Women’s Health Week 2-6 September

Your Voice – Your Choice

 "From the 2-6th September 2024, Women around Australia are encouraged to raise their voices about the many physical and mental challenges we face and often may be too ashamed to raise." 


Women’s Health Week was created by the Jean Hailes For Women’s Health, not -for -profit organisation in 2013, in an attempt to provide important resources and information to communities Australia- wide, uniting and reminding women to dedicate time for their health and well-being. 


The 2024 theme – Your Voice, Your Choice – is about empowering women to use their voice to advocate for their health and to have various ‘Courageous Conversations’ with others to overcome shame and stigma. As women we often unconsciously neglect ourselves as we lead busy lives working, looking after our families and providing to our communities. We fully advocate for all women to take this time (and more) to look within and focus on topics that may be affecting your well-being, such as hormonal changes, nutrition and trusting your gut, and finding your balance on various parenting challenges. 

With the bombardment of different advice, viewpoints and conflicts on what truly matters to a woman, it can become difficult to navigate your own wellness journey – leading to anxiety, confusion and ultimately silence about topics that are essential to you! 


We would like to encourage you to take some time out to reflect on what is happening in your life and with your health and commit to ensuring that the person you take care of first is Yourself! 


Self-Care is a conscious choice to make time for activities that promote and

maintain your mental and physical well-being! 

 


Some of the topics that will be covered this week include: 

  • Know Your Body – The importance of health checks and education about various health problems that are rarely spoken about. 
  • Courageous Conversations – These are tips and tools to help you start a conversation with your health provider about menopause, hormones, PCOS and more. 
  • Shame and Stigma – This is a time for women to share their stories about topics that may be seen as taboo, but that can save and improve lives such as Bladder problems, STI’s and painful sex. 
  • Point of Difference – We are all unique and there is no one size fits all. This is an opportunity for women to look at how various health problems have affected them differently, from heart health to pelvic pain. Too often women are dismissed because their symptoms present differently from textbook values, leading to late diagnoses and poor quality of life. 
  • Trust Your Gut – Women’s nutrition can be a contentious topic with so many viewpoints that are thrown from all over. This covers nutrition basics that we all need and helps to promote a healthy relationship with food. Let’s ditch the fads and get back to basics! 


 


Are you ready to start the timer on putting yourself first? 

Let’s go! 

 

Download this fantastic guide to Women’s Health from the Jean Hailes Foundation, that provides information on various health checks, age-appropriate advice on what to look out for, and taking care of your mental wellbeing: 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/uploads/Your-guide-to-womens-health_TGD.pdf 


 


Connect and have a conversation! 

Here are some events happening in the NSW area, where you can join with fellow women, have open conversations and feel free to be you, whilst enjoying the outdoors too! 

 

5 September: Pop into the Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre and have a chat and a cuppa with fellow women, whilst learning valuable information about support and services they provide. 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/womens-wellbeing-morning 


 6th September: Get your hearing checked! No matter your age – at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre. The Women’s Hearing Health Bus will be there to provide information, assist with hearing checks and each woman will get a free showbag. 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/hearing-australias-womens-hearing-health-bus-is-coming-to-the-illawarra 

 

8th September: Join the Women’s Trail Walk to Steamers Beach in Booderee National Park 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/womens-trail-walk 

 

Get your ‘Girl Gang’ together, no matter what age, and advocate for better Women’s Health and Wellness Awareness this September! 

A Successful Day at the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026

September 28, 2026
What a day! Thank you, Shoalhaven! 💙 Health Staff Australia was proud to be part of the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026, joining the community for a wonderful day focused on connection, inclusion, support and celebrating people of all abilities. With 97 stallholders coming together under one roof, the Expo provided an incredible opportunity for individuals, families, carers and community members to discover services, ask questions, share experiences and connect with organisations that can make a meaningful difference. Connecting with the Community Our Health Staff Australia team was there with our very own stand and table, and we were delighted to welcome so many people throughout the day. A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, took the time to chat with our team, asked questions and took our details. We loved meeting members of the Shoalhaven community and having the opportunity to introduce Health Staff Australia and the services and support we provide. "The conversations, connections and genuine interest we received made the day a real success for our team."

Health Staff Australia Is Excited to Return to the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026

September 4, 2026
Health Staff Australia is excited to be attending the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026 once again as a supplier and exhibitor! Having attended in previous years, we know just how valuable this event is for bringing together people with disability, families, carers, support workers, health professionals, community organisations and service providers. Each year has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, have meaningful conversations and connect with the Shoalhaven community. We’re looking forward to being back at Bomaderry on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and we can’t wait to see both familiar faces and plenty of new ones. Come and Meet the Health Staff Australia Team Health Staff Australia will have a dedicated table at the Expo, and we’d love for you to come and introduce yourself! For our team, attending events like the Shoalhaven Disability Expo is about much more than simply being there as an exhibitor. It gives us the opportunity to connect with people directly, understand the needs of the community, answer questions and introduce people to the services and support we provide. Our previous experiences at the Expo have been incredibly positive. We’ve enjoyed meeting individuals and families, connecting with other service providers and professionals, and building relationships within the local community. These face-to-face conversations are an important part of what we do, and we’re excited to continue building on those connections this year. Whether you’re already familiar with Health Staff Australia or are discovering us for the first time, come and have a chat with our team. We’re always happy to answer questions, share information and talk about how our services may be able to support individuals, families and organisations. Discover Services, Support and Opportunities The Shoalhaven Disability Expo brings more than 90 exhibitors together under one roof, making it an excellent opportunity to discover the range of services and resources available throughout the Shoalhaven and surrounding communities.

More Than a House: How Supported Independent Living Creates a Place to Thrive

July 28, 2026
For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections.  Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.