Hon. Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Education, Early Childhood, Preventative Health, Wheatbelt presenting at the launch of the FASD Prevention Network.
The FASD Hub Australia joined government dignitaries, key organisations and stakeholders in attending the launch of the Mental Health Commission’s (Commission) Western Australian FASD Prevention Network.
The hybrid event was officially opened by Hon. Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Preventative Health, and brought together participants from around the world, including Dr Nancy Poole, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health.
It also welcomed a room of frontline services, policy stakeholders, researchers and experts in the field to work together and share perspectives on FASD prevention efforts across Western Australia.
The establishment of the Network marks an important step in creating a dedicated space for organisations to connect, collaborate and share evidence-based knowledge. By strengthening partnerships and aligning efforts, the Network aims to support a more coordinated and effective approach to preventing FASD across the state.
Hon. Winton also announced the recipients of the Commission’s FASD Prevention Funding Program, with a total of $50,000 awarded to organisations to deliver community activities aimed at raising awareness of the harms of alcohol use during pregnancy and preventing FASD.
This included:
Organisations previously funded in this area, including 54 Reasons, Holyoak and WA Country Health Service, presented outcomes from their work. This included 54 Reasons’ Kununurra Youth Prevention Music Video and Education Project, which contributed to the development of KNX 6743, a community-driven music video initiative created alongside the deadly young people of Kununurra.
The project explores what strength looks like and highlights how everyday choices can influence health, wellbeing and future opportunities. Through music, movement, language and storytelling, the young people shape and share their stories with pride and intention.
Prenatal alcohol exposure can impact fetal brain development, resulting in a range of lifelong physical, behavioural and cognitive challenges. FASD is the leading preventable cause of non-genetic developmental disability in Australia, with research estimating 3.64% of Australians are living with diagnosed or undiagnosed FASD
