Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West

19/06/2026

Respect 2040 Annual Forum – Thank You!

Yesterday, more than 80 people came together for the Respect 2040 Annual Forum, united in a shared commitment to preventing gender-based violence across the Barwon South West.

It was inspiring to be in a room of people taking positive action—because real change happens when we move beyond indifference and act, in both our everyday lives and our communities.

We were privileged to hear from keynote speaker Anu Krishnan, who reminded us: “It takes a village to guarantee safety for anybody.”

Our MC, Daisy Ye, reinforced this shared responsibility: “It takes leadership, courage and humanity to look after our whole community.”

In opening the forum, CEO Jodie Hill reflected on the critical role we all play: “By showing up today, we’ve revealed ourselves as the people who take action – and the world needs us.”

Respect 2040 now brings together 47 partner and supporter organisations, working collectively towards a future free from gender-based violence.

Thank you to everyone who attended and continues to take action—big and small—in your workplaces and communities.

To learn more about joining the partnership, visit our website.

https://respect2040.com/join/

19/06/2026

17/06/2026

We were so pleased to partner with Glenelg Shire Council and to sponsor a fabulous community event in Heywood tonight, fostering connection for a safer and healthier community.

Football great Wayne Schwass modelled positive masculinity as he delivered an engaging session focused on a proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing -“don’t wait to seek help… investing in your mental health and wellbeing helps you to be happier, healthier and to show up better for those around you”.

17/06/2026

Coming up- Birth Trauma Awareness Week Webinar

📣Calling all Obstetricians, GPs and midwives!

Join us online for our next Lunch n' Learn - 'Moments That Matter: Trauma-Informed Care During Birth'

Birth is one of the most profound moments in a person's life and for some, it can also be one of the most vulnerable.

This session explores how trauma-informed care can transform the birthing experience and help to prevent birth trauma.

Featuring

Guest Speaker: Hayley Ballinger, Trauma-Focused Social Worker

Q&A with Dr Alex Umbers, GP/Obstetrician and Hayley Ballinger

Friday 17th July, 12.30pm-1.15pm

Register now via Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/moments-that-matter-trauma-informed-care-during-child-birth

10/06/2026

Our Respect 2040 Annual Forum is next week and we’re looking forward to a great turnout.

To be frank though, we’d love to see more men in the room!

This is a day to connect, learn and build practical skills to support safer, more respectful communities across our region.

Already registered? Tap a colleague on the shoulder and bring a mate.

There’s still time to be part of it.

Free registration- https://events.humanitix.com/respect-2040-annual-forum-stand-together-act-together

09/06/2026

We are deeply concerned to see the re-emergence of openly misogynistic rhetoric in political discourse, targeted toward Premier Jacinta Allan.

We live in a society where there is both the freedom and responsibility to critique leadership.

Debate around policy, decisions and impact is essential. But resorting to gendered, derogatory language is not critique, it is blatant misogyny.

As Julia Gillard highlighted, these same tactics have been used before to undermine women in leadership. While there has been progress, moments like this are a reminder that sexism remains embedded in both public spaces and political commentary.

Encouragingly, the public backlash to these messages shows a strong collective refusal to accept this behaviour. That matters.

Change happens when communities actively reject misogyny and hold each other to a higher standard.

We can, and must, do better by keeping our focus on respectful, informed and accountable discussion.

09/06/2026

🔔Have you registered yet?

Our Respect 2040 Annual Forum is just around the corner, and there are still a few spots available.

Join us to hear from keynote speaker Anu Krishnan and MC Daisy Ye, connect with others from across Barwon South West, and build skills through Active Bystander and eAware training.

Free registration via Humanitix👉https://events.humanitix.com/respect-2040-annual-forum-stand-together-act-together

05/06/2026

💡 Make the most of your EOFY budget

Looking for professional development that is tailored to your organisation's unique needs?

For a limited time, we are waiving our training tailoring fee when you book a bespoke training package before 30 June.

Whether delivered online or in person, our workshops are customised to your workforce, context and goals, giving you practical, relevant learning without the additional development cost.

📅 Offer ends 30 June

📧 Get in touch to learn more: [email protected]

Visit our website to download our training brochure
https://womenshealthbsw.org.au/resource/about-us/

04/06/2026

📢 Expressions of interest now open!

Be part of the Respect 2040 Image Library Project.

The imary library project is a new initiative aiming to capture authentic, inclusive imagery that reflects the diversity of communities across the Barwon South West.

We are seeking expressions of interest from:

✨Women and gender diverse photographers

✨Community members to be photographed

This is a paid opportunity to contribute to a shared regional resource that will support more respectful and representative communications across local organisations and communities.

📍 Shoots will take place across the South West region throughout June and July.

To learn more about the project and application details, visit our website https://respect2040.com/image-library/ -the-project

03/06/2026

📣Free community event with AFL legend Wayne Schwass.

In partnership with Glenelg Shire Council, we invite you to attend 'Practical Wellbeing for Better Performance.'

Explore how stress, trauma and social expectations shape our wellbeing, relationships and behaviours.

Join the conversation on healthy masculinities, emotional awareness, connection and help-seeking, strengthening the foundations for safer, more respectful communities.

📅 Wednesday 17 June

⏰ 6:00 – 8:30pm (BBQ from 6pm)

📍 Heywood Community Hall

🎟 Free event – all welcome

Please register via the QR code for catering purposes.