Blog

Voluntary assisted dying: Do you want to learn more about the proposed new law?

: Thursday 17 August 2017; Written by Rod

Victorian MPs will soon vote on whether or not to make voluntary assisted dying legal in Victoria.

The vote follows two years of public and expert consultation.

Do you know what’s being proposed in Victoria?

Would you like to know more about the voluntary assisted dying law?

Bendigo Community Health Services is providing the venue for a conversation about voluntary euthanasia laws tomorrow (Friday) from 11am to noon in the Central site at 165-171 Hargreaves Street.

The conversation is an opportunity for the Bendigo community to learn more about the debate around end of life and ask any questions to gain a better understanding.

Former chief minister for the Northern Territory and human rights advocate Marshall Perron and Go Gentle Australia representative Stacey Halls will host the conversation.

: Friday 11 August 2017; Written by Rod

Ian Rosel and family at the Melbourne Marathon.

‘For dad’ will be the motto motivating the Rosel family at the annual Run For Dad in Bendigo on Father’s Day.

The Run For Dad on September 3 at Bendigo Racecourse is sponsored by Moira Mac's and will raise awareness and funds for a new Bendigo Community Health Services men’s health clinic and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Increasing awareness of prostate cancer and men’s health is important to the Melbourne-based Rosels but it’s the love and support for one family member that sits at the heart of their participation.

Ian Rosel has prostate cancer and is awaiting a second round of eight-week intense radiation therapy the family believes will rid him of the cancer once and for all.

Ian will travel from Melbourne to complete the Run For Dad with his wife, three sons, two daughters-in-law and two grand-daughters.

Register for the Run For Dad at www.bchs.com.au with the first 100 entries receiving a free event T-Shirt.

Sue Rosel said when her husband mentioned the Run For Dad as a passing comment the family couldn’t let the opportunity go.

The family has a strong fitness connection with son Stephen and daughter-in-law Rebecca the founders and coaches of recreational running squad Generation Run.

“We rallied the troops, booked accommodation and signed up for the event! Some of us will be running the 7.5 kilometres, others walking the 3.75 kilometres. We will all be doing it ‘for dad’,” Sue said.

“It’s a small gesture of our support, our love and our hope to Ian and all those touched by prostate cancer.”

: Thursday 22 June 2017; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services settlement services manager Martine Street and Department of Education and Training senior education improvement leader Damien Jenkyn.

Refugee children arriving in Bendigo will find settling in a lot easier with dozens of free books to soon become available from Bendigo Community Health Services sites.

The BCHS Settlement Services team have taken possession of three Book Box Libraries to make books available to refugee children.

The Little Book Box Libraries will be filled with donated books for children to read, borrow and take.

The libraries are an initiative of Communities for Children Early Years Literacy and Language Strategy supported by Be.Bendigo’s Education City Committee and part of their Decade of Support for Early Childhood Literacy.

Bendigo Community Health Services settlement services team manager Martine Street said the organisation was keen to get the little libraries during Refugee Week.

“These little libraries will be a part of a program to provide every newly-arrived child with a book as part of their welcome package,” Martine said.

“The Book Boxes will also be placed in our service area so children can use them when they attend with their parents.

“We think the Book Boxes are a wonderful resource. They encourage children to engage with books and through them become familiar with or strengthen what is often a new language. Stories are a traditional way of learning, but some of these children will have never owned a book.

“With these boxes being constantly refilled with donated books, the children can take them home to keep. They will often share a book with their siblings and parents so they really are a resource for the whole family.”

To learn more about the refugee services offered by Bendigo Community Health Services browse our website www.bchs.com.au

Bendigo Education City chair Maria Simpson said research showed that being prepared with the necessary range of words and reading skills before children start school was fundamental to success.

“This has a direct impact on a child’s success not only in school but also in gaining and maintaining employment. We want every child in Bendigo to have the right to a successful and happy school life and to contribute positively to our Bendigo community and businesses in the future,” Maria said.

Bendigo Education City and Be.Bendigo are together promoting a Decade of Support for Early Childhood Literacy. The aim is to raise awareness and funds in support of the objective that by 2027 every child in Bendigo will start school with at least or above the state average levels of language and literacy.

Funds raised will support the maintenance of Communities for Children Early Years Literacy and Language programs including Books for Babies, Let’s Read, Imagination Library and Book Box Libraries.

Donations can be made at www.cfcv.com.au or http://donorbox.org//bendigo-education-city

Refugee Week: Law Lah welcomes freedom, safety and an end to days of hunger

: Thursday 22 June 2017; Written by Rod

To celebrate Refugee Week 2017 we introduce you to some of our staff who after making their own journeys to a new life in Bendigo now give their time to help and support others following the same path.

Learn what events we have planned for Refugee Week: http://bit.ly/RefugeeWeekBendigo

Today we meet Settlement Services volunteer Law Lah.

What is the best thing about your role with BCHS?

I arrived in Bendigo August 2011 from Mae Lae camp. I was in the camp for 15 years. I work as a volunteer to teach clients how to get to appointments both in Bendigo and Melbourne use the train bus and tram. I also volunteer in refugee woman’s group to look after the children and packing up. Cooking at the youth excursions and camps

How has Bendigo Community Health Services helped you?

Before I became a volunteer the BCHS settlement team helped me and my family to settle into Bendigo . Teaching us about renting a house, using the ATM, catching the bus, train, enrolling children into school and document help. Now as a volunteer I help my community when I volunteer with BCHS settlement team.

What are the most important highlights of your first few months in Bendigo after arrival?

Bendigo is the best place for my family to settle because we have very good settlement support team. Life is much better in Bendigo than the refugee camp. Bendigo is safe not afraid of police here. We are free and safe, plenty of food and we are not hungry here.

What do you hope to achieve in the future through your role with BCHS?

To continue to improve and learn more about computer and improve my English As a volunteer my wish is to be able to help my community to integrate into the community

What is your favourite place in Bendigo and why?

Every day is free I have I go fishing with my grandson in a lake near Kerang or the Murray River. I like to be home in my own house with my family or visiting friends.

Meet more of our wonderful staff

To read more profiles from our refugee services staff click here

Learn more about BCHS

To learn more about the refugee and settlement services offered by BCHS please visit www.bchs.com.au

You can also connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

Refugee Week: Zahir loves his beautiful hometown with amazing people

: Thursday 22 June 2017; Written by Rod

Zahir, his partner Tahira and Kaye Graves.

Learn what events we have planned for Refugee Week: http://bit.ly/RefugeeWeekBendigo

Today we meet Settlement Services worker Zahir Azimi.

What is your role with BCHS?

My role is providing settlement services to newly-arrived refugees and people from refugee background to build their skills to participate in Australia’s economic and social life.

I am working with refugees after their arrival in Australia to establish housing, employment, education, health assessment and orientation to Australia.

Being from refugee background myself, I can understand the settlement challenges of new arrival refugees in Australia.

English is the key for them to fully participate in Australia’s social life and be able to find employment.

They are entitled to 510 hours of free English classes through Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) which most of our clients are using their hours after their arrival.

I also work in Secondary Settlement Services with refugee and non-English speaking migrants up to five years of their arrival in Australia.

We are providing services like housing, employment; advocacy, health referral, information sessions and case work on clients need bases.

We also run regular groups activities for youth, children, women, men and other group activities under BCHS Settlement Services Program.

What is the best thing about your role?

I am proud and honoured to be part of Bendigo Community Health Services Settlement team; which provide professional and best settlement services to refugees and other non-speaking English migrants in Bendigo.

It makes me very happy; when I see my clients are settling well in Bendigo having secured employment and housing, their children are attending school and they are participating in social and cultural activates and add colours in Bendigo.

How has Bendigo Community Health Services helped you?

BCHS is a wonderful place to work. I am enjoying working at Bendigo Community Health Services. We are a great team. I have supportive and lovely colleagues and my managers Kaye Graves and Martine Street are very caring and incredible mentors, being working for more than four years together I feel our team like a family where every member of family respect, support and care for each other.

What are the most important highlights of your first few months in Bendigo after arrival?

I got employment at Hazeldene’s chicken farm when I first arrived in Bendigo.

I remembered BCHS Settlement team assisted me with short term accommodation, now I am helping other refugees and migrants to settle in Bendigo, I started work as a volunteer with BCHS and I completed my diploma of community services work while working at BCHS, now I am working full time here.

I found Bendigo great place to live and believe that it is excellent place to be settled as it is a welcoming place for people of refugee background and other migrants.

I live with my partner Tahira and we have many Aussie friends here, we often visit each other’s homes and share food.

What do you hope to achieve in the future through your role with BCHS?

I would like to study further to improve and develop my skills and profession in the future at BCHS.

What is your favourite place in Bendigo and why?

To be honest I love every part of Bendigo, it looks like our own beautiful town with amazing people.

We love walking around Lake Weeroona where we often meet other friends and also part number 7 in Kangaroo Flat where the Afghan men’s group meet on every Sunday afternoon’s to play traditional Hazaragi game Sangirag.

Meet more of our wonderful staff

To read more profiles from our refugee services staff click here

Learn more about BCHS

To learn more about the refugee and settlement services offered by BCHS please visit www.bchs.com.au

You can also connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

Refugee Week: Salwa falls in love with her new warm, welcoming and loveable 'home'

: Thursday 22 June 2017; Written by Rod

Settlement services case workers Caitlyn Mactier and Salwa Dastgeer.

Learn what events we have planned for Refugee Week: http://bit.ly/RefugeeWeekBendigo

Today we meet Humanitarian Settlement Services support worker Salwa Dastgeer.

What is your role with BCHS?

I support the work of the Humanitarian Settlement Services team and assist new arrivals (refugees) with their day to day needs during the first year of their settlement in Bendigo. I also assist with the work of the Complex Case Support Program that supports families with complex needs. I run a refugee-based Women’s Group on a weekly basis where Afghan and Karen women get together and socialise, learn new skills, and gain new information about various topics pertaining to their new living environment.

What is the best thing about your role?

The best thing about my role is that I get to meet so many new and wonderful people from diverse backgrounds; know their stories and cultures; and have the privilege to work with them and support them in their settlement journey in Bendigo.

How has Bendigo Community Health Services helped you?

BCHS has helped me find my ideal career. For years, I had been in search of a career that would feel satisfying and fulfilling. After joining BCHS Settlement Team, I realised that there is so much joy and satisfaction in working with people in need and supporting them overcome their challenges so I decided to become a social worker. I am now studying Master of Social Work at the La Trobe University and looking forward to having a successful career as a social worker.

What are the most important highlights of your first few months in Bendigo after arrival?

When we decided to move to Bendigo after living in Canberra for 3.5 years, I did not have a positive outlook on living in this city given the media coverage of the anti-mosque protests. However, soon I found Bendigo a very warm, welcoming, and liveable city filled with such beautiful people. Its great community spirit took me by surprise and changed my perspective totally. Not to mention, its low cost of living is another highlight as I rent a spacious three-bedroom house for the same weekly rent that I used to pay for a tiny two-bedroom unit in Canberra.

What do you hope to achieve in the future through your role with BCHS?

I hope to support refugees residing in Bendigo even further, advocating for their needs and fighting for their rights. Particularly, I would like to support young refugees in their journey to learn English and engage in meaningful employment to ensure their successful settlement and social inclusion in Bendigo.

What is your favourite place in Bendigo and why?

My favourite place in Bendigo is its CBD. I love the ancient look of the city centre and the magnificent architecture of its historic and elaborate buildings that speak to you of history. I also enjoy the restaurants in CBD with variety of cuisines from many countries. I love the convenience of having parks, shops, and eateries in such close vicinity which makes my family life quite easy and enjoyable.

Learn more about BCHS

To learn more about the refugee and settlement services offered by BCHS please visit www.bchs.com.au

You can also connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

Run For Dad Bendigo secures Moira Mac's as major sponsor

: Wednesday 21 June 2017; Written by Rod

Moira Mac’s financial controller Marc Smith and Athletics Bendigo member Keith MacDonald.

Moira Mac’s is the new major sponsor for the 2017 Run For Dad on September 3.

The food company will contribute $3000 to the Father’s Day fun run at Bendigo Racecourse.

Proceeds will support a new Bendigo Community Health Services men’s health clinic at the 171 Hargreaves Street site and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Run For Dad is organised by Athletics Bendigo and forms part of the Bendigo Community Health Services Men’s Health Marathon – activities spread over 12 days to get men out, active and thinking seriously about their health.

Registrations are now open for the Run For Dad at www.registernow.com.au with the first 100 people to sign up getting a free Run For Dad T-Shirt.

Moira Mac’s financial controller Marc Smith said the company was keen to support an event that combined the importance of health with families getting out and enjoying time together.

“We need to make sure people do get checks so things can be caught a lot earlier. Things such as prostate cancer are easier to treat if detected early on,” he said.

“It’s important men get their prostates checked so they can be around for their children and their grandchildren.”

The Run For Dad offers 3.75 kilometre or 7.5 kilometre distance with participants getting a medallion at the finish.

Bendigo Community Health Services men’s health nurse practitioner Peter Strange said the Run For Dad delivered a good health message to people of all ages.

“Adults and children taking part in the Run For Dad is a great opportunity to educate generations about the importance of good health,’’ Mr Strange said. “It was fantastic last year to see so many Super Hero costumes so competitors can dress up and have some fun, too.”

Schools interested in having someone visit to promote Run For Dad or share a training program to help students prepare for the event should contact Keith McDonald from Athletics Bendigo on 5443 4644 (business hours) or Mr Strange on 0457 773 105.

Katie Johnson joins Bendigo Community Health Services board of directors

: Wednesday 21 June 2017; Written by Rod

The Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors has welcomed Katie Johnson as a new member.

Katie brings a wealth of business and human resource knowledge to the board as a director with Bendigo recruitment and HR training specialist company ESE Consulting.

A desire to help the community and particularly the vulnerable provided the motivation for Katie to join the board.

"I am passionate about BCHS' vision to make sure that all members of our community, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to health and well-being services," Katie said.

"No-one in ‘this day and age’ should go without health provisions.

"BCHS’ fundamental focus on a pre-emptive crusade to break unhealthy generational patterns though ‘healthy living’ education is critical in ensuring the mental and physical health of our community.

"I am very excited about being involved in BCHS’s future direction, to continue to assist in improving people’s health and the disparity within our community."

Katie is the first appointment to the board since Dean McKay, Josh Pell and Vicki Pearce joined late last year.

To meet the full Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors click here

Cradle to Kinder program to support vulnerable mothers

: Wednesday 21 June 2017; Written by Rod

Vulnerable young mothers living in the Bendigo area will benefit from a new family support program regarded as the first of its kind in regional Victoria.

The state government’s Cradle to Kinder initiative has launched in the Loddon region and will target disadvantaged young mothers and their children with support that starts before birth and continues until the child is aged four.

The program will be provided by MacKillop Family Services in partnership with Bendigo Community Health Services and CatholicCare Sandhurst.

MacKillop CEO Dr Robyn Miller said the program aimed to break the cycle of disadvantage often seen in vulnerable young families.

“A child’s health, safety and development can be influenced by many different experiences during pre-birth and in the early years of their life,” Dr Miller said.

“We know effective, caring support in the early months and years of a child’s life is so important for their healthy development.

“Family issues like poverty, insecure housing, intellectual disability, family violence, alcohol or other drug misuse can have a profound effect on a child’s home environment. Cradle to Kinder connects vulnerable young mothers to community services that provide resources to improve their life, and that of their child. We want to empower young mums to take responsibility for giving their child the best possible start to their lives.”

Personal account: Support proves the difference for Jacinta in coping with life as a single mum

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Kim Sykes said Cradle to Kinder was a great addition to the service model being delivered from the new kidzspace hub at Kangaroo Flat.

"kidzspace recognises that some parents and children need more help than others. Wrapping key services around these families for a sustained period, as Cradle to Kinder does, gives the best chance of achieving real change," Kim said.

“This is an exciting partnership which has the potential to change lives and we feel privileged to play a role.”

: Wednesday 21 June 2017; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services, MacKillop Family Services and CatholicCare Sandhurst have partnered to deliver the Cradle To Kinder program for vulnerable young Bendigo mothers from our new kidzspace hub at Kangaroo Flat. The program will help young mums such as Jacinta face the challenges of life as a parent ...

At 22, Jacinta found herself in a difficult place: pregnant and facing life as a single mother.

With no family support and no friends with children to lean on for help, the Bendigo mum remembers that time as one of fear and uncertainty over what the future held.

Thankfully, salvation came in the form of a leaflet detailing a program aimed at young mothers about to, or who had just had their baby. And at 30 weeks pregnant, it was the lifeline Jacinta had been looking for.

“I started attending the group just after my son, Brody, was born,” she recalls. “Suddenly I wasn’t alone. There were other mums like me, most without partners, and we became a great support to each other.”

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Discovering BCHS - meet our staff

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kidzspace - a new era for BCHS

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BCHS recognises and thanks our volunteers
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From our CEO

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Men's Health Marathon

Bendigo Community Health Services runs the Men's Health Marathon in late August and early September each year - 11 days of activities designed to get men out, active and thinking seriously about their health.