Community
13 June, 2025
Town goes teal for Tourette’s
STUDENTS at Camperdown College raised awareness about a neurological condition as part of Tourette’s Awareness Week last week.
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder which causes involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds, known as tics.
It affects both males and females and typically begins in childhood.
June 1 to 7 marked Tourette’s Awareness Week, which aims to break down stereotypes, promote acceptance, and improve how people respond to those with the condition.
This year’s theme was ‘Understanding the Impact’.
Student representative council (SRC) coordinator Tanisha Dooley said students at the senior campus learned more about the condition and how to support those living with the disorder.
“At lunchtime on Friday, the SRC ran out of teal-coloured lolly bags that were sold to raise funds for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia,” she said.
“There was also a competition to guess the amount of lollies in a jar, which was won by Bree Daffy.
“Thanks to Callani Winsall, Jonty Richardson, Quinn Clark and Ruby Stephenson for their help with the fundraiser.”
Callani Winsall, who was part of organising the awareness day, said Corangamite Shire Council also took part in the awareness week by lighting up the Camperdown clocktower in the Tourette’s awareness signature colour of teal.
“As someone living with Tourette’s syndrome, I know how important understanding can be,” she said.
“It helps people with the disorder feel safe to tic freely and be themselves, without fear of being mocked, harassed, told off, or excluded.
“Many people still believe myths like ‘Tourette’s is just swearing’ or that ‘people can control their tics if they try hard enough’, but these aren’t true.
“In reality, only a small percentage of people with Tourette’s have coprolalia (the swearing tic), and tics are involuntary, not a choice.
“They can be painful, exhausting and distressing – tics are not something we do for attention or because we enjoy them.”
Ms Winsall said education about Tourette’s syndrome was essential to breaking down the stereotypes and reducing stigma around the condition.
“Because Tourette’s is so widely misunderstood, many people hold false beliefs about what it actually is,” she said.
“I encourage everyone to take the time to learn more by visiting the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia at tourette.org.au.”
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