By Lina Perez
Following an initial session to connect with workers from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, the national hepatitis telehealth service HepLink Australia‘s community outreach program in South Australia is expanding into regional SA this spring, bringing vital liver health education directly to local communities.
The successful pilot session was delivered in partnership with The Salvation Army, SHINE SA, Relationships Australia, and the Australian Refugee Association and the same partnership approach was adopted in reaching out to regional centres.
In addition, by pairing culturally-tailored community sessions with direct engagement with frontline pharmacists, the goal is clear: ensure mobile workforce and regional communities have direct access to culturally safe information, viral hepatitis awareness, and clear pathways to care through HepLink.
Learning and Connection in Port Augusta
What happens when community organisations, local government, employers, and health educators join forces? A great evening of learning and connection!
On 14 October, following coordination between Hepatitis SA, The Salvation Army, local Approved Employers: Career Employment Group, Inc. and Blu By Adcorp, and the Port Augusta Council, Hepatitis SA-HepLink Australia hosted an after-hours Liver Health & Blood-Borne Viruses session in Port Augusta.
The response exceeded all expectations, with 70 PALM workers attending from six island nations and territories: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.
Rather than the usual ‘lecture’, the session was designed to be highly interactive so as to bridge language and cultural barriers. From movement icebreakers and trivia to lively “Yes/No” quiz games with prizes, energy remained high throughout the evening. Key topics covered included:
- Liver function and the ABCs of viral hepatitis.
- Prevention, vaccination, testing, and treatment options for Hepatitis B and cure for Hepatitis C.
- Overcoming stigma, discrimination, and understanding safe disclosure.
Strengthening Regional Pharmacy Frontlines
While in Port Augusta and Whyalla, Hepatitis SA-HepLink Australia also focused on empowering local healthcare providers by visiting community pharmacies to deliver the Hepatitis C Pharmacist Support Toolkit developed by HepLink Australia and the Burnet Institute.
Connecting directly with local pharmacists, helps build stronger referral networks and ensuring primary health workers are equipped to support clients seeking Hepatitis C testing or treatment pathways in regional hubs.
Additionally, key groundwork was laid during a meeting with the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) in Whyalla to schedule dedicated multicultural liver health and viral hepatitis community health presentations in early 2027.
Interactive Wellness Bingo in Murray Bridge
The momentum continued back on the road on 23 October, with a Liver Health & Wellness Bingo session which we hosted at the AMRC in Murray Bridge alongside Rosa AMRC Community Services Office, Rosa. Thirteen PALM workers from Fiji had a fun and learning-filled evening.
The bingo format created a relaxed, open environment to address sensitive topics such as safe sex, transmission risks, hepatitis B management and treatment, and the cure for hepatitis C. Participants actively engaged with the content, with many taking photos of presentation slides to share directly with family members and peers back home.
Looking Ahead—Limestone Coast in December
These regional sessions have highlighted a strong appetite for engaging, accessible health information across South Australia. Building on this success, Hepatitis SA–HepLink Australia is preparing for its next regional trip to the Limestone Coast in December 2026, where we look forward to continuing our interactive community education, multicultural outreach, and pharmacy partnerships.
Last updated 10 November 2026
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