A Message from our Founder and Board Chair, Dr Linny Kimly Phuong
A Message from our CEO, Rachel Connor
14+ Years and Growing
Our Team
Operations Report, Della Cudden
Health Educator, Mahisha Lim
Community Partners
Our Healthcare Professional Volunteers
Program Delivery by State
P.16 - Victoria
P.18 - New South Wales
P.19 - Tasmania
Session Topics
Languages & Cultural Reach
Volunteer Engagement
Impact
P.24 - Participant Impact
P.25 - New South Wales
Special Projects
Financial Report, For Year ended 30 June 2024
Media & Advocacy
Acknowledgements
Looking Ahead, 2025 and Beyond
Who We Are
OUR VISION
To ensure all communities from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds achieve equitable access to healthcare.
OUR PURPOSE
To promote good health and wellbeing to communities from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Australia by improving their health literacy.
OUR VALUES WHAT DO WE DO
The Water Well Project is an award-winning charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of communities from migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds by enhancing their health literacy.
Since its inception, our organisation has focused on equitable access to healthcare education, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
At the core of our work is the provision of free, interactive, community-based health education sessions, delivered by AHPRA registered volunteer healthcare professionals across Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales. These sessions bridge knowledge gaps and promote preventative health awareness, equipping participants with tools to navigate the Australian healthcare system.
The Water Well Project employs a communitycentric model, collaborating closely with refugee and migrant support organisations. Health education sessions are requested by community groups and co-designed in collaboration alongside community partners, ensuring topics address real community needs whilst remaining culturally safe, relevant and accessible.
A Message from our Founder and Board Chair Dr Linny Kimly Phuong
Dear Friends, Supporters and Partners,
As we look back on 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for what we’ve achieved together - and even more, for the spirit in which we’ve done it. This year marked another chapter in our ongoing commitment to improving health literacy and access to health information for communities from migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds.
Winner of the Public Healthcare Award for Excellence in Culturally Diverse Care.
2024
Another Chapter
Although we continue to operate in an increasingly complex funding environment, the heart of our work has never wavered. We remain true to our purpose: delivering practical, culturally responsive health education in partnership with the communities we serve.
In the latter half of 2023, we were honoured to receive the Victorian Public Healthcare Award for Excellence in Culturally Diverse Care, a reflection of the collective efforts of our volunteer healthcare professionals, community partners, and passionate staff.
This recognition affirmed the impact of over a decade of listening, learning, and walking alongside communities.
In 2024, we built on this foundation. We deepened existing partnerships, expanded our reach into new regions, and continued to adapt our sessions to address evolving health priorities - from mental health and women’s health to navigating the healthcare system with confidence.
To our volunteers: thank you for giving your time, skills and compassion. To our community partners: thank you for your trust and collaboration. And to our supporters: thank you for investing in a vision of equitable health access for all.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to strengthening our impact and advocating for systems that serve everyone - fairly and with dignity. Thank you for walking with us.
Warm wishes, Dr Linny Kimly Phuong Founder & Board Chair of The Water Well Project
A Message from our CEO Rachel Connor
For the past 14 years,
The Water Well Project has worked to close the gap in health outcomes in Australia by delivering interactive health education sessions to people from migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds.
A year of continued dedication
Our unique model utilises volunteer health care professionals to facilitate sessions in the community. This ensures that facilitators are skilled in responding to real-time questions and can tailor each session to meet participants’ needs, creating a powerful and engaging educational experience. Interactive sessions build trust between communities and health care professionals and enable facilitators to directly address misinformation.
In 2024, our dedicated team of 120 volunteers facilitated 328 sessions, reaching 5,424 participants. These sessions covered 42 different topics and were delivered in 27 unique languages with interpreters, reflecting our broad reach into diverse communities.
Our work has a meaningful impact: 97.5% of participants reported that attending a session improved their ability to manage their health and 98.3% of participants learned something new. Importantly, attendees often share what they’ve learned with their families and communities, amplifying the reach of health information.
Connecting with our target communities is only possible through strong partnerships with community organisations. In 2024, we worked alongside 69 partner organisations, who helped us to understand the health needs of their communities and how best to design sessions with impact.
of participants reported attending a session improved their ability to manage their health
%97.5 %98.3
of participants learned something new.
Our volunteers consistently tell us they are driven by a desire to share their knowledge to help improve health outcomes for migrant and refugee communities. Many bring personal migration experiences or insights into the inequities of the healthcare system, enriching the contribution they make. Their passion, creativity, and dedication are the driving force behind our mission. This year, we strengthened our volunteer training and introduced additional in-person sessions in Victoria and NSW to better support and connect our growing volunteer community.
As demand for sessions continues to grow, The Water Well Project is uniquely placed to deliver evidence-based, interactive health education that meet the specific needs of communities. We are deeply grateful to our generous donors - your support is vital: without it, we simply cannot meet this growing demand. To those organisations and individuals who continue to stand beside us: thank you. Like volunteering, each contribution makes a big difference when we work together.
Finally, heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, board, committees and volunteers. Your tireless efforts ensure The Water Well Project continues to deliver high-quality, tailored health education to those who need it most.
Thank you.
Rachel Connor CEO of The Water Well Project
14+ Years and Growing
In 2024, The Water Well Project expanded our multilingual health education efforts, reaching communities in 27 languages, ensuring greater inclusivity for participants from diverse backgrounds. The project also strengthened volunteer engagement, welcoming 127 new healthcare professionals, and expanding training initiatives to enhance cultural responsiveness and health communication skills.
During 2024, the organisation continued to grow, facilitating 328 free health education sessions across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, reaching 5,424 participants from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities.
The Water Well Project has delivered nearly 1,900 sessions to more than 28,000 participants, demonstrating sustained growth, increased demand, and a deepening impact on the communities it serves.
Through these collaborative efforts, The Water Well Project continues to uphold its mission of empowering communities through health education, fostering better health outcomes, and building stronger, healthier communities across Australia.
Our Team
GOVERNANCE throughout 2024
The composition of The Water Well Project’s Board remained largely constant in 2024 with Linny Phuong (Chair), Sheetal Balakrishnan (Company Secretary), Audrey Barucchi, Susan Burke, Julie Hjorth, Tuula Keto, Timothy Martin and Tina Salameh.
We farewelled Akhil Bansal, thanking him for his contributions, including his dedication as a volunteer before joining the Board, and we were grateful for Victor Oyugi’s business and financial expertise.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In addition to regular Board meetings, as part of the Board’s continued transition from operational oversight to governance and strategic direction, the Directors met in-person for a Strategy Planning Day in February 2024.
A significant development has been the establishment of a Risk & Governance Committee. The Committee’s focus has been on updating and reviewing the organisation’s risk register, which has resulted in a number of initiatives being taken, including to improve the financial sustainability of the organisation.
Dr Linny Kimly Phuong Founder & Director
Ms Julie Hjorth Director
Dr Timothy Martin Director
Ms Sheetal Balakrishan Director, Secretary
Ms Susan Burke Director Tuula Keto Director
Ms Tina Salameh Director, Human Resources
Audrey Barucci Director
STAFF
Rachel ConnorCEO
Della CuddenOperations Coordinator
Krystina SavvasPartnerships Coordinator
Tracy DouglasNational Health Education Manager
Zoë BeddoesHealth Educator VIC
Ruby RafalowiczHealth Educator VIC
Hanneke ChudleighHealth Educator NSW
Angela TjeuwHealth Educator NSW
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES
Thivagar YogaparanDigital
Lewis SellDigital
Adelle SturgesMarketing and Communications
Mon YiMarketing and Communications
Faizah AlamMarketing and Communications
Janine KwanFinance Committee
Prerana GhoshMarketing and Communications
Sanchita ShanbhagFinance Committee
Dr Emma ThompsonVolunteer Engagement
Dr Lucy SteeleVolunteer Engagement
Claire RobertsHealth Educator TAS
Mahisha LimHealth Educator VIC
Dr Pretashini SomasundramVolunteer Engagement
Dr Liz WyattAlumni Officer
Dr Leisel TrompfGeneral
Hirukshi BennettResources
Operations Report Della Cudden
In 2024, The Water Well Project delivered our most impactful year to date.
We facilitated 328 health education sessions, representing a 5.8% increase from 2023, and reached 5,424 participants across our programs, marking a 3.8% growth in reach.
Through five New Volunteer Training sessions (two in Melbourne, one in Sydney, and two online), we recruited and equipped 127 new healthcare professionals to deliver culturally responsive health education.
Our dedicated volunteers come from diverse professional backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists and dietitians.
We partnered with 69 community organisations throughout the year, including 16 new multicultural community groups. Many of these new connections came through referrals from existing partners, demonstrating the trust and value placed in our work by the communities we serve.
Our evaluation data highlights the continued positive impact of our sessions:
• 98% of participants reported learning something new
• 96% felt confident to share what they learned with family and friends, extending the reach of our impact
Across 2024, we delivered sessions on 42 unique health topics. The five most requested areas were:
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Healthy Eating and Nutrition
• Diabetes
• Heart Health
• Navigating the Australian Healthcare System
The growing demand for Mental Health and Wellbeing sessions reflects both the community’s openness to address a once-stigmatised topic and the supportive environment our sessions create. Many participants shared personal stories and reported gaining clarity on how to recognise signs of mental distress and when to seek support for themselves and loved ones.
Healthy Eating and Nutrition was our second most requested topic and remains vital to individual and family health. With widespread misinformation contributing to confusion, our sessions help cut through the noise. Using simple, visual tools and culturally relevant examples, our facilitators empower participants to make healthier everyday choices with confidence.
Health Educator Mahisha Lim
As a Health Educator with The Water Well
Project, I’ve had the opportunity to share
essential health information with individuals and families from migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds.
328 Health education sessions
5,424 Participants reached
5 New volunteer training sessions
127 Healthcare professionals recruited
69 community organisation partners
16 New multicultural community groups
Our sessions are designed to be welcoming, culturally respectful, and focused on helping participants better understand the Australian healthcare system and take an active role in managing their health.
During sessions I have the privilege of witnessing participants find the confidence to ask questions they may not feel comfortable asking elsewhere. Many community members have shared how grateful they are for the information and how important these sessions are for them to feel empowered to improve their health and wellbeing.
Through this work, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges these communities often face - from language and cultural differences to limited health literacy and unfamiliar healthcare processes. This insight has strengthened my approach as a healthcare professional, helping me practice with greater empathy and cultural awareness.
What I find most meaningful is seeing the practical impact of these sessions. Whether it’s someone feeling more confident navigating a healthcare appointment or simply understanding how to access support, it’s a clear reminder of how education can empower individuals and promote long-term wellbeing.
2024 at a glance
Community Partners
The Water Well Project works alongside community partners to facilitate sessions within communities. We collaborate with a diverse range of partners, including
• Local community Hubs
• Parents groups
• Libraries
• Primary and Secondary School Hubs
• Mosques and Churches
• Senior Citizens Groups
• Conversation Cafes
• TAFES and Universities
• Community Health Services
Working alongside our community partners is a vital element of our service and provides significant benefits for session participants because:
• Community partners bring cultural knowledge and often have long standing connections with the groups we serve
• Sessions are in environments that are familiar and comfortable for participants, enhancing engagement and trust
• Sessions are tailored to the specific need of each group, ensuring relevance and cultural appropriateness.
Our Healthcare Professional Volunteers
With the growing demand for health sessions from our community partners, in 2024 we welcomed 127 new healthcare professional volunteers with 120 involved in facilitating sessions throughout 2024.
We have also expanded our training initiatives to enhance cultural responsiveness and health communication skills, ensuring our volunteers are well equipped to support the diverse communities we serve.
VICTORIA
In 2024, our health education initiatives in Victoria continued to expand, with 250 sessions conducted across 20 local government areas, reaching 3,726 participants.
This success was driven by our 228 Victorian-based volunteer healthcare professionals, 84 of whom actively facilitated at least one session during the year.
of
We placed strategic focus on supporting communities with high refugee and asylum seeker populations to ensure equitable access to essential health education. Notably, the City of Casey (14%), Greater Dandenong (9%), and Brimbank (8%) were among the most engaged local government areas, reflecting the growing need for accessible healthcare information in culturally diverse regions. Other key areas where we expanded our reach included Manningham (9%), Melbourne (8%), and Glen Eira (7%).
New South Wales
In 2024, our health education programs in New South Wales continued to make a significant impact, delivering 51 sessions across diverse communities and reaching a total of 773 participants. In New South Wales, 27 sessions were delivered by dedicated volunteer health professionals, and 19 by a health educator.
These sessions were made possible through the dedication of volunteer healthcare professionals, alongside health educators who provided specialised knowledge. Additionally, 6 sessions benefited from a combined effort of both volunteers and health educators, ensuring broader engagement and accessibility.
Our Focus In NSW
A key focus remained on providing equitable health education to refugee and asylum seeker communities, ensuring culturally appropriate support tailored to their needs. The most engaged local government areas included Blacktown (41%), Fairfield (22%), and Liverpool (20%), reflecting the priority regions for health outreach. Other significant areas included Penrith (6%), Inner West (4%), and Cumberland (2%), reinforcing our commitment to reaching vulnerable populations across NSW.
Through these initiatives, we strengthened access to healthcare education and fostered a supportive environment for communities in need. These achievements underscore our mission to provide essential, accessible health knowledge across New South Wales.
City of Fairfield
Our health education efforts in Tasmania continued to grow in 2024, with 27 sessions delivered to communities across the state, reaching 354 participants.
• The City of Launceston accounted for 44% of all sessions (12 sessions)
• followed by the City of Hobart (10 sessions, 37%)
• and the City of Glenorchy (5 sessions, 19%)
Of the 27 sessions delivered in Tasmania, 11 were facilitated by volunteer health professionals, and 10 by a health educator, ensuring that vital health information reached those who need it most. Notably, 6 sessions were facilitated through a combined effort of both volunteers and health educators, fostering collaboration and broader engagement.
To strengthen our reach, we have continued to connect with key health networks, including GP training programs, universities, nursing groups, and refugee nurse networks, helping recruit and support volunteers.
Tasmania currently has
• 23 registered volunteers across Hobart and Launceston
• with 9 actively participating in at least one session during the year.
Session Topics
In 2024, our health education sessions covered a diverse range of topics, tailored to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
General wellbeing and lifestyle remained our most prominent focus, comprising 31.3% of all sessions. Within this category, mental health and wellbeing stood out as the leading topic (16.5%), underscoring our ongoing commitment to fostering mental resilience and holistic wellness.
Nutrition and preventative health accounted for 16.0% of sessions, with healthy eating and nutrition (8.2%) being a key priority. Community engagement in preventative health measures, including infant and toddler nutrition and workplace health, contributed to broader public health awareness.
Sessions addressing chronic conditions and disease management made up 19.0%, highlighting the growing need for education on diabetes (7.3%), heart health (5.2%), and bone and joint health (4.9%). These topics remain essential in supporting individuals to manage and prevent long-term health challenges.
Our women’s health education comprised 9.9%, ensuring access to vital information on women’s health, menopause, and breast, cervical, and other common cancers. Respiratory and allergy-related sessions covered 7.1% of the total, with a strong focus on asthma (2.7%) and allergies (4.0%), addressing common concerns across different age groups.
Dedicated child and maternal health sessions (4.9%) reinforced the importance of early life care, while ageing and mobility topics (3.0%) covered falls prevention and incontinence.
Environmental health discussions, including extreme weather preparedness and sun safety, accounted for 3.6%, ensuring communities are equipped with knowledge to navigate seasonal and environmental health risks.
As we continue to expand our reach, these insights guide us in shaping impactful, responsive health programs that address the most pressing health concerns within our communities.
GRAPH SHOWING TOPICS OF EDUCATION COVERED DURING SESSIONS
Note: |Session topic numbers have been rounded to the nearest whole number
22%
Chronic Conditions & Disease Management
• Diabetes – 7.3%
• Heart Health – 5.2%
• Bone and Joint Health – 4.9%
• Kidney Health – 1.2%
• Dementia – 3.7%
• Ageing and mobility - 3%
10%
Women’s & Men’s Health
7% 5% 4% 5%
Other Topics Environmental & Seasonal Health Child & Maternal Health Respiratory & Allergies
11%
General Wellbeing & Lifestyle
• Sleep, Health, and Exercise – 5.2%
• Navigating the Australian Healthcare System – 5.2%
• Positive Body Image – 0.3%
• Wellness and Vaccinations – 0.6%
16%
Mental Health and Wellbeing
16%
Nutrition & Preventative Health
• Healthy Eating and Nutrition – 8.2%
• Preventative Health – 1.8%
• Infant and Toddler Nutrition – 1.2%
• Staying Healthy in Winter – 2.4%
• Safe Use of Medicines – 0.3%
• Workplace Health and Safety – 0.6%
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs – 0.3%
Arabic
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Hakka Chin
Dari
Farsi
Russian
Tigrinya
Somali
Pashto
Burmese
Falam Chin
Hindi
Oromo
Nepali
Tamil
Ukrainian
Italian
Amharic
Cantonese
Karen
Tibetan
AUSLAN
Dinka
Khmer
Rohingya
Samoan
Languages & Cultural Reach
GRAPH SHOWING TEN MOST COMMON LANGUAGES WHERE AN INTERPRETER WAS REQUIRED.
Volunteer Engagement
In 2024, we ran five training sessions for new volunteers, two of which were online.
The following figure provides a graphical representation of who was involved in delivering sessions for each state.
As depicted, the majority of sessions were facilitated by ‘volunteers only’ across each state.
FOR VICTORIA
Impact
PARTICIPANT Impact Summary
The Water Well Project continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities by improving health literacy and confidence in navigating the healthcare system.
Insights from 2,892 participants (a 53.3% response rate) indicate significant positive outcomes across key areas:
1. IMPROVED HEALTH KNOWLEDGE
2. GREATER ABILITY TO MANAGE HEALTH AND MEDICATION
3. INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN ACCESSING HEALTHCARE
The sessions have effectively enhanced participants' understanding of key health topics, with:
98.3% of respondents reporting they learned something new.
95.7% feeling confident to share the information with friends and family.
Participants reported improved capacity to make informed health choices:
97.5% said the session improved their ability to manage their health and lifestyle.
90.8% felt more capable of using medicines safely.
A critical impact of the sessions is building participants’ confidence in engaging with the healthcare system:
94.7% now feel more confident accessing a doctor or healthcare service on the topic,
95.4% feel more confident speaking to a healthcare provider about their health, and
93.3% are more confident in finding relevant health information when needed.
OUR FINDINGS
These results underscore The Water Well Project's role in fostering empowerment, self-advocacy, and stronger community health outcomes through culturally responsive health education.
VOLUNTEER IMPACT:
Empowering Communities and Enriching Lives
The Volunteering with The Water Well Project is more than delivering health education - it is about connection, cultural exchange, and professional growth. In 2024, our dedicated healthcare professional volunteers continued to play a vital role in creating safe, engaging spaces for learning, listening, and mutual respect.
Facilitators often describe their sessions as eye-opening and rewarding. One volunteer reflected on the unexpected relationships that blossomed through the session:
Interactive, culturally tailored approaches also proved impactful:
“SOME UNEXPECTED FRIENDSHIPS DEVELOPED IN THE SESSION. A HIGHLIGHT WAS WHEN ONE MEMBER OF THE MEN’S SHED INVITED A FEMALE PARTICIPANT TO JOIN, WHO WAS KEEN TO LEARN HOW TO USE POWER TOOLS!”
“IT WAS WONDERFUL TO ENGAGE THE PARTICIPANTS USING ROLE PLAYS AND PROPS, AND TO HAVE THEM SHARING STORIES, ASKING QUESTIONS, AND GETTING ON THEIR FEET TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.”
For many facilitators, the sessions offered deeper insights into the lived experiences of participants:
“WOMEN IN THE GROUP SHARED THROUGH THE INTERPRETER THE ONGOING STRESS AND ANXIETY OF BEING A MIGRANT THAT CONTRIBUTES TO HEALTH ISSUES THAT ARE EXACERBATED BY STRESS.”
REFLECTIONS
These reflections demonstrate how volunteering with The Water Well Project not only benefits communities, but also shapes more culturally responsive healthcare professionals. Our volunteers continue to grow alongside the communities they serve—one session at a time.
Special Projects
Women Grant MAKING PROGRESS
This year, The Water Well Project made strong progress on its 100 Women-funded initiative to improve health literacy among refugee and asylum seeker women and girls.
In the first year of the grant, we delivered 29 health education sessions across Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania, reaching 394 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Sessions were sensitively co-designed with community organisations and delivered with interpreter support in seven different languages.
These sessions empowered women and girls with knowledge on key topics such as contraception, menopause, breast and cervical cancer screening, and postnatal wellbeing.
Facilitated by female healthcare professionals, the sessions created safe, culturally responsive spaces for open discussion. 98% of participants reported learning something new, and 95% felt more confident accessing healthcare. The grant has enabled us to equip women with the skills to take charge of the health of themselves and their families. We look forward to continuing this important work, made possible by ‘100 Women.’
KEY STATS
394 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds 29 health education sessions across Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania
Diabetes Victoria
PARTNERSHIP
In 2024, The Water Well Project continued its valued partnership with Diabetes Victoria, delivering 10 interactive, culturally tailored diabetes education sessions to CALD communities across Victoria. This collaboration supports Diabetes Victoria in fulfilling its role under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) to deliver in-language diabetes awareness sessions and increase engagement with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities.
With access to NDSS training and multilingual resources, our volunteer healthcare professionals were equipped to deliver accurate, relevant and engaging content. Together, we are helping to reduce health inequities and build stronger, more informed communities. The partnership continues to play a vital role in ensuring important health information reaches those who need it most, in ways that are respectful, accessible and meaningful.
Volunteer MILESTONE PROGRAM
Thanks to the generous funding from the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, we were proud to launch our Volunteer Milestone Program in 2024.
This initiative recognises the invaluable contributions of our volunteers throughout their journey with The Water Well Project, fostering a sense of appreciation, connection and ongoing engagement.
Financial Report For Year ended 30 June 2024
The Water Well Project Limited
The Water Well Project Limited
ABN 38 177 188 057
Statement of Financial Position As at 30 June 2024
The Water Well Project Limited
38 177 188 057 Statement of Cash Flows
Media & Advocacy
Speaking Engagements
• Invited Speaker, Creative Careers in Medicine
- Public Health & Philanthropy Breakout session, Mar 2024
• International Women’s Day 2024, More Voices, More Representation campaign, by VU consulting
• Invited speaker Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Women in Medicine event, International Women’s Day, May 2024
• The Daily Doyenne (UNSW) - vlogcast, 24 April 2024www.vimeo.com/938488734/41d9d3026e?share=copy
• The Mind-FULL Medic podcast, with Cheryl Martin, 16 May 2024 - www.podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ the-water-well-project-and-improving-health-literacy/ id1513559414?i=1000655747820
• AMSA National Conference
- keynote speaker, Jul 2024
• Australian Federation of Medical WomenPresident’s Chat webinar, Jul 2024 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8xthk0L0X0
• Crossing Borders UniMelb x Monash Symposium - panellist, Aug 2024
• Today Design
- The Water Well Project Founder story, Oct 2024: www.today.design/news/i-would-love-forus-not-to-need-to-exist/
Publications
• Pharmacy in the CommunityDonating to Support Migrant Health Education, Pharmacy Guild NewsDec 2024
• In depth with Dr Linny Phuong, Australian Medical Association VicDocSummer 2024
Other Multimedia
• Nossal Institute, Navigating Health video - youtube/j3rZBhNZz3k
• Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service - Beyond the Barriers: Cancer Care across WCMICS, Exploring Cultural and Linguistic Diversity video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d54hTZV6qI
• Scanlon Foundation Essay (on giving birth in Australia when English is not your first language) by Caroline Zielinski, interviewed in Aug 2023, publishedwww.scanloninstitute.org.au/publications/narratives/ lost-in-translation
University engagement
• Recorded Lecture (in collaboration withDr Mikhaila Lazanyi, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist)
- University of Melbourne, Subject: Adolescent Sexuality & Sexual Health‘Sexual and reproductive health of young people from CALD backgrounds’
• Invited speakerRefugee and Asylum Seeker Health, Monash University, Subject: Health Knowledge and Society
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our funders, partners, and volunteers whose unwavering support makes our work possible.
Your commitment enables us to deliver inclusive, community-driven health education to migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities across Australia. To our funders - thank you for believing in our vision and investing in health equity. To our community and sector partners - your collaboration and trust are vital to our impact. And to our incredible volunteers - your generosity, cultural humility, and dedication continue to inspire and empower.
Together, we are building healthier, more connected communities.
Funders
• 100 Women
• Australian Government
- Department of Health and Aged Care
• Brimbank City Council
• City of Greater Dandenong
• City of Melton
• City of Manningham
• Metro Trains
• City of Melbourne
• Diabetes Victoria
• FECCA
• Hume City Council
• John and Myriam Wylie Foundation
• Knox City Council
• Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
• Pressroom Philanthropy
• Tasmanian Government
• Victoria State Government- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
• Wyndham City Council
In-kind supporters
• Alessio Bresciani
• Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria
• Change x Unzipped
• Cheryl Martin
• Collective 100
• Creative Careers in Medicine
• Enliven Victoria
• Janetta Ziino
• Dr Jill Tomlinson
• A/Prof Kudzai Kanhutu
• Leadership Victoria
• LiverWELL, incorporating Hepatitis Victoria
• Maddocks Lawyers
• Melbourne University Global Health Society (MUGHS)
• Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC)
• Navigating Health
• Pressroom Philanthropy
• Prof Rob Moodie
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
• Ms Sian Slade
• Sylvia Rosemond
• Translating Interpreting Services (TIS) National
• University of Melbourne
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
• Vermont South Pharmacy- Amcal
• Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Victorian Refugee Health Network
• VU Consulting
• Wingate
Our active volunteers
A huge thank you to the following volunteers who delivered at least one health education session in 2024.
• Abigail de Waard
• Aidan Clifford
• Ailin He
• Alexander Crawford
• Almas Wahab
• Ambika Wakhlu
• Andrea Park
• Anei Ochan-Thou
• Angela Tjeuw
• Angela Xue
• Anna Englin
• Anna Plant
• Annabel Lo
• Annabelle Carter
• Annalee Del Vecchio
• Anneliese Gullivers
• Anusha Maheshwari
• Ashly Jerome
• Ayushica Saran
• Catherine Ouyang
• Catherine Zhang
• Chamathka Kospelawaththa
• Chamathka Thathsarani
• Cheryl Martin
• Christine He
• Christine Muller Hering
• Claire Bai
• Clarice Tang
• Cuong Le
• Dhanushree Patel
• Donna Chen
• Edwin Xu
• Elaine Chan
• Elise Putt
• Emily Fitt
• Emily Scott
• Emily Whalen
• Emily Zdilar
• Esha Abraham
• Eugene Wang
• Georgia Aitken
• Georgia Keating
• Georgina Vimalaratnam
• Grace Yoo
• Haddy Hughes
• Halima Alim
• Hannah Collings-Andrews
• Harleen Kaur
• Harmeet Bhullar
• Helena Qian
• Holly Pertile
• Indah Cox-Livingstone
• Jacken Chan
• Jacob Roberts
• Janarthan Muraliharan
• Jazmin Daniells
• Jessica Thee
• Keeth Mayakaduwage
• Kirsten Arnold
• Lauren Frisken
• Liz Wyatt
• Lois Zhang
• Madison Phung
• Marjia Johns
• Marra Aghajani
• Matilda Maynard
• Megan Dunstan
• Michael Au
• Michael Lam
• Michelle Min Hsiao
• Michelle Tan
• Michelle Xin
• Miles Ong
• Nadia Olivier
• Nanditha Hareesh
• Natalie Steel
• Nate Flacks
• Nicole Lebbos
• Nicole Milanko
• Nicole Yoong
• Peter Williams
• Precy Zea
• Pretashini Somasundram
• Rachel Kour
• Rachel Lim
• Renee Cocks
• Rhian Aghajani
• Romany Martin
• Rose Harris
• Roya Gorji
• Ruchika Veraiahgari
• Samantha Ting
• Samuel Morriss
• Sarah Cipollone
• Sarah Lorger
• Sawsan Khandaker
• Schuyler Tin
• Sharmila Chandran
• Sheareen Tan
• Shughla Satari
• Si Si Zhou
• Siobhan Reynolds
• Smita Bhattacharjee
• Sonja Berryman
• Sophie Carne
• Sophie Putt
• Sowmiya Karthikeyan
• Stella Le
• Stephanie Amico
• Subalatha Devaraja
• Subhashi Ediriweera
• Tany Brahmanand
• Tharuka Bodaragama
• Theresa Koo
• Vanessa Fowosere
• Vanessa Tran
• Varitsara Mangkorntongsakul
• Vicky Xu
• Vivian Wu
• Wendy Davis
• Yajat Dua
• Yamema Esber
• Yanyan Wu
• Yufei Su
• Zara Parker
Looking Ahead 2025 and Beyond
Expanding OUR REACH
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, The Water Well Project will continue to expand its reach and deepen its impact by delivering accessible, culturally responsive health education to migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities across Australia.
We are committed to strengthening our partnerships, exploring place-based delivery models, and co-designing sessions that reflect the evolving needs of our communities.
With a strong foundation and growing demand, we will also focus on capacity-building initiatives for our volunteers and amplifying the voices of the communities we serve.
OUR VISION REMAINS CLEAR:
To create a more equitable healthcare landscape where everyone, regardless of background, has the knowledge and confidence to manage their health and wellbeing.
The simple manner in which the topic was discussed. Everything said had relevance and it prompted us all to be more aware and informed about our health. “
19/11/2024
Community Participant, Women’s Friendship Evening, Breast, Cervical and Other Common Cancers,
