Calendar of Events
Provides details, dates and locations of major awareness days weeks and months, related to health and ageing, in the current year.
Introduction
The dates and events listed are major awareness days, weeks and months related to health and ageing. They could also be subject to change and confirmation should be sought from the relevant organisation before planning any associated activities. For other fund-raising events related to a particular organisation, visit the organisation's web site. No responsibility is accepted for the correctness of information and contacts supplied by contributing organisations. A listing in this calendar does not imply endorsement by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. To have an event listed, update an entry or obtain more information, send an e-mail to: calendarDownload a PDF version of the calendar
PDF version of the Department of Health and Ageing 2013 National Calendar of Events (PDF 157 KB)January
01 January - New Year’s Day - Nationwide26 January - Australia Day - Nationwide
Top of page
February
Month of February - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month- Queensland - Ovarian Cancer Australia website 1300 660 334Month of February - Heart Research Month - Nationwide - Heart Research Australia 1800 999 060
Month of February - Fruit’n’Veg Month - South Australia - Flinders University email the Healthy Eating Local Policies and Programs (HELPP) project (08) 7421 9975
2 February - Amputee Golf Clinics - First Saturday of each month until October - Limbs 4 Life website 1300 782 231
14 February - Heart Research Day- Nationwide - Heart Research Australia 1800 999 060
24 Feb - 3 March - DonateLife Week - Nationwide - Organ and Tissue Authority - Donate Life Website email the Organ and Tissue Authority
27 February - Teal Ribbon Day - Nationwide - Ovarian Cancer Australia 1300 660 334
28 February - International Rare Disease Day - Worldwide - Rare Voices Australia Ltd
Top of page
March
Month of March - Lymphoedema Awareness Month - Nationwide - Australasian Lymphology AssociationMonth of March - National Epilepsy Awareness Month - Nationwide - Epilepsy Australia email Epilepsy Australia 1300 852 853
Month of March - Melanoma March - Nationwide - Melanoma Institute Australia
Month of March - Achieving Fertility Naturally Month - Nationwide - National Fertility Australia
Month of March - Global Spark of Life Month - Worldwide - Dementia Foundation
Month of March - MSA Awareness Month - Worldwide - Multiple System Atrophy is a degenerative neurological disorder - email the Australian MSA contact
4 March - Labour Day - WA
10-16 March - World Glaucoma Week - Nationwide - Glaucoma Australia email Glaucoma Australia 1800 500 880 or (02) 9906 6640
11 March - Canberra Day - ACT
11 March - 8 Hours Day - TAS
11 March - Adelaide Cup Day - SA
11 March - Labour Day - VIC
11 - 17 March - Brain Awareness Week - Nationwide - Brain Foundation email the Brain Foundation 1300 886 660 or (02) 9437 5967
13-20 March - Coeliac Awareness Week - Coeliac Australia - 1300 458 836
14 March - World Kidney Day - Kidney Health Australia Kidneys for Life
15 March - Multicultural HealthFest 2013 - Dialnella, WA - email the Multicultural Services Centre of WA Inc. - (08) 9375 2224
16-17 March - 2013 Coles Gluten Free Food and Healthy Living Expo - Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre, WA - email The Coeliac Society of Western Australia (08) 9451 9255
17-23 March - Arthritis Awareness Week - Nationwide (each state/territory will be running individual/various seminars and events) throughout this period - Arthritis Australia - 1800 011 041
18-22 March - National Wound Awareness Week - Nationwide - Australian Wound Management Association - email the event contact officer
21 March - National Harmony Day - Nationwide - Department of Immigration and Citizenship
21-27 March - World Salt Awareness Week - Worldwide
22 March - Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day (Hereditary Cancers) - Lynch Syndrome Australia email the contact officer
23 March - Scope Family Fun Day - Victoria - Collingwood Children's Farm - Scope, for People with a Disability email Scope (03) 9843 2061
26 March - Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness - Nationwide - Epilepsy Australia email Epilepsy Australia 1300 852 853
28 March - Spark of Life Connection Day - Dementia Foundation
29 March - Good Friday - Nationwide
30 March - Easter Saturday - Nationwide
31 March - Easter Sunday - Nationwide
Top of page
April
Month of April - International Fabry Disease Awareness Month - Worldwide - The Fabry Patient Association of Australia1 April - Easter Monday - Nationwide
1 April - April No Falls Day - Western Australia - The Injury Control Council of WA email ICCWA (08) 9420 7212
7 April - ACN Educational Seminars WA - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
7 April - ACN Nursing and Health Expo WA - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
11 April - World Parkinson's Day - Worldwide - Parkinson's Queensland Inc. - email Parkinson's Queensland
21 April - ACN Educational Seminars VIC - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
21 April - ACN Nursing and Health Expo VIC - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
22 April - DES Awareness Day - Nationwide - DES Action Australia - email DES Action
25 April - Anzac Day - Nationwide
28 April - ACN Educational Seminars QLD - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
21 April - ACN Nursing and Health Expo QLD - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
28 April - 1 May - World Homeopathy Awareness Week - Nationwide - Australian Homeopathic Association email the Australian Homeopathic Association - (07) 4646 4380
Top of page
May
Month of May - Miracle Month - Miracle Babies FoundationMonth of May - NF Awareness Month - Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia Inc email NFAA
Month of May - Kiss Goodbye to MS Month, (KGTMS) - Nationwide - Kiss Goodbye to MS - MS Australia email kgtms 1300 356 467
1-7 May - National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week - Nationwide - Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia Inc
5 May - World Hand Hygiene Day - Worldwide - Hand Hygiene Australia
5-11 May - MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Week - Nationwide - MND Care Website Email MND Care
6 May - Labour Day - QLD
6-12 May - Pneumonia Awareness Week - Lung Foundation Australia - 1800 654 301
6-12 May - National Mothering Week - Nationwide - Australian Breastfeeding Association
7 May - World Asthma Day - Asthma Foundation www.asthmafoundation.org.au
7-13 May - Diversional Therapy Awareness Week - Nationwide - Diversional Therapy Australia
9-15 May - Allergy and Chemical Sensitivity Week - Nationwide - Allergy and Environmental Sensitivity Support and Research Association Inc email AESSRA - (03) 9888 1382
10 May - World Lupus Day - Kidney Health Australia
10-16 May - International ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Week - Nationwide - ME/CFS Austalia email ME/CFS Australia - (03) 9791 3100
12 May - International ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Day - Nationwide - ME/CFS Australia Website - email ME/CFS Australia (03) 9791 3100
12-18 May - Schizophrenia Awareness Week - Nationwide - Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc (MIFA) - (08) 8272 1018
13-19 May - National Volunteer Week - NSW Volunteering
13-19 May - Food Allergy Awareness Week - Nationwide - Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia email AA&A - 1300 728 000
17 May - World Hypotentension Day - Worldwide - Kidney Health Australia
19 May - White Shirt Day - Nationwide - Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation 1300OVARIAN
20 May - World Autoimmune Arthritis Day - Worldwide - International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement email IAAM
20-26 May - Spinal Health Week (formerly known as National Chiropractic Care Week - The Chiropractors' Association of Australia
22 May - Myeloma Awareness Day - Nationwide - Leukaemia Foundation
26 May - 1 June - Macular Degeneration Awareness Week 2013- Nationwide - Macular Degeneration Foundation - 1800 111 709
26 May - 1 June - Red Undies Week - Nationwide - Kidney Health Australia
28 May - Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea - Nationwide - Cancer Council Australia
29 May - White Wreath Day - Nationwide - White Wreath Association Ltd
29 May - World MS Day - Nationwide - Kiss Googbye to MS - MS Australia email kgtms 1300 356 467
31 May - World No Tobacco Day - Worldwide
31 May - 65 Roses Day - Nationwide - Cystic Fibrosis Australia
Top of page
June
Month of June - Lipoedema Awareness MonthMonth of June Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Nationwide - Bowel Cancer Australia email Bowel Cancer Australia 1800 555 494 or (02) 9923 8069
1-7 June - DES Awareness Week - Nationwide - DES Action NSW - 02 98754820 email c_devine@bigpond.net.au
3 June - Foundation Day - WA
10 June - Queen’s Birthday - Nationwide (except WA)
10-16 June - Mens Health Week - Nationwide - -
15 June - World Elder Abuse Day - Worldwide - International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, (INPEA)
19 June - Red Aussie Apple Day - Nationwide - Bowel Cancer Australia email Bowel Cancer Australia 1800 555 494 or (02) 9923 8069
21 June - MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Global Awareness Day - Worldwide - MND Care email MND Care
23 June - ACN Educational Seminars NSW - Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
23 June - ACN Nursing and Health Expo NSW- Australian College of Nursing email RCNA 1800 061 660
28 June - Red Nose Day - Nationwide - SIDS and Kids - 1300 1 RED NOSE (1300 173 366)
Top of page
July
Month of July - JulEYE - Nationwide - Eye Health Awareness Month - Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmolgists (RANZCO)7 July - ASK Y (Against the Silent Killer of the Young) - Worldwide - ASK-Y
14 July - MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) Day - Nationwide
14-20 July - National Diabetes Week - Diabetes Australia email Diabetes Australia - (02) 6232 3800
14-20 July - Wee Week 2013 - Kidney Health Australia
22-28 July - National Pain Week - Chronic Pain Australia - 1800 218 921
28 July - World Hepatitis Day - Worldwide - Hepatitis Australia email Hepatitis Australia
Top of page
August
1-7 August - World Breastfeeding Week - Worldwide - Australian Breastfeeding Association2 August - Jeans for Genes Day - Nationwide - Children’s Medical Research Institute
4-10 August - National Healthy Bones Week - Nationwide - Dairy Australia
05 August - Bank Holiday - ACT, NSW
5 August - Picnic Day - NT
5-11 August - National Dental Health Week - Nationwide - Australian Dental Association (NSW Branch)
11-17 August - National EOS Awareness Week - Nationwide - ausEE Inc email ausEE Inc
12-18 August - Haemochromatosis Awareness Week - Nationwide - Haemochromatosis Australia 1300 019 028
12-18 August - Brain Injury Awareness Week, (BIAW) - headwest (Brain Injury Association of WA Inc) - admin@headwest.asn.au
19-25 August - Natural Fertility Awareness Week - Nationwide - Billings LIFE - Free call (Australia Only) 1800 335 860
23 August - Daffodil Day - Nationwide - Cancer Council Australia
25-31 August - Speech Pathology Week “Literacy for Life” - Nationwide - Speech Pathology Australia email Speech Pathology Australia
25-31 August - Hearing Awareness Week 2013 - Nationwide - Department of Health and Ageing
26 Aug - 1 Sept - VCFS National Awareness Week - Nationwide - VCF and 22qll Foundation email VCFS
28 August – Meals on Wheels Day – Nationwide - Meals on Wheels
30-31 August - Gluten Free Expo - Sydney NSW - Coeliac NSW/ACT
Top of page
September
Month of September - Blue September - Worldwide - Blue September 1300 300 817Month of September - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - Cancer Council Queensland
1-7 September - Spina Bifida Awareness Week - Nationwide - Northcott Spina Bifida Group email the Spina Bifida Group
1-7 September - National Asthma Awareness Week - Nationwide - Asthma Foundation
1-7 September - National Child Protection Week - Nationwide - NAPCAN - (08) 8948 0884 2 – 6 September
2-6 September - Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week - Nationwide - Improving the health and wellbeing of Australian women - Jean Hailes - email Jean Hailes
2-8 September - Eczema Awareness Week - Nationwide - Eczema Association of Australia email the Eczema Association 1300 300 182
2-9 September - National Massage week - Nationwide - Australian Association of Massage Therapists Ltd
8 September - World Physical Therapy Day - Australian Physiotherapy Association
8-14 September - Stay on Your Feet Week - WA - email the Injury Control Council of WA (08) 9420 7212
9-15 September - National Stroke Week - Nationwide - National Stroke Foundation
12 September - World Oral Health Day - Dental Health Services Victoria
13 September - World Sepsis Day - Worldwide - Global Sepsis Alliance
15 September - World Lymphoma Awareness Day - Worldwide
15 - 21 September - Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week - Worldwide Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, AMDF email AMDF - 1300 977 180
16 - 22 September - Dementia Awareness Week - Nationwide - Alzheimer’s Australia - Brain Health, Making the Connections
21 September - World Alzheimer's Day - Alzheimer’s Australia
22 September - World Stay in Bed Day - Worldwide - Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, AMDF email AMDF - 1300 977 180
25-30 September - Parkinson Awareness Week - Nationwide - Parkinson's Australia
30 September - Queen’s Birthday - WA
Top of page
October
Month of October - Every Generation Festival and Positive Ageing Awards - SA - email COTA Seniors Voice - (08) 8232 0422Month of October - Dyslexia Awareness Month - Sutherland Dyslexia Support Group
Month of October - Foot Health Month - Nationwide - Australasian Podiatry Council
Month of October - Girls Night In - Nationwide - Cancer Council Australia
Month of October - Lupus Awareness Month - Kidney Health Australia
Month of October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month - QLD - Cancer Council Queensland
Month of October - Dwarfism Awareness Month - Short Statured People of Australia (SSPA)
Month of October - National Polio Awareness Month - Nationwide - Polio Australia (03) 9016 7678
Month of October - Community Safe Month - WA - email the Injury Control Council of WA
Month of October - Healthy Minds Challenge - Nationwide - helping young people lead happier lives - Inspire Foundation email the Fundraising Manager
Month of October - Mental Health Month NSW - NSW - promoting mental health and wellbeing - Mental Health Association - NSW
1 - 7 October - 2013 Seniors Week Tasmania - COTA for older Australians
3 October - International MSA Awareness Day - Multiple System Atrophy - is a degenerative neurological disorder
4-11 October - National Amputee Awareness Week - Limbs for Life Inc email Limbs for Life Inc
6-12 October - National Mental Health Week - Nationwide
7 October - Labour Day - ACT, NSW, SA
7 October - Family & Community Day - ACT
10 October - World Mental Health Day
10 October - World Sight Day - Worldwide - Vision 2020 Australia - email Vision 2020 Australia
12 October - Hat Day - Mental Health Research - email Australian Rotary Health Awareness
13-19 October - Carers Week 2013 - Nationwide - Carers Australia carersaustralia.com.au
13-19 October - National Nutrition Week (NNW) Nutrition Australia
13-19 October - Haemophilia Awareness Week & Red Cake Day Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA) - 1800 807 173
14-18 October - Sock-It-To-Suicide - Nationwide - White Wreath Association Ltd
15 October - International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Research & Information
15 October - Global Year Against Visceral Pain - Worldwide - Australian Pain Society with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
15 October - Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards Ceremony 2013 - Speech Pathology Australia (03) 9642 4899
19 - 27 October - National Children's Week - Nationwide - Children's Week Council of Australia Inc
20 October - World Osteoporosis Day - Nationwide - Osteoporosis Australia 1300 556 900
20- 26 October - Occupational Therapy Week - Nationwide - Occupational Therapy Australia 1300 682 878
20-26 October - Safe Work Australia Week - QLD - Cancer Council Queensland
21 October - Global Year Against Orofacial Pain - Worldwide - Australian Pain Society with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
25 October - National Bandana Day - Nationwide - CanTeen
26 October - Butterflies for Babies Day - Pregnancy Loss Australia
27-28 October - Baby's Day Out - Nationwide - Australian Breastfeeding Association
28 October - Pink Ribbon Day - Nationwide - Cancer Council Australia
Top of page
November
Month of November - MOvember Changing the Face of Men’s Health - Nationwide - The MOvember Foundation email the MOvember Foundation 1300 4769 66Month of November - Lung Awareness Month - National The Australian Lung Foundation email The Australian Lung Foundation 1800 654 301
Month of November - Prematurity Awareness Month - Nationwide - National Premmie Foundation Inc
4 November - Recreation Day - TAS
5 November - Melbourne Cup Day - VIC
10-16 November - Spinal Injuries Awareness Week 2013 - ParaQuad Paraplegic & Quadraplegic Association of NSW - supporting life choices after spinal injury
12 November - Thank U NICU Day, Miracle Babies Foundation
14 November - World Diabetes Day - Diabetes Australia email Diabetes Australia (02) 6232 3800
17 November - World Prematurity Day - Worldwide - National Premmie Foundation Inc
18-24 November - Antibiotic Awareness Week - Worldwide - NPS MedicineWise
Top of page
December
01 December - World AIDS Day - Worldwide - World AIDS Day Australia3 December - International Day of Persons with Disabilities - Worldwide - United Nations
5 December - International Volunteer Day - Worldwide - NSW Volunteering
25 December - Christmas Day - Nationwide
26 December - Boxing Day - Nationwide
Top of page
Media releases
- Help ‘Advance Australia Fair’ by becoming a blood donor
- Don’t let your time in the sun catch up with you
Program/Initiatives
- Lifescripts
- Prevention of type 2 diabetes program
- A Healthy and Active Australia
- Mental Health in Multicultural Australia
- beyondblue - the National Depression Initiative
Campaigns
All CampaignsHelp with accessing large documents
When accessing large documents (over 500 KB in size), it is recommended that the following procedure be used:
- Click the link with the RIGHT mouse button
- Choose "Save Target As.../Save Link As..." depending on your browser
- Select an appropriate folder on a local drive to place the downloaded file
Attempting to open large documents within the browser window (by left-clicking)
may inhibit your ability to continue browsing while the document is
opening and/or lead to system problems.
Help with accessing PDF documents
To view PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, you will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. A number of PDF readers are available through the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) Web Guide website.
