Ep. 99 Quit Smoking, start an NGO
Welcome to Nursing Australia Episode 99! Today we speak with Quit Centre about vaping and smoking and then we meet Kate Holliday, the founder & CEO of the Centre for Community-Driven Response (CCDR).

The latest Nursing Australia News (02:05) Vaping cancer, healthcare affordability, measles alert, and Top-end ambulance crisis.

Segment 1: QUIT IT (04:35) Quit smoking campaigns have been running Australia-wide since the 80s. While smoking rates remain a concern, among Australians under 35, vaping has now overtaken smoking. Now, Quit Centre is reaching out to nurses to help join the fight against both. Cora Mayer and Stacey Ridley from Quit Centre say nurses, esp those in GP settings, can make a real difference when it comes to patients kicking the habit for good - even a brief advice conversation is known to be a trigger for prompting a person to make a quit attempt.

Segment 2: Start an NGO (14:45) Kate Holliday is an interesting type - she's a nurse-come-CEO of a large non-profit. As she explains it, if she sees something that’s able to be done better, especially if it helps others, then she can't look the other way... she’s gotta do something about it. This is what led to her starting CCDR and it becoming the successful international NGO it is today. Kate’s idea was to develop more patient-centric research that would see patient experiences included in health policy. The Centre for Community-Driven Response started in 2012 and now has registered offices in Switzerland, the UK, and of course, Australia.

HANDY LINKS:

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026

SERCO DEFENCE RTO

QUITCENTRE

CCDR - Centre for Community Driven Response

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Lifestyle health is back in focus. In this March episode of Nursing Australia, we explore two pillars of preventative care, movement and nutrition.

Nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan joins us to break down the science of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), debunk heating myths, and explain how to choose the right olive oil for maximum health benefit.

Then, Heart Foundation representative Elizabeth Calleja discusses why Australians aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines — and shares practical tools nurses can use to start meaningful exercise conversations with patients.

Evidence-based, practical and highly relatable — this is lifestyle medicine made simple.

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:00) Bulk-billing boom, universal respiratory vax, and weight-loss drugs on the rise.

Segment 1: What is EVOO (06:50) Is olive oil really healthy once it’s heated? And what actually makes extra virgin olive oil different? Nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan unpacks the myths, explains the science behind EVOO, and shares practical advice on choosing and using olive oil for maximum cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits.

Segment 2: Get Moving (29:20) Australians are falling short of recommended physical activity levels — and it’s impacting long-term health outcomes. Elizabeth Calleja from the Heart Foundation joins us to explain why movement matters, how much is enough, and the practical tools available to help nurses confidently support patients in becoming more active.

HANDY LINKS:

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026

DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)

HEART FOUNDATION - WALKING

EVOO

The Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA)

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide and mental distress. If you feel affected, support is available. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or reach out to a trusted health professional.

Welcome to 2026. This episode is all about men’s health, with an emphasis on mental health.

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:45) Primary care boost, PHC Nurses Day, hospital funding deal

Segment 1: A Chance for Change (05:43)

A chance for Change. Thats the name of a grassroots organisation that wants to break apart the stigma that stops so many of us from opening up and talking about how we’re feeling. A change for change was started by a bunch of blokes – a bunch of tradies and a decade later its still going strong. One of the organisation’s directors, Nathan speaks with Leith and I from a personal and organisational perspective, and he shares some alarming stats.

Segment 2: The Pollie who couldn't talk to a doctor (22:15)

Dan Repacholi is a member for Hunter in NSW and Special Envoy for Men's Health. A few years ago, Dan was too embarrassed to speak with anyone - especially a doctor - about his weight. Dan says too many men forgo seeing a doctor out of feeling embarrassed, not knowing how to talk about an issue, or because they're under the impression that they need to be “tough” and just move on. Dan finally did see his dr and since then his health has changed dramtically. For nearly a year, Dan’s been on a mission to make it more normal for men to talk openly about their health to each other, their family members and their doctors. Dan is an MP, former tradie, olympian, father and husband.

Handy Links:

Lifeline - 131114

Beyond Blue - 1300224636

A Chance for Change

A Chance for Change - instagram

A Chance for Change - Facebook

Dan Repacholi - Instagram

Dan Repacholi - Facebook

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026

DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)

Heart Foundation Walking

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger