Prevention World Menopause Day Lunch 2025

On Saturday, 18 October on World Menopause Day, women from across Australia gathered at Sydney’s beautiful Shangri-La Hotel for an inspiring and educational afternoon — the Prevention Women’s Menopause Day Lunch.

Hosted by: Prevention Australia
Presented by: Channel 9’s Shelley Craft
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Expert Panel:

Clinical psychologist Leanne Mulheron, Dr Ceri Cashall Specialist GP,  Editor Prevention Australia Zoe Meunier, TV presenter Shelley Craft, Skincare Expert Vanessa Gray Lyndon, Dr Gabrielle Staniforth Specialist GP.

Finding Strength in Change: Inside the Prevention World Menopause Day Lunch with Shelley Craft

On Saturday, 18 October on World Menopause Day, women from across Australia gathered at Sydney’s beautiful Shangri-La Hotel for an inspiring and educational afternoon — the Prevention Women’s Menopause Day Lunch.

Hosted by Prevention Australia and presented by Channel 9’s Shelley Craft, this special event brought together leading experts and an audience of women eager to learn, connect, and celebrate this next chapter of life.

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming — filled with laughter, conversation, and a strong sense of community. Guests enjoyed a delicious, healthy lunch, a goodie bag valued at over $500, and lucky door prizes throughout the day. But more importantly, everyone left feeling more informed, more supported, and more empowered to take charge of their menopause journey.

Breaking the Silence Around Menopause

For too long, menopause has been a topic women are expected to “push through” quietly. The Prevention Women’s Menopause Day Lunch flipped that narrative on its head — offering real, practical guidance from medical experts, psychologists, dietitians, and wellness professionals.

The expert panel encouraged women to see this stage not as an ending, but as an opportunity to understand their bodies, redefine priorities, and step into a new phase of vitality.

What the Experts Shared

Dr. Ceri Cashall & Dr. Gabrielle Staniforth – General Practitioners

Both GPs emphasized that no woman should suffer in silence. If symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, or mood swings are disrupting daily life, it’s time to find solutions to your menopause symptoms. Women should speak with their GPs, pharmacist about ways to manage their menopausal symptoms.

The key message? Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s an act of self-care.

Jamie Rose Chambers – Accredited Practising Dietitian

Jamie Rose Chambers delivered an eye-opening session on the power of nutrition during menopause. She reminded attendees that women naturally lose around 10% of muscle mass during this stage, which makes protein and strength training essential.

Her advice:
•    Eat more protein to maintain strength and metabolism.
•    Cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
•    Boost your intake of calcium, vitamin D, omega-3s, and magnesium.

Jamie helps her clients find small, sustainable dietary changes that can dramatically improve how they feel every day.

Leanne Mulheron – Clinical Psychologist

Menopause affects more than just the body — it can stir up emotions and identity changes too. Leanne discussed the mental load many women carry, the “do it all” mindset, and how it can trigger anxiety, stress, or even burnout.

She guided the audience through techniques for regulating the nervous system and shifting negative thought patterns, helping women reconnect with themselves and navigate this chapter with compassion and calm.

Vanessa Gray Lyndon – Skin & Body Confidence Expert

As oestrogen levels drop, many women notice changes in their skin — dryness, loss of elasticity, or dullness. Vanessa shared tips on restoring skin health and body confidence, highlighting the importance of hydration, barrier repair, and ingredients like hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils. Her message was simple yet powerful: You can still glow at every age.

A Dose of Positivity from Shelley Craft

TV presenter Shelley Craft closed the event on a high note, sharing her personal experiences and a refreshingly positive outlook on midlife. For Shelley, this stage is all about embracing change and letting go of perfection.

She encouraged women to:

•    Prioritise sleep and exercise
•    Practise mindfulness and gratitude
•    Allow family members to step up — so you can focus on yourself

Between juggling travel, work, and family, Shelley’s advice was relatable and inspiring: “Care less about the little things, care more about yourself, and enjoy this new phase of life.”

Walking Away Empowered

The Prevention WMD Lunch wasn’t just a day of information — it was a celebration of women supporting women. Attendees left with new tools to manage their health, confidence to ask for help, and a deeper appreciation for this transformative time of life.

Menopause may be a natural part of aging, but as this event proved, it’s also a time for growth, connection, and rediscovery. With the right support and knowledge, every woman can navigate it with strength, grace, and joy.

Event Information

Hosted by: Prevention Australia

Presented by: Channel 9’s Shelley Craft

Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Expert Panel: Clinical psychologist Leanne Mulheron, Dr Ceri Cashall Specialist GP, Editor Prevention Australia Zoe Meunier, TV presenter Shelley Craft, Skincare Expert Vanessa Gray Lyndon, Dr Gabrielle Staniforth Specialist GP.

Key Take Aways and Tips:

Promensil from Peri to Post. Find the right menopause stage you are in and find the recommended supplements you can take to help with Menopausal Symptoms through completing our Menopause Quiz - it takes only a few minutes!

World Menopause Day FAQs

What is World Menopause Day?

World Menopause Day is a global awareness event created by the International Menopause Society (IMS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
 
Its purpose is to shine a light on menopause, to encourage open discussions about women’s health and to educate both the public and healthcare professionals on how to better support women through this natural transition.
 
Each year, World Menopause Day focuses on a different theme, from cardiovascular and brain health to mental wellbeing, to highlight the many aspects of health that can be influenced by menopause.
 
Around the world, the day is marked through community events, webinars, educational initiatives, and media campaigns, all designed to empower women with knowledge and practical tools for navigating this stage of life with confidence.
 
At its heart, World Menopause Day is a reminder that menopause is not a medical problem, but a normal life stage.
 
By talking openly about it and ensuring women have access to the right information and support, from lifestyle approaches to medical options like hormone therapy, we can help make this time one of renewal, resilience, and wellbeing.

When is World Menopause Day?

World Menopause Day is celebrated each year on October 18, bringing global attention to menopause, perimenopause, and healthy ageing in women.
 
First established in 1996 by the International Menopause Society (IMS), the day aims to educate and inform, not only women experiencing menopause, but also the healthcare professionals, families, and communities who support them.
 
Across the world, the day is marked with community events, awareness campaigns, webinars, and online resources that explore topics such as hormonal changes, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle habits, and practical ways to manage health through midlife and beyond.
 
By observing World Menopause Day, we help create space for open, informed conversations, replacing silence and stigma with understanding and support. It’s an opportunity to empower women with knowledge, so they can make confident, informed decisions about their health and embrace this natural life stage with balance and optimism.

How to celebrate World Menopause Day?

Celebrate World Menopause Day by raising awareness, sharing information, and supporting those experiencing menopause.

Individually and In the Community

World Menopause Day is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share, and support, whether that means starting small within your own circle or helping raise awareness in your community.
 
You can begin by sharing credible educational resources, such as fact sheets or social media posts from trusted organisations, to help spread accurate information about menopause and perimenopause.
 
Open conversations with family, friends, and colleagues can also make a huge difference, breaking down myths and encouraging more understanding of what women experience during this stage of life.
 
It’s also a time to focus on your own wellbeing and self-care. This might include making healthy lifestyle choices, nourishing your body with a balanced diet, keeping active, prioritising sleep, and looking after your mental health.
 
Taking time to learn from credible sources, such as the International Menopause Society’s White Paper, can help you feel more informed and confident about your health during midlife and beyond.

In the Workplace

Menopause awareness in the workplace is an important part of creating supportive and inclusive environments where women feel valued and understood.

Organisations can take part by hosting information sessions, webinars, or presentations that explore topics such as menopause, hormone therapy, and lifestyle or plant-based support options. Providing educational materials, like e-learning modules or short internal videos, can help ensure employees at all levels are informed.

Employers can also advocate for flexible and compassionate workplace policies, such as adaptable hours or access to quiet rest spaces. Importantly, these conversations should involve everyone, including men, to help build a culture of understanding, respect, and inclusivity, where women’s health at every life stage is openly supported.