Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) has hosted a powerful women’s health advocacy event, bringing together leading voices, practitioners, and community members to spotlight critical health challenges facing women and push for meaningful reform.

The event featured keynote contributions from Yumi Lee, CEO of the NSW Older Women’s Network, and Dr Peta Skilbeck, a respected local voice in women’s health, who shared insights into systemic barriers and opportunities for reform across the healthcare system.

CCCWHC CEO, Sara Foster, says the event’s focus reflects urgent and growing concerns within the community.

“Older women are too often invisible in health policy and service design, despite facing complex and compounding challenges as they age,” says Ms Foster.  

“At the same time, other women’s health issues including gynaecological cancers remain underfunded and misunderstood, leaving many women without the care and support they need at critical stages of their lives.”

The event explored how ageing, gender inequity, and economic disadvantage intersect to affect older women’s health outcomes, including access to appropriate care, housing stability, and social support.

Yumi Lee spoke to the lived experiences of older women navigating health and social systems, while Dr Skilbeck addressed the importance of accessible, evidence-based women’s healthcare and the need for greater investment in prevention and education.

“We are proud to bring together leaders who are not only experts in their fields but deeply committed to advocacy and change,” Ms Foster adds. 

“Women’s health is not a niche issue—it’s a community issue, an economic issue, and a human rights issue. This event is about bringing people together to listen, learn, and drive real, lasting change.

“It’s also about equity, dignity, and respect. When we listen to women’s experiences, especially those too often overlooked, we can build a stronger, fairer healthcare system for everyone.

“By elevating these issues, we hope to drive practical solutions and ensure no woman is left behind.”

The event attracted over 90 healthcare professionals, policymakers, advocates, and community members dedicated to improving health outcomes for women at every stage of life.

The Advocacy Event was held at Shelly Beach Golf Club on Tuesday 18 November 2025 and was followed by the CCCWHC Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

To learn more about how CCCWHC supports women’s health and wellbeing on the Central Coast visit ccwh.org.au 

Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, for $770,000 in funding over three years for expansion of its Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic (EPPC) services.

Part of a $19.6 million-dollar Australian Government commitment announced earlier this year, the funding will enable CCCWHC to build on its existing capacity to support women in the community who otherwise could not afford to access specialised support for endometriosis, pelvic pain management, perimenopause and menopause.

CCCWHC CEO, Sara Foster, says as the largest and longest-serving women’s health charity on the Central Coast, the Centre has witnessed an increasing number of women presenting with endometriosis, pelvic pain, menopause and perimenopause symptoms.  

“Our women’s health clinic currently provides trauma-informed, holistic care for women with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain,” says Sara.  

“As a community-based, women-only primary healthcare service, we are seeing an increasing proportion of women presenting with complex and often long-standing symptoms consistent with endometriosis, including pelvic pain, fatigue, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities.

“This funding will enable faster diagnosis, dedicated support and specialised management of these symptoms, which will be lifechanging for the women accessing these services.”

The funding will also improve health outcomes for women who have traditionally faced increased barriers to accessing specialist healthcare.

“Our women’s health clinic prioritises access for women from marginalised backgrounds, including First Nations women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTIQ+ people, and women experiencing financial hardship,” adds Sara.

“These women commonly face increased barriers to specialist and other healthcare services, and this funding prioritises their access to this specialised care to improve health outcomes for women in these communities.”

CCCWHC is reviewing best-practice models of specialist EPPC care across Australia, particularly in Victoria, where the Bridging the Gender Pain Gap Inquiry Report draws on broad consultative research from thousands of women and girls to inform improved models of healthcare and increased access pathways for all women in our society.

The EPPC expansion funding will be rolled out in the 25/26 financial year.