AYC – Newsletter Issue 8 – December 2025

December 2025 | Issue 8

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

Gippsland Sexual and Reproductive Health Forum 2026. ’15 years of the Gippsland Sexual and Reproductive Health Forum’

The Gippsland Sexual Reproductive Health Forum is an annual, free, professional development day led by Gippsland Women’s Health to upskill Gippsland professionals locally. 

2026 marks 15 years of the forum and will be centred around advancing sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing in Gippsland, celebrating progress, highlighting local champions, and continuing our learning to improve the health and wellbeing of the Gippsland community. 

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
• Time: 9.00 am  – 3:00 pm
• Venue: Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon, VIC (approx. 2hrs of highway driving with free parking or 2.5hr via the train, accessible station and 10-15 min walk to station)
• Audience: Open to Gippsland professionals including, health professionals, educators, community leaders, youth workers and advocates

Proposed agenda (subject to change)

• 9.15am Opening remarks
• 9.30am – 10.40am Panel discussion – 15 Years of SRH – Led by Gippsland Sexual Reproductive Health Governance Group
• 10.40am – 11am Morning Tea:
• 11.00am – 12.30pm Cohorts split Room 1- Youth and community Room 2 Health Professionals
• Room 1 – Workshop led by Sexual Health Victoria -Sex positive, pleasure focused approach to SRH & relationships education and tackling online misinformation
• Room 2 – LCHS – Gippsland Abortion Care Cascade, LCHS Menopause management, Melbourne University – Obstruction to Care Study
• 12.30pm – 1.30pm- Lunch
• 1.30pm – 2.30pm Keynote presentation
• 2.45pm – 3pm Closing remarks
• 3pm – 4.30pm – Optional networking

Inquire into Women’s Pain Report

The Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report has been released. This significant report shines a light on the experiences of women across Victoria who have long felt unheard when it comes to their pain.

Gippsland Women’s Health welcomes the report and its recommendations, which echo what we see across our region every day.

“With the Inquiry into Women’s Pain report now publicly released, there is an important opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of women who have long felt unheard when it comes to their pain – particularly those living in remote, rural and regional areas.

Our Healthy Women, Healthy Gippsland Report Card shows that women in Gippsland face even greater barriers to accessing timely, appropriate health care, often travelling long distances, facing long wait times and misdiagnoses. Together, these reports make it clear that women in rural and regional Victoria deserve a health system that listens, believes, and responds to their needs.”
– Kate Graham, CEO, Gippsland Women’s Health

Read the Healthy Women, Healthy Gippsland 2025 Report Card here:

Healthy Women, Healthy Gippsland 2025 Report Card – Gippsland Women’s Health

Read the Bridging the Gender Pain Gap- The Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report 2025 here:

Bridging the Gender Pain Gap: The Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report 2025

Are You Covered Magazine Issue 5

The 2026 edition of the Are You Covered (AYC) Magazine will spotlight the intersection of sexual and reproductive health, disability, and neurodivergence

The issue will: 

• Challenge stigma and discrimination. 

• Amplify living and lived experiences. 

• Highlight inclusive programs and practices. 

• Provide practical resources for individuals, support workers, and health professionals. 

Call-Out for Stories: Have you experienced barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care or information due to disability or neurodivergence?

Fill out this anonymous survey

AUSLARC provides scholarships for Implanon and IUD training to reduce financial and geographic barriers to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) training. Open to health professionals who are currently registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) including GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Midwives, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners

What’s included?

• Fully funded Implanon and IUD training delivered by SRHA Sexual and Reproductive Health Organisations in every state and territory 
• Travel reimbursement for eligible participants travelling more than 100 km to attend training 
• Streamlined online access via a new centralised portal for registration, scholarships and reimbursement claims 
• RACGP CPD will be recorded for all RACGP members who complete the training. The LARC training will be visible on their CPD statement after completion.

Find out more here

The clinic – funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – will be delivered by Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS) and is expected to open on 29 December 2025 
 
The new clinic will strengthen specialist health services for women and gender diverse people in Gippsland by providing: 

• Improved access to diagnostic, treatment, and referral services for endometriosis and pelvic pain 
• Care and symptom management for perimenopause and menopause 
• Increased access to allied health and support services 
• Inclusive and culturally safe care for all patients 
• Strengthened workforce expertise in women’s health 

Read The Hon Mark Butler MP announcement here: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/government-delivers-11-new-endometriosis-and-pelvic-pain-clinics?language=en 

Expert care, anywhere: virtual women’s health clinic

Getting specialist women’s health care isn’t always easy – especially when cost, travel, time, or feeling dismissed stand in the way.
The virtual women’s health clinic helps women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Victoria access inclusive, confidential care from anywhere. Services include cervical screening, contraception, menopause support, pelvic pain management, breast health, sexual health advice, and pregnancy termination care.
Appointments are available by phone or video, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. No referral, Medicare card, or travel required – just care that meets people where they are.
Book online or call 1300 003 224

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

• Jean Hailes-Heavy Menstrual Bleeding algorithm to support health professionals when managing patients with heavy menstrual bleeding
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia- Efficacy of Contraceptive Methods Factsheet
• Perimenopause and menopause symptom checklist Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are different for everyone.  Use this checklist and tick the boxes to show which symptoms are bothering you. Take the checklist with you to your next medical appointment. Great handout for health professionals to give to their patients!
• Sexual Health Victoria- Seggs Uncensored- Zine

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