Building for the health and wellbeing needs of Eaglehawk

Bendigo Community Health Services will next week start the refurbishment of its Eaglehawk site, with local builders Franklin & Walsh appointed to deliver the works.

This follows extensive design consultations with EBD Architects and a community engagement program, in which residents of the 3556 postcode shared their views on the health service, and ideas on what would make it easier for them to care for their health and wellbeing.

BCHS started in Eaglehawk in 1974, after residents recognised their health was poor and health services were inadequate.

Encouraged by the social reforms of the Whitlam era, the community lobbied for free and accessible health services at a time when there were no GPs or dentists in the suburb and when people were sicker than elsewhere in Bendigo.

Interim CEO Nicole Ferrie said BCHS was still a community-owned asset, which acknowledges and celebrates its hard-won beginnings in Eaglehawk.

Career move rewards outstanding Bendigo Family Day Care educator

Casey Seidel, of Eaglehawk, has been named the Family Day Care Australia Regional Educator of the Year for the Bendigo, Goldfields & Macedon Ranges region.

The Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards recognise the educators, coordinators, and services who deliver high quality early childhood education and care across Australia.

Casey chose to establish her own home-based business with the assistance of Bendigo Family Day Care 18 months ago, after 20 years as an early childhood educator.

“It’s absolutely the best thing I have ever done within my career, which spans many different roles within the sector,” Casey said. “I feel so fulfilled now and I just couldn’t ever imagine doing anything else. It has 100 per cent given me back my passion for early childhood education.”

Connect at Heathcote Community Smiles Day on November 25

A day of free, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and prizes galore will once again foster the fun at the annual Heathcote Community Smiles Day this month.

The November 25 event brings community organisations and health and wellbeing services together, and Bendigo Community Health Services is pleased to once again take part.

The event will feature fun activities for children, including:

• Free photo booth
• Free animal farm and face painting 
• A Royal Flying Doctor Service aeromedical simulator
• A reading corner 
• Live entertainment
• Competitions with some great prizes, including toys and 18 brand-new bikes.