Democratic Advocates

30/04/2026

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Are you a mental health professional working rurally within the Hunter New England (HNE) area?

The Mental Health Professionals' Network is running the Rural Mental Health Forum in Tamworth on Tuesday 19 May.

This forum will bring together professionals to examine innovative approaches to mental health care in rural and regional communities. You will hear from leading experts, explore emerging models of care, and engage in multidisciplinary discussions that shape rural mental health practice.

Brought to you by MHPN, and locally designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, the forum aims to strengthen service pathways and build professional relationships that enhance mental health care provision across our rural HNE communities.

Click here to learn more and RSVP → https://mhpn.org.au/members/ #/Meeting/27663

23/04/2026

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17/04/2026

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🖤💛❤️We are reaching out to our community to support a local Aboriginal Elder who is currently living in aged care in Dapto and experiencing social isolation.

Ageing with Grace is seeking a male Aboriginal volunteer who can spend time with this gentleman, have a yarn, and provide companionship in a culturally safe and understanding way. His family lives far away and are only able to visit occasionally, so having someone connect with him regularly would make a meaningful difference.

This is a great opportunity to give back, strengthen community connection, and support one of our Elders.

There is a simple process to become a volunteer, including a police check and short online training, with full support provided throughout.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested, please reach out or get in touch with Ageing with Grace for more information.
🖤💛❤️

16/04/2026

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Help improve after-hours health care in Western NSW.

WNSW PHN wants to hear from people in our community. Tell us what it’s like to get care after hours during evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays in your town.

Take the short Community Members and Consumers Survey and/or join an online workshop.

Your feedback will help us understand what’s working, what’s hard, and what needs to change.

Find out more: wnswphn.org.au/wnsw-phn-launches-after-hours-needs-assessment-workshops-and-surveys/

01/04/2026

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CLOSING SOON: Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) Incentive Grants 2026

WNSW PHN is supporting the Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) Incentive which aims to increase the accessibility of ODT for people across the WNSW PHN region and reduce morbidity, mortality and health burdens associated with Opioid Dependence.

This incentive seeks to increase the undertaking of the Opioid and Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) for General Practitioners (GPs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in the region, subsequently increasing the number of accredited prescribers.

✅ Funding is open to eligible practitioners (GPs and NPs) working within the WNSW PHN region to conduct activities based on the Grant scope and objectives.

📅 Applications close 16 April 2026.

🔗 Learn more and apply now: wnswphn.org.au/grants-program/

30/03/2026

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Thank you to everyone who has already submitted an abstract for the 2026 Social Work Congress. If you were planning to submit but haven’t yet, there’s still time. The abstract submission deadline has been extended to Sunday 12 April 11:59pm AEST.

No matter your area of practice or research, or what stage you’re at in your career, we want to hear about your work. Help us advance social work in Australia – submit your abstract today → https://bit.ly/4rON1Sa

27/03/2026

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Free Script Pharmacy Project helps people experiencing homelessness access PBS medicines at no cost through funding for eligible not-for-profit organisations.

26/02/2026

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19/02/2026

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My doctoral thesis has now been added to the UOW thesis collection and is accessible online via the UOW library here --> https://doi.org/10.71747/uow-r3gk326m.31321159 or you can find me in Google scholar. If you feel like some bedtime reading about admissions research, I've got you covered :) Enjoy!

13/02/2026

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04/02/2026

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Happy Primary Health Care Nurses Day 🎉

Today we celebrate the primary health care nurses who are essential at every stage of care and indispensable members of Rural Generalist-led teams across rural, remote and First Nations communities.

Working side-by-side with Rural Generalists, primary health care nurses deliver coordinated, patient-centred care in settings where services are often stretched and options can be limited. Their impact spans prevention and early intervention, chronic disease management, emergency care, and ongoing community support. From general practice and aged care to schools and community health.

As ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says, a strong and well-supported primary health care nursing workforce is fundamental to the Rural Generalist model and the long-term sustainability of rural and remote healthcare.

👏 Today, we say thank you for your dedication, expertise and the vital role you play in keeping communities healthy.

Read full media release: https://bit.ly/3ZMnq03

📸 ACRRM registrar Dr Erin Wright with a team of nurses and admin staff on the Children's Ward in Albury Wodonga Health.

15/01/2026

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Gulgong went 18 months without a GP clinic. It has now reopened, giving residents a reprieve from travelling hundreds of kilometres to see a doctor.