News

Women’s health up for discussion

By Bree Harding

Sep 23, 2025

Dr Margreet Stegeman, gynaecologist at Shepparton Women’s Health Centre, will be a guest speaker at the Women’s Health Information Day on October 5. Photo by Bree Harding

Breasts, bubbles and banter are three things enticing women to the upcoming milestone edition of an annual social event addressing health issues that affect them.

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Celebrating 10 years of its Women’s Health Information Day, the host, Shepparton Women’s Health Centre, has changed this year’s format for the occasion.

Normally held on a Wednesday night in October, this year’s event will take place on a Sunday afternoon at Kialla Golf Club, with a celebratory glass of bubbles on arrival and afternoon tea by Soroptomist International Shepparton available.

“It’s a big step to do it on a weekend,” Shepparton Women’s Health Centre gynaecologist Dr Margreet Stegeman, who will be one of five guest speakers on the day, said.

“We want to give something back; more education to the community, being a women’s health centre.”

Dr Stegeman will give a 10-year retrospective overview of the menopause education that she has delivered at past events, adding new literature and developments on the poignant topic.

“Menopause is a significant part of women’s lives; many will experience it for 20 to 30 years,” she said.

“It is something that needs to be addressed. We need to convince doctors that it’s quite okay to have treatment for perimenopause; it actually helps.”

Guest speakers joining Dr Stegeman include GV Health McGrath breast care support nurse Michelle Parish, GV Health breast and gynaecology cancer support nurse Melissa Gilmour, Shepparton Women’s Health Centre general practitioner Dr Alba Sanderson, and Shepparton Women’s Health Centre gynaecologist Dr Debjyoti (Deb) Karmakar, while the centre’s Dr Ruwangi Udayasiri, a breast and general surgeon, will MC the event.

Topics on the table include breast care, breast cancer support in the Goulburn Valley, preventative health and initial approach to lower urinary tract symptoms, among others.

Entry to the October 5 event is via a gold coin on the day; however, bookings at trybooking.com/DEXSN are essential. Dr Stegeman said in its decade-long history, there had been only one year the event was not completely booked out (the year following the COVID-19 lockdowns).

Raffle tickets will also be available (cash only) and drinks will be at bar prices.

All proceeds from the entry fees and raffle will be donated to MND Victoria in memory of former Shepparton Women’s Health Centre employee Karen Gladigau.