The Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre turns 40 this year and will hold a ball to celebrate the anniversary and International Women’s Day.
The centre was established in 1976 in Gosford. Since then, the not for-profit organisation has established premises on Maidens Brush Rd Wyoming, and has two outreach centres at Wyong and Woy Woy.
The centre’s 40th anniversary ball will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Terrigal on Saturday, March 19. The ball will also celebrate International Women’s Day with its theme of ‘Stepping it up for Gender Equality’ and is part of the calendar of IWD events being held on the Coast.
“The services that we provide to women today are very similar to the services that were first provided 40 years ago,” manager, Ms Xylia Ingham said.
“These services include a specialist women’s health clinic, individual counselling, group work, information and referral, health promotion, and drop in facilities at all three centres. “Childcare is available for women when attending the centres.
“After all these years, we maintain our feminist approach and continue to advocate on matters important to women’s health and equality,” she said.
Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre is one of 21 Women’s Health Centres in NSW, many of which have already or are turning 40 in the next few years, as most were established on the back of second wave feminism in the 1970s.
“The organisation receives some funding from the NSW Government, however, the three centres have to manage waiting lists for counselling and for clinic appointments as the demand for our services is higher than our resources can provide.
“One aim of our 40th anniversary ball is to raise funds to provide additional hours of childcare,” Ms Ingham said. The centre invites past members, workers, clients and volunteers to be part of the celebrations.
Media release, Feb 17, 2016 Xylia Ingham, Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre