Awareness event starts discussions
Community members from Colac and the surrounding district turned Memorial Square purple for the second annual Walk for Respect against family violence. The event was held on October 27, 2026.
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Sculptures By The Sea: Why 60 pastel hearts are haunting an iconic Sydney beach
Sixty hand-polished concrete hearts have been installed at Marks Park, between Bondi and Tamarama beaches in Sydney, as part of Sculptures By The Sea. Each heart represents a woman killed by violence this year. Each is inscribed with phrases that can excuse, minimise or ignore violence, such as Asked for it and Boys will be boys. The work was created by Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie. Lysaght said the aim is to encourage people to speak up when they hear such phrases.
Call to do more about increase in young dementia cases
Young-onset dementia cases in Australia are expected to rise by 40 per cent, with more than 30,000 people currently affected. Young Dementia Australia, established in 2025, is pushing for greater awareness and support. The organisation is advocating for a national support line and more research into the condition, which disproportionately affects women and has a significant financial and social impact.
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Get the appWagga Blue Day shines spotlight on prostate cancer as nurse cutback fears grow
A Wagga Wagga prostate cancer awareness event was held at Bunnings amid concern that a federal funding change could reduce specialist nursing support. Local specialist nurse Anne-Maree Bramich is among 131 prostate cancer nurses nationally facing uncertainty as funding moves to an all-cancer nursing model from July 2027. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia argues specialist knowledge and long-standing patient relationships could be lost. Support group members urged men to discuss testing with their doctors without waiting for symptoms.
Walk 4 Hope to Shine a Light on Huntington’s Disease
Families, carers and supporters will gather in Launceston this weekend for Walk 4 Hope. The event aims to raise awareness of Huntington's disease and support people whose lives have been affected by the condition.
Community Media Day: celebration of community connection, ideas and social justice
Community Media Day, originating in Brooklyn, underscores the vital role of community media in fostering connections, activism, and social discourse. The global observance highlights how this sector amplifies grassroots voices and disseminates ideas, with Australia's community media sector celebrating 54 years of operation. Over decades, the sector has evolved, reflecting changing community needs and priorities. The Wire reported on the day's significance, emphasising its contribution to social justice and community engagement. This annual event continues to raise awareness about the importance of community-driven media initiatives.
Youth-led project delivers Livingstone Shire's first Green Seat
A youth-led project will unveil Livingstone Shire's first Green Seat at 4pm on Wednesday 28 October at Beaman Park in Yeppoon. The seat is a permanent place for reflection and will carry a QR code linking to missing persons awareness and support information. The Livingstone Youth Action Group drove the project, which brings the national Green Seat Project to the shire. Founder Sally Leydon will attend as a special guest. In 2025, 49,084 people were reported missing to police in Australia, and 56 per cent were aged 13 to 17.
‘I was just praying’: The day a breast radiologist biopsied his own wife
Sydney radiologist Dr Alok Gupta has shared how he diagnosed his wife Aru's breast cancer after she felt a lump following a shower in February 2023. He performed the biopsy himself, describing it as the most mentally traumatic experience of his career. Aru had surgery at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse about 10 days later, followed by radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Alok is sharing their story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage people to get any breast changes checked promptly with their GP.
Mental health rolls though region
About 350 motorcyclists gathered at the Cumnock Bowling Club on Sunday for the Ride Blue Mental Health Awareness Ride. Six groups set out from locations across the region and arrived at the same time. Proceeds will fund hardship scholarships for Lifeline crisis support workers. Pharmacists from Life Pharmacy offered health checks, and Lifeline volunteers served barbecue meals. Three groups stopped in Cudal to visit local cafes, and rider Rory McTaggart praised the smooth organisation of the day.
Awareness campaign to turn Colac purple
Colac's annual Walk for Respect will fill Memorial Square with purple on Saturday. The event aims to end family and domestic violence.
Pretty in pink, powerful in purpose: cancer fundraiser
A Springwood club has raised more than $96,800 to support women facing breast cancer. About 200 people attended the seventh annual Go Pink luncheon at LIONS@Springwood in Rochedale South. The money will fund the early breast cancer care coordinator role at Mater Cancer Care Centre in South Brisbane. Care coordinator Esther White said the role gives patients consistent support through an unfamiliar experience. Mater Foundation chief executive Andrew Thomas encouraged residents to host their own Breasties Brunch during October.
‘She coulda left’: The powerful artwork exposing the excuses used to minimise domestic violence
Artists Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie have created Sweethearts, an artwork on display at Marks Park between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. It features 56 concrete sweetheart lolly sculptures, each carrying one of 20 phrases often used to excuse or shift blame for domestic violence. The hearts represent women killed by a current or former partner this year. The pair say they want people to speak up when they hear such excuses. Profits from sales of the artworks will be donated to Women's Community Shelters.
Andy reaches WA border after year on the road
Andy has reached the Western Australian border on his Walk Against Gambling, after more than a year and 4700 km since leaving Coffs Harbour. Resting at a roadhouse on the edge of the Nullarbor, he described the lonely stretches of the Eyre Highway, where he pulls his heavily loaded cart off the road for every passing vehicle. Drivers regularly stop to offer support and donations to Lifeline, which has raised $20,000. Andy says conversations along the way have helped him reach people affected by gambling harm, and he is now planning a campaign called No Bet November.
Building understanding and awareness this Invisible Disabilities Week
Invisible Disabilities Week, running from 18 to 24 October, aims to show that many disabilities are not immediately visible. Banyule is marking the week by sharing the story of Alison, one of its Disability Champions. Alison has cerebral palsy, a lifelong movement condition that stiffens and weakens her legs. She says people with visible disabilities want to be treated like everyone else, not as special or inspirational. She adds that they want to take part fully in their local communities.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Know your body, spot changes and get them checked out says Cancer Council WA
Cancer Council WA is urging people to get to know their bodies during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Regional prevention co-ordinator Lavinya Vasudevan said most breast changes are not cancer, but any unusual change should be checked. Symptoms include changes in size, shape or feel, a lump or hard area, nipple changes, and pain on one side. People unsure about a symptom are advised to see a doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker, especially if it lasts four weeks or more. In 2022, 2090 women in WA were diagnosed with breast cancer and 291 died.
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Get the appNicole had no idea how common heart conditions are, until she gave birth to her son
Queanbeyan mother Nicole Oliver says she had no idea how common heart conditions were until her son Jack was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. Jack spent his first week in intensive care and later had open-heart surgery at six months old at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Now eight, he is healthy and enjoys football. Nicole credits support from HeartKids, Tresillian and Miracle Babies for helping her family. She now takes part in HeartKids' Two Feet and a Heartbeat charity walk each year, which is set to be held at Bowen Park on Sunday, 18 October.
Put the kettle on: Australians urged to start a life-changing conversation about breast cancer
Breast Cancer Network Australia and Tetley Tea are encouraging people to use a cup of tea to start conversations about breast cancer. The A Life-Changing Cuppa campaign launched ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Melbourne nurse Jess Pearce was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at 33, after a 2022 scan had been reassured. Genetic testing later confirmed a BRCA2 gene mutation inherited from her father's family. Tetley Tea will donate five cents from every pink pack sold in Australia to support people affected by the disease.
Painting away the blues
Wyndham Council will host a Blue Tree Project event on 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day. The initiative, which uses painted blue trees to foster mental health discussions, aims to reduce stigma and encourage support-seeking. Community members can participate in creating a blue tree at Glen Devon Park in Werribee, engage in activities, and connect with local mental health services. The free event also offers refreshments and opportunities to interact with support organisations. For further details, visit the Blue Tree Project website.
Shaq Got Hacked. Now He’s Pitching for a VPN
Shaquille O'Neal, a NordVPN brand ambassador, highlighted the importance of digital security during a Times Square event. After experiencing a hack, he emphasised the need for personal data protection. O'Neal, known for his tech investments, aims to educate the public about cybersecurity. NordVPN offers various security products beyond its VPN service. The company's CTO noted a concerning overconfidence in traditional antivirus solutions among Americans.