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With many of our local community diagnosed with cancer in the past few years, we know the importance of a local regional centre to guide and support not only those diagnosed but their families and carers too.

Our Great Southern Hub in Albany offers a warm, home-like environment with gardens, ample natural light, and open spaces. This non-clinical setting provides a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to five self-catering accommodation units, our Great Southern Hub has support services, education programs and a Wellbeing Centre, which aim to lessen the impact of cancer within the community, as well as raise awareness of the importance of cancer support and prevention in Albany and the Great Southern region.

At our official opening Cancer Council WA CEO, Ashley Reid, explained that our Great Southern Hub has been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of brother and sister, John and Joan Street.

“John Street was a Perth businessman who left a substantial gift in his Will to Cancer Council WA in memory of his sister Joan who died of throat cancer,” Mr Reid said.

He was a genuine hardworking person who avoided the limelight but wanted some lasting good to be done with his money. John was very clear that he wanted the funds to go towards facilities for palliative care.

Services, programs and events in Albany and at the Great Southern Hub

Our Great Southern Hub has a strong home-like, non-clinical environment with gardens, plenty of light and space that provides a warm and welcoming space. The premises offers tranquil, calm and peaceful surroundings for people going through challenging times.

We have five self-serviced, fully furnished accommodation units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. There are two types of accommodation available: Palliative Care Support Accommodation and The Holiday Break Program.

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At Cancer Council WA, we understand that a cancer diagnosis can have an enormous impact on anyone affected by cancer – we’re here for carers, friends and family too.

For those living in the Great Southern region, we offer a unique regional cancer support service, based in Albany, to provide emotional support, local information and services, as well as guidance if you are travelling to Perth for treatment.

Our Cancer Support Coordinator has a health professional background and extensive knowledge of local cancer related services and resources, and can provide:

  • Emotional support and accurate information for anyone affected by cancer.
  • An opportunity to have a confidential discussion to ensure information and support is tailored to your personal needs.
  • Referrals to a variety of free professional services.

To enquire about availability and to make a booking please contact Silvia Laing
Email: Silvia Laing, Cancer Support Coordinator, Silvia.Laing@cancerwa.asn.au
Phone: 0475 554 133
Available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

If you require further support, you can call one of our cancer nurses on 13 11 20, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

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Women’s Circle, Albany:
Every 2nd Thursday of the month, 1:30-3:30pm, at 47 Grey St East, Albany. There is no need to book, just walk in. First Women’s Circle for 2025 starts on 13th February.

Our women’s circle provides a safe space where women impacted by cancer, or supporting someone with cancer, can experience:

  • emotional support, reassurance and understanding.
  • an opportunity to share experiences and express feelings in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment.
  • learn coping skills in a safe environment.
  • an increased sense of control.
  • increased avenues for information and resources.

Community Gathering, Albany:
Every 4th Thursday of the month, 1:30-3:30pm, at 47 Grey St East, Albany. Bookings are limited to so please register your interest with our Cancer Support Coordinator: Silvia.Laing@cancerwa.asn.au or 0475 554 133. This group is open to everyone in our community and offers opportunities to hear from guest speakers and/or participate in arts & craft activities. Nominations for presenters and topics are encouraged.

  • Thursday 27th February 2025:  Advanced Care Planning Workshop
    Run by Irene Montefiore and Silvia Laing. Advance care planning is the process of planning for your current and future health care.  It involves talking about your values, beliefs and preferences with your loved ones and doctors.  This helps them support your wishes, when you can’t advocate for yourself.

Life Now: exercise and meditative courses:

Exercise and meditative courses are an important part of supportive cancer care. Research shows that these activities can help to reduce stress and anxiety and improve quality of life for people affected by cancer.

Our Life Now Program offers introductory Exercise, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mindful Art, Tai Chi and Yoga courses at locations across Western Australia and online.

For details of all upcoming Life Now courses, please see our event calendar. To receive Life Now program updates, please subscribe to the Life Now mailing list by emailing lifenow@cancerwa.asn.au.

Containers for Change

Choose Cancer Council WA as your charity of choice when recycling

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Our cancer education sessions are an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about cancer and how to prevent it and detect it early.  These sessions are available free of charge to all groups such as primary, secondary and tertiary education, businesses, community groups and more.  View all topics covered in sessions.

To enquire about availability and to make a booking please contact Bruce Beamish
Email: Bruce Beamish, Regional Education Officer, Bruce.Beamish@cancerwa.asn.au
Phone: 0488 031 113
Available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

CCWA REO Bruce Beamish regional education   632x430

Thanks to the addition of a wonderful team of new volunteers, Cancer Council WA has opened a new Wellbeing Centre at our Great Southern Hub in Albany.

Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and are increasingly considered an important part of supportive care, that helps people address a wide range of challenges beyond medical treatment or cancer. They aim to improve general wellbeing, quality of life and can help people to cope with the side effects of cancer.

Modalities available include Reflexology, Massage, Reiki, and Healing Touch, and are available for guests staying out our Great Southern Hub as well as those impacted by cancer in the local community, which includes carers and adult family members.  Modalities are available only on the days those specific volunteer therapists are available.

Please note that a medical history form will need to be completed by all clients on their first visit.

Medical signoff is only required from your doctor prior to any body massage treatment.  Please have this form completed and signed off prior to arriving for your appointment.

To enquire about availability and to make a booking please contact the centre
Phone: 08 6187 5373
Available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

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Volunteers enhance, enrich and extend the programs and services offered by Cancer Council WA.  We cannot thank our volunteers enough for all their time, passion and expertise they share with our community.  Tackling cancer takes all of us.  If you would like to make a difference, or would like to know more about volunteering your time for Cancer Council WA, check out our volunteer page.

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Contact Great Southern Hub

Address: 47 Grey St East, Albany, WA, 6330
Office: email Deirdre.Whiston@cancerwa.asn.au  or call 08 6389 7853
Cancer Support Coordinator: email Silvia.Laing@cancerwa.asn.au  or call 0475 554 133
Regional Education Officer: email Bruce.Beamish@cancerwa.asn.au or call 08 6389 7855
Holiday Break Accommodation: email AlbanyReservations@cancerwa.asn.au  or call 08 6389 7853
Wellbeing Centre: call 08 6187 5373

Need more support call one of our cancer nurses on 13 11 20, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Images thanks to Ann & Tom Photography Videography

Services available in Perth for all West Australians