or even exceeds, the one we ran last winter. We will look to collect donations throughout the month of June and finish with an engaging social event in collaboration with a local community organisation. One idea gaining traction is an old school bingo night run by the EQUIPD staff, with trivia following as a close second option.
We would love to fill the 2026 calendar with social opportunities, so if you have suggestions, want to help run an event or know of any great causes that would suit a themed month, please let us know.
Thriving Kids Policy Update
For those keeping up with Dylan and his policy updates, there has been plenty of discussion around the Thriving Kids initiative, a state-based approach to disability support for children. Last year, Exercise and Sports Science Australia made a submission to the parliamentary inquiry, with Dylan attending a public hearing in support of the ESSA national team. The Committee has since made 16 recommendations, many of which align with ESSA’s submission and ongoing advocacy. These include nationally consistent developmental programs with no gaps, equitable access regardless of postcode, regular review of the initiative once implemented and active involvement of health peak bodies in program design.
While the recommendations still do not yet paint a complete picture, work is moving in the right direction. ESSA is hosting a parliamentary event on February 4th to highlight the role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists in the new scheme, which is set to roll out from June. It is an important space for our professional colleagues to watch, and more developments will no doubt emerge soon.
COTA ACT Awards and Directory Launch
Dylan and Steve attended the 2025 ACT COTA Positive Ageing Awards in December as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting COTA ACT, a permanent fixture in our calendar. EQUIPD was kindly acknowledged with a Certificate of Appreciation for our contribution to the Strength for Life program and we congratulate all award recipients. We look forward to attending again in 2026.
The launch of the 2026–2027 ACT Seniors Card Discount Directory will take place at the end of the month and we look forward to being there in support of the great work delivered by the team at COTA ACT.
Gym Plan Terminology Update
Most members will not have noticed a recent update to plan names and categories across the gym, with some minor tweaks giving the plan landing page a more streamlined layout.
A reminder that the EQUIPD Community Gym membership is $22 dollars per week and can be paid weekly, fortnightly or prepaid (previously termed upfront) for 3 or 6 months. Casual visits and access passes have been grouped together, with 1, 10 and 20 visit passes available at ~$16 dollars per visit, and 1, 2 and 4 week casual access options at $26 dollars per week.
The goal will be to maintain the membership as the most affordable and accessible option. If you are not already using it, please consider switching as it remains the simplest and best value choice, especially if you are attending more than twice per week or six times per month. Pause or cancel with no fee at any time.
You may also notice the free trial plan, which you are welcome to share with friends or networks. We are always happy for people to try a class or have a gym session before committing.
https://equipd.pushpress.com/landing/plans
Terry Campese Foundation Special Forces Challenge
We have mentioned CyberNova in previous issues of this newsletter for their support to EQUIPD across a wide range of IT needs and they have been a great help whenever things have come up along the way. Tyson, one of the founding directors, is currently fundraising as part of the Terry Campese Special Forces Challenge. With no request from him, we wanted to share his link with the community in case anyone is interested in supporting the foundation and contributing to a meaningful local cause.
All funds raised go towards the TCF Youth Mentor Program and more information can be found at the links below.
https://www.terrycampesefoundation.org.au/youthmentorprogram
https://specialforceschallenge.site/recruit/tyson-buenen/
Looking Forward
We are heading into 2026 with a real sense of momentum and ambition for continued growth, all shaped by the input and experiences of our members. EQUIPD has always been a community led space and we want to keep building it that way. If you think we have missed something or someone, if there is a service we could improve or if you have ideas for programs you would love to see, please bring it up with the team directly or get in touch using the details below. If you have had an experience that was not quite right, see an opportunity for greater efficiency or simply want to offer feedback, we are always happy to hear it. Your input continues to guide the direction we take.
We also love hearing the stories that come from your enablement through exercise, whether it is easier daily living or tackling crazy hiking trails and big challenges. Please tell us about your stories on the gym floor or contact us any time at feedback@equipdalliedhealth.com.au.
You can also leave a Google review for everyone to hear about at https://g.page/r/Ca4NqjYneEmCEBM/reviewr
Minister Visit & Christmas Party Photos
