Support Groups

Ostomy Support Groups

Ostomy Support groups are a great way for ostomates to support and care about each other. Friends and family are also welcome to attend support group meetings.

If you are involved in a support group and would like us to include information about your meetings in this listing, please email your details to: info@nswstoma.org.au

We recommend you contact your group for information regarding Covid-19 restrictions.

 

NSW Stoma Ltd Member Support Group Meeting Via Zoom

All members, carers & friends are welcome to join our monthly Zoom meeting at 6pm on the first Wednesday of every month. Hosted by Anne Marie Lyons (STN), Carol Quast, NSW Stoma Director & Ostomate, and NSW Stoma Ltd manager, Mary Egan, this is designed to give information about the services we offer and provide some explanation of the Stoma Appliance Scheme and how to place orders.  If you would like to attend please email: customer.service@nswstoma.org.au and we will send you a zoom invitation on the day of the meeting. You need to register your interest for each meeting you wish to attend.

 

Women’s Ostomy Support Group

This group is for women about to, or who already have an Ostomy and/or Stoma, regardless of where treatment has been received.
Where: San Cancer Support Centre, Jacaranda Lodge, Sydney Adventists Hospital
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings
Contacts: San Cancer Support Centre 9487 9061 support@sah.org.au

Ostomingle - young ostomates supporting each other

Looking for some young, like-minded Osto-mates? Ostomingle is a group of ostomates 18 and over who come together over a meal to share their ostomy experiences and learn from one another.

Each meet-up will be held at a different venue around Sydney so we can mingle around town.

When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings
Contact: Renee Constantin ostomingle@gmail.com ; www.ostomingle.com

Beat Bladder Cancer

National support group (online via Zoom) for bladder cancer patients/carers from all across Australia. All welcome.

Last Tuesday of every month @ 7:30 – 9pm AEST

Contact: Adam Lynch 0421626016

Register at: www.beatbladdercanceraustralia.org.au

 

SYDNEY METROPOLITAN AREA

Bankstown-Lidcombe Area

Where: Revesby Workers Club  2B Brett St, Revesby 02 9772 2100
When:  10 am-12noon, Wednesday, 13 March, 12 June, 11 Sept, 11 Dec 2024
Contact: Your Stomal Therpay Nurse or Carolyn Nichols on 0419 335 046 or carolyn.nichols@dansac.com.au for further information

Please RSVP for catering purposes

Concord Area

People with bowel cancer and carers/family are welcome to attend this free monthly service.
Where:  Survivorship Cottage, Concord Hospital, Gate 4, Nullawarra Avenue, Concord West
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings
Contacts: Sonia Khatri (02) 9767 5943

Liverpool and Campbelltown Area

Where: Campbelltown Catholic Club, 20/22 Camden Rd, Campbelltown
When: Thursday 1.30pm-3pm  2024 Dates: 15th Feb, 18th April, 20th June, 22nd Aug, 24th Oct, 5th Dec                                                                                                      Afternoon tea provided. RSVP is essential for catering purposes.
Contact: Erin Wagner 0419224662 or Lu Wang 0417026109 (STNs)

Northern Sydney Area

All Ostomates, friends and supporters welcome.
Where: Jacaranda Lodge, Sydney Adventist Hospital, 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga 2076
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contacts: San Cancer Support Centre on (02) 9487 9061 or email: cancersupport@sah.org.au

Penrith Area

Ostomates, family and friends are welcome to attend our educational support group
Where: Sydney Medical School, Outpatients Department, 62 Derby Street, Kingswood (opposite Nepean Hospital Emergency Department at the  roundabout, Outpatients is at left-hand side of building)
When: 2pm-3.30pm 30th June; 8th September; 8th December 2023
Contact: Naomi Houston (Stomal Therapist) on (02) 4734 1245 Naomi.Houston@health.nsw.gov.au

Ramsgate

The Stomal Therapy Nurses from St George Public, St George Private, Kareena Private, Hurstville Private and Sutherland Hospitals together would like to invite you to attend a stoma support group for ostomates and their families.                                                                                                                                                                                     Where: Ramsgate RSL (meet in the front foyer), Corner of Ramsgate Rd and Chuter Ave, Sans Souci                                                                                                                When:  11am-1pm Thursday 2024 dates: 7th March, 13th June, 12th September, 5th December                                                                                                                                Contact: Your Stomal Therapy Nurse or Mariam Mellor on 0400 921 901 or email: aumael@coloplast.com.                                                                                                              Everyone is welcome. Car parking available. Tea, coffee & finger food provided. RSVP for catering purposes.

NORTH COAST REGION

Tweed / Byron Area

Ostomates, family and friends are welcome

Where: South Tweed Sports Club, 4 Minjungbal Dr. Tweed Heads South.
When: Check with group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact:  Lisa Clare STN: 07 55067540 or 0429998928 or Lisa.Clare@health.nsw.gov.au;  Kate Rycroft  0432251703 or rycroftkate@gmail.com

Far North Coast
All Ostomates plus partners and friends are welcome to attend meetings.
Where: Lismore Workers Club, 225-231 Keen Street
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact: Marie Taylor (02) 6686 7248

Clarence Valley Ostomy Support Group
All Ostomates plus partners and friends are welcome to attend meetings.
Where: Aruma, 175 Queen St, Grafton
When: Bi-Monthly – 2nd Tuesday of the month – next meeting 13 Dec 2022
Contact: Gary Tobin 0400675277

Coffs Harbour
All Ostomates and friends are welcome so come along, have a cuppa and be a part of it.
Where: Sawtell RSL Club, First Avenue, Sawtell
When: 4th Thursday of every second month. Next meeting 22/2/2024
Contact: Mandy Hawkins STN: 02 66567804 Email: Mandy.Hawkins@health.nsw.gov.au

Hastings Macleay
Where: Port City Bowling Club, Function Room, 4 Owen St, Port Macquarie.
When:  10am – 12pm Third Wednesday of every second month Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec
Contact: Neil 0427 856 630 or Glennie 0410 637 060

Manning / Great Lakes
Where: Venue TBA
When: 10.30-12pm approx.  1st Wednesday of every 2nd month
Contact: Karla MacTaggart STN 02 6592 9469

NEWCASTLE / CENTRAL COAST REGION

Newcastle District
Stomal therapists and company representatives will attend and help with any queries. New members and friends are welcome.
Where: The Hub, Hamilton Wesley Fellowship House, 150 Beaumont Street, Hamilton
When:  1.30-4.30pm Last Saturday in Feb, May, Aug & Nov
Contact: Geoff Robinson 0411221193 (Jan)

ILLAWARRA / SOUTH COAST REGION

Bowral
Where: Mittagong RSL Club, 146 Old Hume Highway, Mittagong
When: 11am-12pm Tuesday 2024 Dates: 5th March, 4th June, 3rd September, 3rd December
Contacts: Lu Wang & Erin Wagner, Stomal Therapists, Liverpool Hospital (02) 8738 4308 or Mariam Mellor (Coloplast) on 0400 921 901                                                              Everyone is welcome. Plenty of car parking. Tea/coffee & finger food provided. RSVP for catering purposes.                                                                  

Eurobodalla
All from the NSW South Coast region are welcome.
Phone clinics only during Covid-19 times.
Where: Moruya Hospital, River Street, Moruya
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact: Trena O’Shea 02 4474 2666

Goulburn
Where: Goulburn Workers Club, 1 Mckell Place, Goulburn NSW 2580
When: 10am-12pm Wednesday 2024 Dates: 8th May, 7th August, 6th November
Contacts: Mariam Elfoul (Coloplast) on 0400 921 901 or email: aumael@coloplast.com                                                                                                                              Everyone is welcome. Plenty of car parking. Tea/coffee & finger food provided. RSVP for catering purposes.         

Illawarra
 Where: Education Room, Figtree Private Hospital, 1 Suttor Place, Figtree
When:  10am-12pm 2024 Dates: 14th Feb, 10th April, 12th June, 14th Aug, 11th Dec (Xmas lunch – venue TBA)
Contacts: Helen Richards CNC STN Wollongong Private Hospital phone: 42861109 richardsh@ramsayhealth.com.au
Julia Kittscha CNC STN Wollongong Hospital mob: 0414421021  islhd-stomaltherapy-NIHG-SIHG@health.nsw.gov.au

Shoalhaven
Where: Nowra Community Health Centre, 5-7 Lawrence Avenue, Nowra
Also: Ulladulla Community Health Centre, cnr South St & Princes Hwy, Ulladulla
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact: Brenda Christiansen 02 4424 6321 or 0422 006 550 or brenda.christiansen@health.nsw.gov.au

 

ACT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Where: ACT & Districts Stoma Association, 2nd Floor, City Health Building, 1 Moore St, Canberra                                                                                                                          When: 10am-12pm, Tuesday 2023 TBA                                                                                                                                                                                                    Contact: Your Stomal Therapy Nurse                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Everyone is welcome, but must be double vaccinated to attend. RSVP required by ACT Health to comply with COVID numbers and restrictions.

WESTERN NSW REGION

Bathurst
Where: Daffodil Cottage, 365 Howick St, West Bathurst NSW 2795
When:  Check with the groups organisers for advice on scheduled meetings                                                                                                                                                              Contact: Louise Linke (STN/continence advisor) 02 6330 5676

Dubbo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Where: Dubbo Health Service, Ian Locke Building, Room 8 or join virtually via Pexip or phone.
When: Last Friday of the month. 2pm-3pm
Contact: Thulisile Moyo on 0408769873 or Thulisile.Moyo@health.nsw.gov.au

Goulburn
Where:  Goulburn Workers Club, 1 McKell Place Goulburn NSW 2580                                                                                                                                                                When:  10am – 12pm Wednesday 2023 dates TBA                                                                                                                                                                                          Contact: Your Stomal Therapy Nurse                                                                                                                                                                                                                     RSVP for catering purposes, car parking available on-site

Griffith and District
An invitation is extended to all persons in Griffith and surrounding areas (including Coleambally, Leeton, Yenda, Hillston and Hanwood) with a Stoma formation to attend our meetings and share experiences.
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact: Barry Maples 02 6963 5267 or 0429 635 267; Kim Hallam 0434 785 309

Wagga and District
Where: Men’s Shed, 11 Ashmont Avenue, Wagga Wagga
When: Check with the group organisers for advice on scheduled meetings.
Contact: David 02 6971 3346 or 0428 116 084