Victorian Women's Health Services seek ongoing commitment to evidence-based health promotion and primary prevention
12 December 2025
The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network acknowledges the recent announcement by the Victorian Government to abolish the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) as a standalone entity and absorb functions into the Department of Health.
For almost 40 years VicHealth has been a global leader in health promotion, setting an international standard for public health, built on deep trust and goodwill from stakeholders and partners. Healthy communities are happier, more prosperous and safer – especially for women and children.
Over many years, VicHealth has led the foundations of primary prevention work in Victoria, and across Australia. Primary prevention work is critical to ending violence against women.
Prioritising chronic disease prevention and preserving the legacy of VicHealth’s world leading prevention and promotion work is critical to maintaining the health and wellbeing of Victorian communities.
With the healthcare systems increasingly under pressure in responding to the consequences of chronic disease, a dedicated health promotion and prevention model is essential in keeping Victorians healthier for longer.
Victoria is a proud leader in primary prevention – this can’t change. The Women’s Health Services Network seeks an ongoing commitment to a sustained investment in evidence-based health promotion and primary prevention.
Further contact:
Dr Adele Murdolo, Chair, Women’s Health Services Network
Phone: 0438 823 299 Email: adele@mcwh.com.au
About Women's Health Services Network
The Women's Health Services Network has been a driving force progressing and shaping Victoria’s women’s health and equality space for four decades. While our services were established and funded independently of one another, collaboration has been a strong part of our history. Today, the 12 women’s health services funded through the state government’s Victorian Women’s Health Program collaborate under the title the ‘Victorian Women’s Health Services Network’. This enables us to work as a coordinated, mutually-reinforcing statewide network comprising both place-based and specialist services.
Website: www.whsn.org.au
WHSN Members: Women’s Health Victoria | Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health | Women with Disabilities Victoria | GenWest | Women’s Health in the North | Women’s Health East | Women’s Health in the South East | Women’s Health Loddon Mallee | Women’s Health Grampians | Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West | Women’s Health Goulburn North East | Gippsland Women’s Health