Geelong
Health Festival,
19th July 2025
Bellarine Secondary College

Bridging the Gap: Health Literacy for Life

A Journey Across Borders, A Vision for Connection

I was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the second-largest city of a highly developed yet minute island nation. My childhood, however, was shaped by the rolling landscapes of New Zealand, where my parents emigrated with my younger sibling and me, seeking new opportunities. Growing up surrounded by nature, I experienced firsthand the positive impact of a balanced and nurturing environment on childhood development and well-being.

The pursuit of medical knowledge took me across the world to the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where I trained and practiced for 18 years. From Oldham in the north to Bristol in the south, I served in hospitals and primary care practices, gaining invaluable insight into the strengths and fractures of healthcare systems. Between 2002 and 2019, I witnessed the slow decline of the NHS – a once sustainable model for free healthcare – struggling under the weight of political quick-fixes, an increasing population, and worsening environmental crises.

These experiences illuminated the deep-rooted connections between health, education, and climate change – a lesson I carried with me when I moved to Australia in 2019, seeking the same nature-connected upbringing for my children that I had once cherished in New Zealand.

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The Growing Divide: Communities & Health Professionals

Through my years of medical training and practice in multiple countries, cultures, and healthcare systems, one painful truth became evident: the gap between communities and healthcare professionals is widening.

Healthcare professionals enter this field to serve, support, and uplift their communities – but modern-day challenges have made this connection harder than ever:

– Health systems have become increasingly complex, leaving many people struggling to navigate their care.

– Technology advances faster than our ability to adapt, making digital literacy a new barrier to health literacy.

– Social media, capitalism, and profit-driven models of care often prioritize competition over collaboration, creating further disconnection.

As we accelerate into a world of rapid technological innovation, the very human element of care and communication is being left behind.

Health literacy, the ability to understand and use health information effectively is no longer a luxury expected of developed nations – it is a necessity.

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The Birth of Health Festivals & Literacy for Life

Recognizing these growing challenges, I knew something had to change. Health information should be accessible, understandable, and empowering. This belief led to the creation of The Health Festivals – a movement designed to bridge the communication gap between communities and health professionals.

The vision of Literacy for Life AU is simple but powerful:

✅ To inspire and empower communities by making health education engaging and accessible.

✅ To promote lifelong learning and understanding of health changes through every stage of life.

✅ To translate complex medical knowledge into practical, everyday language that everyone can use.

✅ To foster collaboration between health professionals and the public, creating a truly connected health system.

Through education, innovation, and community-driven health celebrations, Literacy for Life AU aims to reshape how we learn, communicate, and act on health information.

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A Call to Action: Join the Movement

The challenges of modern healthcare cannot be solved by doctors, governments, or technology alone—it requires collective action. Whether you are a healthcare professional, educator, parent, business leader, or community member, you have a role to play in shaping a healthier future.

🌱 Support local Health Festivals and health education initiatives.

📖 Invest in your own health literacy and help others do the same.

🤝 Advocate for better communication between health providers and communities.

Together, we can reconnect, educate, and empower – because health literacy is for life.

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Stay Connected

Follow Literacy for Life AU for updates on upcoming Health Festivals, workshops, and resources to help you take charge of your health journey.

📍 Website: www.literacyforlife.au

📧 Email: literacyforlifeau@gmail.com

Let’s build **health literacy for life—together.**