Latest news
Latest news from Bendigo Community Health Services.
Pivotal pilot reconnecting vulnerable people with health services
Clare Woods has a passion for people… and data. It’s an unusual pairing, but it may just be a combination that will change lives forever as she drives forward an ambitious pilot program for Bendigo Community Health Services: the Health...
Ground-breaking cancer program receives international audience
The cancer journey is daunting for anyone. But even more so for people of refugee background. When Bendigo Community Health Services learnt of an increase in late-stage cancer diagnosis among the local Karen community, the service’s Cultural Diversity team took...
New AOD trainees ready for their next chapter
The BCHS Alcohol and Other Drugs service recently welcomed new trainees Martin, Aysha, Brohgan and Jacob to the team. The four new recruits answered the call to change careers, and in turn, bolster the AOD workforce in central Victoria. With...
Men’s Health Week drives home check up message
“Regular check-ups are like servicing your car – they help avoid breakdowns,” says Bendigo Community Health Services Dr Haris Noor. With 50 men a day dying from preventable causes in Australia the Men’s Health Clinic GP is using Men’s Health...
These are the Champions!
Hats off to the 18 Community Champions who have undertaken our Emergency Preparedness training sessions this year. These leaders of the Karen and Afghan community are now equipped with the knowledge to help Bendigo’s migrant and former refugee communities to...
Volunteer variety is the spice of life for Pam
When Pam Rogers moved to Elmore from Mount Gambier in 2006 with her husband Ken there was no question in her mind when it came to what she would do with her spare time. “It was a natural thing for...
Bendigo La Trobe University graduates contribute to the good work of community health
Tim Barry (above right) expected to be challenged by his student placement in the BCHS Forensic Mental Health team. Instead, it totally changed him. “I was looking for a placement that was really going to test my values,” he says...
Dream team duo in the scope for national award
Nurse Veronica Steegs and Dr Michael Barclay are the ultimate quiet achievers. They’re usually too busy to talk about their work, running BCHS’ incredibly busy Refugee Health Clinic, but the word is out. In June, 2025, this tiny team won...
Coat campaign seeks 1000 donations this season
Bendigo Community Health Services and Pristine Drycleaners are aiming to make the winter months more bearable for 1000 of Bendigo’s most vulnerable people. BCHS has revived its winter coat drive after a two-year hiatus, thanks to the dedicated support of...
BCHS 50th anniversary podcast launches
Bendigo Community Health Services is rounding out its 50th anniversary year with a special podcast series. The eight planned episodes celebrate half a century of care by catching up with some of BCHS’ health heroes, as well as sharing bits...
Angela’s family day care career comes full circle
For Angela Lloyd there’s no place like home, and that’s exactly the type of environment she strives to provide for the families she looks after. As well as being an educator in the family day care space, Angela also sent...
From Myanmar to medicine: Lived experience drives BCHS’ newest GP
Dr Joshua Columbus feels a deep calling to community health. Born in the remote jungles among that Karen Resistance Group, on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS) newest general practitioner understands better than most the...
Projects to improve lives in Greater Bendigo
BCHS has pinpointed seven essential projects requiring government and/or philanthropic support. Together, we know we can grow and greatly improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of our community. We have met with local federal candidates in the lead up to...
BCHS takes a cheeky approach to cancer screening education for migrants
Bendigo Community Health Services is working to ensure new migrants and refugees have a better understanding of cancer and Australia’s cancer screening programs. BCHS has partnered with Melbourne Polytechnic to take cancer screening education into Adult Migrant English Program* classrooms,...
School’s in on vape education
A new education session for primary school students is sending myths about vaping up in smoke. Run by the BCHS Health Promotion team, the education program, Prevention of Vaping, is aimed at Grade 5 and 6 students. The session delivers...
