Wear jeans for a good cause

You can support life saving work simply by wearing your favourite jeans. Friday 7 August 2015 is Jeans for Genes Day, and schools, workplaces and communities are invited to raise funds for research into childhood disease.

The importance of self care

The Minister for Health, the Hon. Sussan Ley, has launched a report of the GAP Taskforce on the role of health literacy and responsible self care in improving public health outcomes and reducing government expenditure.

Have a night in

Friday 31 July 2015 is White Ribbon Night. The event raises funds to help stop violence against women. Communities across Australia are asked to have a night in to get the word out.

Clear your head, make a difference

You don’t often get the chance to raise money for charity by not doing something! Give up alcohol for a month for Dry July to support adults living with cancer and their families to improve their quality of life.

What do you need to know about diabetes?

Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease with 280 new cases every day. 12 to 18 July 2015 is National Diabetes Week. Its aim is to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and the growing number of people who have it.

Learn, Respect and Celebrate

It’s NAIDOC week from 5 to 12 July 2015. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.

Bringing health to life

Medical Research Week takes place from 28 May to 5 June 2015. It celebrates Australia's contribution to health and medical research. This year's ASMR medallist is Dr Ashok Saluja.

It’s time to change it up

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated between 27 May and 3 June. It commemorates the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The theme for NRW 2015 is: It’s time to change it up.

Light, music and ideas

This year’s Vivid festival will run from 22 May until 8 June 2015 in Sydney. For 18 days the city will be transformed with light, music and ideas.

How to live?

The Sydney Writers’ Festival 2015 takes place from 18 to 24 May. It is an annual literary festival that includes author talks, conversations, film screenings, panels, readings, workshops and various events for children. This year’s theme is ‘How to live?’

Kiss Goodbye to MS

Kiss Goodbye to MS calls on people with multiple sclerosis (MS), their friends, family and colleagues to raise funds for research into a cure of the disease. During the month of May, MS Australia asks everyone to wear red lipstick and share the message with events throughout Australia.

100 years of Anzac

Anzac Day on 25 April is a national day of commemoration. It marks the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed in Gallipoli 1915. Anzac Day commemorations traditionally begin with dawn services around Australia and at important sites across the globe.