IOT News

🪄Dietitian’s tips: What is Vitamin D?

Did you know that more than 30% of Australians are vitamin D deficient? Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping your bones, muscles and immune system healthy. 💙

The good news? Sunlight is one of the best ways to boost your vitamin D levels. Spending just 5-10 minutes a day with your lower arms or legs exposed to the sun can make a difference. ☀️

You can also increase your intake through food. Try adding more:
🥚Eggs
🐟Oily fish like tuna and sardines
🍄‍🟫Mushrooms

If you’d like to learn more about vitamin D and your health, speak with your GP at the IOTHS about a referral to see the dietitian. 📱

📢Visiting Specialists on Christmas Island this May📢

The Indian Ocean Territories Health Service is pleased to welcome five specialists to Christmas Island in May:

🥼Physician Dr Graeme Maguire - Specialising in complex medical conditions
📆On island: 1-8 May

🦶🏽Podiatrist Elizabeth Reeves - Providing foot and lower-limb care
📆On island: 4-11 May

👶🏽Paediatrician Dr Rebecca Cresp -Supporting children’s health and development
📆On island: 8-15 May

🩻Sonographer Greg Scott - For Complex X-Rays and Ultrasounds
📆On island 22 May – 1 June

🦴Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Graham Forward- Specialist in bones and joints
📆On island 29 May - 5 June

📞To arrange an appointment, please contact Health Service Reception on 9164 8333

🔔 REMINDER: New Bus Stop for Morning Swim Training 🚌
A friendly reminder for families and students — a new school bus pick up point is now in place to support students attending early morning swim training.
📆 Starting: 20 April 2026
📅 Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
⏰ Time: 7:15am – 7:20am
📍 Location: Christmas Island Recreation Centre
This new stop is designed to make early training mornings a little easier. ✅
📌 Please note: Further updates will be shared if there are any changes.
📧 Enquiries:
📞 (08) 9164 7901
✉️ [email protected]

Feel free to share with anyone who may find this helpful!

Community Notice – Indian Ocean Territories

Members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) employed by the Indian Ocean Territories Administration on Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands have voted to take protected industrial action from 27 April to 4 May 2026.

The industrial action is related to ongoing enterprise agreement negotiations.

Further information is available in the attached community notice.

⚽🌟Community Kick-Off Alert!

We’re gearing up for a couple of goal-den weeks as Football West heads to our islands for a round of community soccer sessions and soccer clinics that are sure to keep everyone onside. 🥅

Coach Izzy Foletta is bringing her A-game to both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, ready to pass on skills, build confidence and have a kick-around with players of all ages and abilities.

📅Christmas Island: Monday 27 April – Sunday 3 May
📅Cocos Islands: Wednesday 6 May – Sunday 10 May

Whether you’re looking to become the next Sam Kerr, Tim Cahill, Mary Fowler or Izzy Foletta, or just want to have a laugh and a run around, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with others and enjoy football (soccer) in a fun and welcoming environment.

Everyone is encouraged to come along, have a go, and be part of it!

Anzac Day Dawn Service – Christmas Island

A reminder that the 2026 ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held at Tai Jin House on 25 April, commencing at 5.35AM.

We kindly ask all attendees to arrive by 5.30AM.

A community bus will be available from 4.15AM for those who require transport up to Tai Jin House. Walkers are encouraged to walk to Tai Jin House between 4.45AM – 5.20AM.

A room will be available for prayer at Tai Jin House from 4.45AM.

Following the service, a community breakfast will be provided.

We look forward to coming together to honour the spirit of ANZAC, our community, and those who served.

📰Hot off the Administrator’s desk! 📰

The latest edition of the Administrator’s Newsletter is out now – bringing you the stories that matter most to our Indian Ocean Territories community. 🌴

Inside this edition:
📍Release of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands CHRMAP
📍How we’re shaping the future of health across the IOT
📍Building a strong and sustainable tourism sector
📍Honouring ANZAC Day on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Stay informed with the latest updates, insights, and progress across our islands.

Read the full newsletter here: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/territories/indian-ocean-territories-christmas-island-and-cocos-keeling-islands/indian-ocean-territories-administrator

Curious about how services are delivered across the Indian Ocean Territories?

The Australian Government has just released the Service Delivery Arrangements (SDA) 2024-25 Annual Report and it’s packed with insights and highlights from the 2024-25 financial year.

From key achievements to important service updates delivered by Western Australian Government agencies, the report offers a snapshot of what has been happening across our communities.

You can check out some of the highlights in the key achievements in the bulletin, or dive into the full report at the link below:https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/service-delivery-arrangements-sda-annual-report-indian-ocean-territories-2024-25-march-2026-pdf.pdf

🚌New Bus Stop - Christmas Island

Good news for early swimmers! A new school bus pick-up point is being introduced at the Christmas Island Recreation Centre to support students attending morning swim training.

📆Starts: 20 April 2026
📅Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
⏰Time: 7.15am – 7.20am
📍Location: Christmas Island Recreation Centre

More updates will be shared if anything changes.

📧Enquiries: (08) 9164 7901 or [email protected]

📌See attached bulletin for departmental announcement

Golf making waves in the Indian Ocean Territories - GolfWA Golf was the hottest ticket in Australia's Indian Ocean Territories this month, with hundreds of children and adults introduced to the game.

📢Cocos community - consultations reminder:

There’s still time to meet the CHRMAP team before they wrap up their visit.

Upcoming sessions:

Thursday 16 April
• Home Island Foreshore, Jalan Pantai – 10:00am – 12:00pm
• West Island, outside CRC – 3:30-5:00pm
Friday 17 April
• West Island, outside CRC – 10:30am-12:30pm

Read the final CHRMAP and report on submissions here: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/territories/indian-ocean-territories-christmas-island-and-cocos-keeling-islands/cocos-keeling-islands/cocos-keeling-islands-projects-community-consultations/cocos-keeling-islands-coastal-hazard-risk-management-and-adaptation-plan

Drop in, say hello, and chat about the final CHRMAP – everyone is welcome.

🚨Reminder – Emergency Siren Test on Christmas Island🚨

At 10.00am on Wednesday, 15 April, there will be a short test of the emergency alert siren in the Kampong area.

If you’re in Kampong or Flying Fish Cove, you may hear a few short bursts or a longer continuous sound. There is no cause for alarm and no action is required from you.

Thank you for your cooperation during this important testing, to support our emergency preparedness. ❤️