Blog

Bendigo flu injections: We can help you or your business with a vaccination program

: Tuesday 8 January 2019; Written by Rod

Did you know that influenza can seriously affect your workplace?

Protecting against the flu is a great thing for any business to do for the health and wellbeing of staff.

Employees with influenza can take an average of two weeks to recover so vaccinating staff can stop loss of productivity and reduce absenteeism.

The problem for a workplace is that the flu can be contagious before any symptoms show. So it is easy to spread influenza on to other staff members in the workplace. Vaccination is a great way of protecting your staff and your business

Research shows that for every $20 a business spends on staff vaccinations you can save $115 in reducing lost productivity and downtime (comcare.gov.au).

Know your business is safe and your staff are protected against the flu.

Bendigo Community Health Services runs a fluvax program to help businesses.

Our community health nurses have been travelling around the Greater Bendigo region delivering flu shots at businesses large and small.

Following on from the last flu season, we will continue to offer two options to better manage your business needs.

: Friday 4 January 2019; Written by Rod

Welcome to 2019.

You can't have enough calendars around the house right?

Well, we've put together a little calendar for 2019 just for you.

It's got a list of our services that can help you and your family and where you can find our sites across Bendigo too.

Oh, you'll see a few images of some of our great staff as well just to add a bit of creativity.

Download your 2019 BCHS Calendar right here: pdf Bendigo Community Health Services calendar 2019 (2.34 MB)

Thanks for your support!

: Monday 31 December 2018; Written by Rod

Settlement Services team manager Martine Street thanks Jac Torres-Gomez.

Heartwarming acts of generosity and kindness remind us our community is home to some special people.

Take Jac Torres-Gomez and her six-year-old daughter Bella for example.

We had a little mystery going on when all these wonderful cash donations suddenly started arriving at Bendigo Community Health Services through the GiveNow fundraising page.

Turns out Jac and Bella had been talking about refugees in Bendigo and decided to celebrate a birthday they would contact family and friends with a special request:

“So ... I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks. I tend to get a bit reflective on my birthday and about my life and my place in the world around this time. It might only seem a small thing to do but this year I would like to put some energy into supporting two refugee families newly arriving to Bendigo through Bendigo Community Health Services with clothing, bedding, school books and some basic personal hygiene products. Can anyone chip in a few birthday dollars to support these families too? My goal is $250.”

Jac said the conversation had come about because she wanted to share with Bella an understanding about our friends in Greater Bendigo from refugee backgrounds.

“One of Bella’s best friends at school is from a refugee background, so this meant a lot to her for this reason,’’ Jac said.

“People were INCREDIBLY generous, sending contributions from Bendigo and Victoria and as far as Sydney, Perth and Denmark in Scandinavia. It was really beautiful!”

Jac and Bella’s generosity saw them easily beat their fundraising target.

: Thursday 27 December 2018; Written by Rod

Men's health male nurse practitioner Peter Strange

Victoria's Chief Health Officer has extended the free two-dose hepatitis A vaccination program in Victoria to June 30, 2019.

The program is open to all men who have sex with men, people who have injected drugs in the past 12 months, homeless and adult prisoners.

Victoria has recorded 211 confirmed cases of hepatitis A up to Novbember 23, 2018, with 10 further probable cases and 13 possible cases.

Sadly, two people have died from hepatitis A during this year's outbreak.

Bendigo Community Health Services provides free vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV)meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) through our Sexual Health Clinic.

We can also provide PrEP medication to combat HIV from our GPs or Men's Health Clinic.

PrEP was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in April 2018 making the drug more affordable and accessible to Victorians.

Evidence shows that when taken daily PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99 per cent.

Together with condoms, frequent and regular sexual health screening and effective treatments for people living with HIV, Victorians have more resources than ever to prevent HIV.

BCHS is supporting people from as far afield as Shepparton, Horsham and Seymour to receive PrEP.

We also host a PRONTO! rapid HIV testing clinic in partnership with Thorne Harbor and Burnet Institute.

For information on our Sexual Health Clinic, Men's Health Clinic or Women's Health Clinic please visit www.bchs.com.au or call (03) 5448 1600 to make an appointment.

Christmas and New Year: Some tips from our teams for getting through the festive period

: Monday 24 December 2018; Written by Rod

The Christmas and New Year period is a time to enjoy with family and friends.

It’s also traditionally a time when people are rushing about, a little stressed and perhaps over indulge a tad with food and refreshments.

So, with all that in mind we asked some of our great teams for advice on how you can get through the next week or so.

We're keen for you to remember that while keeping an exercise routine through the holiday period can be challenging it’s important to stick at it.

“If possible, go for a stroll around the block or play some backyard cricket in between feasting. Even a short burst of physical activity will boost your metabolism and work off a few extra Christmas calories. Evening walks are ideal at this time of year,” said Kaye Graves.

Here's a little recipe for working off your indulgences:

: Friday 21 December 2018; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has appointed Gerard José as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr José comes to BCHS after four years as Chief Executive Officer with Mildura Rural City Council.

He will start with BCHS early in 2019 when present CEO Kim Sykes finishes after more than eight years in the role.

BCHS Board of Directors Chair Geoff Bowyer said Mr José was selected after an extensive recruitment process that included support from Fisher Leadership.

“The board is confident Gerard has the experience and leadership skills to ensure Bendigo Community Health Services can continue to grow and support our community, particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged,” Mr Bowyer said.

“Gerard impressed the board with his strong background in leadership and strong affiliation with regional Victoria.

“We believe Gerard is a very engaging leader who will draw on the strengths of existing staff and further those strengths. He will be a great mentor.

“As we come to the end of our present three-year Strategic Directions, we see 2019 as an important time for BCHS as we finalise a new plan for the future of the organisation and Gerard will be critical to that process.

“We’re proud of what BCHS has achieved under the quality leadership of Kim Sykes and we look forward to continuing to build our services and programs to care for the Bendigo community with Gerard’s guidance and initiatives.”

Mr José said the BCHS CEO role provided a great opportunity to work with very talented staff to gain an understanding of the community health and well-being issues and improve our community’s quality of life.

“The Board impressed me with their passion to work in partnership with others in our region to create healthier outcomes and meet needs in a systemic way,” Mr José said.

: Wednesday 12 December 2018; Written by Rod

The graduation class with our acting CEO Peter Richardson and Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke.

What an honour to have City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke attend our Settlement Orientation Program graduation ceremony for the latest citizens making a home in Bendigo.

Thank you for the kind words in welcoming the refugee families to Bendigo and wishing them well as they find their way in our great city.

The Mayor also presented a personal letter from the City of Greater Bendigo to each program graduate as a welcome.

Our Settlement Services Orientation Program provides a valuable insight into Bendigo and Australia covering topics such as health, housing, culture, laws, money, public transport, employment and education.

We continue to support the families as they settle into the community, particularly through our health and wellbeing services and programs.

Thank you again Mayor. We loved it!

Learn more about our refugee services at www.bchs.com.au

Multicultural Refugee Youth Camp secured thanks to generous donation

: Thursday 29 November 2018; Written by Rod

It’s on again – a wonderful donation has secured the future of our hugely popular Refugee Youth Camp in 2019.

MCCA Islamic Finance and Investments and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank have donated $5000 to ensure the camp goes ahead next year.

The donation is part of their annual profit towards community programs.

MCCA representatives Ibrahim Hassan and Mohammad Najjar travelled from Melbourne to present us with the donation.

Safar and Lwe Pree who attended our Refugee Youth Camp this year both talked about their experiences at the camp and their personal journeys to Bendigo.

We thank Ibrahim and Mohammad for spending so much time learning about the Refugee Youth Camp and the other services we provide for refugees making a home in Bendigo.

Their questions and interest in how we are supporting multicultural communities was much appreciated.

Thanks must also go to Ben Rix from the Portfolio Funding section of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank who visited our Central site in Hargreaves Street and was very interested in learning what we were doing in the multicultural space.

This year’s Refugee Youth Camp saw more than 40 young people from the Afghan, Karen and South Sudenese communities in Bendigo enjoy three days at Camp Curumbene at Corop.

Lifestyle, healthy choices, cybersafety, mental health and wellbeing were some of the topics covered at the camp along with fun activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, giant chess and a rope course.

: Tuesday 27 November 2018; Written by Rod

Let the festive spirit flow ... we are so appreciative of the fantastic generosity of the team at Kennington Dental who have decided to run a toy drive to help us bring some joy to families in need this Christmas.

The Christmas tree already has some wonderful gifts underneath provided by Kennington Dental patients but if you can help the team build the collection you'll find them at 115 Sternberg Street.

Thank you so much to Kate, Dr Sathie and everyone at Kennington Dental - it's your generosity that will create the perfect smiles this Christmas Day!

Our toy drive catered for many families last year such as great grand parents looking after three children and a mum who had to source a personal loan for food little own presents.

If you would like to help please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call on 5448 1600.

Thanks again to the Kennington Dental team for getting things started! Much appreciated!

Mini Roos Canteen Project helps refugees play Bendigo soccer

: Wednesday 21 November 2018; Written by Rod

The Mini Roos Canteen Project volunteers with their graduation certificates.

Celebrating another great year of fostering participation in soccer while building life skills for new refugees and asylum seekers making a home in Bendigo through our successful Mini Roos Canteen Project.

The project saw 16 volunteers of Afghani, Karen and South Sudanese backgrounds help run the Mini Roos Canteen at junior soccer on a Saturday morning under the guidance of Bendigo Community Health Services volunteers Judy Stewart and Alonso.

Funds raised through the project are used to assist refugees in playing soccer.

“Playing sport can assist in the transition to life in Australia by enhancing social supports, enabling friendships, building language skills and facilitating cultural exchange,” Kaye said.

“The Mini Roos Canteen has provided volunteers with the opportunity to reduce their own playing fees or fees of other family members.

“The project provides volunteers with the opportunity to build their skills in the areas of teamwork, planning, customer service, food handling, English language development, numeracy and money handling.

“Ten volunteers also completed their Do Food Safely training through the program.”

If you would like to learn more about the Mini Roos Canteen Project email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Kaye Graves on (03) 5448 1600.

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.