About 100 people attended a dementia awareness presentation in Preston, hosted by the Hellenic Women’s Federation of Victoria on Friday 23 October. Dementia Australia support specialist Christina Kominakis explained the difference between everyday forgetfulness and memory changes that may need medical assessment. Signs included repeatedly misplacing things and difficulty managing money. The presentation noted that such difficulties do not necessarily mean dementia, but persistent changes should be raised with a doctor. A raffle raised $300 for Dementia Australia.
Eight carers recently took a four-day walk from Fish Creek to Port Welshpool as part of Interchange Gippsland's 10th Carer Camino. The retreat ran from October 20 to 23, with participants averaging about 10 kilometres a day along the Great Southern Rail Trail. Organisers handled the practical details, while activities included meditation, meals and wellbeing workshops. Interchange Gippsland CEO Rebecca Massaro said the retreat helps carers maintain their wellbeing and caring relationships. The organisation plans to continue offering these carer wellbeing opportunities.
Knox City Council has extended the deadline for its Age-Friendly City Survey, which is now open until 15 November. Residents aged 55 and over, as well as carers and families of people in that age group, are invited to share their views on how to make Knox more age-friendly. The survey is based on the World Health Organization's framework covering eight areas of everyday life, including housing, transport and health care. Council says the responses will guide future planning, identify community priorities and inform advocacy to other levels of government.
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Dr Liz Cyarto is inviting families affected by dementia to join free guided walks in Hobsons Bay, starting Tuesday 27 October. The four walks offer people living with dementia and their carers two unhurried hours outdoors. Dr Cyarto said the walks may be the first of their kind in Melbourne. They are slow and mindful, and end with a cup of tea. A national survey found most family carers reported low wellbeing, with about 30 per cent caring more than 70 hours a week.
Dementia Australia held a support and information morning tea for carers at St Stephens Catholic Church Hall in Tea Gardens on Monday, 12 October. Annette Noffke led the session, which focused on understanding the range of dementia behaviours. Dementia is caused by several diseases that affect the brain and gradually reduce thinking skills, and it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia Australia says up to 45 per cent of cases can be avoided through steps such as quitting smoking, eating healthily and reducing alcohol intake.
Shane Danes, a 64-year-old Goondiwindi man with brain and spinal cord injuries, has had his National Disability Insurance Scheme funding reduced twice since October 2025. His support provider, Michelle Doughty, said a morning gap in his care left him vomiting on April 21, and she feared he could have died without her there. His 90-year-old parents now provide two hours of support each evening, and his sister Tracy Sullivan says the family cannot keep this up. The National Disability Insurance Agency said participant safety is its priority.
Breast cancer survivor Karen Humphries called on the community to support the carers of people with cancer. She spoke at the Moe Racing Club pink race day meeting while launching her second book, Holding the Helper: Supporting the Cancer Caregiver. Humphries said carers often take on new roles without training, pay or recognition, and many never ask for help. She urged friends and neighbours to offer concrete help, such as bringing a meal or taking on school pickups, rather than general offers. The book covers the caregiving journey from before diagnosis through to recovery.
A new set of neuro-affirming books has arrived at Colac district libraries, intended to give local families, young people and carers trusted resources. The collection was created and shared to support them.
Carers across Bellingen Shire are invited to a free community lunch in Dorrigo on Thursday, 22 October, held as part of National Carers Week. The event will feature guest speakers Susan Murphy and Graeme Atkins, who will share their experiences of caring and living with dementia. Attendees can take part in a Rocks of Gratitude activity and learn about local support services. The lunch runs from noon to 2pm at The Never Never Mind on Cudgery Street. Registrations close on Thursday, 15 October.
Carers in the Port Macquarie Hastings area were invited to film screenings at the local library and a morning tea at The Glasshouse during National Carers Week. Participants shared their experiences as carers, and discussion turned to disability access in town. Guests learned about the NSW Companion Card, which lets people with a disability attend events with a companion at no extra cost. Staff from Carers NSW and Mission Australia offered information and support. Carer Gateway, a national service funded by the Australian Government, also provides help for carers.
Feros Care says National Carers Week should prompt wider discussion about supporting unpaid carers. Carers Australia estimates unpaid care is worth $110 billion a year. The 2025 Carer Wellbeing Survey found 61.1 per cent of carers had low wellbeing, compared with 33.6 per cent of the general adult population. Feros Care suggests five steps, including asking carers what they need, giving them time back and helping them access respite. Ben Happ said supporting carers means looking after their wellbeing too.
National Carers Week (11-17 October) recognises the 750,000 unpaid carers across Australia, including Torquay’s Faye Thamm. The 78-year-old carer emphasised the importance of self-care and boundaries, noting that carers often feel unappreciated and burnt out. Carers Victoria chief executive Judith Abbott highlighted the need for greater recognition and support for carers, many of whom report feeling lonely. The organisation encourages small acts of kindness to show appreciation for carers' invaluable contributions.
Dimity, 67, says it has been hard to share the care of her autistic son Stu, who moved into his own purpose-built home almost two years ago. Stu needs substantial support and has round-the-clock care. Dimity still recruits and trains support workers, oversees his support program and acts as his advocate. She is now working with a circle of support, including siblings and extended family, to share responsibilities. She says their relationship has improved since his move.
A new national survey by Vera and YouGov has counted 2.43 million Australians aged 35 to 70 who care for an ageing parent at least once a week. Many have used leave or lost career progression because of the work. The writer describes a woman who cared for her father from a distance and watched his support shrink while he waited for funding. The authors call for the group to be counted in official data, reached earlier, and offered services that do not depend on the word carer. The survey is based on 1,049 online responses.
A national awareness week is encouraging people in Colac and the surrounding district to recognise whether they are carers, as many may not see themselves that way. The campaign aims to bring hidden caregivers into view and direct them towards available support. Naomi Lettieri, executive manager of Anam Cara House in Colac, appeared in coverage alongside carer Margret Barry. The Colac Herald reported the story on 16 October 2026, written by Hannah Toohey.
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More than seven in 10 female carers and six in 10 male carers surveyed for a national dementia study feel overwhelmed by their caring duties. Nearly half say some family relationships have worsened since they began caring. Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan says unsupported carers can reach crisis point, increasing the risk of hospital admission or early entry to residential care. Carers also report struggling to access respite and find complicated application processes for services. The organisation is calling for a national independent review of respite services and a national dementia care navigators network.
Carers across the Bass Coast and South Gippsland were recognised as unpaid heroes at the 2026 Carer Expo held at Berninneit. The free event, part of the Bass Coast Seniors Festival, promoted local resources and professional help, with Latrobe Community Health Service as the key provider. Iris Gillard said many carers do not see themselves as carers, despite taking on heavy unpaid workloads. Attendees heard from speakers on planning ahead, health decisions and local networks, and a light lunch was provided. A follow-up Learn, Connect and Share event is planned at the Inverloch Community Hub on October 28.
A West Busselton carer has won $2.22 million in Saturday Lotto, using the numbers her late father chose for years. She bought the winning ticket at West Busselton Newsagency, where she buys her weekly entry. The couple plan to renovate their bathroom, buy a new car and support their family. Lotterywest said the win honoured carers who put their families first, during National Carers Week.
