Welcome to Women, Ageing & Community

Responsibility for policy relating to Women, older people and the ACT Community is located in Governance, Strategy and Community Policy, a group within Policy and Organisational Services, Department of Disability Housing and Community Services.

Governance, Strategy and Community Policy is responsible for the following areas:

• Organisational Governance
• Strategic Policy and Community Engagement
• Office for Women
• Office for Ageing
• Women's Information and Referral Centre
• ACT Government Concessions Program
• Community Services Program
• Data and Research

We provide a range of services across the Department, across the ACT Government, and throughout the Canberra community. Information on our activities can be found on the individual pages listed in the left hand column, or in the Current Information and Publications section on the front page of the Department's website.

Latest News

Children and Young People Bill 2008

The Children and Young People Bill 2008 was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 6 March 2008 by the Minister for Children and Young People, Katy Gallagher and Attorney General, Simon Corbell.

The Bill proposes significant reform to the law relating to children and young people in the Territory, particularly in the areas of care and protection, youth justice, the regulation of childcare services and employment. The Bill will replace the Children and Young People Act 1999.

The Bill has been informed by a comprehensive review of the 1999 Act.

2008 International Women's Day Awards

The Minister for Women, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA has opened nominations for 2008 International Day Awards.

2008 International Women's Day Awards 

The ACT Seniors Grants Program

The 2007/8 funding round of the ACT Senior's Grants Program provides funding assistance to individuals and groups to develop activities that promote positive ageing in the ACT.

The ACT Seniors Grants Program is an ACT Government initiative that supports the priority identified in The Canberra Social Plan to encourage active community participation of older people in the ACT.

Grants to a maximum of $15,000 are available for activities and projects that meet any of the following aims:

• Encourage and support older peoples' regular participation in community activities; and/or
• Encourage and support older people to share their skills and knowledge with others on a regular basis; and/or
• Encourage and support capacity building within the community and support participatory decision-making models within community groups and organisations.

The ACT Seniors Grants Program

2008 Life's Reflections - Photographic Competition

Life’s Reflections photographic competition is an annual event acknowledging and celebrating the contribution older Canberrans have made to our community.

Life’s Reflections is a photographic competition conducted by the ACT Government, ACT business and the community during Seniors' Week. It has a high profile in the community calendar.

2008 Life's Reflections Photographic Competition

Review of philanthropy in the ACT

The ACT Government recognises that Charities and non-profit organisations depend heavily upon philanthropy from individuals and businesses in order to function effectively and provide a range of valuable, diverse and often essential services to the community.

The ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has engaged Urbis to review the nature and extent of philanthropic giving in the ACT, by both individuals and businesses, with the aim of identifying its adequacy, trends, impediments, and opportunities for growth.

The Department in partnership with Urbis invite written submissions from individuals, interest groups, industry and other stakeholders to be considered as part of the review.

Submissions can be emailed to kolver@urbis.com.au or posted to:

Review of Philanthropy in the ACT
Karen Olver,
Senior Consultant
Urbis
Level 12/120 Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

The closing date for submissions is Friday 19 October 2007

Terms of Reference for the Review  21.5Kb
Terms of Reference for the Review  14.73Kb

More work, Less Choice

A report released by the Minister for Women Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA examines the impact of national labour re-regulation on low paid women workers in the ACT. More work, Less Choice 499KB

Community Support & Infrastructure Grants Program

The Community Support and Infrastructure Grants Program is to develop a stronger community in the ACT through the provision of funding under three different categories:

Community Support and Capacity (up to $50,000 per project)
Non Fixed Infrastructure and Equipment (up to 100,000 per project)
Capital Works and Fixed Infrastructure (up to 150,000 per project)

Successful Applicants 2008