Kennington Dental starts toy appeal to help BCHS consumers in need this Christmas

Let the festive spirit flow ... we are so appreciative of the fantastic generosity of the team at Kennington Dental who have decided to run a toy drive to help us bring some joy to families in need this Christmas.

The Christmas tree already has some wonderful gifts underneath provided by Kennington Dental patients but if you can help the team build the collection you'll find them at 115 Sternberg Street.

Thank you so much to Kate, Dr Sathie and everyone at Kennington Dental - it's your generosity that will create the perfect smiles this Christmas Day!

Our toy drive catered for many families last year such as great grand parents looking after three children and a mum who had to source a personal loan for food little own presents.

If you would like to help please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call on 5448 1600.

Thanks again to the Kennington Dental team for getting things started! Much appreciated!

Multicultural focus of Bendigo on show as Mayor presents graduation certificates to new refugees

What an honour to have City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke attend our Settlement Orientation Program graduation ceremony for the latest citizens making a home in Bendigo.

Thank you for the kind words in welcoming the refugee families to Bendigo and wishing them well as they find their way in our great city.

The Mayor also presented a personal letter from the City of Greater Bendigo to each program graduate as a welcome.

Our Settlement Services Orientation Program provides a valuable insight into Bendigo and Australia covering topics such as health, housing, culture, laws, money, public transport, employment and education.

We continue to support the families as they settle into the community, particularly through our health and wellbeing services and programs.

Thank you again Mayor. We loved it!

Learn more about our refugee services at www.bchs.com.au

Multicultural Refugee Youth Camp secured thanks to generous donation

It’s on again – a wonderful donation has secured the future of our hugely popular Refugee Youth Camp in 2019.

MCCA Islamic Finance and Investments and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank have donated $5000 to ensure the camp goes ahead next year.

The donation is part of their annual profit towards community programs.

MCCA representatives Ibrahim Hassan and Mohammad Najjar travelled from Melbourne to present us with the donation.

Safar and Lwe Pree who attended our Refugee Youth Camp this year both talked about their experiences at the camp and their personal journeys to Bendigo.

We thank Ibrahim and Mohammad for spending so much time learning about the Refugee Youth Camp and the other services we provide for refugees making a home in Bendigo.

Their questions and interest in how we are supporting multicultural communities was much appreciated.

Thanks must also go to Ben Rix from the Portfolio Funding section of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank who visited our Central site in Hargreaves Street and was very interested in learning what we were doing in the multicultural space.

This year’s Refugee Youth Camp saw more than 40 young people from the Afghan, Karen and South Sudenese communities in Bendigo enjoy three days at Camp Curumbene at Corop.

Lifestyle, healthy choices, cybersafety, mental health and wellbeing were some of the topics covered at the camp along with fun activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, giant chess and a rope course.