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Join us for a week of events to recognise Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW)
from the 17 - 21 August:
This year's national theme is Brain injury: many pathways, one community. 2026 National Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW) will be held this year from the 17 - 21 August. This year we want to show that brain injury is bigger than you think, but that our community is even bigger.
Events:
Tuesday 18 August: Hobart Launch Event, Moonah Arts Centre, 10am - 4:30pm (RSVP here)
Wednesday 19 August: Low sensory Installation viewing, Moonah Arts Centre, 9:30am - 1pm
Thursday 20 August: Launceston Launch Event, details TBC
Friday 21 August: Screening of Talk TBI Films, details TBC
Light Up Events Across Tasmania:
Hobart
- Building/Monument: Tasman Bridge
- Dates: Wednesday, 19 August 2026 to Thursday, 20 August 2026 (one night)
Devonport
- Building/Monument: Paranaple Centre
- Dates: Sunday 16 August to Friday 21 August 2026 (whole week)
Ulverstone
- Building/Monument: Leven River Bridge
- Dates: Sunday 16 August to Monday 17 August 2026 (one night)
Burnie
- Building/Monument: Burnie City Council Offices
- Dates: Monday 17 August to Friday 21 August 2026 (whole week)
Launceston
- Building/Monument: Town Hall (St John Street façade)
- Dates: Monday 17 August to Friday 21 August 2026 (whole week)
2026 Hearts for Brain Injuries Campaign
Did you know that every year in Tasmania, over an estimated 7,700 people acquire a brain injury?
Inspired by the meaningful social enterprise 1000 Hearts, to bring this message to life, we are embarking on an ambitious project to make approximately 7,700 hearts - each representing a person who acquires a brain injury in a single year in Tasmania.
Of the estimated 7,700 people who acquire a brain injury, this includes around 4,000 traumatic brain injuries and 1,180 stroke cases. A further 2,500 people are diagnosed with neurodegenerative conditions causing brain injury. The remainder includes people impacted by brain cancer, tumours, alcohol- and drug-related brain injuries, infections, and FASD. It also includes people affected by less visible and often under-recognised causes of brain injury, such as concussion and repeated head impacts, blast-related injuries, and injuries caused with domestic and family violence. For many people, these injuries may go unrecognised or untreated, particularly where they have not felt safe or able to seek support.
The handmade hearts will be featured in a meaningful and educational art installation at our BIAW launch event, helping to illustrate that 7,700 is not just a number, but real people with real stories. It is important to note that this figure is an estimate based on currently available research. Due to limited data on acquired brain injury incidence in Tasmania, the true number is likely to be higher.
Following the installation, the hearts will be distributed to people living with brain injury through frontline services, including hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Each heart will be accompanied by information and an invitation to connect with local Peer Support Groups.
This is an ambitious undertaking, but we know that together, as a community, we can make it happen. We look forward to marking this meaningful week with you and are sincerely grateful for any contributions to our Hearts for Brain Injury Project.
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Heart Counter
3151
Hearts made so far
4549
Still needed
How to get involved
Make hearts!
- If you'd like a pre-cut template, you can purchased pre-cut hearts from 1000 hearts here
- Get creative and make your own hearts from fabric or other textiles
- Spread the fun and host a craft session with friends or your colleagues
Follow the link below to a video on how to sew a felt heart:
Extra information:
Size: Please make the hearts a small size - so fits in the palm of your hand and can easily be fit into your pocket.
Materials: You can make the heart with anything that’s clean and sturdy. Please do not use any material that easily breaks or degrades such as food or paper. For example:
- Upcycle old fabric and use old buttons, lace or ribbons to decorate.
- Felt
- Ceramic (must be fired)
- Wood (must be free of splinters)
How to drop off/donate your hearts to BIAT
You can drop off the hearts in person at:
The ABC Building in Hobart
Alternatively, you can post the hearts to:
Brain Injury Association of Tasmania
ABC Building
1 Liverpool Street
Hobart, TAS 7000
We will be gratefully accepting heart donations up until the 31st of July
If you would like assistance with dropping off or posting hearts, please call us on 1300 242 827.
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Spread the word!
Social media: share a photo of your heart/hearts with the hashtag #hearts4braininjurytas and tag us at @biat_org (instagram) @braininjuryassociationoftasmania (facebook)
Donate: to BIAT to help us fund this meaningful project: Donate here
Share your insights or stories: Do you have lived experience of brain injury or are a family member or carer and would like to share your story or insights?
If you are interested in sharing your story, please email us at peersupport@biat.org.au or call us on 1300 242 827