Women's Centre for Health and Wellbeing Albury Wodonga

28/08/2026

Experts are calling for greater education on the risks of strangulation after the death of a Sydney teenage girl, which the ABC understands is related to a suspected sexual choking act.

27/08/2026

We echo Women's Health NSW's statement and our thoughts are with the family and community affected by this tragic loss.

Like WHNSW, we are deeply saddened to hear of the death of a young person, allegedly linked to sexual choking.

As a specialist women's health service, we will continue to have evidence-based, harm reduction conversations with our clients about sexual choking and non-fatal strangulation when it is appropriate to do so. These conversations matter — the evidence on the links between strangulation, oxygen and blood restriction, and acquired brain injury continues to grow, and young people deserve honest, non-judgemental information about the risks involved.

We remain committed to working alongside our colleagues across the sector to make sure evidence-based information reaches the people who need it, in ways that are relatable and safe.

Police are continuing to investigate the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl, which the ABC understands is being treated as a suspected sexual choking act.

25/08/2026

40 YEARS OF IMPACT // NOT EVERY STORY ENDS WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

Sometimes, the hardest part is learning to let go of the guilt, fear and self-blame that remain.

Rebecca* came to the Women's Centre after experiencing domestic and family violence. Although she knew she wasn't responsible for the abuse she had endured, she still carried the weight of believing she was.

With compassionate support and counselling, she began to release that burden. In just weeks, she was reconnecting with friends, removing reminders of her past, and finding the confidence to move forward with renewed strength.
This is why the Women's Centre exists.

Because healing isn't just about escaping violence. It's about helping women rediscover safety, hope and themselves.

Thank you to every person who supports the Women's Centre. Together, you're helping write stories like Rebecca's every day.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

20/08/2026

40 YEARS OF IMPACT // TRULY WORTH CELEBRATING

For 40 years, the Women's Centre Albury Wodonga has been a place of strength, support and belonging for women across our region.

This November, we're inviting our community to come together to celebrate that legacy, honour everyone who has helped shape our story, and ensure the next chapter is just as impactful.

Every ticket purchased, every conversation shared and every donation made helps create a future where every woman knows there's a place she can turn.

Join us as we celebrate 40 years of impact, and look ahead to what's possible together.

womenscentre.org.au/40th-anniversary-gala

11/08/2026

🎉 What a night! Women's Centre staff and Board members were thrilled to attend Friday evening's Optus Albury Wodonga Business Awards, celebrating as finalists in the Excellence in Healthcare, Disability and Social Care category alongside fellow finalists Carevan, Ramsay Health, Insight Therapies, and Flexout Therapies.

It was a wonderful opportunity to come together with all of the 2026 finalists and celebrate the amazing organisations within our region that serve our community. 💛

A huge congratulations to Insight Therapies, winner of our category, and to Ramsay Health, awarded Highly Commended — well deserved! And congratulations to all the winners across their categories on the night.

We're proud to be part of such a passionate and hardworking community! 🙌

05/08/2026

🎉 A wonderful moment for Women's Health NSW

We're proud to share that Women's Health NSW was recognised in NSW Parliament by Felicity Wilson MP, Member for North Shore, in a Private Members' Statement on the vital role of women's health advocacy.

Ms Wilson spoke of WHNSW as "a vital organisation committed to promoting equitable access to quality health services for women throughout New South Wales," acknowledging our work advocating for policy change, supporting women's health centres, and ensuring the diverse needs of women across backgrounds and life stages are represented.

The mention followed September's Women's Health Expo at NSW Parliament, where Sarah represented WHNSW alongside other leading advocacy organisations, helping members of Parliament and their staff connect with the key health issues affecting women across the state.

Congratulations to the whole WHNSW team and the 22 women's health centres we represent — this recognition reflects the tireless work happening every day across our network. 💜

"Women's Health NSW is a vital organisation committed to promoting equitable access to quality health services for women throughout New South Wales. It advocates for policy change, supports women's health centres, and works to ensure that the diverse needs of women across different backgrounds and life stages are represented," said Felicity Wilson MP, Shadow Minister for Women in a private members' statement to the 58th Parliament of NSW. We were grateful to receive this acknowledgement of our work.

05/08/2026

🎉 Two sleeps to go!

This Friday, 7 August, we find out if 40 years of standing beside women and girls on the Border has been recognised as Excellence in Healthcare, Disability and Social Care at the 2026 Optus Albury Wodonga Business Awards! 🏆

Being named a finalist in our 40th year already means so much — a reminder that the quiet, often invisible work of counselling, therapeutic group work, and family violence support doesn't go unnoticed.

Whatever Friday brings, we're proud to represent our staff, our partners, and this community who've helped us reach 40 years — with plenty more impact still to come.

📍 Winners announced Friday 7 August at the SS&A Club
🎗️ Fingers crossed, Border!

28/07/2026

Why doesn't she just leave?

New research from Anglicare Sydney, Cost of Leaving (2026), shows the minimum cost of leaving a violent relationship has jumped 71% in the past decade.

The report costed out a basic one-month "leaving and stabilising" package — rent, bond, energy, water, groceries, phone, internet, fuel, a day of moving truck hire, a week in a budget motel, and one day of childcare. In 2016, that essential basket cost $4,099. In 2026, it costs $7,017.

And that's the conservative estimate. It doesn't include legal costs, lost income, housing transitions, replacement household goods, debt, relocation or the ongoing costs of recovery — which other Australian research puts at over $18,000 once you factor those in.

There are many reasons a woman may stay in a violent relationship — emotional, social, economic. This report focuses on just one piece of that picture: the practical, financial barriers that stand between a victim-survivor and safety. And it shows that in 2026, leaving is both materially harder and more logistically complex than it was a decade ago.

Government supports like the Leaving Violence Program ($5,000 — $1,500 cash, $3,500 in goods and services) help. But against these rising costs, that support goes considerably less far than it once did.
📖 Read the full report:https://assets.anglicare.org.au/asset/52433ada-8ada-4ee4-b0bc-73a5c3d2bc9a/cost-of-leaving-report-2026.pdf

# WomensSafety

22/07/2026

📱🔒 A safety note for anyone with a hidden phone

If you have a phone that others in your home don't know about — for your safety — please plan ahead for Monday 27 July, 2pm.

A national test alert will cause phones across Australia to vibrate and sound a siren for ~10 seconds. If your phone isn't meant to be discovered, this alert could put you at risk.

To stay safe:
🔹 Turn your device OFF, or
🔹 Switch to ✈️ aeroplane mode
..at least 1 hour before 2pm, and keep it that way for 24 hours after.

If you need help planning for your safety, our team is here — reach out anytime during business hours on 0260215773. 💜

https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

Reminder: On Monday 27 July 2026 at 2pm a test alert will be sent to all mobile devices in Australia. This includes most phones, and some smart watches and tablets. Devices will vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds.

If you have a safe phone, the only way to not receive a Critical Alert is to turn your mobile device OFF or switch it to ‘aeroplane mode’ at least an hour before the test and keep it switched off or on ‘aeroplane mode’ for 24-hours after the test.

https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

01/06/2026