AYC – Newsletter Issue 7 – August 2025

August 2025 | Issue 7

AYC MAGAZINE | UPCOMING EVENTS, TRAINING & CAMPAIGNS | SECTOR NEWS & RESOURCES

The 15th Annual Gippsland Sexual & Reproductive Health Forum 2026

In 2026 GWH is celebrating 15 years of the Gippsland Sexual & Reproductive Health Forum! We’re highlighting our local SRH champions, how far we have come and bringing in a range of speakers to continue our learning and improve SRH service access across Gippsland. Keep the 29th of April 2026 free for a day and night celebration on all things SRH.

More details to come.

Women’s Health Mobile Clinic

The Women’s Health Mobile Clinic has arrived in Gippsland!

You can book a free 45-minute appointment with a nurse to talk about your sexual and reproductive health, general wellbeing, and get important health checks like cervical and bowel screening.  This service is available to women of all ages and teenagers, providing care close to home. Use this link to find out more and to book an appointment

Upcoming Women’s Health Mobile Clinic Locations and Dates

Foster 11 August to 12 September 2025

Yarram 15 September to 10 October 2025

Mallacoota 27 October to 11 November 2025

Orbost 12 November to 5 December 2025

Omeo 8 to 19 December 2025

Need a localised flyer to promote the bus in your area? Contact us

The virtual women’s health clinic run by EACH and funded by the Victorian state government, provides comprehensive health services to women, girls and gender diverse people across Victoria, Monday to Friday at low to no cost.

Services offered include

• Cervical screening
• Sexual health
• Endometriosis support
• Pelvic pain support
• Menstrual health
• Menopause care
• Contraception
• Breast health
• Abortion

A referral is not required to access this service

You can book an appointment online or call 1300 003 224

Read the Are You Covered Magazine Issue 4

Read Issue 4 of the Are You Covered magazine filled with heaps of useful local info!

Already read it? Let us know your thoughts and future ideas here

Want to order a physical copy for your workplace? Email us here

New MBS health assessment items were introduced on 1 July 2025 to support patients experiencing menopause or perimenopause to receive appropriate care and symptom management. These changes are relevant for GPs and prescribed medical practitioners (PMPs) working in general practice. Effective 1 July 2025, a revised structure for health assessment service items was introduced. Find out more here

Are you due for your Cervical Screening Test?

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers, if found early. If you’re aged 25 to 74, a Cervical Screening Test every five years could save your life.

Now you can choose to self-collect your test using a small swab. Finding it hard to get to the GP? Telehealth appointments are available for self-collection cervical screening through Sexual Health Victoria, where after your telehealth consultation, a test kit will be posted to your home address. Bookings available online

Preventing cervical cancer is in your hands. Book your test today.
Find out more on the Cancer Council Victoria website

Upcoming Events, Campaigns & Training

Be Kind To Yourself. Women’s Health Week

Join us for an inspiring free event celebrating Women’s Health Week, featuring expert guest speakers and local services dedicated to supporting women’s health and wellbeing.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and discover the range of services and support available locally. A light supper will be provided.

Friday 5th September
6pm – 8pm
PICAL, 16 Warley Ave,
Cowes, VIC

Speakers 

• Dr Carmen Brown from Magnolia Women’s Health.
  Topic: Perimenopause and menopause.
• Kristine Miles, Women’s Health Physiotherapist from Balance Health Phillip Island.
  Topic: Maintaining physical health.
• Michelle Jobson from Go Girls Foundation.
  Topic: Go Girls program: support and uplift women in our community.

Training & Webinars

Introduction to the Victorian Women’s Health Atlas– This introductory course outlines what the Victorian Women’s Health Atlas has to offer, and how it can be used to inform policy, planning, advocacy and emerging priorities regarding women’s health and gender equality. (FREE)

Abortion, Contraception and Sexual Health: Supporting Client Access This short course has been developed by 1800 My Options, and will provide you with an understanding of contraception, abortion and sexual health rights and options in Victoria and the barriers that can affect access to sexual and reproductive health services.  (FREE)

Early Medical Abortion– This short online course provides foundation knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive best practice early medical abortion care. (FREE)

Sector News & Resources

Resources

• Message Guide: Framing Sexual and Reproductive Health This message guide is for anyone seeking to shift public understanding and comfort with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) At the community level

  Access the guide here

  Watch the Framing Sexual and Reproductive Health launch webinar here

• The Gippsland Region Public Health Unit is developing a Gippsland STI Network to improve STI prevention, testing and treatment in Gippsland. If you are a stakeholder interested in being involved, complete this short survey
• Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week ‘Say yes to you’
• Arabic, Punjabi and Vietnamese women’s experiences of and access to contraception and women’s health care – Jean Hailes June 2025
• Community consultations with Arabic, Punjabi and Vietnamese-speaking Women on Periods & Health Checks – Jean Hailes June 2025
• GCASA Prevention Education Calendar 2025 Prevention Education Calendar 2025 
• East Gippsland Shire council are offering rebates on reusable menstrual products Form: Reusable Product Rebate Application Form (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au)
• Labia Library  The Labia Library provides information about anatomy, the functions of the labia, and concerns that people may have about their labia, as well as resources for health practitioners, health educators, and parents and carers.  
• Free pads and tampons in Victorian shopping centres.
• Pleasure and Consent Resources- Women with Disabilities Victoria support practitioners and sexual health professionals to model consent and decision-making with women and gender diverse people with disabilities around contraception, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and relationships using lived experience.

Upcoming Significant Days

• 29^th August Wear It Purple Day
• 1^st – 5^th September Women’s Health Week
• 4^th September World Sexual Health Day
• 8^th -14^th September Sexual Health Week
• 26^th September World Contraception Day
• 28^th September International Safe Abortion Day
• 18^th October World Menopause Day

Test Kits 

• Free HIV Test Kit
• Free STI Testing Kit for rural Victorians aged 25 and under 

Services

Sexual & Reproductive Health Hubs 

The SRH hubs offer services such as contraception options, abortions, STI testing and treatment, and cervical screening.

Clinic 281 Bairnsdale (Monday – Wednesday)

Latrobe Community Health Service (Tuesday – Friday)

Find a SRH Service near you:

1800 My Options (Monday – Friday)

For any AYC queries or feedback on what you’d like to see in this newsletter please contact me via Marleigh.Andrews@gwhealth.asn.au

Kind regards, 

Support Services