Community Services

Community Services has a new home 🎉

Come to our new page at 👈

Here you will keep up to date on all the things we care about – you, the Canberra community!

We won’t be posting here anymore, so come with us and follow the new page!

Reconciliation Day grants now open!

Planning an event or activity to support Reconciliation Day 2026? Grants of up to $5,000 are available for individuals and organisations to help bring your ideas to life.

📅 Reconciliation Day is Monday 1 June 2026

📣 Apply by 6 January 2026

🔗 For more information and to apply visit bit.ly/recdaygrants

Have you heard about the Inclusive Rainbow Threads Project at BreastScreen ACT? 🌈

It’s all about making breast and chest screening feel safe and welcoming for Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community.

If it’s your first time getting screened, you’ll get a free rainbow scarf designed by Indigenous artist LaToya Kennedy, how cool is that?

The scarf shows pride, care, and community. You can also buy one to help others get theirs too! 💖

To book your free screen, call 13 20 50 or visit the BreastScreen ACT website here: https://bit.ly/4o5D69l

Both Dickson and Tuggeranong Libraries ACT are holding free speechies talks in the first week of November! Take a look at their page for the details on each event 👀

Are you passionate about gender equality and the advancement of all women and girls in the ACT?

You can be a part of the ACT Women’s Advisory Council for Gender Equity!

If you are a part of the Council, your role will primarily be to help shape the next plan to support women in the ACT, through providing advice to the Minister for Women and ACT Government and supporting community consultation.

We strongly encourage applications from people with experience in gender equity policy and initiatives, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and women of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Applications close Tuesday 18 November 2025.

Visit jobs.act.gov.au to learn more and apply today. https://www.jobs.act.gov.au/jobs/independent-statutory-offices/temporary/act-womens-advisory-council-for-gender-equity

Great work being done here in our community, see below. 🥰

Canberra’s largest LGBTIQA+ community event kicks off the annual SpringOUT Festival program with the SpringOUT Fair Day! 🧁 🤴 🌈 🤹 👯

Everyone is welcome!
Bring your pooch, your daddy, fam or queen.
Or simply bring YOU! Just don’t miss out. 😘

Enjoy the packed schedule of performers, visit over 60 stallholders, and indulge at one of the food stalls selling local yum-yums. 😋

This free event is on Saturday 1 November 11am-5pm at Glebe Park.

For the full line up and info on the other SpringOUT events, visit http://springout.com.au/events/ 👈

The Connection Fund grants just opened for 2026! Find out more in the post! 👇 😍

‼️LGBTIQA+ community grant now open‼️

Do you have an idea that brings together local LGBTIQA+ people? It might be artistic, sporty or social.

Our 2025-2026 Connection Fund is now open – with funds available to create a sense of community and belonging for LGBTIQA+ people.

Individuals, q***r businesses and community organisations are welcome to apply.

Applications close January 18, 2026.

To register for an information session, visit http://bit.ly/4qaFHQR

To find out more and apply, visit http://bit.ly/4nkMyEu

Children’s Week 2025 has been full of fun, learning and laughter! We celebrated children’s rights - every child deserves to be heard, seen, and treated with kindness.

Kids explored stories, met animals, and enjoyed balloons and play. A very big thank you to the Child and Family Centres for hosting amazing events.

Let’s keep the joy going all year round! 🎉

Love rainbows? 🌈

We do.

So, we’re raising one over Canberra across the entire month of November when we celebrate SpringOUT, the ACT’s iconic LGBTIQA+ festival! 🪅 🎉

Kickstart pride and good times when we raise LGBTIQA+ community flags outside the Legislative Assembly on Thursday 30 October, 12.30-1pm.

Come dressed in your sparkly and shiny best outfits! 💖 😎 👢

There are heaps of other free and ticketed events for q***r folk and friends happening across November– check them out at: https://springout.com.au/events/ 👈

If you have an idea for a project that engages veterans and their families, you should apply for a Veterans Grant.

A previously funded activity included a boxing challenge.

Troy Huckstepp from the Australian Commando Association, said “the challenge fostered camaraderie and mutual support among veterans, creating bonds through shared experiences in training and competition.”

Applications are being accepted now for the next round of funded projects. Organisations and community groups are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $15,000!

Projects should encourage veterans and their families to engage with their community, share stories and create lasting partnerships.

Applications close on 28 October.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4fDwSKh

📸Photo by James Mills Photography.

This week we’re celebrating Children’s Week, raising awareness for children’s rights from 18-26 October! ✨

This year’s theme is “Everyone should know about Children’s Rights”, based on the United Nations Conventions of the Rights of the Child (Article 42).

Fun events are happening all week at Child and Family Centres across Canberra.

Mon 20 Oct: Koori Playgroup: Giggly Wiggly storytelling & balloon animals

Wed 22 Oct – Learn Giggle and Grow Playgroup: Storytime & balloons

Thu 23 Oct – Multicultural Playgroup: Reptile Man visit

Every child deserves to be seen, heard and celebrated! 💛

For more information on children’s week, click here: https://www.actchildrensweek.org.au/