June 2026 · Fundraising
Winter sausage sizzle season is here — volunteers wanted
Our winter fundraising season is underway, with Bunnings sausage sizzle dates being confirmed at stores across Melbourne's south-east over the coming months. These fundraisers are the engine room of everything Willow Rose does — every sausage sold funds Diabetes Essential Packs and free community events.
If you've never volunteered before, a sizzle shift is the perfect introduction: a couple of hours on the tongs or the till, surrounded by great people. Aprons, training and plenty of laughs provided. Families welcome.
Sign up to volunteer →
FundraisingVolunteering
May 2026 · Programs
Essential Packs reaching more newly diagnosed families
Thanks to our community's generosity, we've been able to keep our Diabetes Essential Packs program running strongly this year. Each pack lands in the hands of a family in those overwhelming first weeks after diagnosis — with hypo treatments, supply cases, and plain-English guides that make day one a little easier.
We regularly hear from parents that the most valuable thing in the pack isn't an item at all — it's the invitation to connect with other families who understand. If you know a family who has recently received a type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosis, please point them our way. The packs are completely free.
About Essential Packs →
Essential PacksCommunity
April 2026 · Awareness
CGM subsidies: what Australian families should know
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have transformed diabetes management — replacing many finger pricks with real-time glucose readings and alerts. In Australia, subsidised CGM and Flash GM products are available through the NDSS (National Diabetes Services Scheme) for eligible people with type 1 diabetes and some other groups.
We often meet families who don't realise they're eligible, or who feel overwhelmed choosing between devices. At our Local Support & Connect events, you can talk to parents and adults who use different systems day-to-day — real experiences, no sales pitch. Always speak with your diabetes care team before changing your management approach.
Our awareness work →
CGM TechnologyEducation
March 2026 · Awareness
Know the 4 T's: the early signs of type 1 diabetes
Every year, Australian children end up seriously unwell with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because the early signs of type 1 diabetes weren't recognised. Learning the 4 T's could save a life:
- Toilet — going to the toilet a lot, bedwetting in a previously dry child
- Thirsty — unquenchable thirst, drinking constantly
- Tired — more exhausted than usual
- Thinner — unexplained weight loss
If you notice these signs in a child (or adult), see a GP the same day and ask for a simple finger-prick glucose check. Early diagnosis prevents serious illness. Please share the 4 T's with your family, school and workplace.
Type 1 Diabetes4 T's
February 2026 · Community
Summer family day brings our community together
What a day! Families from across Casey and Cardinia joined us for a summer catch-up — kids comparing pump sites and CGM sensors like badges of honour, parents swapping school care plan tips, and plenty of coeliac-friendly food to go around.
For newly diagnosed families, events like this are often the first time their child meets another kid with type 1 diabetes. That moment of "you too?" is exactly why Willow Rose exists. Keep an eye on this page for the next Local Support & Connect event.
About Support & Connect →
EventsFamily Day