Did you know that when children aged nine to eleven were asked to draw a scientist two-thirds drew a man? Or, did you know that around only one-third of girls in year 4 were confident in their maths ability, compared to 42 per cent of boys in year 4?

Every day, 44,000 locals travel from the Coast to their place of work. For many of these commuters, a 4-hour round-trip is not uncommon.

The Turnbull-Morrison Government have made sure Australian schools are $17 billion worse off, with major funding cuts to education ushered in in 2017. This reduced funding directly affects Central Coast schools, and the impact doesn’t stop after graduating Year 12.

This week is Women’s Health Week – a week dedicated to encouraging and supporting all women to prioritise their pursuit of good health. And, when we’re talking about good health we mean health in a holistic manner – one that encompasses physical, social and mental wellbeing. Mental health demands attention and often its experience can be gendered.

How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror, or catch your reflection in a window as you pass by, and suddenly your head fills with negative chatter? Perhaps, your eyes are drawn to that “problem spot”; almost like there’s a flashing neon sign pointing out your insecurity for all to see. We’re often quick to spot our own insecurities, and they’re different for everyone.

In 2017, Australian schools became $17 billion worse off under the Turnbull-Morrison Government. Locally, Brisbane Water Secondary College campuses at Umina and Woy Woy suffered the brunt of this, with a staggering $1.8 million wiped from their budget.

“I’d like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples. I pay my respects to the Elders both past and present. I also recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, and continuing relationship with the lands, and that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession.

Today [2 June 2018] is World Eating Disorders Action Day. This year’s theme is to break the stigma that surrounds eating disorders. Despite the enlightened times where we feel okay to ask RUOK?, there is still incredible stigma around mental health and particularly around eating disorders.