Message from Leanne Shea, Acting CEO, Maryborough District Health Service

Leanne Shea.

Australia’s largest event dedicated to the health and wellbeing of women, girls and

gender-diverse people, Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week has achieved some

remarkable outcomes since it began in 1992. It raises awareness of health issues

that affect women and addresses long-standing gaps in information, research and

care.

Each year, Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week creates the space to start important

conversations, reduce stigma and empower women, girls and gender-diverse people

to take action for their health. In 2025, more than 3,000 community events and

activities were held nationwide.

Our drop-in sessions, hosted in partnership with Pyrenees Shire Council and Central

Goldfields Shire Council, were well attended. In Avoca, closest to most readers, we

were able to provide local women with an opportunity to speak directly with our team

and access health information on a huge range of topics.

Too often, women tell us they put themselves last while juggling work, caring

responsibilities and the invisible mental load. Our hope is that, by reducing the

barriers of structured appointments, travel and cost, and taking our services and staff

on the road, we encourage more women, girls and gender-diverse people to take

steps for their health and wellbeing.

Importantly, the sessions helped start conversations and make information and

resources more accessible. They covered areas of women’s health that can

sometimes be overlooked, including sexual and reproductive health, menopause and

healthy ageing, heart health and mental wellbeing.

If readers missed the sessions, care, support and information is always available

through our Well Women’s and Sexual and Reproductive Advice Clinics. Free breast

screening is also available in Maryborough through BreastScreen Victoria.

The latest information from the Department of Health indicates cases of influenza

(flu) are increasing in a late season of the flu.It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine and protect yourself and the people around

you. The flu vaccine can reduce the severity of illness, which means a quicker

recovery. It can also make it harder to catch the flu in the first place.

The flu vaccine is free for eligible Victorians and available through GPs, pharmacies,