Busy Start to the Year
The team has been off to a busy and positive start to the year, continuing to welcome new members and staff while refining how we deliver a number of our services. It has been great to see the gym humming along, classes filling steadily and familiar faces mixing with new ones. As always, we are focused on improving access, sustainability and the overall experience for everyone who walks through the doors at Chifley.
Welcome to the Team and Student Update
We are very happy to welcome Grace, our new Exercise Physiologist, Hannah, our new Allied Health Assistant and Matthew, our new Accredited Exercise Scientist, to the EQUIPD team. You would have seen them already supporting members across the gym floor, group classes and clinical services and we are already grateful for the skills and energy they are bringing to the space.
We have also had several third‑year Exercise Science students spending time with us and we look forward to welcoming fourth‑year clinical Exercise Physiology placement students later in the year as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the University of Canberra program.
Axe The Tax on Health
You may have noticed some not so subtle signage in the hallway leading to the gym highlighting Exercise & Sports Science Australia’s national AXE THE TAX campaign. Exercise Physiology services currently attract GST, unlike many other allied health services, creating an unnecessary financial barrier for people who
rely on exercise to manage chronic disease, disability, injury and long‑term health conditions.
The AXE THE TAX campaign is calling for Exercise Physiology to be GST‑exempt, recognising it as essential healthcare rather than an optional extra. There is an active petition supporting this change and with the support of Senator David Pocock, who will present the petition, we ask that you jump on board and provide your signature as we continue pushing for fair and sensible policy change.
Advocacy like this matters and community support strengthens the case for more accessible healthcare. Information and the petition ink are available in the gym and online. Feel free to ask staff for assistance if required.
Exercise Right Week – 23 to 30 May
Running alongside this import advocacy work, Exercise Right Week runs from 23 May through to 30 May, with this year’s theme being ‘Expert advice for everybody’. It is an Exercise and Sports Science Australia national campaign that closely aligns with the work we do every day at EQUIPD.
The ESSA ACT State Chapter, supported by local volunteers including EQUIPD staff, will be hosting market stall activations at Haig Park Markets on Sunday 24 May and the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sunday 31 May. These stalls will provide free health checks for the community, share practical resources around safe, effective and evidence‑based exercise and promote Exercise Physiology and broader advocacy efforts. If you are heading to the markets, make sure you stop by and say hello.
Anna’s Walk for Bladder Cancer Awareness
EQUIPD is also proud to again support Anna’s Walk for Beat Bladder Cancer Australia. This year’s walk will take place on Sunday 17 May, meeting at 9:45am for a 10:00am start at the National Carillon.
This cause is close to home for many in our local community and we encourage members, families and friends to join us if they are able. Whether you walk the full loop or simply come along to show support, your presence helps raise awareness and keep important conversations going. ESSA volunteers will also be running free health checks on the day. If you plan to attend, please register via the link below or just turn up on the day!
https://www.beatbladdercanceraustralia.org.au/annaswalk/canberra/
Group Fitness Timetable Adjustment – From 1 June
From 1 June, we will be making a small number of timetable adjustments to support smoother flow between classes and improve overall efficiency across the week. These are not particularly major changes, but we want to flag them clearly.
Strength For Life
Monday will move from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Wednesday will move from 2:00pm to 2:15pm
Thursday will move from 11:30am to 11:45am
Low EverActive
Monday will move from 1:15pm to 2:15pm
Chair Yoga
Tuesday will move from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Easy Yoga (Now Yoga)
Tuesday will move from 1:15pm to 2:15pm
Updated flyers will be available in the gym, with a large poster displayed at the main entrance for convenience. The website timetable will also be kept up to date to let you know which instructors will be covering each class and if any rare weekly adjustments are made.
Updated Group Finess Timetable
Yoga Update
What were previously listed as ‘Beginner Yoga’ and ‘Easy Yoga’ will now simply be called ‘Yoga’, reflecting a simplifed name to the same inclusive class structure.
These sessions will continue to focus on foundational, mat‑based movements to support those who are beginning or returning to yoga practice, while also offering progression options where appropriate for participants looking to build on their practice.
If you are new to yoga, returning after time away, or managing an injury or health condition, we ask that you please check in with the instructor before class. If you’re unsure of your current limits or prefer additional support, starting with Chair Yoga and progressing to Yoga is recommended
Supportive EverActive – New Class Now Available
We have recently developed Supportive EverActive, a new hybrid, play‑based exercise class designed for members, including those with intellectual disability. The class runs twice per week on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:45am and is delivered in a social and fun environment.
Sessions blend traditional elements of resistance, cardiovascular and balance training, with an emphasis on participation, confidence and enjoyment. This class builds on the success of Low EverActive and supports more inclusive access to group‑based exercise.
Community Advisory Group Update
The Community Advisory Group met on 23 February, with discussions covering price sustainability, learnings around pause periods and casual access memberships and feedback on Low EverActive, which continues to be a strong success. The expansion into Supportive EverActive was also discussed and well supported alongside ambition for a mid-year social event.
The next Community Advisory Group meeting will be held on Monday 15 June at 3:30pm. All members are welcome to attend.
Casual Access Price Update
Following discussion and support from the Community Advisory Group, from 1 June, there will be a small adjustment to casual visit and casual access pricing as outlined below:
Our unlimited membership remains unchanged at $22.00 per week and continues to offer the best value for full access to our facilities and services.
As a special offer for existing casual visit members, from 1–30 June every remaining visit on your account can be converted into one full week of membership access (for example, 6 visits left on a 10‑visit pass can be converted into your first 6‑weeks of unlimited membership).
Membership Pauses
Memberships can now be paused for a minimum of one week when a nominated resume date is provided via email, phone, or in person. We’re also working on an online form that will allow members to submit pause requests and receive automatic confirmation, making the process even easier.
Indefinite pauses currently remain available in cases of injury or illness. Memberships may be cancelled at any time with no additional fees.
Community Talk – Canberra Bushwalking Club
Dylan will be presenting to the Canberra Bushwalking Club on the 19th August, with the session open to the public and starting at 7:30pm for those interested in attending the club in Weston.
The presentation will cover the importance and benefits of exercise, the role of Exercise Physiology, practical tips for staying active and chronic disease management. It will also touch on capacity building and maintaining long‑term participation in walking and outdoor activities. Members are very welcome to attend or share the event through their networks.
https://canberrabushwalkingclub.mybilby.com/activities/3813
Equipment Maintenance and Feedback
As we move into another year of operation, equipment maintenance remains a top priority. We have recently swapped out the wheelchair-accessible total‑body trainer, with major thanks to Life Fitness for their support. We are also awaiting a cable replacement for the pin‑loaded cable tower closest to the parallel bars.
If you notice anything that does not feel quite right with any equipment, please let the team know. Early feedback helps us address issues quickly and keep the space safe, functional and enjoyable for everyone.
Recent Nutrition Workshop
A big thank you to the Nutrition Australia team, alongside their University of Canberra students, who
recently ran a nutrition workshop for our members in March. It was great to support learning and
discussion in this space.
For those interested in future talks or tasting sessions, a flyer remains on the noticeboard with more information. You are also welcome to get in touch with the team directly for further support.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT Update
As always, we love supporting COTA ACT and want to keep you all updated on what’s coming up in their calendar. We’re looking forward to the COTA ACT Seniors Expo on 23 and 24 September, which will now run over one and a half days. We’ll share more details as the event approaches and you can bet we’ll be there with a stall.
A big thank you also to the COTA team for the boxes of Seniors Card directories, along with resources on driving and Canberra transport options. These were very popular and went quickly.
For those looking for more information, you’ll find plenty of great resources and directory copies over at the main office at the Hughes Community Centre (and you might even spot one of our staff filling in for a Strength for Life class while you’re there).
Lions Club Thank You
We’ve received a lovely thank you from the Lions Club of Canberra for our support of the Annual Christmas Cakes and Puddings sale. A big thank you to everyone who contributed through purchasing or donating, your support continues to make a difference.
“As usual the proceeds from the 2025 year will be donated back into the community locally, nationally & internationally. This year we are particularly thrilled to have supported a lady in Mawson, with sponsorship of a Lions Assistance Hearing Dog. We also helped, along with other Clubs in Canberra to buy a Trike for a Disabled Child. We also help support the Breakfast Club, quarterly, at Stromlo High School, amongst many other worthy Projects.”
Saturday Sessions
It’s been great to offer members the option of attending on Saturdays between 7:00am and 1:00pm and we continue to encourage those who are able to make use of this time as we assess demand and better prioritise staffing and services across the week. With Exercise Physiologists on site throughout the day, Saturdays have proved to be an excellent opportunity to access additional support in a calmer, less busy environment.
Thank You
As always, thank you for being part of the EQUIPD community. If you have any questions about the updates above, please speak with the team or get in touch at admin@equipdalliedhealth.com.au.
Stay active, stay strong, stay EQUIPD
