Blog

Meet our BCHS Life Member: Jeff Wallis

: Friday 3 January 2020; Written by Rod

Life Member Jeff Wallis was given the honour of officially opening the Fork In The Road community hub in 2019.

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

: Friday 3 January 2020; Written by Rod

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

: Friday 3 January 2020; Written by Rod

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

: Friday 3 January 2020; Written by Rod

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.

Bendigo health promotion: Helping schools, business and community groups achieve healthier lifestyles

: Thursday 2 January 2020; Written by Rod

Our Health Promotion team - Izzy, Siobhan and Hannah.

“Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health.”

World Health Organisation

Our Health Promotion team is passionate about improving health and wellbeing in the community.

The team offers FREE community education sessions for schools, workplaces, community groups and sporting clubs.

We cover specific issues such as puberty, contraception, physical activity, mental health and wellbeing or cyber safety.

If you are worried about an issue not listed above, please contact the Health Promotion team to talk about how we can help.

We can attend your event as a guest speaker or host an information stand about a single topic or BCHS services.

These are just some of the events we have supported:

RU OK Day.
Mental Health Week.
Men’s Health Week.
Women’s Health Week.
La Trobe University O Week.
Weeroona College Mood Day.
Marist College careers night.
Bendigo RSL Veterans Wellbeing Expo.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Network Central Victoria annual walk and SafeTALK workshops.

And we might just bring along some of our famous green stress frogs and other giveaways!

To find out how we can host a free evidence-based program or session for you or support your event, please contact a member of the Health Promotion team:

Izzy Nichol-Smith by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (03) 5406 1268.

Siobhan Sullivan by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (03) 5406 1253.

Hannah Coghill by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 5406 1288.

Keep reading below to get an insight into how we can help you improve health and wellbeing.

: Tuesday 24 December 2019; Written by Rod

by Gerard Jose,

Chief Executive Officer,

Bendigo Community Health Services

Hi all,

So very proud to be CEO of an organisation with staff that strive to improve the quality of life of all members of the community and offer our hands to those seeking support.

Our vision for better health and wellbeing across generations is a powerful reminder for me of the reason many of us chose to work at BCHS.

The Bendigo Community Health Services mission is to work hand in hand with our community to achieve healthier lives and this is demonstrated daily with our compassion for others who may have challenges and trials.

This is a wonderful, friendly and multi-cultural community comprising people from all walks of life.

People from many lands have made our city and region what it is today, and whilst I delight in my own heritage and culture, I so enjoy and appreciate the rich mosaic of the many cultures that weave the fabric of our community.

From my experience and observations, it’s clear our organisation works with many others to address embedded disadvantage, warmly embraces newcomers and achieves great outcomes in supporting our communities to be more diverse, tolerant and inclusive.

With our traditional festive season fast approaching, my family and I would like to share our best wishes to all of you, your families and friends for a special, safe and joyous time.

Many people celebrate other than Christmas during the festive season here. With so many diverse cultures living together in harmony, it is certainly not surprising that many celebrations – religious, secular or cultural – are celebrated before, during and after Christmas.

Here is a snapshot:

: Monday 23 December 2019; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services recognises our valued Life Members.

We thank all our Life Members for their wonderful contributions which have established and shaped our organisation through the years.

It's these contributions that set the foundations to allow Bendigo Community Health Services to become the significant carer for the health and wellbeing of the Bendigo community that we see today.

Thank you all.

So, who are each of our Life Members? Well, let us introduce you to them.

(Please click on any name that appears below as an active link to learn more about this Life Member's contribution to BCHS)

Meet our Life Members:

: Monday 23 December 2019; Written by Rod

Kalianna students made Christmas goodies bags and handed them out at our Thursday Soup Kitchen.

The goodwill coming our way in the lead up to Christmas has been overwhelming.

We can't thank enough the organisations and businesses who have supported our clients.

We'd like to share feedback from our staff who have been hand-delivering gifts to families in need for the past few days just to show you and your kind donors what this truly means:

"Over the last couple of days there have been so many families that have burst into tears when I have arrived with gifts, hampers etc. They have also expressed such gratitude form the bottom of their heart. Thank you again for making such a huge difference to the families we work with. It has changed their world."

"I wish to express sincere thanks on behalf of the recipients of toys, Christmas hampers and Share the Dignity bags. I have dropped off quite a lot of things over the last few days and needless to say, there have been many smiles, hugs and statements of appreciation to the kind and generous donors. I appreciate the efforts you have put in to make ensure that many of our families have a happy and joyful festive season."

In the past few weeks we have received these wonderful donations below which have all now been distributed to families for Christmas:

: Wednesday 18 December 2019; Written by Rod

Our Alcohol and Other Drugs team is now providing free scripts for overdose reversing medication Nyxoid.

Nyxoid is a nasal spray alternative to the injectable form of Naloxone that will temporarily reverse an opioid overdose with no side effects.

There were 392 ‘unintentional’ overdose deaths in Victoria during 2017.

Alcohol and Other Drugs team member CJ Jones said anyone who uses illegal or prescribed opioid-based drugs should learn about Naloxone.

“Death as a result of opioid overdose is rarely instant. There is usually time for a bystander to intervene and respond with life-saving Naloxone as long as it’s available,” CJ said.

“The nasal spray is simple to use, requires very little training and will save the life of a loved one or friend if administered in time. We encourage anyone who is ‘at risk’ or could witness an overdose to talk to us about a free Naloxone or Nyxoid script.”

CJ urged people to remember that both illegal drugs and opioid-based prescription medications can lead to an overdose.

“People understand that heroin is an illicit opioid, but many prescription drugs are also opioids like Codeine, Tramadol, Morphine, Oxycodone and other pain medications,” she said.

: Monday 16 December 2019; Written by Rod

A new Bendigo Community Health Services support group will help families and friends living with the effects of drug or alcohol use.

The Family Drug Support Group will help people understand how to help someone using drugs or alcohol, set boundaries and importantly look after themselves.

Bendigo Community Health Services Alcohol and Other Drugs team manager Jan Dunlop said living or caring for someone using alcohol or drugs can be an emotional rollercoaster.

“It can be a very distressing and confusing time and this group will share experiences and provide an understanding of what’s happening to you,” Ms Dunlop said.

“We will look at the impact and influence you can have on the person using drugs or alcohol which is important.

“Family and carers sometimes get overwhelmed with what’s happening and this group will look at ways to cope.”

Ms Dunlop said Alcohol and Other Drugs team members would host the Family Drug Support Group each Wednesday afternoon in the Fork In The Road community hub from January 29 next year.

Anyone wanting more information about the Family Drug Support Group or register a place can call the Family Drug Support counsellor on 5406 1200.

To learn more about all the alcohol and other drugs programs offered by Bendigo Community Health Services click here

Subcategories

General
Community

For all events, information stands, men’s health week, women’s health week and the like
Discovering BCHS - meet our staff

Find out more about our amazing staff
kidzspace - a new era for BCHS

Our kidzspace project
Volunteers

BCHS recognises and thanks our volunteers
Partnerships

BCHS recognises and thanks our partners
From our CEO

News from our CEO
Celebrations

Celebrating BCHS's milestones
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.