On Tuesday, 27th May 2025, a warm and welcoming corner of Western Sydney University’s Parramatta South campus was transformed into a safe space for tea, treats, and truth-telling about periods. The Environmental Collective hosted this special morning tea in celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global movement focused on ending period stigma and making sustainable period care more accessible.
The event ran from 9 AM- 12PM in PS-EB.G.02, offering students more than just a cosy morning tea. Alongside a table full of homemade baked goods including scones and passionfruit cake, students had access to free sustainable period products like menstrual cups and reusable pads. Most importantly, they had a chance to engage in open, non-judgemental conversations about periods, sustainability, and wellbeing.
‘This event was about more than handing out free products, it was about creating a space where students could ask real questions and learn without shame’, said the Environment Collective’s Meg Shooter.
‘We want people to know there are cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to manage their periods, and there’s support available if you’re feeling unsure or shy. You’re never alone in figuring this stuff out’.
While periods are a part of everyday life, conversations around them are still often uncomfortable or avoided entirely. This morning tea aimed to break that silence, making it easier for students of all genders to learn about sustainable options, and feel supported. Whether students came for the cake or the community, they likely left with something more: knowledge, confidence, and the sense that the body is something to be respected, not hidden.
(Tea and refreshments at the event. Picture Credit: Jasmine Kaur, 2025)
The event highlighted that true sustainability includes personal empowerment. As universities work toward greener campuses and more inclusive student services, events like this serve as a reminder that change often starts small, with open conversations, free resources, and warm cups of tea.
If we want to create a period-friendly world, we need to normalise talking about menstrual health, support students with real tools, and ensure that no one misses out on education, confidence, or comfort simply because of their cycle.
(Passion fruit cake baked by Rowan Heggen. Picture Credit: Jasmine Kaur, 2025)
And yes, the passionfruit cake was a hit.
