Epilepsy ACT

verview of the Year: The 2023/24 financial year marked a period of incredible achievements and meaningful community impact for Epilepsy ACT. This year was also the final year of funding from the Epilepsy Smart Australia Program, and while our work continues, I would like to take this moment to express our deep gratitude to the Australian Government for supporting our programs over the years. Their commitment has helped us to provide invaluable resources, build awareness, and extend our reach within the Canberra region. Events and Community Engagement: Our annual events and engagement activities continued to foster connection, raise awareness, and drive our mission. The Christmas in July Party, a highlight for many, was a great success. With over 70 attendees, we enjoyed a day filled with kitemaking and flying under perfect weather conditions. It was a beautiful day for making connections, building community, and enjoying the outdoors. In March, we held the annual Walk for Epilepsy around Lake Burley Griffin, complete with family activities and a strong turnout. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, supporters, and participants who made this event a heartening display of community solidarity. This year s event raised $[insert amount], and every dollar goes toward supporting epilepsy awareness and services. We re especially grateful to our friends at the Tradies Club in Dickson and the many pharmacies across Canberra, Queanbeyan, and Bungendore who sold our soft purple cows and puppies, helping to generate awareness and muchneeded funds for our programs. Westfield Woden also played a pivotal role, graciously allowing us to sell plush toys throughout the centre. Training and Outreach: Epilepsy ACT provided an array of training sessions over the past year, addressing the needs of schools, workplaces, and private groups across the region. These sessions empower people to better understand and support those living with epilepsy, building a more inclusive community. Additionally, we participated in the launch of the Child UnLimited initiative at Parliament House, aligning ourselves with organisations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people. Media and Awareness Initiatives: Throughout the year, Epilepsy ACT was active in the media, participating in four radio interviews, including an important segment on ABC Canberra discussing SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and the Make March Purple campaign. Riotact also supported us with articles and homepage features, helping to shed light on epilepsy stigma and SUDEP. These public platforms are essential to spreading awareness, and we thank our media partners for helping us to amplify these important messages.