Donate 1300 781 500
[email protected]

Resource Centre
Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Open 10am – 5pm Mon, Wed, Thurs
(closed public holidays)

Donate
1300 781 500
Skip to main content
[email protected]

Resource Centre
Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Open 10am – 5pm Mon, Wed, Thurs
(closed public holidays)

Counterpart Year in Review 2016–17

The Counterpart Year in Review 2016–17 was unveiled at the Women’s Health Victoria Annual General Meeting on Monday 30 October 2017.

It celebrates our new name and the essence of our service: connecting, supporting and informing women with breast or a gynaecological cancer to live well.

Women who have had a diagnosis of breast or a gynaecological cancer contribute to Counterpart in a range of ways: women who access our services provide a community of support for each other; trained Peer Support Volunteers provide unique support and assist women to find evidence-based information relevant to their needs; Program Volunteers keep our library, exercise programs and mail-outs running. The Year in Review includes some of their stories, along with information about our achievements for the year.

In the 2016–17 year, Counterpart:

  • commenced a rural and regional project
  • ran six Stepping into Wellness programs
  • continued Bridge of Support at multiple hospitals
  • started developing a gynaecological cancer navigator
  • offered a varied program of health and wellbeing sessions
  • increased our contacts with people affected by breast or a gynaecological cancer by 12 per cent.

To find out more about Counterpart download the Year in Review from our publications page or contact the Resource Centre to request a printed copy.

An overview of Counterpart’s activities and other programs of Women’s Health Victoria can be found in the WHV Annual Report.

 

BreaCan is now Counterpart – Women Supporting Women with Cancer

Large group photo of Counterpart volunteers at the launch of the new name and brand, 31 May 2017

Tonight Women’s Health Victoria welcomed over 100 guests to launch the new name of their valued cancer support service, BreaCan. Dale Fisher, CEO of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, unveiled the new brand, Counterpart – Women supporting women with cancer, to great fanfare.

BreaCan has provided quality support and information to women living with breast or a gynaecological cancer more than 25,000 times since opening in 2003. As Counterpart, the service will continue to provide the same high quality support to women across Victoria.

Counterpart connects, supports and informs women with breast or a gynaecological cancer to live well.

The name Counterpart celebrates the essence of the service – the trust, warmth, care and positive energy created when women connect and support each other.

We recognise every woman’s experience of cancer is different but talking to another woman with a cancer diagnosis can help.

Counterpart puts peer support at the heart of the new brand.

Highly trained, professional Peer Support Volunteers give other women with breast or a gynaecological cancer emotional support, understanding, hope and comfort.

More information about how Counterpart can support women living with breast or a gynaecological cancer can be found at counterpart.org.au

“Counterpart provides a very special and unique service to women living with breast or a gynaecological cancer. I am honored to launch the new brand and look forward to working with Counterpart at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to connect Victorian women with cancer to the support they need.” said Dale Fisher, CEO of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, who announced the new name. 

“We have chosen the name Counterpart to celebrate the essence of our service – the trust, warmth, care and positive energy created when women connect and support each other.” said Dianne Hill, Manager of Counterpart. 

Rita Butera, Executive Director of Women’s Health Victoria has said, “We are delighted to unveil the new brand for our cancer service. Breast and gynaecological cancers have a major impact on Victorian women. We believe Counterpart – Women supporting women with cancer – tells women who we are and what we do, and puts peer support at the heart of the service. We know over time Counterpart will connect more  Victorian women with cancer to high-quality support and information.

New Stepping into Wellness programs announced

After running a number of successful programs last year, Counterpart is very pleased to announce two Stepping into Wellness gentle exercise programs starting in May. We are grateful to Pink Affair for their generous support.

 

The programs will run in Fawkner and Noble Park. Programs will run in other metropolitan locations later in the year.

Exercise has major benefits for women following cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our program can help to:

  • increase mobility and flexibility
  • learn specific exercises to help boost your energy levels
  • safely improve your range of movement
  • regain confidence in your body
  • have fun and connect with other women.

Stepping into Wellness is a six-week gentle exercise program run by a qualified instructor who has had breast cancer. The program is easy to understand and follow and will focus on stretching, resistance training, tai chi and general health.  You will not need any special clothing or equipment to attend.

Fawkner

The program will run weekly from Tuesday 22 May to Tuesday 27 June 2017. (Please note the day has been changed to Tuesday – we are sorry for any confusion this change may have caused.)

Registrations close Monday 15 May 2017.

Noble Park

The program will run weekly from Thursday 25 May to Thursday 29 June 2017.

Registrations close Thursday 18 May 2017.

 

To register or get more information, please call the Counterpart Resource Centre on 1300 781 500 or send an email to [email protected]  so we can post some registrations forms to you. Please note the closing dates listed under each program.

Counterpart is a service of
Our other services and initiatives