Celebrating 20 years of OzDAFNE

Standing the test of time

For two decades, OzDAFNE has created profound change in the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, empowering them to live with freedom and confidence. Since it was launched in Australia in 2005, the program has transformed the lives of over 5000 people across the country.

OzDAFNE provides skills for managing glucose levels and, just as importantly, creates a community and a space of understanding and shared strength.

Diabetes Victoria is the coordinating centre for OzDAFNE across Australia.

“It has an amazing, lifelong impact on participants, empowering them to navigate their journey with confidence and support,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan. 

“One of our OzDAFNE participants, Heather, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 8 years old. For six decades, Heather lived with a list of foods she believed she could never touch. One of those was a lemon tart.

“During the OzDAFNE program, she learned how to make choices, not sacrifices. And at 60 years of age, for the very first time in her life, she ate a lemon tart.”

Keynote speaker Dame Professor Stephanie Amiel travelled from the UK to attend the celebration. She was among the group of doctors who created DAFNE, inspired by a German model.

“Our program was inspired by the work of Professor Michael Berger, who was teaching people with diabetes how to manage insulin themselves, rather than teaching health care professionals,” she says.

“He said type 1 diabetes is a condition with insulin deficiency and it should be treated with insulin replacement, not diet.”

OzDAFNE has evolved significantly over the years and is now a national program available in every state, as well as in New Zealand and Singapore.

The development of the online program OzDAFNE@home and the OzDAFNE pump program have met the changing needs of the diabetes community.

These advancements have been possible thanks to the dedication of our facilitators, the trust of our participants, and the support of key partners.

Around 100 guests shared stories and celebrated the connections that make the OzDAFNE community so special.

The impact of OzDAFNE

“(Before OzDAFNE) I was working as a dietitian, and I really sensed the frustration of people living with type 1 not being able to access all the help they needed.

Dianne Harvey, OzDAFNE facilitator

“From the first time I observed a DAFNE program, I knew I wanted to be trained as a facilitator. It made managing type 1 diabetes logical and systematic, and allowed people to manage it the way they wanted, with confidence.”

Eileen Collins, OzDAFNE National Coordinator

“It quite literally changed my life. Apart from the physical benefits, what it did for me was emotional too – it gave me greater acceptance of my type 1.”

Eddie Tabone, OzDAFNE graduate

“I lived in the cycle of dose and correct, it was exhausting and dangerous. OzDAFNE has given me a clear and practical way to manage my food and my insulin… I feel more confident, more in control and much better equipped to manage my diabetes.”

Joanne Walsh, OzDAFNE graduate