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Media release: BCHS wins 2021 Australian Migration and Settlement Award

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Friday 19 March 2021

Date issued: February 24, 2021

The work of Bendigo Community Health Services in supporting refugee communities through the Coronavirus pandemic has been recognised with a national award.

Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke MP announced the BCHS Coronavirus Refugee Resource Hub as the winner of the SETS Settlement innovation category of the Australian Migration and Settlement Awards during a virtual ceremony last night.

The award recognised the work our Settlement Services and Cultural Diversity teams have done in keeping refugee communities safe for the past 11 months through an online Coronavirus Refugee Resource Hub, supporting partner agencies and business, free Coronavirus Telephone Hotline and anti-racism campaign with Victoria Police and Believe In Bendigo.

The hub's translated videos and information sheets have not only helped the Bendigo community but been extensively used by organisations in the Wimmera and even shared to families and friends across the world.

Bendigo Community Health Services staff member Zahir Azimi was a short-listed finalist in the Case Worker of the Year Award for his work with the Afghan community in Bendigo.

BCHS Cultural Diversity and Relationships team manager Kaye Graves said the organisation was very proud the work being done in Bendigo to support refugee communities was recognised in two of the three national awards presented last night.

"Our commitment and dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of refugee communities in Bendigo drives the work we do," Ms Graves said.

READ MORE

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Jack Taylor OAM

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Wednesday 20 May 2020

A great community-minded leader and great supporter of Bendigo Community Health Services.

A five-time mayor of the Borough of Eaglehawk, Jack played an important role in the push to establish Eaglehawk Community Health Services in October 1973 which would later become Bendigo Community Health Services.

"We had limited doctors in Eaglehawk at the time and this is just what we wanted as a community," Jack recalled during our 30th birthday celebrations.

"And, of course, the borough council were right behind anything in that regard."

 

BCHS was sad to learn of the passing of Jack in August 2018. To read our tribute click here

 

To meet more of our valued Life Members, please visit our special online honour board click here

Bendigo Diabetes Group Exercise Session

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Tuesday 21 January 2020

Our Exercise Physiologist will show you the safe and right way to exercise to help manage your Type 2 Diabetes.

Regular exercise can:

  • Stabilise blood glucose levels long term.
  • Improve the body’s response to insulin which can lower your blood glucose levels for up to 24 hours!
  • Increase muscle strength and muscle size resulting in increased insulin sensitivity.
  • Increase uptake of blood glucose.
  • Help weight control by decreasing fat mass.
  • Reduce blood pressure.
  • Reduce cholesterol levels.
  • Help prevent complications associated with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Improve mental health.

What do the sessions cost?

Sessions are funded by Medicare.

How do the sessions work?

Initial assessment

Our Exercise Physiologist will look at your medical history, do a physical assessment, set goals and create an exercise plan just for you.

Exercise prescription

Eight group sessions and our Exercise Physiologist will provide you with an exercise program to do at home or connect you with other community-based exercise facilities.

Post assessment

You review goals and objective measures.

Do I need a referral for group exercise sessions?

Yes, you will need a referral from your GP before joining the group exercise sessions.

Medicare

A  referral from a GP is needed to obtain Medicare rebates for Type 2 diabetes sessions.

To download and print out the Medicare referral form you GP will need to fill out for this group  pdf click here (245 KB)

A GP Management Plan must be in place.

MBS item numbers: 81110 and 81115

How do I ask a question about the Diabetes Group Exercise Sessions?

Call the Active Living Program team on (03) 5406 1200 with your question or to book an appointment with our Exercise Physiologist.

What’s an Exercise Physiologist?

An Allied Health professional specialising in preventing and managing health conditions and injury treatment.

An Exercise Physiologist works with consumers in areas such as:

  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • obesity
  • asthma
  • chronic pain
  • cancer
  • osteoarthritis
  • osteoporosis
  • COPD
  • chronic pain
  • impaired balance
  • rehabilitation for injury or before and after surgery.

Do you offer other diabetes services?

Our Credentialled Diabetes Educators can help you to adapt to a life with diabetes, support you to set goals for self-managing your diabetes and educate you on the diabetes process.

They can support you with:

  • Eating
  • Exercise
  • Diabetes sick day management
  • Complications of diabetes
  • Tools to help you manage your diabetes.

Credentialled Diabetes Educators are available Monday to Friday at our Eaglehawk site and at outreach clinics at Strathfieldsaye Primary Health and Elmore Primary Health.

To learn more about our diabetes programs click here

Last updated: January 2020

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Denise Main

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Friday 3 January 2020

Denise Main was a pioneer for community health in Bendigo serving as the organisation’s first Community Health Nurse from the beginning in 1974 through to 1993.

She remembers a message from her family on the night of May 1974 after accepting the offer to become the first Community Health Nurse for Eaglehawk Long Gully Community Health Centre that would prove prophetic for her career in the role.

It read: “Well done, you realise that this position will become not just a job but a way of life.”

How true those words would become.

“I have lived and breathed the philosophy, principles and practice of community and public healh as a Community Health Nurse and as a lecturer at La Trobe University in the Bachelor of Public Health Program and recently as a volunteer for the Bellarine, Point Lonsdale Community Health Service.”

Main 16

Denise outlined the incredible journey of community health in Bendigo during a speech to the Bendigo Community Health Services AGM on October 28, 2010.

“I can well remember the first AGM of what was then the Eaglehawk and Long Gully Community Health Centre in 1974. The staff of almost 16 had high hopes for the future of the community based centre but never could have envisaged the size, range and scope of the community health service that it now has become.

“This journey has taken 36 years with the original philosophy and policy still in place and at the heart of each stage of its development. The focus has not wavered from one that has always been one of health promotion, illness prevention and health education rather than one focused on illness and primary care. This was a unique feature a new way of thinking about community health.”

A true highlight of Denise’s time in community health was her work in researching and establishing a service to meet the needs of victims and survivors of sexual assault.

Denise was supported by the Committee of Management and peers to apply for and accept a Churchill Fellowship to study community responses to child sexual abuse in the USA and Canada in 1986.

“This fellowship, the experience and knowledge gained helped to strengthen the newly-established Sexual Assault Unit at Bendigo Base Hospital which later became the Centre Against Sexual Assault – Yarrington House named after Mrs Yarrington of Eaglehawk’s Benovolent Society for Women and Children,” Denise says.

“It also gave us a model to develop the Child Sexual Assault Treatment Program known as the CAT Program.”

Denise remembers the satisfaction that came with taking risks and challenges in innovation and creating opportunities for change in the way that individuals and families managed their health care issues.

“The aim was to help to shift the focus from dependence to managing with the support and expertise of health care practitioners. However, in most instances when we provided our researched evidence for an initiative we received the support and encouragement from the whole community health team.”

Denise retired from life as a Community Health Nurse in February 1993.

Today Denise lives in Point Lonsdale and has completed a Diploma of Visual Arts, works as a volunteer guide at Geelong Gallery and is a member of the SpringDale Artists, Queenscliff Rip Writers and Bellarine Community Health Services.

 

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

 

A Bendigo Advertiser story announcing start of construction on the new Eaglehawk Long Gully Community Health Centre.

A Bendigo Advertiser story announcing start of construction on the new Eaglehawk Long Gully Community Health Centre.

Denise Main with new Eaglehawk Community Health Centre manager Russ Hansen.

Denise Main with new Eaglehawk Community Health Centre manager Russ Hansen.

The Bendigo Advertiser announces Denise Main has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

The Bendigo Advertiser announces Denise Main has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

The Bendigo Advertiser acknowledges Denis Main is at the forefront of change for sexual abuse victims.

The Bendigo Advertiser acknowledges Denis Main is at the forefront of change for sexual abuse victims.

An official invitiation for Denis Main to receive the Churchill Fellowship from the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Young.

An official invitiation for Denis Main to receive the Churchill Fellowship from the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Young.

The plans and site for the new Eaglehawk Long Gully Community Health Centre.

The plans and site for the new Eaglehawk Long Gully Community Health Centre.

As the Bendigo Advertiser headline says: A Churchill opportunity provides a welcome responsibility.

As the Bendigo Advertiser headline says: A Churchill opportunity provides a welcome responsibility.

The Bendigo Advertiser recognises Denise Main's wonderful career in community health.

The Bendigo Advertiser recognises Denise Main's wonderful career in community health.

The Eaglehawk Community Health Centre team with Denise Main fourth from the left in the back row.

The Eaglehawk Community Health Centre team with Denise Main fourth from the left in the back row.

 

Last updated: December 2019.

 

 

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Leigh Watkins

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Friday 3 January 2020

Leigh served on the Bendigo Community Health Services board for nine years with seven of those years as Board Chair.

His hard work and dedication for BCHS through the Board of Directors only came to an end through a BCHS policy which sets a nine-year service limit for any director.

“Bendigo Community Health Services performs a vital role in the delivery of health services in our community,” Leigh says of his commitment.

Leigh continues his great work for the community today as a Director and Chair of Bendigo Primary Care Centre, director of Blackall Range Care Group on the Sunshine Coast and Director of Woombye and Districts Community Bank.

 

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

 

Last updated: December 2019.

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Jeff Wallis

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Friday 3 January 2020

Jeff enjoyed a long period of employment which dates back to the origins of the Eaglehawk Community Health Centre.

Jeff started employment as the organisation’s second Welfare Officer replacing Jack Beecham about 18 months after the centre was launched.

In his time with the organisation Jeff worked as the Welfare Officer, health educator and QUIT program co-ordinator.

Jeff set up and managed the first Drink Drive Program for community health which was later expanded to run with support from the Kangaroo Flat Community Health Centre.

In all Jeff gave 17 years of service to the organisation always with the aim of delivering new and innovative programs to schools and the broader community.

“It was fantastic to be involved with exciting and visionary people in helping develop new models of primary health care and new models of ill-health prevention and education,” Jeff says.

“Eaglehawk Community Health Centre was the model other new community health centres looked to for inspiration and leadership from around the country.

“Current operations in Bendigo continue to reflect the innovation and service provision.”

Jeff continued in the health sector by establishing and managing Heathcote Community Health Service for seven years before turning to gardening and landscaping as a pursuit he continues today.

Jeff was given the honour in 2019 of officially opening Bendigo Community Health Services’ new Fork In The Road community hub at the Central site in Hargreaves Street.

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

Last updated: December 2019.

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Gary Thorn

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Friday 3 January 2020

The support of Eaglehawk Borough Council was instrumental in the establishment of Eaglehawk and Long Gully Community Health Centre in 1974.

The council’s strong support continued as the centre moved through its formative years with Gary serving as the council representative on the Committee of Management through the entire 1980s.

When the council was amalgamated in 1994 Gary was elected to ELGCHC successor organisation Bendigo Community Health Services and served as the Chair into the early 2000s.

“Eaglehawk and Long Gully Community Health Centre and subsequently Bendigo Community Health Services have been pivotal in assuring the good health and wellbeing of the Eaglehawk community to which I belong,” Gary says.

“Community health is enormously important I that it has been proactive in addressing health concerns and wellbeing issues that may well have been overlooked or thought not to otherwise have a deleterious affect on the functioning of community.

“I like how community health’s various programs and partnerships have developed the capacity and resilience of individual community members and therefore made my community more vibrant and effective.”

Gary spent 40 years as a secondary school teacher with the last 15 at Bendigo Senior Secondary College but opted for a career change to law.

After completing a law degree and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at ANU he was admitted to practice.

Today Gary describes himself as a full-time carer of grandchildren – perhaps his busiest and most rewarding career role of all!

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

Last updated: December 2019.

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Maree Dixon

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Friday 3 January 2020

Bendigo Community Health Services recognised Maree with a life membership for her extreme loyalty as a client which today spans the entire 45 years of our existence.

“(Bendigo Community Health Services) are important because they offer all the services that I need,” Maree says.

Today Maree is retired and continues to work on her health after having heart surgery.

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

Last updated: December 2019.

Meet our BCHS Life Member: John Dixon

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Friday 3 January 2020

John has been a long-time client of Bendigo Community Health Services and was a valuable donor to Eaglehawk Community Health Centre through the formative years.

“We made a couple of donations in appreciation of the care that the doctor gave to my wife,” Johns says.

John says Bendigo Community Health Services remains important to the couple because of the care the organisation provides.

Today John is ‘semi-retired’ but does fill in the days by working part-time fixing garage doors.

To meet more of our BCHS Life Members click here

Last updated: December 2019.

Karen Community Hub and Language School officially opened in Bendigo becomes another asset for proud multicultural city

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Tuesday 2 April 2019

Bendigo Community Health Services is proud of the role we have played in establishing Bendigo's first Karen Community Hub and Language School.

The hub was officially launched by City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke and Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters during a special ceremony on Sunday. 

Our Cultural Diversity and Relationships manager Kaye Graves said the new hub was vital in helping the Karen community retain their culture, identity and faith while settling in a new country.

"It is even more important for those new arrivals we welcome to Bendigo who have been displaced and stateless in their own country of origin," Kaye said.

"The Karen Community Hub and Language School improves settlement opportunities, the wellbeing of the Karen community and prevents loss of identity through the promotion of the Karen traditions and preservation of cultural identity . This will happen through opportunities to learn traditional dance, weaving, language and storytelling."

Each Sunday the hub offers Karen language classes from 10am to noon, Karen dance classes from noon to 2pm and Karen weaving classes from noon to 3pm.  

Bendigo Community Health Services was part of an advisory group formed to seek funding for the hub with a successful grant from the LUCRF Community Partnership Trust.

"My role was to develop skills and capacity for the Karen in important areas such as project and meeting management. BCHS gave $4000 to help with establishment," Kaye said.

"BCHS will work with the new hub to provide health education and build health and service literacy."  

READ MORE

More Articles ...

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  2. Doctors in Secondary Schools: How to access this program in Loddon Mallee and Bendigo
  3. Community feedback: You said ... we did!
  4. Refugee Week: Law Lah welcomes freedom, safety and an end to days of hunger

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