March 2025 | ISSUE 5
AYC MAGAZINE | UPCOMING EVENTS, TRAINING & CAMPAIGNS | SECTOR NEWS & RESOURCES
Speakers Announced for the Gippsland Sexual and Reproductive Health Forum 2025!
We have an amazing showcase of speakers and topics lined up for you this year, including:
- Catherine Bateman and Dr Romey Giles from Latrobe Community Health Service – Providing updates to the heavy menstrual bleeding guidelines and where and what support is available in Gippsland
- Sexual Health Victoria – Menstrual Health and Pelvic Pain Program – Be the first to gain insights into this new comprehensive program being rolled out in Victorian Schools from 2025-2027
- Catherine Bateman Latrobe Community Health Service – The Gippsland Abortion Care Cascade- Ensuring all pregnant people anywhere in Gippsland wanting an abortion have timely access and choice
- Jane Strachan Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Lecturer, Federation University Gippsland – Pelvic Health and its impact and support available in Gippsland
With more information and exciting news to come, keep an eye on the Event Page for details.
| Register now to attend the 2025 Sexual Reproductive Forum! |
Are You Covered Magazine
We want to hear about your experiences with accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Gippsland. Whether it’s appointments you recall from early puberty to navigating pelvic pain, fertility, pregnancy or menopause, to going in for routine screenings and everything else that happens along the way – we want to hear about your experiences, both positive and negative, to highlight the strengths and challenges of our healthcare system locally.
| Submit Your Story |
Upcoming Events and Campaigns
Menstrual Health and Pain Education Program in Schools
Menstrual Health and Pain Education Program in schools, register now! Sexual Health Victoria (SHV), in partnership with the Department of Education, will deliver free Menstrual Health and Pelvic Pain Education sessions in Victorian government schools from 2025 to 2027. When you register SHV will contact you to schedule a session at your school and provide further details.
The Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk)
Gippsland Women’s Health in Collaboration with GippSport and The Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia are providing a free session for sporting clubs to deepen their understanding of pelvic pain and the impact this has on athletes’ performance and opportunities to stay in the game.
The Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk®) Sports is an initiative of the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia (PPFA), funded jointly by the Federal and select State Governments.
Many young athletes are sidelined by periods, pelvic pain, and endometriosis, hindering equal opportunity in sports. PPEP Talk® aim to change this by providing education and support through our program.
The session for coaches and support figures (parents, team managers, board members, etc.), is loaded with practical tools to keep young athletes in the game and guidelines for fostering period-positive sports environments and, reducing training and game day disruptions.
Date: Thursday 20th of March
Time: 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Location: Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) Traralgon
| Register Now! |
Gippsland Sexual & Reproductive
Health Forum 2025
The Gippsland Sexual and Reproductive Health Forum is back in its 14th year in 2025. Featuring expert guest speakers, giveaways, networking opportunities and SRH resources.
Date: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 9.00 am – 3.30 pm
Location: Gippsland Regional Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) Traralgon
| Register Now! |
Training and Webinars
SexRurality Conference 2025
Don’t miss your chance to be part of Victoria’s only Rural Sexual Health Conference – a unique event where experts will share the latest research, innovative public health interventions, and evidence-based best practices.
Hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health, the program will feature a series of engaging and contemporary presentations, addressing the pressing issues and advancements impacting sexual health care in rural and regional Victoria. It promises to be an inspiring and impactful event for everyone.
Date: Wednesday 11th June – Thursday 12th June
Time: 1 day and 2 day tickets available
Location: Shepparton
| Register Now! |
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
- Realising access: Abortion and contraception inequities and enablers in Victoria
- GCASA Prevention Education Calendar 2025 Prevention Education Calendar 2025
- The Abortion Project is expanding to Melbourne. – Peer support groups for those who have had an abortion The Abortion Project
- East Gippsland Shire council are offering rebates on reusable menstrual products Form: Reusable Product Rebate Application Form (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au)
- The Women’s Health Atlas has updates Victorian Women’s Health Atlas
- Labia Library Women’s Health Victoria developed the Labia Library to address common myths about what ‘normal’ labia look like and promote positive body image. The site 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.
Surveys
- The Australian Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH) survey is a national study exploring the sexual health and well-being of school-age young people in Australia. The study explores young people’s experiences of sex, relationships, sexual health and school-based relationships and sexuality education (RSE). Recruitment is now open for the 8th National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health, open to all Australian residents aged 14-18. The 2024 SSASH Survey
Test Kits
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
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