Winter 2025 Updates
As we settle into winter, it’s been another busy season of growth and connection at EQUIPD. Stick around as we share the latest news, new classes, events, and community initiatives.
One-Year Celebration – Join Us
It’s hard to believe EQUIPD is almost one year old. To mark the milestone, we’re hosting a community celebration on Thursday, 29th August at 12:00pm – and we’d love for you to join us.
RSVP AT LINK BELOW OR ON THE MEMBERS APP:
https://equipd.pushpress.com/landing/events/cal-7edb388f-a74d-4fd5-ad2a-c645/login
This event is about more than just marking time. It’s a chance to celebrate the staff, members, and wider community who have helped build EQUIPD into what it is today. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just joined recently, you’re part of a growing movement that’s changing how health and wellbeing services are delivered in Canberra.
We’ll be inviting key stakeholders, local ministers, and the many partners who’ve supported us along the way. But most importantly, this is for our members, the people who make the space what it is every day.
Join us for lunch, social connection, and a look back at what we’ve achieved together so far. We hope for a big turnout to make this a truly special day.
New Ever Active & High Ever Active Classes
The Ever Active series continues to be our most popular class, and from August we’re expanding the schedule to give members more choice and help ease peak-time crowding.
Starting soon, you’ll find Ever Active classes at 8:00am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and High Ever Active at 8:00am on Wednesday.
Ever Active is designed to bring together aerobic exercise, strength, balance, and functional movement in a supportive and social setting. For those looking for an extra challenge, High Ever Active Circuit offers a faster-paced class with a mix of strength and cardio stations.
Progressions and regressions are always available, so no matter where you’re at, we’ll meet you there.
More Strength for Life Classes – Now 5 Days a Week
We’re happy to announce two new Strength for Life (SFL) classes on Tuesday at 10:30am and Thursday at 11:30am.
This means you can now access Strength for Life five days a week, across a variety of times under our gym membership. We’re proud to support COTA ACT with this growing program, making exercise more accessible for older adults in our community. A reminder that an assessment is required before commencing this class.
Tai Chi Fridays at 12:00pm
To support the expansion of Strength for Life, we’ve also had to move Tai Chi to Friday’s at 12:00pm. This is a gentle way to wind down your week while improving balance, coordination, and mental focus.
Group Fitness Timetable From August
Multidisciplinary Approach to Diabetes Care (MADC) Pilot
We’re excited to share that EQUIPD Allied Health has been selected for the Multidisciplinary Approach to Diabetes Care (MADC) Pilot, led by Capital Health Network (CHN).
This two-year pilot from July 2025 to June 2027 will provide free, comprehensive allied health services to eligible patients through Conder Surgery and Gungahlin Medical & Surgical Centre. It’s all about breaking down barriers to care and improving diabetes management across priority population groups in Canberra.
As part of this, EQUIPD will deliver Exercise Physiology services from our Chifley gym space and co-located at partner practices. We’ll support participants with movement-based interventions to boost metabolic health, physical function, and long-term behaviour change; whether that’s one-on-one, in small groups, independently or via telehealth.
We’re honoured to work alongside Accelerate Physiotherapy, Canberra Allied Health, The Walking Clinic, and Diabetes Australia on this important initiative. We’ll keep you updated as the program rolls out.
Winter Appeal & Community Soup Evening
This winter, EQUIPD is again supporting the Woden Community Service Little Pantry, helping stock essential food and personal care items for local families in need. We’re calling on our members and community to get involved by donating non-perishable goods. Donations can be dropped off at the gym anytime throughout the drive.
To bring everyone together, we’re also hosting a Community Soup Evening on Thursday, 11th September. Arrive from 4:30pm for a 5:00pm meal, with homemade soup, bread, and dessert on offer.
RSVP AT LINK BELOW OR ON THE MEMBERS APP:
https://equipd.pushpress.com/landing/events/cal-c9fd55f0-1085-4d8e-8d87-0df0/login
It’s a chance to connect over a warm meal while supporting a cause that directly helps our neighbours. We’d love to see you there – whether you’re dropping off donations, sharing a meal, or both.
Mental Health Australia Members Forum
Dylan recently attended the Mental Health Australia Members Forum to represent Exercise and Sports Science Australia, where leaders from across the country came together to discuss the future of mental health care. A key focus was addressing the unmet needs of Australians with moderate mental illness and psychosocial disability. Current estimates show that up to 500,000 people are missing out on vital support, particularly those who fall outside the NDIS.
Help Shape EQUIPD’s Future – Join Our Community Advisory Group
As EQUIPD grows, we’re committed to staying true to the needs of the community. That’s why we’re evolving the original community action group into a new advisory group, bringing together people who care deeply about topics like:
- Aged and disability care
- Health equity and inclusion
- Access to exercise and community-driven decision-making
Whether you’re someone with personal lived experience, a carer, a health advocate, or simply passionate about creating better services for our community, we’d love to hear from you. This group will help guide EQUIPD’s decisions, ensuring the voices of the community are at the centre of what we do next.
Interested? Reach out for a chat – we’re keen to connect with people who want to be part of shaping EQUIPD’s next chapter.
Seniors Expo – Save the Date
EQUIPD will be exhibiting at the upcoming COTA ACT Seniors Expo on Wednesday 24th September. It’s always a fantastic day out and we encourage members to drop by, say hello, and check out what’s on offer.
Welcome Back, Duncan Craig
We’re pleased to welcome Duncan Craig back to the Chifley team. Duncan will be returning to teach the Friday 8:00am Ever Active class from 29th July.
He’ll also be leading the new Mens with Guts Program, running Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00pm. This is an 8-week cycle focused on men’s health, with physical assessments and group education sessions. Start date and additional information coming soon.
Social Area Update
The new coffee machine is getting plenty of love. Remember, fruit and warm drinks are always available (gold coin donation optional) and cold drinks are just a dollar or two to cover costs. Stick around after your session, this space is yours to enjoy.
Student Update
Thanks to both Sams who joined us recently on placement. Our current student Ben will be with us until the end of July, and we’ll welcome another student later in the year. Please make them feel at home, they’re an important part of helping grow the next generation of health professionals.
Exercise and physical activity remain some of the most accessible, evidence-based interventions we have, yet they’re still treated as optional rather than essential. At EQUIPD, we continue to advocate for community-based models of care that include movement and functional support as part of the core mental health response, not just an add-on.
Alpine Search & Rescue and Volunteer Support
Some of you may know Dylan is part of the Alpine Search and Rescue unit with the NSW State Emergency Service and has recently been involved in multiple rescue operations over the past month. We appreciate the flexibility of our staff and community in supporting this work. We also look forward to supporting all employees who wish to engage in community volunteering – like our Exercise Physiologist Sierra, who regularly volunteers with Surf Life Saving NSW along the beaches of Broulee and surrounds.
Vale Terence ‘Terry’ Graham
We’re saddened to share the passing of Terry Graham. Born 5 January 1938, Terry passed away on 1 July 2025. Our thoughts are with his beloved wife and fellow member Evonne, and his family. Terry will be missed by all of us.
Gift Vouchers Available
Are you part of a community group that’s fundraising or looking for ways to support your members? EQUIPD now offers free gym passes and Exercise Physiology vouchers for local groups and raffles. Let us know if we can help.
Cyber Security Presentation
Thanks to those who attended Daniel’s (The Digital GP) session on cyber safety. If you missed it or want to look back, you could download the presentation here:
http://digitalgp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cyber-Security-You-v4.pdf
Reminder Of Key Dates
