Women's Health Northern Rivers

06/03/2026

We kicked off the weekend’s International Women’s Day celebrations this morning by attending the Zonta Club of Northern Rivers Inc IWD Breakfast in Ballina. A captivating panel discussion with 5 amazing women: Frewoini Baume (local beekeeper, leader and educator in environmental sustainability), Maddi Powell (WHNR Groups & Partnerships Coordinator), Goldie (Zonta NR); Judy Smith (retired Police Officer who worked for many years as DVLO); and Trina Jones (Zonta NR).

05/03/2026

It's Melanoma March - a chance to bring our community together around one of Australia’s most preventable, yet most common, cancers. Throughout March, we’re joining the national movement led by Melanoma Institute Australia to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and honour those affected by melanoma. It’s a reminder to check your skin, know the signs, and acknowledge the really important work done by those supporting individuals and families navigating a melanoma diagnosis.

02/03/2026

March invites us to listen more closely to the experiences of people living with endometriosis. For many, the journey to diagnosis is long and exhausting, and awareness can make a real difference. This month is about visibility, compassion, and standing alongside those whose pain has too often been dismissed.

Did you know that QENDO Australia have a free app for endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, pelvic pain and infertility where you can:

Track pain, bleeding, GI symptoms, exercise and food;
Develop a pain plan;
Manage a flare;
Connect to resources, find information.

To download app follow this link: https://www.qendo.org.au/qendo-app

02/03/2026

March brings a lot of important moments for women. We recognise that many concerns and health issues overlap. So throughout the month of March, we’ll be shining a light on two key health and education campaigns: Endometriosis Awareness Month and Melanoma March - both of which have a significant impact on women in our community.

You are invited to follow along as we share facts and educational tools. We also recommend the following sites for further information and resources:

Endometriosis Australia
QENDO Australia
Cancer Council Australia & Cancer Council NSW
Melanoma Institute Australia

Of course as part of NSW Women’s Week, we’ll also be celebrating International Women’s Day with our sponsored Lismore Women's Festival event, KillJoy at the Starcourt Theatre on Saturday, 7 March @ 2:30pm – you can still register here: https://starcourttheatre.com.au/events/iwd2026

27/02/2026

Four years on, we pause to honour the strength of the people of Lismore and throughout the Northern Rivers.

We are still here for you.

25/02/2026

Four years on from the catastrophic floods in February and March 2022, in the Northern Rivers, we want to honour the strength, resilience and unwavering hard work of this community.

Disaster recovery is never simple. It’s complex and non-linear. There are steps forward, pauses, and moments that overwhelm us. Recovery calls us to rebuild our communities differently, thoughtfully, inclusively. It asks us to be determined, courageous, and collaborative.

At Gender and Disaster Australia we champion gender-responsive recovery as evidence shows that resilience grows strongest when no one is left behind.

Our research and innovation team has been listening to flood-affected men, women and LGBTQIA+ residents in Lismore over the last few years. We have seen a community made up of neighbours, volunteers and community organisations and local leaders of all ages, stepping up, sharing stories, and slowly re-building their lives. We also value our partnerships in the region with the University Centre for Rural Health and Women's Health Northern Rivers who are key to our ongoing research and evaluation projects in the area.

Lessons about inequity and the impacts on mental health remain vital for communities facing similar upheaval. For many, everyday life in the ‘afterwards’ continues to be uncertain, highlighting the need to listen, support, and learn from lived experience. Disaster recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes; it’s about rebuilding connections and amplifying community-centered voices.

22/02/2026

What's happening at WHNR in the busy month of MARCH!

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

18/02/2026

"Women’s health centres may improve the experiences of women seeking healthcare, including strangulation victim-survivors." Women's Health NSW was delighted to contribute our expertise to the Queensland Law Reform Commission for their review of non-fatal strangulation. We congratulate the Commission on the release of their final report, which recommends the establishment of strangulation health centres that "provide a similar model of care to women’s health centres" or the funding of women's health centres in Queensland. It is great to see this recognition of the important work women's health centres in NSW do with women experiencing strangulation.

Read it here:https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/897490/NFS-Review-Final-Report.pdf

17/02/2026

We’re thrilled to be part of this event at Goonellabah Library – SHERELE MOODY IN CONVERSATION with our CEO, Emma Siegel.

Being held at Goonellabah Library on Tuesday, 17 March from 6pm to 7:30pm.

Sherele Moody is an award winning journalist, femicide researcher, and anti violence campaigner. With 28 years’ experience covering crime, courts, and social justice, Sherele founded the RED HEART Campaign a decade ago. The RED HEART Movement and its sister-project, Australian Femicide Watch, are Australia's leading social media anti-violence campaigns and platforms for documenting femicide and child deaths.

This is a free event however registrations are required. Find the booking link here: https://rtrl.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/OPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=19944775

Violence against women is not an abstract issue. It is documented, counted, and lived.

Join Women’s Health Northern River’s CEO Emma Siegel for a powerful conversation with Sherele Moody, award-winning journalist, researcher, and anti-violence campaigner.

Goonellabah Library
Tuesday 17 March
6.00 pm - 7.30 pm

Bookings essential, call the Goonellabah Library on (02) 6625 1235, or use this link: https://rtrl.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/OPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=19944775

Mandy Nolan .nolan .womens.fest Northern Rivers Community Gateway The RED HEART Movement LismoreApp Resilient Lismore CWA Lismore Day Branch CWA Lismore Evening Branch Healthy North Coast Women Up North Housing .nsw

10/02/2026

We're on the lookout for a casual Admin Officer - is this you or somebody you know? Spread the word!

Find the position description here: https://whnr.org.au/our-people/ - then press on the APPLY HERE button for selection criteria and instructions on how to apply.

We look forward to hearing from you.