Women's Health Grampians

12/01/2026

📣 Important research and survey alert 📣

What it is about from the .back.the.track website:

“Take Back The Track is a movement that advocates for the safety of women and gender-diverse runners and celebrates the love and connection we have to the sport…

Since the movement’s launch in February 2025, we have heard countless stories across the country from members of the running community.

This research project is our way of capturing more formally what is happening on the ground and we want to hear from you!

What you choose to share with us through this
survey will guide and inform Take Back the Track’s advocacy in Australia.”

Head to .back.the.track to share your experiences to inform advocacy and influence change.

06/01/2026

Save the date and get involved!!!

Repost: .back.the.track

NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE TRACK DAY

15 FEBRUARY 2026

Join us in ending violence and harassment towards women and gender-diverse runners.

Save the date💜👣

23/12/2025

Have a lovely break everyone. Wishing you all safety, rest, and time with those you hold dear.

22/12/2025

Did you know 'tis (statistically) the most fertile time of the year?! If you don't want to add to those stats this time round, uncomplicate things and sort out your contraception ahead of time. Not sure what options might be right for you? Ask someone who knows all about it!
1800 My Options

21/12/2025

The choice of whether or not to have a baby should be up to the person whose body is involved. Undue pressure to have or not have children, use or not use contraception, continue or terminate a pregnancy, is not okay and is a form of family and sexual violence. You have the right to make your own reproductive decisions.

If you are experiencing reproductive coercion, it can help to talk through next steps with someone who understands and can advise. Contact:
1800RESPECT
1800 My Options
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

Note: Some forms of reproductive coercion are systems based and disproportionately impact women and gender diverse people who may already be facing additional challenges, including those from migrant and refugee backgrounds and women with disability. Examples include lack of access to appropriate and timely reproductive health care for people here under certain visa categories, and forced sterilisation. WHG and other Women's Health Services are committed to doing whatever we can to dismantle systems of oppression that interfere with anyone's right to reproductive autonomy.

18/12/2025

For multiple reasons we might want an extra layer of privacy when it comes to sexual health checks. If you think there's a chance you could have an STI and you'd rather not take it up with your usual health service in the first instance, there are other options!

Ballarat Community Health has one of our favourite regional options - the STIx Test Vending Machine at Ballarat Libraries (178 Doveton St Nth, Ballarat Central)!! You’ll find it upstairs on Level 1 in the all accessible toilet, and it will remain in place until end of June 2026.

This machine provides free, confidential testing kits for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and HIV. There’s no appointment needed, no forms, and no awkward questions — just a simple, accessible way for community members to take charge of their sexual health.

You can also book into your nearest Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub - find out more here: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/sexual-and-reproductive-health-hubs

Or for initial advice call the free Virtual Women's Health Clinic on 1300 003 224.

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Family violence support services Ballarat and district:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Central Highlands 1800 219 819
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5331 5344
WRISC Family Violence Support (03) 5333 3666
Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (03) 5320 3933
Cafs (03) 5337 3333
Berry Street (03) 5330 5000

Family violence support services Wimmera:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Horsham 1800 271 042
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre (03) 5381 1211
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5381 6333

18/12/2025

If you're pregnant, don't want to be, and are trying to figure out your next steps, there is help available. The wonderful, non-judgmental, pro-choice folk at 1800 My Options can talk you through options that fit your circumstances.

In rural and regional areas like ours access to both medical and surgical abortion remains limited and patchy. It can really help to talk to someone who knows what is available in your area, and what you might have to travel for. 1800MyOptions can find a pathway. The service is free, confidential, independent and there are interpreter services available.

*
Family violence support services Ballarat and district:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Central Highlands 1800 219 819
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5331 5344
WRISC Family Violence Support (03) 5333 3666
Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (03) 5320 3933
Cafs (03) 5337 3333
Berry Street (03) 5330 5000

Family violence support services Wimmera:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Horsham 1800 271 042
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre (03) 5381 1211
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5381 6333

17/12/2025

What a beautiful, powerful day of celebration! So much love in the crowd. Congratulations Barengi Gadjin Land Council 👏👏👏❤️💛🖤

16/12/2025

The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network is deeply concerned by the Victorian Government’s recent decision to abolish the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) as a standalone entity and absorb its functions into the Department of Health.

For almost 40 years, VicHealth has been a global leader in health promotion, setting the benchmark for responsive, effective, place-based public health and earning the trust and goodwill of communities, stakeholders, and partners.

VicHealth, along with Community and Women's Health Services, addresses health and wellbeing concerns before they become a burden on the secondary and tertiary health systems. This work is critical to ending violence against women and digging out the root causes of inequality. As our healthcare system struggles under the weight of chronic disease, a dedicated prevention model is the key to keeping Victorians healthier for longer.

Preserving VicHealth’s legacy and prioritising chronic disease prevention and mental health and wellbeing is not optional - it is essential to the health and wellbeing of Victorian communities.

Victoria has led the nation in primary prevention. We cannot afford to go backwards. The Women’s Health Services Network calls for an unwavering commitment to sustained investment in evidence-based health promotion and primary prevention:

https://www.whsn.org.au/media-releases/vichealth

We encourage our partners, followers and other stakeholders to join the call to save Vic Health by signing and sharing this petition: https://www.change.org/p/keep-vichealth-independent-and-strong-for-a-healthier-future-savevichealth

12 December 2025    The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network acknowledges the recent announcement by the Victorian Government to abolish the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) as a standalone entity and absorb functions into the Department of Health. &

15/12/2025

Some important Christmas reading...

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Family violence support services Ballarat and district:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Central Highlands 1800 219 819
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5331 5344
WRISC Family Violence Support (03) 5333 3666
Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (03) 5320 3933
Cafs (03) 5337 3333
Berry Street (03) 5330 5000
Family violence support services Wimmera:
In an emergency call 000
The Orange Door in Horsham 1800 271 042
Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre (03) 5381 1211
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative (03) 5381 6333

We look at the signs someone you care about might be experiencing intimate partner violence, and how can you best support them.

15/12/2025

💔💔💔 Our hearts are in Sydney today. We're holding our families and community close, looking after each other, checking in, and taking deep breaths. Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder Archie Roach sang, 'when darkness over comes us, and we cannot find our way...let love rule, let it guide us through the night, that we may stay together, and keep our spirits calm'. In the difficult days ahead of us, may we let love rule.

If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Su***de Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
13YARN - Call 13 92 76
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com

11/12/2025

Momentous times over the past few months with Treaty becoming a reality and the Victorian Government's apology earlier this week. We acknowledge the good intentions and stand with Djirra in saying: these strong words must be backed by real, effective, sustainable action. There is a long road to travel yet.

Today, on Human Rights Day and the final day of the 16 Days of Activism, we are confronted with the stark contradiction between Victoria’s recent milestones and the reality that the rights and safety of Aboriginal women and children continue to be consistently overlooked by governments.

Last month, Victoria entered into the first Statewide Treaty. And this week, the Victorian Government delivered an Apology to our people for the profound harms caused by the State. These are important and historic steps but they must be backed by real action.

Real action begins with removing punitive laws, not inventing new ways for systems to harm our people. Real action begins with governments committing to, and implementing, all recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Reflecting on the significance of this week, our CEO, Antoinette Braybrook, said:

“Our people have fought tirelessly for what we witnessed this week. Now governments must move beyond words and deliver real action. Action that lifts our rights to where they belong, holds our safety as non-negotiable, and recognises the true value of our lives.”

We will not stop holding governments to account. NOT TODAY, AND NOT EVER.