Bendigo child care vacancies available through our Family Day Care program

Are you looking for child care or know someone who is?

Our Family Day Care team has vacancies for child care at the moment. Our accredited Child Care Educators provide the care in their own homes. Learn more: http://bit.ly/BCHSFamilyDayCare

So, what are our Family Day Care educators like and what do parents think of the program? We'll let a parent answer that one for you: "Knowing that my children are being looked after, nurtured and educated is a very comforting feeling and I am so pleased to have (FDC educator) and her family in our life. She is consistent, professional and direct as well as kind, caring and knowledgeable which are all attributes that I admire and look for when dealing with something as serious as my children. I wanted to provide this feedback to you directly as I doubt (FDC educator) would provide my thoughts to you directly due to how humble she is. I believe in her greatly and appreciate the time and effort she puts into developing my children and others." Note: We have used (FDC educator) instead of the person's name for privacy reasons.

Australian bushfires victims get support from generous Bendigo Community Health Services staff

It's been a big week on the fundraising front for our staff and we're very proud of their efforts in supporting people and wildlife impacted by these horrendous bushfires.

Staff raised $472.15 from a Casual Clothes Day, $650 from a 'Christmas Gift' Auction and $1474 from the famous Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Epsom on Sunday thanks to a bunch of very generous and peckish shoppers.

The Sausage Sizzle was run with the help of our Board Directors and volunteers from Headspace Bendigo and Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria.

Sausage Sizzle proceeds were going to our Thursday Soup Kitchen in support of the disadvantaged, lonely and homeless but we decided going 50-50 with the Bushfire Appeal was the right thing to do.

So, we'll be giving $1000 to Wildlife Victoria, $859.15 to the Bushfire Appeal and $737 to our Soup Kitchen which we hold in the Fork In The Road community hub at 165-171 Hargreaves Street from 4pm each Thursday.

Some of the highlights from the Christmas Gift Auction included $50 for a $25 Cafe Essence Bendigo coffee voucher, $45 for a home-made plate of Yo-Yos and $20 for a bag of Red Rock Deli Honey Soy Chicken Chips.

Such great generosity!

Amazingly, this brand new Essendon Football Club Ladies Size 10 Soft Shell Premium Jacket was the only item not to sell in the 'Christmas Gift' Auction.

It's not too late to make us an offer on the jacket by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll gladly add this to the final Bushfire Appeal tally! C'mon, you Bombers supporters!

www.bchs.com.au I #BCHS #thereforyou

Bendigo smoke haze: EPA outlines the health risks to you on days like this one

The Environment Protection Authority has issued important information around bushfire smoke and your health.

As a think blanket of smoke lingers over Bendigo today the EPA has provided some excellent detailed information on how to stay healthy in such conditions.

Thank you to the EPA for making this important information available to the community. 

How smoke impacts health

Most healthy people tolerate brief smoke exposure quite well. Smoke is more likely to affect some people including:

• those with heart or lung conditions
• pregnant women
• young children
• the elderly.

Symptoms of smoke exposure – including bushfire smoke – can include:

• eye, nose and throat irritation
• coughing
• sneezing
• congestion.

Exposure to smoke may be a risk because it can: