Women's Health Northern Rivers

27/03/2026

Women’s Health Northern Rivers is starting two trauma‑informed group programs this April/May in Mullumbimby - Shark Cage and Heartfelt House Healing Pathways.

Both Shark Cage and Healing Pathways will be running concurrently at our Lismore site.

These professionally facilitated groups offer safe, supportive spaces for women who have experienced domestic or family violence, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, or other interpersonal trauma.

Shark Cage - for women impacted by sexual assault or domestic or family violence
Heartfelt House Healing Pathways - for adult women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse

Both programs help build confidence, strengthen boundaries, and reconnect with a sense of safety and self‑worth.

MULLUMBIMBY
Healing Pathways: Wednesdays, 29 April – 1 July
Shark Cage: Thursdays, 7 May–25 June

LISMORE:
Healing Pathways: Wednesdays, 30 April – 2 July
Shark Cage: Thursdays, 6 May–24 June

Free or by donation for Women 18+

To learn more or express interest:
Phone: 6621 9800 or Email: support@whnr.org.au
www.whnr.org.au

25/03/2026

Set a reminder for a monthly skin check routine! Evidence suggests a day that is easy to remember and is less overscheduled with work/uni/ school/appointments etc is most achievable.

25/03/2026

Please head over to our website to see more details: https://whnr.org.au/events/

If you are interested in registering or hearing more about our offerings please don't hesitate to email us at support@whnr.org.au or phone us on 6621 9800

We look forward to hearing from you

24/03/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jenny Dowell, a woman whose leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to Lismore and surrounds touched so many lives. Jenny brought compassion, integrity, and a genuine love for people into everything she did.

We honour her legacy, her service, and the countless ways she helped shape a kinder, more connected community. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Thank you, Jenny, for everything you gave. Your impact will be felt for a long time to come.

Jenny pictured here at our 2024 Lismore Women’s Festival as part of a panel discussion with Angela Catterns, Justine Dorrell, Amy Colli and Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson.

22/03/2026

No one should have to fight to be believed about their own pain. If something doesn’t feel right, you deserve care that listens, validates, and takes your symptoms seriously. Your experience matters, and you’re entitled to support that reflects that.

21/03/2026

Vale Rhoda Roberts AO - an immense loss for our community and for the nation. Her impact, leadership, and cultural legacy will be felt for generations. Our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who loved her.

Nearly ten years ago, Rhoda Roberts gave a beautiful speech at the Older Women’s Network NSW conference. You could tell she was a woman of integrity, creativity and strength. Everything that is being written about her enormous contribution to the arts, to the celebration of First Nations creativity, and to compassionate leadership was evident in that afternoon she spent with us.

However, what stayed with us most was something quieter. She spoke of the deep sadness she carried from losing her twin sister to an act of incomprehensible violence. In that personal grief sat a much larger story - one of systemic discrimination that First Nations women endure. And of the well-documented failures of institutions, including policing, to take violence against First Nations women seriously.

The loss of Rhoda Roberts is not only the loss of an extraordinary cultural leader, storyteller and advocate. We feel in our hearts the loss of a woman who carried both brilliance and grief, who used her platform to elevate others while holding the weight of personal and collective trauma.

To honour Rhoda Roberts is to do more than celebrate her legacy in the arts. It is to carry forward her truth, and to refuse to look away from our collective responsibility to end violence against all women, including First Nations women.

18/03/2026

Sun protection is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your risk of melanoma. Using broad‑spectrum SPF sunscreen helps shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays - the two types of ultraviolet radiation that contribute to sunburn, skin ageing, and skin cancer. Sunscreen works best as part of a bigger routine: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on SPF50+, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses. These small habits add up to long‑term protection, especially in our strong Northern Rivers sun.

Find more information and the nitty gritty about all things sunscreen on the Melanoma Institute Australia website here: https://melanoma.org.au/about-melanoma/how-to-prevent-melanoma/sunscreen-faqs/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21010772573&gclid=CjwKCAiAzZ_NBhAEEiwAMtqKy49FZgO0tKzSnbVFZhzbYk4pbbcp19LHQzhahtBA0JnsrTmJ-ATQdxoClpkQAvD_BwE

18/03/2026

What a powerful evening at Goonellabah Library with Sherele Moody in conversation with WHNR Acting CEO Emma Siegel.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our conversation with Sherele. Her insight, honesty, and commitment to difficult truth‑telling sparked thoughtful discussion and deep reflection.

We’re especially grateful to the wonderful team at Richmond Tweed Regional Library for initiating and hosting this important event - your leadership made this conversation possible for our community.

Check out Sherele's webpage here: https://australianfemicidewatch.org/about/ where you can find more information and even buy merch which helps to support Sherele with her advocacy and important work she does in honouring women and children lost to violence. AND if you're into podcasts be sure to subscribe to Sherele's SHE MATTERS podcast.

16/03/2026

Pop over to our pop-up at Lismore Square for Melanoma March. Information and resources are available from Nerida, WHNR Health Promotions Officer and Jay from Cancer Council NSW

Melanoma March at Lismore Square

We are proud to support Women's Health Northern Rivers and Cancer Council NSW for Melanoma March

Come chat with the friendly team about melanoma prevention and the importance of early detection. 
A quick conversation could make a big difference.

📍Find the team in front of Wild Pollen.

15/03/2026

Living with endo often means carrying a load that others can’t see - the appointments, the uncertainty, the advocacy, the fatigue. This month, we’re acknowledging that invisible work and the strength it takes to keep going while navigating a condition that is so often misunderstood.

Endometriosis affects so many in our community, yet it often remains unseen. Awareness helps create better pathways to diagnosis, treatment, and understanding. This month, we’re standing with everyone living with endo - and with the people who support them every day.

If you are struggling with endometriosis-related pain we invite you to our monthly Chronic Pain Support group: https://whnr.org.au/event/chronic-pain-support-group/2026-03-27/

13/03/2026

Ballina Library offers free period products to those in need.
Our Dignity vending machine, installed by charity Share the Dignity, dispenses free period packs. The packs contain six tampons and two pads, for those who need them. This service is available during library opening hours.
If you would like more information, phone the library on 02 6686 2831.