Counterpart is a statewide, free and confidential service of Women’s Health Victoria. We connect, support, and inform women with cancer at every age and stage of their journey. This Year in Review covers from the 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and highlights the impact we’ve had, the people we’ve reached, and the communities we proudly serve.
Our impact
998 women supported
(72% new)
2,429 interactions
(+22% from previous year)
16,852 users visited our website
(+44% from previous year)
26 events held
Apollo Bay Wellbeing Day attendee, 2025
Service use by cancer type
Service use by region
5 most common languages spoken (after English)
Vietnamese, Cantonese, Arabic, Indonesian, Mandarin
5 most common countries of birth (after Australia)
Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines
Peer support
Peer support is at the heart of what we do. Women connect with someone who has lived experience of cancer, offering understanding, guidance, and reassurance. Women can self-refer or be referred by a health professional.
People can access peer support:
- Via the phone or in person at Melbourne Peer Support Hub
- In person at selected hospitals via our Bridge of Support program
- In person at our outreach events such as our wellbeing days.
Person who has used Counterpart services, 2024
New home for Counterpart
In April 2025, we moved into our new home on Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Our offices and Resource Centre relocated from the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre to a freshly renovated space that now brings Counterpart together with the rest of Women’s Health Victoria.
Bridge of Support expansion
On 1 May 2025, our Bridge of Support service resumed at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, providing peer support for women living with breast and gynaecological cancers. We’re proud to now offer Bridge of Support at four hospitals – Sunshine Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the Royal Women’s Hospital.
New regional hub in Geelong
To prepare for our first regional Peer Support Hub launch in Geelong in July, we welcomed new Peer Support Volunteers from the local area who will help bring the local hub to life and support women in the region.
Events
We created opportunities for women with cancer to connect, learn, and improve wellbeing through events across Victoria.
Feedback surveys conducted after each wellbeing day indicated:
Information
We provided reliable, evidence-based information via our website and webinars, helping women make informed decisions about their care and wellbeing.
Our Peer Support Volunteers bring compassion and lived experience to every interaction. Their dedication enables women to access timely support and meaningful connections. We thank them for their time, care, and commitment.
How our volunteers contribute
Peer support
via the phone or in person at Melbourne Peer Support Hub or hospitals through Bridge of Support
Events
assist with running events, including the regional wellbeing days, and also provide peer support at the events
Training
undergo ongoing training and assist with the recruitment, training and mentoring of new Peer Support Volunteers
Volunteer story
“I was looking for some way to give back some of the wonderful support I have received over the years following my diagnoses. Counterpart provided the opportunity I was looking for and as a regional area, a very welcome resource for the women of our community.
So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the meet and greet sessions held monthly at the new Geelong Hub, speaking with amazing women, enjoying a laugh and an occasional tear as each of them share their particular pathways through the cancer experience.
I know that one of the supports that helped get me through was the presence of my wonderful friend sharing her own experiences, and I hope that I can honour her memory and her willingness to be there for me, by supporting others through Counterpart volunteering into the future.”
Chris S, Counterpart Peer Support Volunteer, 2025
In the media
Counterpart received strong media coverage throughout the year, with stories and interviews highlighting our work supporting women with cancer across Victoria. From radio interviews in Geelong, Bairnsdale and Horsham to local news features in Apollo Bay, Wangaratta and Echuca, our wellbeing days and peer support initiatives reached new audiences across the state. An article in Partyline magazine further showcased our regional engagement and the impact of our programs.
These media appearances celebrated the voices of women with lived and living experience and helped raise awareness of Counterpart’s free support, information and wellbeing services.
Behind Counterpart’s impact is our dedicated staff, volunteers, and the Counterpart Advisory Group, who guide, support, and deliver services for women with cancer.
Thank you to our supporters and partners
Major funder:
Donors:
- Theresa MacDonald and Delia Jones
- Annmarie Howell
- Margaret Maxwell
- Meri Rametta
- Nina Macgeorge
- Shu Yi Soong
- Victorian Integrated Cancer Services
In-kind donors and supporters:
- Ann Lawrence
- Brenda Oxford, BFF Studios
- Ella Sexton, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Erika Kotowicz, Barwon Health
- Fiona Hocking, Creative Butterfly Expressive Arts Therapy
- Joanne Webb, Echuca Regional Health
- Kerry Easton, Grampians Health
- Lauren Young
- Lisa Cosson, Grampians Health
- Marie Wycisk, Echuca Regional Health
- Michaela Barilla, Echuca Regional Health
- Olivia Dunstan, Grampians Health
- Sarah Huntly, Barwon Health
- Trish Woodward
- William Chow
- Friends of Counterpart
- Attractor Solutions
- Community Data Solutions
- IT Strategic
- Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
Event partners:
- Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
- Barwon South Western Regional Integrated Cancer Service
- City of Greater Geelong Swim Sport & Leisure
- Echuca Regional Health
- Grampians Health
- Great Ocean Road Health
- Northeast Health Wangaratta
- Pancare Foundation
- Portland District Health
- Western District Health Service
Friends of Counterpart:
- Dragons Abreast
- Icon Cancer Centre
- Leukemia Foundation
- McGrath Foundation
- Mending Casts
- Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia
- Ovarian Cancer Australia
- Pancare Foundation
- Pink Pheonix
- Thursday Girls
- Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
Bridge of Support partners:
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital
- The Royal Women’s Hospital
- Western Health
