This year has been one of transition, resilience, and deepened impact for Women’s Health Grampians. With both a new Chair and CEO stepping into their roles during the reporting period, we are proud to reflect on a year that has demonstrated the strength, breadth, and relevance of WHG’s work across the Grampians region.

Our work is guided by six key priorities: gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, prevention of gender-based violence, mental wellbeing, chronic disease prevention, and the gendered impacts of climate change. Across each of these areas, WHG has delivered meaningful, evidence-informed initiatives that reflect our commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-led change.

With local government elections occurring in 2024 we stepped up to support the region by assisting 11 local Councils to apply a gender lens to their health and wellbeing planning, developed tailored gender infosheets, and delivered Gender Impact Assessment training to nearly 60 participants—resulting in a fivefold increase in confidence to apply gender analysis in practice. We then worked with new Councillors to build their gender equality leadership capacity, supported by the second edition of our Gender Inequality in the Grampians report, a significant evidence-based piece providing updated data and a projected timeline for achieving gender equality in our region. Our gender lens resources and training also support councils to consider the intersection of gender and climate resilience in their health and wellbeing strategies, ensuring that climate responses are inclusive and equitable.

Our work in sexual and reproductive health has expanded in both scope and influence. Through the Increasing Reproductive Choices partnership, WHG has supported regional health services to improve access to contraception and reproductive health care, particularly for young people and those in rural communities. We’ve worked alongside local providers to strengthen referral pathways, build workforce capability, and ensure services are inclusive and culturally safe. Our team has contributed to national policy conversations, including the Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause, and continues to advocate for reproductive autonomy as a cornerstone of gender equity.

WHG also played a key role in the establishment of the Respect Victoria Ballarat Community Saturation Model, launched in May 2024, following the tragic deaths of three women in Ballarat—Samantha Murphy, Rebecca Young, and Hannah McGuire. These events have had a profound impact on our community and have galvanised local action, including a huge turnout at the inaugural Men’s Leadership Forum held in late 2024.

Our work in prevention and community engagement continues to support mental wellbeing through inclusive environments, respectful relationships, and trauma-informed practice. The Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) Alliance remains a vital network for activating change across sectors, with 20 new organisations joining this year alone.

From a governance perspective, this year has also seen renewal and reflection. We farewelled Shani Cain OAM, who has been a committed and passionate Board member for six years and Chair for three years; and Sarah Jane Hall, whose insights and First People’s perspective has been so valuable to our work.  We welcomed new members and continued to provide strong strategic oversight and stewardship. We remain committed to inclusive governance, with designated positions for lived experience and regional representation, and we are proud of the Board’s engagement in strategic planning, risk management, and sector leadership. The transition in leadership has been supported by a clear focus on continuity, values, and organisational culture.

During the same period we also ceased our auspice of the Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee in order to more fully align our work with our substantive priorities. This meant farewelling Dr Jess Cadwallader, a strong and highly respected leader in the family violence space whose expertise has played an important role in many of our projects.

As new leaders, we are proud to build on the legacy of those who came before us. We acknowledge the leadership of outgoing CEO Marianne Hendron, whose steady guidance and strategic vision helped shape WHG’s direction over many years. Her commitment to equity, collaboration, and regional advocacy laid a strong foundation for the work we continue today, and we are energised by the breadth and depth of WHG’s work. This organisation is powered by a passionate team, a committed Board, and a network of partners and advocates who believe in the possibility of change.

We thank everyone who has contributed to this year’s achievements. Together, we are creating a region where equity is not just an aspiration but a guiding principle that shapes every decision we make and every partnership we build. Because when we improve health outcomes for women, we strengthen the wellbeing of entire communities—now and for generations to come.