Public Holidays
2026 – We are closed on Public Holidays
Australia Day
Monday 26th January
Hobart Regatta
Monday 9th February
Eight Hour Day
Monday 9th March
Good Friday
Friday 3rd April
Easter Monday
Monday 6th April
ANZAC Day
Saturday 25th April
King’s Birthday
Monday 8th June
Hobart Show
Thursday 22th October
Support Groups
All Ostomates are invited to attend their nearest support group meetings held regularly around the state. These meetings are especially recommended for new ostomates, providing valuable support and information. These meetings can often have Stomal Therapy Nurses and/or company representatives in attendance to discuss the most up to date advice on new products and the latest medical developments. Refer below for dates and more details.
There are also All Cancer and Bowel Cancer support groups in Hobart – see details below.
World Ostomy Day recognised at Kingston
On Saturday 4th October Helen Dowd (Southern Support Group facilitator), and Tess Bonde (STN – District Nurses) plus fellow friend and ostomates very generously organised and staged an information and education table at the Kingston Channel Court Shopping Centre, with the help of some fellow ostomates – to help spread the word on World Ostomy Day.
Members of the public showing an interest were provided with information about what it means to be an ostomate and resources available to support. This is expected to the first of such education displays (to coincide with future Ostomy Days). A big thank you to Kingston Channel Court Shopping Centre for offering the space free of charge.
Ostomates Northern Support Group 2026
10 am – 12 noon: Legacy House, 59 York Street (entrance at the back of Elizabeth St Carpark).
Wednesday 4th March (contact Gwenda Larner 0412905647);
Wednesday 3rd June
Wednesday 2nd September
Ostomates North - West Support Group 2026
10 am – 12 noon: Ulverstone Bowls and Community Club, 41 Water St, Ulverstone. Contact Michelle Emin (STN) 0488 329210 for further information.
Wednesday 11th March,
Wednesday 10th June,
Wednesday 9th September
Wednesday 2nd December – Christmas Lunch
Ostomates South Support Group 2026
10 am – 12 noon: District Nurses Centre, 2 Birdwood Ave, Moonah. Contact Helen: 62396223 or 0416200452
Thursday 5th March;
Thursday 4th June;
Thursday 3rd September
Christmas Function Date & Venues 2025
South: Thursday 20th November; Cooleys Hotel, 45 Main Rd, Moonah, 12 for 12.30pm start – RSVP 15th November (Helen Dowd 62396223)
North: Friday 28th November; Olde Tudor Hotel, 229 Westbury Rd, Prospect (Gwenda Larner 0412905647)
North West: Thursday 27th November: Furners Hotel, 42 Reibey St, Ulverstone – RSVP 20th November please (Michelle Emin 0488 329210)
(12 noon – 3pm)
All Cancer Support Group
All Cancer Support group meetings are scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of every month – 2pm to 4pm, at 15 Princes St Sandy Bay. People can contact support services on 61691900 to register their interest, or Cancer Council helpline on 131120
All Cancer Support Group offers support and information for men and women (with or without ostomies) in Southern Tasmania who have been impacted by Colorectal (and other) Cancer.
Bowel Cancer Support Group
Bowel Cancer Support Group runs on the second Thursday of each month, 2 to 4 pm at the Southern Support Centre – 15 Princes St, Sandy Bay. Please call 61691900 to register your interest
MyState no longer accepts cheques
MyState Bank cheque issuing facility has changed. They no longer accept cheques drawn by their members (after November 29 2024). If you are inconvenienced by this policy we recommend those who currently bank MyState to consider the following: 1. Obtain a Money Order...
Ostomy Support Bears
If you are interested in purchasing an Ostomy Support Bear (particularly good for educating children with stomas) please contact Kelly Moss via details below (WA Ostomy). Kelly will happily post direct to you (at cost price only). This initiative is completely non...
Me+ Recovery program
The me+™ recovery series, provides information and support about the importance of movement and physical activity after ostomy surgery. Too many people are worried about harming themselves by doing physical activity, when in fact there are so many benefits to being...
ABC Spreads the word about Ostomates
Here is a link to a youtube short video from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Science) about someone with a stoma and Crohn's disease. Abbey's account is very empowering and informative. Please feel free to share with your friends and family...
Peer Support Champions!
Coloplast Ostomy Care now offer Peer Support in a new initiative. According to their promotional material... “Living with a stoma can bring unique challenges, and sometimes the best support comes from someone who has been there too. Our Peer Support Champions are...
National Stomal Therapy Week – June 22 – 28, 2026
More information at stomaltherapy.au/australian-stomal-therapy-week/ Ostomateship merchandise can be purchased from Redbubble, link: https://www.redbubble.com/people/AASTNmerch/shop?asc=u Here are the key messages: Living with a stoma is not just about adapting, it’s...
ACSA Ostomy Feedback Survey results
Click here to downloadOther NoticesOther
Sunflower Lanyard To Assist Travelling Ostomates
Pictured above Jessica (with friend Emma) demonstrates wearing the new SUNFLOWER lanyard now available to Ostomates who wish to travel interstate and overseas. The lanyard is available from all major Australian airports - whose staff are trained to recognise the...
Management Committee Meeting (and AGM)
The next AGM & Management Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept 3 2026 at 2pm, to be held in our office at St John Park. Company Representatives sometimes attend, so come along and check out their new appliances. All welcome. Click the link to download...
Survey for Ileostomates
Hydration and Ileostomy SURVEY LINK: https://redcap.link/ileostomyhydrate Living with an ileostomy can have significant impacts on a persons’ health and well-being. For example, ileostomates may be more likely to experience symptoms of dehydration. Over a long time,...