Women's Health East

19/12/2025

Thank you to our partners, peers and supporters

To the many organisations, communities and individuals who worked alongside us this year to advance gender equality, prevent violence, and support the health and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people across Melbourne’s east.

Our impact this year was made possible through strong partnerships, shared commitment and collective action.

We gratefully acknowledge the funding and support that enabled this work.

Thanks also to the organisations who engaged our consultancy services throughout the year. Proceeds from this work are reinvested directly into programs and projects that advance gender equality and positive social change for women and girls.

To every partner, peer organisation, funder and community member - thank you for walking alongside us.

Read our 2025 Annual Report: https://whe.org.au/agm-2025/

11/12/2025

Respect starts with each of us- but it grows stronger when we work together.

We're proud of Jane Brierty, Bicultural Worker here at Women's Health East, whose work with Chinese communities was featured in a video series about respect and healthy masculinity in Whitehorse City Council.

"Our goal is to create safe spaces where woman can share their voices, and where men can learn alongside them".

Watch the video, and read the discussion guide here:
Video: https://youtu.be/JM70G4cKD1E?si=09Cq6acFjPKvi_PJ
Guide: https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/16days

Whitehorse City Council AMES Australia Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne healthAbility FVREE

Local Whitehorse men share how they show respect in everyday life.

09/12/2025

As we mark Human Rights Day and the final day of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we are reminded that progress toward justice, equality and safety is always a collective effort.

Across these 16 days, we have stood alongside partners in Melbourne’s East, learned from First Nations leaders, and helped launch the Women’s Health Services Network Collective Impact Report, each moment reinforcing the power of working together.

Our thanks to all partners in the east, and advocates across the globe, who have all made this campaign such an impactful one. This year, we are particularly grateful for these powerful moments of connection:

1. Truth telling with NJAC

Our team had the privilege of learning from the women of Not Just A Consultancy (NJAC) during a truth-telling workshop at the Aborigines Advancement League. Their generosity, leadership and courage deepen our understanding of what meaningful allyship requires. As a Friend of Treaty in Victoria, we remain committed to supporting outcomes that deliver real change with Aboriginal communities.

2. Community gathering with the Hakha Chin community

In partnership with the Migrant Information Centre, we joined families in Croydon North to talk about building safe, respectful communities. It was an evening of connection, learning and shared commitment to preventing violence.

3. Celebrating collective impact with Women’s Health Services Network

We stood with our sister organisations to reflect on the impact of cross-sector collaboration. Thank you to Maria Loupetis of EACH and Peninsula Health for hosting this important gathering. You can read the WHSN Impact Report 2025 here: whsn.org.au/impact-report-2025

Our mission continues far beyond 16 Days of Activism. Preventing gender-based violence and advancing gender equality is a year-round commitment - one shared by organisations, communities and individuals across Melbourne’s east.

For support or resources - available in English, Simplified Chinese and Hakha Chin - visit: https://whe.org.au/tfer/get-support/

Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne
Each Peninsula Health

07/12/2025

Welcome back to our 9-part series sharing key insights from our You Can Ask That webinar. Today's final topic: Safe Spaces for Men from Diverse Backgrounds

How do we engage men from migrant and refugee backgrounds in conversations about gendered violence?

It starts with trust, cultural understanding, and language that resonates.

This clip highlights why culturally safe spaces are essential to driving inclusion and change.



Video description: A clip from the webinar explores how workplaces and communities can create culturally safe and inclusive spaces for men from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

05/12/2025

Last week, Women’s Health East and the Migrant Information Centre joined the Hakha Chin community for an evening of activities, connection and celebration as part of the 16 Days of Activism.

This Family Fun Night involved sharing and talking about respectful and safe families.

Thank you to all the wonderful Chin families who joined us!

This event was hosted in partnership with the Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) and the Australian Chin Community – Eastern Melbourne.

Australia Chin Community - EM

04/12/2025

Strong partnerships deliver impact. 💬✨

The Women’s Health Services Network (WHSN) Collective Impact Report 2025 launch will showcase how collaboration, evidence, and community voice create meaningful change for women, girls and gender-diverse people across Victoria.

Join us!

Hear stories of impact told through the eyes of our partners and communities — celebrating the collective achievements of Victoria’s Women’s Health Services Network.

📅 Tuesday 9 December 2025 | 🕤 9:30–11:00am

📍 Ngarnga Centre, Peninsula Hospital, Frankston VIC

🔗 Register to attend: https://events.humanitix.com/whsn-collective-impact-report-2025-launch

03/12/2025

Today, on International Day of People with Disability, we’re sharing the voices of Disabled Young People.

We’re proud to share a new codesigned resource from Get the Go-Ahead where Disabled young people reflect on how gender and disability interact - and what genuine accessibility, safety and inclusion should look like in practice.

The Accessibility Toolkit was created by the Disabled Young Experts group and informed by consultations with Disabled young people across Victoria.

It offers practical, actionable guidance for creating spaces and services that truly meet Disabled young people’s needs.

Explore the Toolkit: https://gtga.org.au/

01/12/2025

Walking for collective healing for ourselves, each other and country.

This year’s Walk against Gender-based Violence at Lilydale Lake on 27 November marks the third year Boorndawan William Aboriginal Healing Services in partnership with other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations have gathered in Melbourne’s east to mark 16 Days of Activism.

The strength of women victim-survivors commitment to changing the story of intergenerational trauma and family violence was heard and felt.

Men shared their personal journeys from utilising power and control in relationships to working with other men to change their behaviour.

We were all reminded of our collective commitments for change in our families, communities and organisations.

As a member of Together For Equality and Respect, Women’s East Health gathered with other TFER partners to ask ourselves what we can do as allies to raise the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and increase aboriginal leadership and self-determination in our organisations.

It was a special day, with connections, companionship and inspiration to all do more.

We all have roles in preventing gender-based violence where we live, work, play and learn.

🔗: https://whe.org.au/tfer/16-days-2/



Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service
Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place
Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation
Oonah Health & Community Services Aboriginal Corporation
V***A - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency
Each
Eastern Health
Eastern Community Legal Centre
Yarra Valley Water
City of Monash
Knox City Council
Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne
Access Health and Community
Yarra Ranges Council

27/11/2025

Welcome back to our 9-part series sharing key insights from our You Can Ask That webinar. Today's topic: Engaging Men as Allies

Gender equity benefits everyone. And achieving it takes all of us.

This clip discusses the role of men in promoting respect and preventing violence. True culture change comes when everyone participates.



Video description: The presenter shares strategies for involving men in gender equity conversations and how allyship contributes to safer workplaces.

26/11/2025

Family Fun Night: Celebrating safe, strong and connected communities

Women’s Health East and the Migrant Information Centre are joining the Hakha Chin community for an evening of activities, connection and celebration as part of the 16 Days of Activism.

Together, we’re creating spaces where families feel safe, supported and empowered - and where we can continue important conversations about ending violence against women.

Special thanks to Australia Chin Community for their partnership.

Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne

26/11/2025

Care4Carers Week 6 ✨

We had a wonderful time at our second last Care4Carers session! Vasudha led us through some music therapy and a sing-along with her guitar. We were joined by Michelle Penney, Disability Inclusion Officer at Knox City Council , who was able to share a range of activities, events and supports that are available to carers in the region. She also brought along a '1000 Hearts' for each of us to take home.

We finished the session by spending some time painting our own positivity rock while chatting about our week.

Our final session for the year is tomorrow at 11am! We hope you can join us.

25/11/2025

We are very excited that the Walk Against Gendered Violence is happening again this year. A big shout out to Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and partners including Ngwala Willumbong, Oonah, V***A, Mullum Mullum and Dhelk Dja for organising this opportunity.

As well as having staff, volunteers and community members represent our organisations at the Walk, Women's Health East have arranged a TFER marquee at the walk.

Please come by and say hello, have a conversation about what it means to support TFER's principle of cultural safety and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, communities and organisations.

We will have some conversation cards, and TFER flags to share!

Artwork by Amanda Wright, proud Palawa woman living in Melbourne’s east.

Lilydale Lake, 10am.

https://whe.org.au/tfer/16-days-2/

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service Each Regional Family Violence Partnership Eastern Community Legal Centre Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation Oonah Health & Community Services Aboriginal Corporation V***A - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency