Women's Wellness encompasses physical, mental, social, financial and emotional well-being throughout a woman's life. We recognise the health and wellness challenges that women often experience, but we also know how hard it can often be to find the right information, support and guidance amongst the myriad of information out there, to enable women to feel confident, well informed and empowered with their decision making regarding their precious health and wellness.
Our online resources, workshops, retreats and support groups provide invaluable information and community support details including fun and engaging activities and events to build connection.
Our upcoming events
We invite you to join our newsletter and stay connected
Our Ambassador and Panel Members
The Women's Wellness Hub is delivered in collaboration with the following amazing ambassadors and panel members who provide invaluable services to women in our community. Each of these women have their own personal practices, so you can reach out to them at any time for additional support.
Ambassador - Dr Sharmila Kumar
MBBS (USyd), FRACGP, Dip Derm (Wales), FPA, Cert RANZOG, Cert Med Ed , AMS, MEG
Director of Menopause, My Way
Dr. Sharmila Kumar graduated from the University of Sydney and is a fellow of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with more than 20 years of clinical experience in all aspects of General Practice.
Her special interests are women’s health (peri/menopause and antenatal shared care) dermatology, ophthalmology, aged care and social prescribing. Sharmila is a AMS (Australasian Menopause Society) doctor, licensed champion MEG (Menopause Experts Group), medical educator for the RACGP and is an adjunct lecturer of University of Sydney Medical School.
Ambassador - Dr Jodie Carter
General Adult Psychiatrist
Dr Jodie Carter graduated from the University of Qld in 1992 and has been working in the field of Psychiatry since 1996. Dr Carter is a General Adult Psychiatrist with interests in Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, Chronic Pain and Adult ADHD.
Jodie's incredible experience combined with her generous, kind and empathetic nature makes her a wonderful ambassador for our women's wellness.
Claire Kelly
Claire is a very well regarded and highly skilled nurse consultant, educator, and health and wellness coach, specialising in oncology/cancer and peri/menopause wellness. She has an extensive background in practice, education and training, program development and care coordination - working with women, workplaces and health professionals to support them with their unique menopause, cancer and midlife health needs.
Claire also works as a menopause trainer for various organisations including
Corporate Wellness Solutions.
www.middlehealth.com.au
Katie Young
Katie is a certified menopause support coach and founder of The Mid Shift, who can be booked for face to face or online coaching support. With a background in psychology, mental health, pharmaceuticals and crisis support, Katie offers specialised one-on-one, or small group support for her clients to assist with their holistic wellness during their midlife.
Susan Crain
Susan has a background in law, counselling, separation & divorce coaching and family and domestic violence assistance. She works with women to help them deal with not only the financial and legal challenges of separation, but also the emotional wellness aspects.
As CEO of Women's Wellness Warriors and supporting businesses,
Separation Support Network, Family Counselling Support Network and Corporate Wellness Solutions, Susan is very passionate about providing this collaborative women's hub guidance to her clients and the wider community.
Helen Baker
A qualified, highly experienced award-winning financial planner, speaker and author, and founder of On Your Own Two Feet, a financial advice service that specialises in helping women across Australia gain and retain their financial freedom.
Helen regularly appears in the Australian media as a finance expert, sharing her practical financial advice.
Helen is soon releasing another book and financial wellness course which aims to help women in particular improve their overall financial education and potential. "Women need to plan, and not react."
Sherry Bell
Sherry is a registered psychologist, former educator, deputy principal, mother of 3 boys and widow, who has worked with children, teens, women and families for many years to help guide and support them through their various life challenges. Her personalised, practical, dedicated and positive style enables her to connect beautifully with her patients.
Sherry has also just completed her menopause coaching certification.
Sherry offers sessions in person in Brisbane and on-line
Rachel Baldock
Rachel is a former nurse with 15 years experience in nursing and has a deep understanding of how the body works and that every body is unique. As a breathwork and mindset coach and yoga teacher, Rachel's passion lies in supporting women to create safety within themselves, so that they can thrive in life and be the fullest expression of themselves.
She focuses on the mind, body and spirit, promoting wellness in all areas of life through breath, movement and the mind.
Rachel offers sessions in person and on-life.
www.restorativerach.com
Georgia Marrion
Georgia is a well known naturopath and nutritionist with a Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, Bachelor of Health Science in Complementary Medicine and Masters of Human Nutrition, who has worked for the last 20 years supporting women's health, in particular in the areas including re-conception, fertility support and hormone balancing and perimenopause and menopause. She offers clients support particularly menstrual cycle irregularities, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pre-menstrual syndrome, mast call activations, digestive issues, Although with her extensive clinical experience, Georgia is also an experienced writer and well regarded speaker.
www.fertileground.com.au
Dahlas Fletcher
Dahlas has been working for over 20 years with women helping them gain the confidence, strength, support and results they deserve through the various chapters of their life including pregnancy, post natal, parenting years, post injury or surgery, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Her training methods include, functional movement, resistance based training and modern core and pelvic floor training (beyond sit ups and Kegels) to produce excellent results. Her training is available in person and online through her programs, private virtual zoom session and easy to follow videos.
www.bodyfabulous.com.au
Women's Wellness Hub -
Finally the Support You Need All In One Place!
Women's Wellness Hub Directory
Physical and Emotional Health & Wellness
Peri Menopause & Menopause
Social Wellness
WWW: Women's Wellness Warrior Events Retreats
Join our FREE
Konnect online bookclub
Financial, Legal and Safety wellness
Separation and Co-parenting assist
Women’s Physical Health and checkups
As women, our bodies are challenged, intricate, unique, everchanging and need our attention and care. We need to stop and know our body and where it is at!
Too often we put ourselves last in the pecking order, which at the time we often validate, but deep down we know that neglecting ourselves can come back to haunt us in many different ways - mentally, physically and socially. Physical wellness in the form of periodic and age based health checks, regular exercise, a balanced diet, hormonal management, self care, stress reduction and sufficient sleep, are all keystones of physical well-being.
We know all that! But are we doing that?
We know you are probably laughing and saying - as if and when do I have time?
We offer some great, easy to follow tips, that won't have you feeling overwhelmed. We are also not shy in having some courageous and genuine conversations about topics which were hushed or which women unnecessarily associated with sense of shame or stigma. We tackle all the 'taboo' topics without any judgement.
Peri/ Menopause Support
Menopause, for some very lucky women, comes and goes relatively uneventfully, with perhaps just the obvious physiological changes, but for many women 'the pause' can sneak up and slap you when you least expect it, or can hit you like one gigantic tidal wave seemingly affecting every aspect of your wellness and life. We validate your experience no matter what age, what symptoms you get and provide you with some helpful wellness education, support and solutions to assist you to become more meno-wise and less meno-impacted.
We will assist you to understand the biological, emotional and mental impacts the 'pause' can have from peri to post pause. We can help you identify the key indicator and provide key strategies to help you. We share stories from many of our clients, real women, with real stories and how they have survived to thrive! Some are understandably difficult to hear, some emotional, and others well...........they will put a smile on your dial.
We try to answer your questions from - what is happening to my hair (on my head and face!), my sleep, skin, weight, brain, libido, moods, periods........it might all sound a little overwhelming but as we collaborate, share and encourage, there is a lot of connection and support that comes from it all. Trust us, we have all been on the journey too.
The more we share and care, the better 50% of the population will fare!
Fertility, Pregnancy & Post Natal Support
Feminine reproductive wellness covers the intricate balance of hormones - menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, the reproductive system and the unique challenges women face during with their fertility, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, pregnancy and peri and post natal wellness, incontinence and prolapse. These issues can significantly impact the quality of life of a woman - physically, mentally, socially and can have in turn an impact on their relationships and ability to work.
Women’s Mental & Emotional Wellness
No two women are the same and their experiences with mental health may be determined by a number of factors including culture, genetics, biology, age, environment, lifestyle, relationships and life experiences.
Women however do account for higher occurrences of some mental health concerns such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, non-suicidal self injury and depression. Our bid to 'juggle the load' by balancing work, education, family, social commitments, finances, household duties, providing caring assistance for elderly parents - can have a serious impact on our mental and emotional health and physical wellness.
Dealing with the ebb and flow of emotions is part of being a human and as women, we are often having to navigate many emotions. Emotional wellness includes learning how to understand, express and effectively manage emotions. It includes finding things we love to do, reconnecting with ourselves, examining our triggers, setting our boundaries, practicing self-compassion, building our resilience, and support networks.
It also includes how we manage our professional lives - balancing career goals with personal values - maintaining the healthy work-life balance so we can thrive both personally and professionally without jeopardising our mental and emotional wellness.
WWW - The Women's Wellness Warriors
WWW (The Women's Wellness Warriors) are made up of a number of incredible specialists who provide women's wellness guidance, support, resources and host a number of National events, retreats, conferences and webinars across Australia.
Our WWW specialists include:
fitness experts, nutritionists, nurses, menopause experts, post oncology support, financial advisors, career advisors, psychologists and counsellors, separation/divorce coaches, domestic and family violence experts, life coaches, mindset coaches, doctors, breath work, yoga and Pilates experts and rural women's support.
We also work in conjunction with Corporate Wellness Solutions to provide small to large corporates businesses with the opportunity to raise awareness and support of key women's wellness issues. www.corporatewellnesssolutions.com.au
Financial Wellness Support
Whether you are in a relationship, divorced, widowed, or are single and just want to better understand your financial situation, how to get help to save, budget, plan, access financial resources we provide you with some excellent, credible and reliable guidance from experts.
Raising Strong Women,
Our Girls Rites of Passage &
The 'Respecting You' programs
Female adolescent rites of passage provide young women with the ability to be seen, heard, respected, on their important transitional pathway to womanhood.
We provide guidance on the importance of these opportunities, how we can all work together to raise strong women and young women who respect themselves, and deserve full respect in return.
We provide details on courses, programs and events.
Women Building Connections
Women are inherently social beings and our connections and social networks play a really important role in our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The support we get from friends, family and our community offer us emotional resilience and an important sense of belonging. Since covid 19, we have found that society, and in particular, workplaces have increasingly disconnected for a variety of reasons - possibly due to our concerns about keeping distance due to health issues, flexible working hours and work from home opportunities, financial hardship reducing social attendances, hiding behind social media and Netflix.......?
Recent studies have shown that isolation and loneliness are causing mental health issues to rise to incredibly concerning levels to the point that in 2022 loneliness was described as one of the most pressing Australian public health priorities in Australia and was the key variables causing a reduction in peoples life satisfaction. Social isolation causing loneliness has been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, development of dementia, premature death..
Our upcoming webinars, podcasts, online activities, events and Konnect bookclub are just the beginning to improve connection whether in person or at least online.
You are not alone x
Separation, Divorce, Single Parenting, and Co-Parenting support
These can all be extremely difficult, frustrating, overwhelming, scary and lonely times!
We provide you with tips and advice from the experts to get you through these challenges and to help you emerge more confidently, educated, supported and less stressed.
Podcasts, Courses & Webinars
We have a number of fabulous in person and online courses, workshops, webinars and events launching soon.
PODCAST SERIES
Join us from in November with the launch of our podcast series, 'KEEPING IT REAL WITH SUSAN & FRIENDS', we interview an awesome group of humans, including all things women!
THE BOOKCLUB IS COMING
As requested by our clients, KONNECT ONLINE BOOKCLUB, will launch in January 2025 in conjunction with the amazing 'Book Doula,' Vanessa Barrington of Healing House Publishing. The bookclub will have a realistic monthly book read requirement for our clubbers and will also have a library of books you can purchase anytime that offer great insight into women wellness, parenting, co-parenting etc. All the resources have been handpicked by our specialist team.
Join Konnect Bookclub now to go into the draw for a gorgeous prize from one of our sponsors @inspirational tea company.
Go to www.konnectbookclub.com
Women's Wellness Blog
Top Tips for Blended Families
Blended families
If you are part of a blended family, you know that whilst it can be so wonderful, it can present a unique set of legal considerations and potential relationship challenges.
In family law, a 'Blended family', also known as a stepfamily, is a family unit where at least one child is the biological or adopted child of only one parent, and not both. This usually happens when two separate families come together, often through marriage or de facto relationships.
Approximately 12% of couple families with dependent children were classified as either step-families or blended families in the 2021 Australian Federal Census.
Of these, step-families comprised 8% of all couple families with dependent children (182,229 families), while blended families made up 4% (99,564 families).
Legal tips to consider for Blended Families
When families merge through new relationships, forming a ‘blended family’, a range of unique legal scenarios can arise. Understanding these can help ensure everyone’s rights and responsibilities are upheld.
In Australia, The Family Law Act 1975 sets out the rights and responsibilities of parents and step-parents, including matters related to children’s living arrangements, financial support, and decision-making.
Additionally, state and territory laws may also apply in specific situations.
While the fundamental principles of family law remain consistent between a traditional and blended family, their application can vary in blended families:
- Step-parent generally don’t have the same automatic parental rights as biological parents. However, if you live with your stepchildren and their parent, you have a responsibility to care for them as you would your own children. This includes providing for their basic needs, ensuring their safety and well-being and contributing generally to their upbringing. It may, in some instances, also include financial obligations.
- Parental rights in a blended family are usually primarily based on what is in the best interests of the child (as required for a traditional family).
- While biological parent’s parental rights and responsibilities are clearly defined under The Family Law Act (custody, decision making and financial support) these rights can be recognised by the Family Courts if the step-parent has been a very significant caregiver or if there are formal agreements made between the biological parents and the step-parent through court orders or agreements.
- Step-parents may need to seek court orders for parental responsibility or establish their standing through de facto relationships.
Child Support Payments and Blended Families
- In most cases, the amount of child support that a person or their former partner is liable to pay will not change if they remarry or enter into a new relationship. You should however carefully check with child support as it is a complex calculation.
- A parent can successfully change their child support assessment by showing special circumstances for example if they are supporting other children (it will potentially reduce their capacity to pay child support).
- If you have an existing child support agreement and your family situation changes due to a new relationship, it’s important to review and potentially update the agreement.
- If the child's birth mother remarries and her new partner wants to adopt the child, the birth parents are usually responsible for raising the child. The new stepfather is not liable for children who are not his biological children, and the biological parent may still be required to make regular child support contributions.
Adopting a step-child
- One of the most significant legal steps that a step-parent can take is to adopt their step-child. This is a complex process that involves a number of legal steps, but it can provide many benefits for both the child and the step-parent. Adoption gives the step-parent legal recognition as the child’s parent and provides them with the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.
- There are different laws and rules of eligibility that need to be complied with in order to adopt. You should seek legal advice.
Wills & Estates for Blended Families
When someone with a blended family passes away and leaves their entire estate or a large part of it to some family members, but not to others, it can put their estate at risk of an excluded family member(s) can legally challenge the distribution of the deceased person's assets.
Family members who are not adequately provided for in a Will are often entitled and eligible to make a claim against the deceased person's estate, even if they are not blood related.
Custody when a blended family relationship breaks down
Custody arrangements in blended families usually rely on the existing custody agreements or orders from previous relationships. The child’s biological or adoptive parents usually hold primary custody rights, determining where the child lives and making major decisions about their upbringing.
However, step-parents can obviously play a significant role in a child’s life, and arrangements for visitation or shared care can still be negotiated or ordered by the court.
These arrangements are often made with the child’s best interests as the paramount consideration. Factors like the child’s age, their relationship with each parent and step-parent, and the stability of each household are all considered. Communicating openly with all parties involved is crucial to create a plan that works for everyone.
We recommend you seek legal advice in relation to any of these more complex 'blended family' issues.
Key Emotional Challenges of blended family
The first step to improving your blended family problems is to identify if things aren’t blending well. Here are some signs to look out for:
Step-siblings don’t get along and there is a lot of fighting or lack of any communication/interraction
When jealousy rears its head between the children or even partners and their step child
Family gatherings and meal time are tense and uncomfortable
When parenting styles don’t align and you cannot agree on rules for the household
When the children develop new behavioural issues
Your step children wont listen or respect your authority.
Your step-children only ask their biological parent for permission and help and don't come to you - or vice versa with your partner.
When there is an obvious split in the household rather than a ‘blend’
Tips to Resolving Blended Family Problems
Don’t panic. It can take some time and there are strategies you can you take to address the issues you may have mixing your families.
Show a united front
Children will usually be led by their parent’s example and if you and your partner aren’t completely unified, chances are the kids will follow. Make sure that you and your partner put in the effort to stay consistent and act together. Don’t contradict each other’s rules or negate each other’s parenting styles.
It may take a lot of long, even difficult, conversations to get on the same page about the rules and standards you want to put in place for your household. This is an effort that is not only worth making but is absolutely critical to make in order to allow your blended family to truly blend.
Respect the old ways
Transitioning to a blended family can feel very threatening for children who may fear the loss of a previous life that they were attached to. Respect the traditions that you had before to give them more comfort.
Start new family traditions
Find common ground between what both sides of the family like for example pizza night Tuesday and BBQ Sunday. Let your kids take an active part and even lead the way forward so they feel invested in and excited by their family’s future instead of alienated by it.
It won’t just happen overnight
Change takes time. Respect and validate each others feelings, especially the children. Try to have really calm open communication - talk things out openly instead of sweeping them under the rug. You’re all in this together, and the process may understandably take some time to get a happy rhythm.
Family Counselling help
Sometimes family problems go beyond what you can be addressed at home. A Family Counsellor can really assist families to find strategies to work together to resolve issues and find ways to work together and better communicate.
Utilising family dispute mediation services can also be beneficial. These services provide a supportive and neutral environment for families to discuss and resolve conflicts, with the aim of reaching a mutually agreed outcome.
This site is brought to you by Family Counselling Support Network
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