BCHS urges liquor outlets to ask for identification

Bendigo Community Health Services is urging takeaway liquor outlets to recognise their responsibility not to serve alcohol to people under the age of 18.

Our latest Supply Monitoring audit, which involves a number of people appearing ‘under age’ visiting 30 Bendigo outlets to purchase alcohol without identification, found:

• 11 sold alcohol without first asking for ID
• 1 sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they did not have ID
• 18 outlets asked for ID and refused to sell if the purchaser didn’t have any
• 29 per cent of chain outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
• 67 per cent of independent outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
• 70 per cent of franchise outlets sold alcohol without asking for ID
• 76 per cent of audited stores were almost empty at the time of purchase, and of the 23 per cent quite busy outlets 43 per cent sold alcohol without asking for ID.

BCHS Board of Directors - call for nominations

BCHS currently has three positions for strategic and collaborative leaders to join our board, who will help guide and grow our organisation into the future.

Bendigo Community Health Services delivers more than 50 programs across the region, which help people live healthier and more connected lives.

This includes access to GPs, along with services covering families and children, mental health and counselling, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, men's and women's health clinics, supporting the LGBTIQ community and refugee settlement. BCHS also helps people manage specific health and wellbeing needs, such as managing their mental health or living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory issues or heart disease.

Embracing the spirit of friendship

At a time when the world feels unstable, the people of Greater Bendigo are being called upon to embrace the spirit of friendship this weekend.

Bendigo Community Health Services, the City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and Believe in Bendigo are encouraging residents to celebrate the International Day of Friendship, which falls annually on July 30.

The United Nations International Day of Friendship was proclaimed with the ‘idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities’.