Injury Matters

Bunbury - Preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs workshop
2025-02-21 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Perth) | South West Sports Centre, 1 Rotary Avenue, Hay Park, Bunbury, Western Australia, 6230, Australia
Regional Bunbury – Preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs workshop
Are you an allied health professional working with older adults?
As trusted healthcare providers, allied health professionals play a crucial role in supporting older adults and are well-positioned to identify and support those at risk of alcohol-related harm.
Alcohol is one of Australia’s most widely used drugs, with Australian adults aged over 50 consuming alcohol more regularly than any other age group. In addition to drinking more frequently, older adults are at greater risk of harm from alcohol due to physiological differences in how older adults metabolise alcohol and the presence of other co-morbidities.
Injury Matters, in collaboration with Professor Robert Ali and Professor Steve Allsop, are delivering this FREE workshop to equip allied health professionals in the South West with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and address alcohol and other drug (AoD) risks in their older adult clients/patients.This in-person workshop will focus on the application of the ASSIST-Lite (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) and how to effectively utilise the tool with older adults. The ASSIST-Lite is a world-renowned evidence-based tool that supports a comprehensive approach to identifying and supporting individuals at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs. It is vital that older adults at heightened risk of alcohol and other drug use are supported to access specialised support and therefore this workshop will provide information and resources to support allied health professionals to ensure that older adults are empowered to access the support that they need.
Following the workshop participants will:
• Recognise their role in identifying older adults at risk of alcohol and other drug harm and the importance of referring them to appropriate services.
• Have an increased knowledge about the significance of conducting AoD screenings using the ASSIST-Lite tool.
• Be skilled in applying the ASSIST-Lite screening tool effectively with older adults.
• Have an increased confidence to conduct AoD screenings.
• Be confident to make referrals to local support services when necessary.
Presenter profiles:
Professor Robert Ali
Associate Professor Robert Ali AO MBBS FAFPHM FAChAM is one of Australia’s leading alcohol and other drug clinician-researchers. Dr. Ali has extensive knowledge of the ASSIST-lite tool and is very experienced in training health professionals on how to use it.
Professor Steve Allsop
Professor Allsop has a strong background in workforce development having been director of Clinical Education in two state government AoD services and as Director of a National workforce development centre of excellence. He has also worked on projects focusing on alcohol and the ageing population, notably supervising an influential PhD in this domain.

Register Here
Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.
By attending these workshops you can play a vital role in reducing the risk of harm to older adults.
If this location and/or dates do not meet your availability, additional metropolitan workshops are also available. For more information click here.
These workshops are delivered by Injury Matters, thanks to funding provided by Healthway.

Recognising and Responding to Elder Abuse in Older Adults Webinar
2025-03-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Elder abuse is a serious public health and social issue, estimated to effect 1 in 6 older adults in Western Australia. It can take many forms, including financial, social, physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse, and neglect, and can occur in a range of different settings. Elder abuse can have ongoing health impacts on an individual, such as physical injury, poor mental health and increased risk of premature entry into residential aged care.
As with many forms of abuse, it can be difficult for an individual experiencing elder abuse to speak out. It is vital that health and community professionals working with older adults in WA carry the skills to recognise and respond to elder abuse to ensure the safety of their clients and provide support to make informed decisions about their ongoing safety and wellbeing.
Join Injury Matters, with guest facilitator, Wendy Bennett, from Advocare, for the ‘Recognising and Responding to Elder Abuse in Older Adults’ online workshop, where we will explore:

Elder abuse and its impact on older adults
How to recognise and respond to elder abuse
Options for clients experiencing elder abuse
The Elder Abuse Protocol and 5-step approach for action against elder abuse
Department of Health and WA Country Health Services guidelines
Elder abuse policy and procedure for organisations (established / planned)
Advocare and how they can assist you

This webinar is for anyone working with older adults, including home care service providers, carers and support workers, community workers, and health and allied health professionals. This webinar will not be recorded, don’t miss out, register your spot today!
Register Here

Understanding Social Frailty and its Association with Falls Webinar
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Social Frailty is an emerging, multifaceted concept defined as a continuum of being at risk of losing or having already lost social resources, social behaviours, social activities, and self-management abilities necessary to fulfill basic social needs. It is a significant predictor to physical frailty and psychological decline. Social Frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes such as falls, disability and even mortality.
Join Injury Matters, with guest presenters Dr Manonita Ghosh and Dr Hien Thi Nguyen, from ECU for the “Understanding Social Frailty and its Association with Falls” webinar, where we will explore:

An overview of social frailty
Key risk factors and outcomes of social frailty
Measurable indicators of social frailty such as the SAGE Social Frailty Index.

This webinar is for anyone working with older adults such as home care providers, carers, and support workers, health and allied health professionals and local government officers. It is also suitable for clinicians and researchers who want to gain an understanding of the SAGE Social Frailty Index.
Register here

Applying a Family and Domestic Violence Informed Lens Training
2025-05-06 09:00 - 16:00 | Bendat Parent & Community Centre, 36 Dodd Street, Wembley, WA, 6014, Australia
Family and Domestic Violence is a serious public health issue that affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men in Australia. Education and training play a crucial role in preventing family and domestic violence. This full-day course equips professionals with key knowledge and considerations when working with people impacted by family and domestic violence. This training provides professionals with the first step to develop as family and domestic violence informed practitioners.
Join Injury Matters, with guest presenter Kate Jeffries from Stopping Family Violence, for the “Applying a Family and Domestic Violence Informed Lens” full-day training, where we will explore:

Family and domestic violence and coercive control
Gendered drivers of family and domestic violence
Drivers of violence against Aboriginal women and children
How to avoid victim-blaming language and mutualising
Family and domestic violence myths, gender bias and assumptions
The intersections of family and domestic violence with mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and homelessness
Family and domestic violence informed documentation
Collaboration and referral pathways

Injury Matters is delivering this workshop in partnership with Stopping Family Violence (SFV), the peak body for domestic and family violence perpetrator response in WA. SFV works across training, research, policy, and advocacy and drives change by supporting governments and community sectors to build effective service systems that create safety for all victim-survivors.
Who should attend.
This workshop is suitable for all professionals who come in contact with family and domestic violence in their role when supporting people. This can include, local government officers, safety and community development officers, health promotion professionals, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug advocates, people working within the education sector and childcare workers.
Register here

Building Trust and Engaging Multicultural Communities in Injury Prevention Programs and Services Webinar
2025-06-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Join Injury Matters on 18 June 2025 from 10:00am-11:00am (AWST), with guest speaker Henrietta Podgorska from Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services, for the “Building Trust and Engaging Multicultural Communities in Injury Prevention Programs and Services” webinar.
Western Australia (WA) has a rapidly increasing multicultural population, made up of a variety of different communities, each with their own unique identity and experiences. WA has the largest proportion of residents born outside of Australia, where 38% of Western Australians were born overseas. Cultural, social and psychological impacts on health may increase the prevalence of injury among multicultural communities. That is why effective strategies are needed to prevent injury, ones that engage and build trust amongst the community.
This webinar will explore:

Overview of multicultural communities in WA
Injury risk factors, protective factors and, and social determinants that impact multicultural communities accessing injury prevention programs and health services
Importance of partnerships and a collaborative approach when engaging with multicultural communities
Engaging with the multicultural community and practical tips for effective communication and engagement
A case study of the development and implementation of a multicultural injury prevention program

Who should attend:
Local Government workers, Community Development workers, WA Metro and Country Health Services, Not-for-profits and Community services organisations, Healthcare and Allied Health professionals, Public Health and Health Promotion professionals
Cost: FREE
Register here:

Preventing Falls and Building Communities: A Local Government Approach
2025-06-24 10:00 - 11:15 | Online
Local governments play a significant role in developing, coordinating and delivering injury prevention, safety policies and programs in their local area. Local governments’ responsibility for health can include encouraging: health promotion behaviours, opportunities for social connection and recreational participation to increase and maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
Falls are a significant public health issue in Western Australia. 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 fall each year. Falls can have a real impact on an individual’s life that can lead to a loss of independence and confidence, increased concerns of falling and difficulty doing daily tasks.
Falls are preventable, and there are many strategies that local governments can implement to prevent falls in older adult community members.
Join Injury Matters on Tuesday, 24 June 10:00 am (AWST) for the “Preventing Falls and Building Communities: A Local Government Approach” webinar, where we will explore:

What role local governments have in falls prevention.
Case studies of falls prevention programs that local governments have implemented in their community.
Advice and insights for other local governments looking to plan and deliver their own falls prevention program.
How local governments can align falls prevention programs to their Public Health Plans.

Who should attend?
Local Government workers, Health Promotion Officers, Community Development Officers, and Regional and Metropolitan Health Services.
Cost: FREE
Register here

Active Balance for Falls Prevention Workshop
2025-06-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Bendat Parent & Community Centre, 36 Dodd Street, Wembley, WA, 6014, Australia
Balance is the ability to maintain stable and controlled body positions in every day movements- whether it is walking, bending over to put shoes on, driving a car or grocery shopping. Older adults who have impaired balance are at greater risk of experiencing a fall. By improving balance we not only promote independence for older adults but we can also prevent falls. Join Injury Matters’ Stay On Your Feet® program for a half- day workshop “Active Balance for Falls Prevention”.
This program is specifically designed for fitness professionals who work with older adults. Upskill, and discover what you can do to prevent falls amongst your clients. This workshop will go over:

What a fall is and why it is important to try to prevent them.
How the ageing process and other health conditions impact on falls risk.
What is normal and abnormal gait, balance, strength, and flexibility and how these may impact on falls risk.
How to identify falls risk and implement safety during exercise.
What recommended falls prevention and exercise strategies are and how to implement them.
Where to find falls prevention resources and help.

Who should attend?
The workshop is aimed at exercise specialists, fitness and exercise professionals, therapy assistants, allied health assistants, nurses and anyone who wants to learn more about exercises to prevent falls in older adults.
Cost: $30 (including GST)
FREE for university and TAFE students
FREE for AUSactive members (please email info@stayonyourfeet.com.au for the code)
If you are an AUSactive member, you can receive 2 CEC points for completing this training.
Register here:

Shared Vision: Falls Prevention for Community Eye Health Practitioners
2025-07-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
As people age, it is common for their visual function to decrease. However, this is associated with an increased risk of falling, with older adults with vision impairments being twice as likely to fall than older adults without vision loss. Eye care practitioners play an important role in falls prevention among older adults in the community, with opportunities for collaboration and referral.
This is especially true in rural Western Australia, with a rural workforce shortage and higher rates of eye conditions experienced among Australians living rurally than non-rural residents.
Join Injury Matters, with guest speaker Jingyi Chen from the University of Western Australia, for the “Shared Vision: Falls Prevention for Community Eye Health Practitioners” webinar on Tuesday, 8 July 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (AWST), where we will explore:

The link between vision and falls in older adults
The role Eye Care Practitioners have in falls prevention among older adults
How to incorporate falls screening into standard community consultations with older adults
The importance of access to rural eye care in preventing falls among older adults
Referral pathways and opportunities for collaboration between eye care providers

Who should attend?
Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Eye Care Practitioners working with older adults, Eye Care Practitioners who work in rural and regional WA.
Register here

Let’s Connect at the Ageing Well Expo Perth 2025!
2025-07-11 - 2025-07-12 | Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21, Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The Stay On Your Feet® team is passionate about helping you live your best life through providing information on falls prevention and healthy, active ageing.
Your health, independence, and quality of life matter, and we’re here to support you through sharing our valuable resources.
Come and have a chat with us at this annual two-day event where you are encouraged to prepare for the future and age well with confidence, and we’ll provide information on proven ways to Stay On Your Feet®.
Perth Ageing Well Expo:
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July, 2025
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Location: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Register for free tickets through Humanitix at: Perth Ageing Well Expo
For further information head to the official Perth Ageing Well Expo website.

Preventing Falls in Older Australians: Applying the Updated National Guidelines in Practice Webinar
2025-07-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Hosted in partnership between the CRE in the Prevention of Fall Related Injuries, The Australia New Zealand Falls Prevention Society and Injury Matters, this informative webinar will introduce the newly released Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines (2025), developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. These comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines provide best practice recommendations for preventing falls in hospitals, residential aged care, and community care settings.
This session will offer an overview of the updated guidelines, their development and discuss their application across various care environments. Participants will hear from contributors involved in the development of the guidelines and gain insights into person-centred strategies to reduce falls risk and support healthy ageing.
Whether you work in health care, aged care, or community services, this webinar will enhance your knowledge and confidence in supporting older Australians to prevent falls and maintain their independence.
Date: Wednesday, 16th of July 2025
Time: 11:00 am (AWST), 1:00 pm (AEST)
Register here

Referring with confidence: Navigating WA’s alcohol and other drug service referral pathways webinar
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Hosted in partnership between Injury Matters and WANADA, this informative webinar will increase your understanding of what support services are available for people who are at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs in WA.
Delivered by experts from WANADA and local Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS), this lunchtime session will increase your awareness of how local alcohol and other drug support services are structured, your knowledge of how you can refer at-risk clients to local support services and your understanding of what support is available for clients at varying levels of risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs.
Date: Thursday, 21st August 2025
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
No matter if you are an allied health professional, clinician, support worker or concerned community member, we all have a role to play in ensuring Western Australians at-risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs receive support when they need it.
Register for this free webinar today
