September is international FASD Awareness Month, which means it is time to put on your red shoes.
The ‘Red Shoes Rock’ campaign was started in 2013 by RJ Formanek, an adult with FASD who started wearing red shoes to stand out and spark conversations about his ‘invisible disability’.
Thirteen years later, and the Red Shoes Rock campaign is going stronger than ever, providing an important opportunity to elevate the voices of those with FASD and raise awareness that women who are trying for a baby and pregnant should not drink alcohol.
Each year, the FASD Hub Australia joins key organisations in Canberra for a Parliamentary event. The collaboration includes the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NOFASD), the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and FASD Research Australia NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence. Together, they engage with parliamentarians to raise awareness of FASD and highlight key issues affecting people with FASD, their families and their communities.
With FASD being the leading cause of preventable disability in Australia and an estimated prevalence of approximately 3.64%, equivalent to roughly one child per classroom, there remains much work to be done.
Taken from fasdhub.org.au
UN Women Australia announces “Balance the Scales” as the official theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, highlighting the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
Check out the IWD events happening around Southern Melbourne below:
Balancing the Scales Through Her Story
This International Women’s Day Cardinia Shire Council is celebrating the incredible women who help shape and strengthen our community.
Date: 5th March 2026
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Cardinia Cultural Centre
Register here
International Women’s Day Breakfast at Springvale City Hall
Everyone is invited to join Killester College for our annual International Women’s Day Breakfast, a much-loved community tradition honouring the achievements, resilience and contributions of women across our city.
Date: 6th March 2026
Time: 6:45am
Location: Springvale City Hall
Register here
International Women’s Day Celebration at Lynbrook Community Centre
Celebrating women through leadership, wellbeing, purpose and community connection
Date: 7th March 2026
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Lynbrook Community Centre
Register here
International Women’s Day with WHISE and Kara
This International Women’s Day, Kara Family Violence Service (Kara) and Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) are joining forces to explore the power of collaboration across the prevention–response continuum of violence against women.
Date: 10th March 2026
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: Box Hill Golf Club
Free new children’s clothing for children aged 0-5 years (Thread Together). Welcome to all Cardinia community, come and collect as much as you need.
There will also be a free sausage sizzle and the AV Food van in attendance. Running from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Parent Zone Hub 75 Army Road Pakenham.
Join the Walk Against Family Violence on Friday 22 November and create Victorian communities where everyone is safe, equal and respected.
In Victoria, this event marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence a global campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
By joining the Walk you can take action to prevent family violence and violence against women and stand in solidarity with victim survivors.
The event will commence at 11:00am at Birrarung Marr (Upper Terrace) with a Welcome to Country and opening remarks. We will walk together to Treasury Gardens (approximately 700 metres), where we will hear from a lineup of powerful speakers.
You are invited to stay in the Gardens after the formalities finish to enjoy a picnic lunch. There will be food trucks, entertainment, market stalls and a positive atmosphere!
People of all genders are welcome. Bring your workmates, friends, family, chosen family – and even your dogs! Wear orange if you can, bring a water bottle, and don’t forget colourful signs and banners.