Deanne Minniecon, Group Executive, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement, has been appointed as an聽Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland (UQ).

This appointment is a wonderful recognition of Deanne’s more than 30-year career in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the significant contributions she has made across community, policy, leadership, research, teaching, and learning. It also acknowledges the valuable work Deanne has already undertaken with UQ and provides an opportunity for her to continue contributing to research, mentoring, teaching, and workforce development. 

For 芒果直播, this appointment creates opportunities to strengthen partnerships across the university sector and contribute to shaping future research, education, and workforce development. It helps ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, knowledge, and lived experiences continue to inform health research, education, and practice, while supporting the development of the next generation of health professionals and researchers.

This is a particularly meaningful appointment for Deanne, as it is her second Adjunct Associate Professor role alongside her existing position at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). It will enable her to further connect her work across community, policy and practice with the academic sector, helping to translate knowledge into improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Congratulations to Deanne on your well-deserved appointment.

Winter can mean cosy nights, comfort food, and the perfect excuse to stay under a blanket a little longer. But as the days start to stretch out and the weather warms up, spring brings a natural sense of fresh energy and new beginnings.

If you’ve found some healthy habits have drifted over the cooler months, you’re certainly not alone. The good news? You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul. A few small tweaks can help you feel more in control and make diabetes management feel a little easier.

Let spring do some of the heavy lifting

There’s a reason many of us feel more motivated at this time of year. Longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures can naturally boost your mood, help regulate your body clock, and motivate you to reconnect with routines that may have slipped during winter.

Rather than aiming for perfection, think of spring as an opportunity to check in with yourself. What’s working well? What could use a refresh? Even one or two small changes can make a meaningful difference over time.

Fresh season, fresh food

Spring delivers an abundance of colourful produce that can add variety and flavour to meals. Think crisp greens, asparagus, berries, and other seasonal favourites that are lower in carbohydrate and packed with nutrients and fibre.

Instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t eat, consider what extra salad leaves or spring veggies you can add to your plate. Spring is聽also a great time聽to try new recipes or lighter cooking methods using the latest, fresh produce.聽Get some inspiration from our recipe pages, or try these ideas:

Salmon and Spring Greens Salad Recipe | 芒果直播
Beef and Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe | 芒果直播
Spring Vegetable and Chicken Meatball Soup Recipe | 芒果直播

If you鈥檝e聽fallen into less healthy habits, such as聽mindless snacking or skipping meals,聽use the start of spring as an opportunity聽to reflect and reset.聽You can use聽a聽simple聽food聽diary聽or a diabetes-friendly app聽to聽help you stay accountable聽for your food intake. By聽tracking聽and recording聽any聽patterns, you can see聽what聽affects聽your blood聽glucose levels.聽You may not need to make drastic changes, but if聽you鈥檙e聽not sure,聽book a聽review聽with an or make an appointment at聽芒果直播鈥檚聽telehealth聽clinic.听听

Find ways to move that you actually enjoy

If your activity levels dropped during the colder months, the seasonal shift聽is the perfect time to get moving again. Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for diabetes management because it helps your muscles use glucose for energy, improves insulin sensitivity, and can lower your blood glucose levels. The effects may last for hours, depending on the type and intensity of your activity.听听

Adding more physical activity to your day doesn鈥檛 mean spending hours in a gym. The milder weather聽makes聽it easier to聽get outdoors聽to聽exercise. Walking,聽gardening,聽or gentle stretching in the sun becomes more enjoyable.聽Plus, you will get your daily dose of vitamin D (sun-protected, of course). A morning walk, gardening, cycling, or swimming laps at your local pool are all good options.

Why not invite your friends to join you? Socialising will also help support your mental wellbeing.  

The best form of exercise is often the one you’ll keep doing. Start small, build gradually, and focus on movement that fits naturally into your lifestyle. But be聽mindful of聽how exercise affects your blood glucose levels, especially if you take insulin.聽

If you鈥檙e older, have been inactive, or have other health conditions, please consult with your GP or health care team before embarking on a new exercise regimen. They can help you choose activities that are safe and appropriate for your fitness level.   

Give your diabetes gear a quick once-over

Just as many of us tackle a kitchen clean-out in spring, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your diabetes supplies.

Check medication and test strip expiry dates, make sure devices are working properly, and update any apps you regularly use. While聽you鈥檙e聽reviewing your聽equipment, review your glucose trends. If you’re using a continuous glucose monitor, this can also be a good opportunity to review your data and see if any patterns have emerged. Think of it as housekeeping for your health.

Check in with your wellbeing

Looking after diabetes isn’t just about blood glucose levels. It’s also about how you’re feeling.

Living with diabetes requires constant decision-making, and it’s normal to feel tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed at times. As you head into a new season, take a moment to reflect on your overall wellbeing and . Are you getting enough sleep? Feeling connected to family and friends? Making time for activities you enjoy? Sometimes the healthiest change isn’t adding another task to your day. It’s being a little kinder to yourself.

A season for small changes

Spring doesn’t have to mean a dramatic transformation. Sometimes the most effective changes are the simplest ones: taking a walk after dinner, trying a new recipe, booking a health check, or spending more time outdoors.

So rather than adding more to your to-do list, think about one small thing you could do to feel a little happier or more energised this season.

芒果直播 has been appointed to deliver the Commonwealth-funded Insulin Pump Program (IPP).

This announcement will see 芒果直播 deliver the program over the next 3 years on behalf of the Australian Government, ensuring continued access to life-changing diabetes technology for eligible young Australians living with type 1 diabetes.

The Insulin Pump Program was established by the Australian Government in 2008 and has been delivered by Breakthrough T1D Australia (formerly JDRF Australia) since its inception. Originally supporting children under 18 facing the greatest financial barriers to accessing insulin pump therapy, the program expanded in 2022 to include eligible young people up to 21 years of age following sustained advocacy by Breakthrough T1D and the type 1 diabetes community.

The program builds on more than 18 years of delivery by Breakthrough T1D Australia, which established and administered the IPP on behalf of the Australian Government from its inception in 2008.

The IPP provides fully subsidised insulin pumps to children and young people under the age of 21 who meet both financial and clinical eligibility criteria.

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said delivering the IPP further demonstrates the organisation鈥檚 commitment to supporting people living with diabetes.

鈥淎n insulin pump isn鈥檛 just a medical device, it can be a life saver,鈥� she said.

鈥溍⒐辈� is standing on the frontline of technology access by taking on the delivery of the IPP and we鈥檙e committed to doing so in the best interests of people living with diabetes.

鈥淏y removing significant upfront costs, this program improves access to pumps that would otherwise be financially out of reach for many families,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Insulin pump therapy plays a critical role in supporting improved blood glucose management and enhancing quality of life. It reduces the daily burden of diabetes management by minimising the need for multiple daily injections and enabling more flexible routines for children and their families.

鈥淚mportantly, the IPP helps reduce stress for families, allowing them to focus more on their child鈥檚 overall health and wellbeing.

鈥溍⒐辈� will ensure continuity of access for all existing participants throughout the transition period, with no disruption to current support arrangements,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Delivering the IPP reinforces 芒果直播鈥檚 commitment to improving outcomes and access to care for Australians living with diabetes, particularly children and young people who can benefit most from early access to advanced technology.

The program has a limited number of insulin pumps available each year, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a pump will be available at the time of application.  

Find out more here: /kids-and-teens/insulin-pump-program/

芒果直播, Australian聽Unity聽and Deakin University join forces to build a more complete picture of life with diabetes.聽

For the first time, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index will be used to build the most complete picture yet of how diabetes affects Australian鈥檚 lives beyond clinical outcomes and health system costs, thanks to a partnership聽between聽芒果直播,聽Deakin University, and the Australian Unity Support Foundation.听听

The partnership will explore a growing recognition that the true impact of diabetes is not fully captured by hospital visits, treatment costs, or clinical measures alone. 

Current estimates place the financial cost of diabetes to the health system at $9 billion year, but this measure just captures clinical settings.  

International studies indicate that at least one quarter of the impact happens outside of the health system, meaning the real impact to Australians living with diabetes may be vastly under-represented.  

Diabetes impacts beyond clinical management to include mental wellbeing, financial security, personal relationships, community connection and people鈥檚 ability to shape their own lives. 

And, with more than two million Australians living with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the effects extend to many corners of life.   

Now, the nation鈥檚 leading wellbeing index will produce the most comprehensive snapshot yet of diabetes鈥� wider impact, aiming to shift the conversation towards recognising whole-of-life impact rather than solely relying on health system interactions.   

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is a fixture on the national policy-making calendar, with this partnership bringing together the Australian Unity Support Foundation, 芒果直播, and Deakin University to deliver a landmark research project focused on the lived experience of diabetes.   

The partnership was formally launched at聽a聽forum in Melbourne聽today (Wednesday, 12 August), bringing together health leaders, researchers and people living with diabetes to examine what it means to live well with聽diabetes, where聽new聽research is聽needed聽and聽what health systems, services and policymakers can do to better support聽care and management outside of clinical settings.听听

The launch comes ahead of next weeks鈥� International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress in Melbourne, where researchers from Deakin University, the Australian Unity Support Foundation and 芒果直播 will introduce the initiative to an international health, research and lived-experience audience. 

Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Australian Unity, said the partnership would help build a more complete understanding of whether Australia鈥檚 health and support systems were working for people living with diabetes.  

鈥淲ellbeing isn鈥檛 a soft add-on to healthcare. It is one of the clearest ways we can understand whether care is improving people鈥檚 lives ,鈥� Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.  

鈥淔or more than twenty-five years Australian Unity has studied what helps Australians live well. By applying that evidence to the lived experience of people with diabetes, we can build a clearer picture of what people need and help shape better policy, services and support.鈥�  

Justine Cain, Group CEO, 芒果直播, said the partnership would give greater visibility to the unseen impact of living with diabetes.  

鈥淐linical measures such as glucose monitoring remain essential, but can鈥檛 tell us about the impact diabetes has on daily life,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淒iabetes care cannot be judged by clinical outcomes alone. If clinicians focus exclusively on HbA1c, weight or other clinical indicators without considering how people feel, function and live with their condition, they are not providing truly person-centred care. 

鈥淧eople living with diabetes can make up to 180 extra decisions a day, and they tell us the impact extends to their mental health, relationships, finances, work and sense of independence. This partnership puts those lived experiences at the centre of the evidence to help us better understand the real cost, and where change is needed,鈥� she said.  

Dr Kate Lycett of Deakin University said rigorous research would provide a pathway for lived experience to inform meaningful policy and practice.  

鈥淐ombining established wellbeing measures with the experiences of people living with diabetes will give us a much richer understanding of the condition鈥檚 impact,鈥� Dr Lycett said.  

鈥淒eakin鈥檚 role is to ensure the partnership is underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based research that can translate lived experience into meaningful improvements in policy, programs and services.鈥�  

People living with diabetes will contribute throughout the development of the research, including through 芒果直播鈥檚 Blue Circle Collective, to ensure the questions asked and the insights generated reflect real-world experiences and priorities.  

The partners intend for the research to contribute to future policy submissions, service design, advocacy and program development, with further details about the research methodology and timing to be announced as the program progresses. 

A new partnership between 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub will support Monash University to develop a primary care model to better detect and prevent type 2 diabetes in women living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). 

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal and metabolic condition affecting 1 in 8 women in Australia, with impacts on weight, mental health and wellbeing, skin and the reproductive system.  

Despite women living with the condition having a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, they often face challenges in diagnosis and prevention options in primary care settings. 

The project will pilot a new screening and management tool for women living with PMOS that integrates into existing general practice workflows, aiming to streamline identification, referrals to specialists and prevention programs including the Get Healthy Service administered by 芒果直播, as well as shared decision-making, into existing approaches to care.  

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said the project highlighted a significant gap in women鈥檚 health research, with PMOS a well-known risk factor that could help identify and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.  

鈥淲omen living with PMOS are four times more likely to develop diabetes over their lifetime. That鈥檚 a statistic we鈥檙e hoping to change through the development of better screening and prevention tools,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淧MOS, like diabetes, can be hard to diagnose, and affects hormonal balance for up to one in eight women. 

鈥淗istoric and ongoing research gaps in women鈥檚 health further complicate this challenge, meaning many women who are diagnosed with PMOS aren鈥檛 informed about their elevated diabetes risk, which is a real concern.  

鈥溍⒐辈� is excited to partner with Medibank and Monash University to deliver research that will drive real change in women鈥檚 health outcomes.鈥� 

Dr Shona Sundaraj, Group Medical Director at Medibank said the research is an opportunity to improve health outcomes for women. 

鈥淭oo many women living with PMOS are not informed about their elevated risk of type 2 diabetes until much later in their healthcare journey,鈥� Dr Sundaraj said. 

鈥淏y better supporting GPs to identify and manage this risk in their patients, we have an opportunity to intervene earlier and improve the long-term health outcomes for our patients.  

鈥淔or the women themselves, it鈥檚 about giving them the knowledge and tools to empower them in their health and healthcare.鈥� 

Monash University Centre for Health Research and Implementation lead investigator Dr Stephanie Cowan said the award would help advance primary care and screening tools that better cater for women鈥檚 health needs.  

鈥淭his funding gives us the opportunity to move beyond knowing what good care looks like for women with PMOS and actually build the systems and tools that make it possible in everyday practice,鈥� Dr Cowan said.  

鈥淏y embedding guideline-recommended screening and lifestyle support directly into GP workflows, this project will ensure that the millions of Australian women with PMOS who face a four-fold higher risk of type 2 diabetes are identified early and connected to care before that risk becomes reality.鈥� 

The project will start in July 2026 and operate until June 2028.  

A total of $230,000 will be invested, with contributions from 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub to support this important research led by Monash University. 

芒果直播 warmly welcomes Chief Health Officer Brett Fenton’s appointment as an Adjunct Clinical Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

This honorary appointment recognises Mr Fenton’s significant expertise and leadership across the diabetes and healthcare sectors, as well as his ongoing contribution to improving outcomes for people living with, or at risk of, diabetes.

The role further strengthens 芒果直播’s connection to academic and clinical research, supporting the organisation’s commitment to evidence informed practice, advocacy, and service delivery.

Through the appointment, 芒果直播 will benefit from closer engagement with contemporary research and emerging evidence, helping to build valuable partnerships and further strengthen its clinical leadership work 鈥� supporting its purpose to reduce the impact on people living with, or at risk of, diabetes.

Group CEO Justine Cain said 芒果直播 is proud of this well-deserved recognition.

“Brett’s appointment highlights his personal contribution to the diabetes sector, and the important role 芒果直播 plays in translating evidence into action for people living with or at risk of diabetes.

“We congratulate Brett on this significant achievement,” she said.

Mr Fenton said he was looking forward to building stronger connections between research, education and practice to help ensure the best available evidence informs 芒果直播’s work.

“Throughout my career, I have been passionate about ensuring that evidence translates into meaningful improvements in care, services and outcomes for people living with diabetes,” Mr Fenton said.

“I would like to thank Dr Shannon Lin and colleagues at UTS for their support, and acknowledge the many colleagues, consumers, researchers, clinicians and partners who continue to contribute to improving outcomes for people living with or at risk of diabetes,” he said.

New report shows free Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks are changing lives

Latrobe Health Services, a not-for-profit member-owned health fund, has partnered with the Shane Warne Legacy since 2023 and is proud to be the Legacy’s Founding Partner, supporting the delivery of free health checks to communities across Australia.

Together with Health Partner, 芒果直播, the partnership has supported Shane Warne Legacy to deliver free health checks across the country, raising awareness of cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks.

The Shane Warne Legacy Health Check program has brought more than 490,000 free, accessible health checks into places where people already go such as major sporting events, Priceline Pharmacies, workplaces and community events, making early action in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes easier.

Recent research commissioned by Latrobe Health, in collaboration with IPSOS, surveyed over 1,224 people aged 18 to 65 from diverse demographics and metro and regional locations, comparing those who have undergone health checks with those who have not.

The findings reveal critical insights into health literacy, motivations and behaviours surrounding the health checks.

Results of the research show:

• 85% of health check participants took action as a result of their health check

• 78% of health check participants felt more able to take proactive steps to prevent serious health issues (84% for those participants with a risk factor)

• 52% of health check participants believe the health check improved their health, with regional participants (60%) more likely to agree with this statement

• 39% of health check participants felt the health check was the single most important thing they had done for their health in 12 months, jumping to 43% for regional Australians and 45% for those with a risk factor

• 20% of health check participants booked an appointment with a healthcare provider

• 94% of participants would recommend the health check to others

Additionally, the research indicates that the vast majority (85%) of Shane Warne Legacy Health Check
participants went on to do something good for their health, from improving diet and increasing exercise to seeking medical advice. For those at higher risk, that number is significantly higher at 91%, with many taking more proactive steps such as booking follow-up appointments with their doctor or researching their health further.

As a not-for-profit health fund, Latrobe Health Services is all in on improving inclusivity and equity in healthcare, especially for those in rural and regional areas. Regional participants, in particular, valued the Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks as a practical solution where health services can be harder to reach.

The primary motivator for taking a health check was it being free, followed by curiosity about personal
health, particularly in regional areas where access to health information and services is often limited.
Regional participants demonstrated proactivity post-check, notably in improving diet and scheduling
follow-up health appointments.

鈥淭his research confirms what we鈥檝e always believed: when barriers to health screening are removed, people engage with the screening and act on their results. Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks are helping more Australians understand their health, act on potential risks sooner and take meaningful steps towards a healthier future,鈥� said Ian Whitehead, CEO of Latrobe Health Services.

鈥淭he outcomes for people taking advantage of the free health checks are clear 鈥� they only take five minutes and can spark positive changes in your life,鈥� added Whitehead.

The checks, conducted on SiSU Health Stations, are non-invasive, fast, and free. They include
measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), diabetes risk, and estimated heart age – crucial indicators of cardiometabolic health.

鈥淭his research confirms what we鈥檝e seen on the ground since day one. People don鈥檛 avoid their health
because they don鈥檛 care, they avoid it because it鈥檚 hard to access and harder to understand. Strip away those barriers and give people clear answers, and they act. That鈥檚 the whole idea behind Shane Warne Legacy, and these results tell us we鈥檙e just getting started,鈥� stated Rob Tassie, CEO of Shane Warne Legacy.

鈥淎lmost half a million health checks and counting. But the number that matters most to me is 85 per
cent, that鈥檚 how many people did something about their health as a result. That鈥檚 real impact, and it鈥檚
why we鈥檒l keep pushing to get these checks in front of more Australians,鈥� added Tassie.

鈥淪hane Warne Legacy Health Checks are a powerful tool in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and this
report demonstrates the powerful impact they are having in the community,鈥� said Justine Cain, Group
CEO of 芒果直播.

The Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks exemplify the critical importance of bringing healthcare to
where people are. With the right technology and partnerships, lives can be changed in mere minutes.

Thanks to support from Latrobe Health Services and 芒果直播, these life-changing health
checks are available for free across Australia, marking a new model for nationwide health intervention.

A free community event helping Central West communities learn more about diabetes, reduce their risk, and take positive steps towards better health.

芒果直播 is proud to be partnering with Triple M Central West on , a community health event designed to bring people together to learn more about diabetes, understand their personal risk, and access trusted health information in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The event is part of our broader partnership with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) through its flagship charity program, SCA Embrace, which helps amplify important conversations about diabetes and connect more Australians with accurate information and support.

Whether you’re living with diabetes, supporting a loved one, concerned about your risk, or simply interested in learning more about healthy living, this event offers an opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and connect with others in your community.

Why attend?

Diabetes affects millions of Australians, with that number growing every day. In fact, every five minutes someone in Australia is diagnosed with the condition. Increasing awareness of diabetes risk factors, symptoms, prevention, and management is critical to improving health outcomes and helping people live well.

At The Diabetes Connection, attendees will:

1. Hear from a Registered Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator for an engaging Q&A session
2. Learn more about diabetes risk factors, prevention, and everyday management
3. Access practical information and tools to support your health journey
4. Connect with local health and wellbeing organisations
5. Plus, lots more

A partnership creating healthier communities

Through 芒果直播’s partnership with SCA and the Triple M network, we’re reaching more Australians with trusted information about diabetes and helping communities take action earlier. Together, we’re working to improve understanding of diabetes, reduce stigma, and ensure people have access to the support and information they need.

Events like The Diabetes Connection play an important role in bringing these conversations directly into local communities, making it easier for people to learn about their health and take positive steps towards prevention and management.

Event details

Date: Thursday 13 August 2026

Time: 9am 鈥� 12pm

Location: Orange

Attendance: Limited to 80 guests

Register your interest

Places are limited, so we encourage community members to register their interest as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Orange!

To learn more about the 芒果直播 and SCA partnership, click here.

Aussies living with diabetes have again claimed medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games overnight (Australian time), with Blue Circle Collective Ambassador Lara McSpadden鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Gangurrus victorious in the 3×3 basketball tournament.   

Defeating Uganda 21-11 in the final, McSpadden played a key role in a dominant team result, claiming gold for Australia, and headlining four Aussie medals across basketball.    

Competing in elite basketball while living with type 1 diabetes, McSpadden spoke about her life in sport as part of National Diabetes Week 2026 earlier this month.  

Joining the Living Out Loud campaign, she shared what she wished people knew about life with diabetes.  

“I wish people knew you can represent Australia with diabetes.鈥� 

芒果直播 has congratulated McSpadden on her achievement, which shows that diabetes is no barrier to elite team sport on the world stage.    

National Diabetes Week was held from 12-18 July, and also featured fellow Commonwealth Games athlete, and now fastest man in Australian history and 100m silver medallist, Lachie Kennedy.   

Find out more about the 2026 National Diabetes Week theme here: /national-diabetes-week/ 

The National Diabetes Services Scheme has recently issued an regarding the discontinuation of the Guardian System (4) Transmitter (NDSS Code 985) from 1 September 2026. The Guardian System 4 Transmitter will still be available for those who use the MiniMed 780G insulin pump system with Guardian Link (4) and will no longer be approved for standalone use with the Guardian app.

Support is available during this transition for people who currently rely on the Guardian System (4) as their continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. 

芒果直播 remains committed to supporting people living with diabetes through technology changes and ensuring access to reliable information, education and guidance. We encourage anyone affected by this change to begin planning early and to seek advice from their diabetes healthcare team to support a smooth transition before 1 September 2026. 

For further information, contact:

NDSS Helpline:聽1800 637 700聽

Medtronic Australia:聽1800 668 670聽