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 not currently active.
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, 17th Oct, 5th Dec Afternoon tea provided. RSVP is essential for catering purposes.
Contact: Erin Wagner 0419224662 or Lu Wang 0417026109 (STNs)
Northern Beaches Area
Where: Forestville RSL Club, 22 Melwood Avenue, Forestville
When: Tuesday 16th July 2024, 3.30pm followed by optional drinks and dinner at 5.00pm
Contacts: Bob Cooper email: bob.cooper542500@gmail.com
Northern Sydney Area
This group is not currently active.
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: There are no dates currently scheduled for this loaction. 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 10am 12th November 2024
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
Stomal therapists and company representatives will attend and help with any queries. New members and friends are welcome. Hamilton 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 on 0425315726 or Lynda on 0425209030
Maitland Where: Maitland Hospital Education Rooms, 51 Metford Rd, Metford
When: 11am First Wednesday of Feb, May, Aug, Nov
Contact: RSVP Annika 0429002760 or Jackie 0412445498
Wyong Where: Wyong Community Health Centre, 38A Pacific Highway, Wyong NSW 2259
When: 1.30-3.30pm Thursday 12th December 2024 – RSVP for catering please.
Contact: Local Stomal Therpists: ph: 4320 3323 email: CCLHD-Stomaltherapy@health.nsw.gov.au
ILLAWARRA / SOUTH COAST REGION
Bowral
Where: Mittagong RSL Club, 146 Old Hume Highway, Mittagong
When: 1pm-2.30pm Tuesday 2024 Dates: 3rd December 2024 Contacts: Mathew Sebastian & 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 1 week prior 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 2025 Dates: 12th Feb, 9th April, 11th June, 13th Aug, 8th Oct, 10th 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: 2pm at either Nowra or Ulladulla – Please phone the week prior to confirm your spot Nowra: 12th Feb (Dansac); 25th June (Convatec & Omnigon); 22nd Oct (Salts) Ulladulla: 28th May (Coloplast); 19th Nov (Hollister & Braun) 2025 Xmas Party: Worrigee Sports Club, 10th Dec 2025, 12pm 131 Greenwell Point Rd Worrigee 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