Our Bendigo Community Coat Drive has raised $18,410.
A huge thank you to the community, businesses and our staff and board directors who contributed to the coat drive.
Some of the efforts that deserve special recognition include:
City of Greater Bendigo: $10,000 grant.
Kangaroo Flat Enterprise Committee: $1500.
Rotary Club of Bendigo: $1500.
Anonymous Bendigo couple: $1000.
Holloway Air Bendigo: $500.
ESE Consulting Bendigo: $500.
A huge thanks to these donors and everyone elso who took part - we truly appreciate your efforts.
We have now started to buy new coats from different stores in Bendigo. We thought this was important given the present business climate thanks to Coronavirus.
The coats have started being distributed by our staff and partners Haven Home Safe and Eaglehawk Community House.
A huge thanks to Bendigo Fooshare who has helped us collect and distribute coats - much appreciated.
ORIGINAL POST:
Winter is all but here so it's traditionally time for our Bendigo Community Coat Drive.
We collected, cleaned and distributed a record 2700 coats and blankets last year with the help of partners AFL Central Victoria and Pristine Dry Cleaners - what an incredibly generous community we have!
Well, we're going to need that generosity even more this year.
It's just too hard to run our traditional coat drive calling for second-hand clothes this year under the Coronavirus threat and restrictions that we're all living under to stay safe.
So, we're going online and asking people to donate to our Bendigo Community Coat Drivefundraising campaign so we can buy new coats that will be safe to distribute.
So, how do you donate and how will we distribute the coats?
On behalf of the Board of Directors I'd like to thank you for reading our new There For You e-news edition.
This is part of our commitment to keeping our members and the community up-to-date with all the happenings at Bendigo Community Health Services.
We're very proud of what our organisation and staff are achieving in continuing to deliver 'essential' services during this Coronavirus time.
There has been so much work done in such a short time to ensure we can safely continue to care for the community while keeping the safety of our clients and staff as the number one priority.
Our staff continue to turn up for work each day at the Eaglehawk site while others work behind the scenes in support at our Kangaroo Flat site and from home which is a very new experience for them.
Our doctors and health professionals have embraced Telehealth to ensure we can continue to help clients seeking our help either by phone or video link. The doctor then makes a decision on whether the client needs a face-to-face appointment at our Eaglehawk site. We've found Telehealth is being embraced by our clients and while some have concerns they are not actually seeing the doctor face-to-face they understand this is being done to look after their own health and that of our staff as we experience Stage 3 'lock down' restrictions in Victoria.
The board has supported our CEO Gerard Jose in taking a seat on the City of Greater Bendigo Pandemic Relief and Recovery Committee.
It’s very important during this Coronavirus time that you look after yourself in isolation and watch out for any warning signs around withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.
Our Alcohol and Other Drugs team shares some advice to support the community, particularly those who could be in danger of withdrawal, their loved ones and friends.
Withdraw with care
Any withdrawal should be done with great care and the support of your GP. If you are isolated and withdrawing by choice or through lack of access to drugs or alcohol please don’t stop suddenly but cut back on what you’re taking bit by bit.
Watch out for ‘the shakes’
The shakier you are the closer you are to having a seizure. If you have excessive shaking take action by calling your GP, family or a friend sooner rather than later. If it’s really bad call 000 straight away.
Voting has now closed for Bendigo's Got Talent 2020.
Singer Mikala McNeill from Wedderburn has won #BGT2020.
Dancer Leonie Ferguson was second with singer Jenna Conlan third.
The Connection Club thanks everyone who took part in this event by either sending us an entry or voting for your favourite.
We'd love to hear your feedback. Let us know if you'd like to see Bendigo's Got Talent 2021 or share any thoughts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you.
UPDATE
We've put together a great little video to give you a sneak peak of all our 18 entries. What a talented group! Thanks for entering. See the video at the bottom of this post.
ORIGINALPOST
It's time to unleash your hidden talent!
We were so excited about co-hosting Bendigo's Got Talent with Headspace Bendigo and our other Connection Club partners for Youth Central Victorian Youth Week but Coronavirus put a stop to that didn't it!
Well, we've decided it's not going to put a stop to us having fun so we're taking the talent show online!
Yes, it's time to unleash your hidden talents and show them off a little and you could take home a $300 voucher from Bendigo Marketplace.
Second place gets a $200 voucher and third place a $100 voucher with the top 10 getting a great goodies bag from headspace Bendigo.
It’s been a very long few weeks for our staff who continue to turn up for work each day because they care for the health and wellbeing of our community.
That’s never been more important than this Coronavirus time.
These great nurses took a break from delivering flu shots to ‘high risk’ clients today to share a special message we all want you to follow this Easter ... please stay home!
Yes, Easter is usually a time for getting out and celebrating with family or friends. We will all do that again one day but not this year!
Bendigo Community Health Services has reviewed all services and programs given the current Coronavirus threat with the safety of our consumers and staff as the highest priority.
The Coronavirus threat means we must change the way we deliver some services.
We are now using Telehealth for appointments so our doctors and other health professionals can consult with you by phone or video link from the safety and comfort of your home. They will then decide if you need a face-to-face consult which will be done at our Eaglehawk site (3 Seymoure Street).
Don’t worry if your face-to-face appointment at BCHS gets changed to a Telehealth appointment - just follow the instructions below and it’s as simple as answering your phone or clicking on the email link we send you for video appointments!
All new appointments will be Telehealth first.
What you must do before a Telehealth appointment with our staff member:
Great news! We now have plenty of flu vaccines in stock.
If your business needs us to visit and protect your staff against the flu this Winter, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1477 to book a time.
We have spaces available next week.
We truly appreciate your patience and fully understand it's been a frustrating flu vaccination campaign so far.
ORIGINAL POST
Bendigo Community Health Services is taking a huge number of calls about flu vaccinations.
The Coronavirus threat and announcements by federal and state governments encouraging people to call their GP and get vaccinated has led to this demand.
Australia is seeing an unprecedented demand for flu vaccinations this year. Our supplier has told us to expect delivery delays due to early vaccine supplies being redirected by government to protect frontline healthcare staff working in essential services such as hospitals and aged care homes. This is out of our control but we understand the important need to protect these workers and will continue to talk with the supplier to ensure delivery as soon as possible.
Our Medical Practice and Workplace Health teams have been working hard on a model for delivering flu vaccinations as they arrive that has the safety of our staff and clients as the highest priority during this Coronavirus time.
We know there is frustration around how long this process is taking but trust you understand the way every health service delivers flu shots during this Coronavirus threat requires far more planning.
Our Workplace Health Flu Vaccination Program would normally be underway by now but has been delayed for this reason.
So, where are we at with our Flu Vaccination Program for this year?
Please note that our bulk-billed medical practice will not be accepting new patients during this Coronavirus period. We apologise for any inconvenience. Our Women's Health Clinic, Men's Health Clinic and Sexual Health Clinic are accepting new patients. Call 5406 1200 to book an appointment.
It’s certainly a different world we are living in at the moment.
Organisations such as ours are putting precautions in place to protect our staff and clients from the threat of Coronavirus while we continue delivering essential services to care for the health and wellbeing of the community.
We have been getting a lot of calls from people trying to get appointments because they think we will be closing our doors in coming weeks.Please rest assured our plan and precautions have been developed to make sure that doesn't happen! This increase in calls is placing pressure on our Client Services staff who are doing their very best to answer all the queries but please be aware we might not be able to get to you all. We ask for patience and not frustration in these times.
What we have done is reviewed all our services and programs to ensure we can safely continue to care for you and the community through this Coronavirus period. But the way we deliver some of these services must change.
From Monday, March 30, the following changes will take place for our services:
Bendigo Community Health Services and other primary health services are playing a critical role in supporting our clients and the wider community during the response to this Coronavirus pandemic.
Equally important is we will be involved with other agencies and the City of Greater Bendigo in the longer-term recovery of our neighbourhoods and towns across the region.
Keeping our staff, their families and the wider community safe is our primary goal and we need to minimise the number of physical sites we provide services from and work to provide access remotely where possible.
BCHS will consolidate clinical services at Eaglehawk from Monday and provide limited service operations at our Kangaroo Flat and headspace Bendigo sites.
We believe by having some sites closed, we will be able to quickly re-open them as alternative service points if we have to close others due to any possible infection outbreaks. This will provide continuity of service for as long as possible.
Our amazing staff have been very creative in the way they have planned to continue supporting our services and ensure people get the care they need. Many of our staff will work remotely from home as this is the most critical measure needed to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.
As a community we must be vigilant and keep the number of people moving around our communities to a minimum and reinforce infection control procedures.
BCHS will continue to provide services and work with others in response to this Pandemic and we will be a critical part of community recovery in the future.
People across our communities are working hard to support each other and we know that many households will be impacted personally, emotionally and financially over the coming months.
As a community we need to take care of ourselves as this recovery will require many current and new services into the future.
Scroll down for information sheets and videos in Karen, Dari and Dinka ...
Our Settlement Services team has produced information sheets and videos explaining the Coronavirus threat translated in Karen, Dari and Dinka.
The information has been gathered from the Department of Health and Human Services and our Medical Practice Lead Clinician Gary Bourke and Doctor Katie Snow.
We have produced this information in support of our Karen, Afghan and South Sudanese communities.
If you have any questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our journey so far ...
We are very proud of our staff who work to support refugee communities. We were asked what we had done since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in March. So we took a look back. Incredible. To see a snapshot of the work we've done to keep refugee communities informed since March this year including website visits, video views, information sheet downloads and other highlights pdf
click here
(233 KB)
Karen introduction ...
Dari introduction ...
Karen language:
Information sheets in language:
(Please click on the link to download and read or print out a PDF version of the information sheet).
VIDEO: Bendigo Health Screening Clinic with Karen interpreter
To see important information from Bendigo Health on the Stewart Street Coronavirus screening clinic in Karen language pdf
click here
(731 KB)
Watch the video below to learn more about the Stewart Street screening clinic and the special times available for the Karen community with interpeter support:
Special information: What does 'close contact' mean and what you must do
Our Settlement Services team has produced these information sheets and a video in Karen language explaining close contact and what is needed if you are tested for Coronavirus for this reason. We have produced this information in support of Bendigo Health and KR Castlemaine who are testing all workers due to a Coronavirus positive test on one staff member.
To watch a video on close contact and what this means for you click here
To download an information sheet on worker support from the Victorian Government for those who are awaiting a 'close contact' test result or self isolating pdf
click here
(476 KB)
Special video series for parents in Karen language
Our Settlement Services team has made a special series of videos to help parents talk to their children about Coronavirus and work to keep a normal family routine.
We thank the Victorian Government for funding to allow us to make this valuable information resource for parents during these Coronavirus times.
Parenting series in Karen language
(Click on the links below to watch the videos)
Video 1: Talking to your children about Coronavirus - watch video
Video 2: Don't forget to stop, pause, play - watch video
Video 3: Keeping a good routine at home is important - watch video
Videos in language:
(Please click on the link to watch the video).
LATEST VIDEO:
Coronavirus update, September 16, 2020 - Community guide Nido details the move to Step 3: Watch video
Video 3 - Explaining self isolation and Stage 3 restrictions: Watch video
Video 4 - What to do if you think you have Coronavirus: Watch video
Video 5 - Changes to Stage 3 restrictions in Victoria: Watch video
Video 6 - More changes to Stage 3 restrictions from June 1: Watch video
Video 7 - What to do if you experience prejudice motivated crime (racism): Watch video
Video 8 - An important message about the flu for the Karen community: Watch video
Video 9 - More changes to Coronavirus restrictions from June 22: Watch video
Video 10 - Travel warnings for Melbourne these school holidays: Watch video
Video 11 - NSW border closure, six-week Melbourne lockdown and getting tested: Watch video
Video 12 - Face masks - how to choose a safe one and wear them correctly: Watch video
Video 13 - Face masks - Everyone in regional Victoria must wear one when out: Watch video
Video 14 - Close contact. What this means and what you must do if you are a 'close contact': Watch video
Video 15 - What you must do if you test positive for Coronavirus: Watch video
Video 16 - What is close contact and what does this mean: Watch video
Video 17 - Regional Victoria returns to Stage 3 restrictions (August 5): Watch video
Video 18 - Sport and recreation - what you can and can't do under Stage 3 restrictions: Watch video
Video 19 - Most common questions to our Coronavirus Telephone Hotline on isolation and Stage 3 restrictions: Watch video
Video 20 - Most common questions to our Coronavirus Telephone Hotline on workplaces and government support payments: Watch video
Video 21 - Weekly update August 24, 2020 - Community guide Nido provides the latest news and changes for Karen community: Watch video
Video 22 - Weekly update, August 31, 2020 - Community guide Nido provides the latest news and changes for Karen community: Watch video
Video 23 - Weekly update, September 8, 2020 - Community guide Nido details the planned roadmap out of Coronavirus restrictions: Watch video
Video 24 - Weekly update, September 16, 2020: The move to Step 3 Coronavirus restrictions explained. Watch video
Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for Karen community
We are now offering a free telephone hotline for Karen community members who have questions about Coronavirus. Your call will be anwered by one of our Karen-speaking staff and all calls are confidential. The hotline is available from Monday to Thursday between 1pm and 4.30pm. Please call 5406 1254 or call/text 0437 418 984. Don't worry if you have a pre-paid phone plan as we will call you straight back to save money.
To print out and share a promotional flyer for the new Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community pdf
click here
(985 KB)
Watch this video to meet some of the staff who will be answering your calls and learn more about the free Coronavirus Karen Hotline we will host from Monday, July 6:
Campaign raises domestic and family violence awareness
Domestic and family violence information sheet in Karen
Download and print out an information sheet in Karen language on the different types of domestic and family violence, what you should do if you are experiencing this behaviour and some links to important organisations who can support you pdf
click here
(736 KB)
Bendigo Mayor issues statement in support of Karen community
Watch a video statement from Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke supporting Karen community click here
Print out a copy of statement from Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke in Karen pdf
click here
(1.00 MB)
Step by step guide to using Telehealth (healthdirect) for video appointments
Bendigo Community Health Services is using healthdirect to provide video Telehealth appointments with our health professionals.
To download a step by step guide on how to use healthdirect in English and Karen language pdf
click here
(627 KB)
A 'no money accepted sign' in Karen for business
If you run a business used by the Karen community and want to let them know you would prefer not to accept cash payments at this time, please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will send you as translated poster.
Dari language (Afghan)
Information sheets in language:
(Please click on the link to download and print out a PDF).
Video 3 - Explaining self Isolation and Stage 3 restrictions: Watch video
Video 4 - What to do if you think you have Coronavirus: Watch video
Video 5 - Changes to Stage 3 restrictions in Victoria: Watch video
Video 6 - Coronavirus restrictions changes from June 1: Watch video
Video 7 - NSW border closure, six-week Melbourne lockdown and getting tested: Watch video
Video 8 - Face masks - how to choose the right one and wear them correctly: Watch video
Special video series for parents (Dari language)
Our Settlement Services team has made a special series of videos to help parents talk to their children about Coronavirus and work to keep a normal family routine.
We thank the Victorian Government for funding to allow us to make this valuable information resource for parents during these Coronavirus times.
Parenting series in Dari language
(Click on the links below to watch the videos)
Video 1: Talking to your children about Coronavirus - watch video
Video 2: Don't forget to stop, pause, play - watch video
Video 3: Keeping a good routine at home is important - watch video
Watch a statement from Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke in support of Afghan community click here
Print out a copy of the statement from Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke in Dari pdf
click here
(1.02 MB)
Dinka (South Sudanese)
Information sheets in language:
(Please click on the link to download and print out a PDF).
Bendigo Community Health Services is happy for you to share these resources with a credit. Thank you.
We'd love your feedback
We would love to hear your feedback on our Bendigo Coronavirus Refugee Resource Hub. If you've got something to share please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Refugee settlement services at BCHS
Learn more about the great things we are doing to support the refugee communities of Bendigo at www.bchs.com.au
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.
