Blog

Recognising our Bendigo Community Health Services life members for their valued contributions

: 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:

: 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

Extreme heat: A few tips to get you through a tough week for Bendigo

: Monday 16 December 2019; Written by Rod

It's going to be a stinker in Bendigo this week! When extreme heat conditions are forecast it's important people consider a heat health action plan ...

Last updated: December 16, 2019.

The temperatures in Bendigo are going to be extreme in Bendigo this week.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions occurring when the body’s temperature rises and the internal organs start to shut down.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion range from muscle cramps, dizziness and nausea to vomiting and fainting.

The risk of heat stress is higher for young children as they sweat quicker than adults and are less likely to be able to tell you they are dehydrated.

There are simple things people can do to prevent their children from suffering dehydration, heat stress or worse.

Make sure they are drinking water rather than sport drinks or fruit juices and if you’re worried they might be dehydrated, ask them when they last went to the toilet. If it’s been a few hours then they’re not drinking enough. If it’s been over six hours then they are likely to be dehydrated.

Here is some general health information for extreme heat conditions.

: Friday 13 December 2019; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services offers a Community Harmony Program that will help your business, school or community group learn more about the refugee journey.

The program is delivered by the Refugee Settlement and Cultural Diversity and Relationships teams.

Support from the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet allows us to deliver these important programs.

If you would like to learn more about the programs below or organise a session for your organisation please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.

Understanding the refugee journey

The workshop will provide a better understanding of the pre and post refugee settlement experiences, programs and services offered to assist with settlement.

Cost: negotiable.

Presented by: Refugee Settlement and Cultural Diversity Team.

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.

Understanding Islam and Muslims in Australia

The workshop aims to provide you with a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in Australia. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have gained a better understanding of:

The five pillars of Islam
Islamic values
Life events in Muslim families
Women and Islam
Islamic festivals and customs
Strategies for working with Muslim families

Cost: free.

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.

Understanding Karen culture

This workshop aims to provide community workers and service providers with a better un-derstanding of the Karen community and their culture in Australia. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have gained a better understanding of:

Karen culture
Family structure
Important festivals and events
History of peoples of Burma
The importance of using interpreters

Cost: negotiable.

Presented by Karen settlement staff.

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.

To download a PDF version of our Community Harmony Program brochure pdf click here (1.04 MB)

Other refugee programs

To learn more about other services and programs run by Bendigo Community Health Services to support refugee communities visit www.bchs.com.au

Last updated: December 2019.

Bendigo Community Health Services opening hours for Christmas and New Year period

: Friday 13 December 2019; Written by Rod

Please have a happy, safe and healthy festive season from all of us at Bendigo Community Health Services.

Our services will be closed on selected days through the Christmas and New Year period.

Please find below our site opening times:

December 23: All sites open as normal

December 24: All sites open as normal

December 25: Closed

December 26: Closed

December 27: Closed

December 28: Closed

December 29: Closed

December 30: Eaglehawk site open only. Call 5406 1200.

December 31: Eaglehawk site open only. Call 5406 1200.

January 1, 2020: Closed

January 2, 2020: All sites open as normal from 8am today.

If you have an emergency ring 000 immediately.

If you need non-emergency, after-hours medical advice please try Nurse On Call 1300 606 024 or healthdirect GP Helpline on 1800 022 222.

Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system interim report welcomed by BCHS

: Friday 29 November 2019; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services welcomes today’s interim report from the Royal commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Our submission to the Royal Commission described this as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ for mental health in Victoria and it’s enormously encouraging to see nine recommendations that pave the way for change on this scale.

We thank the many people who had the courage to tell their ‘lived experience’ stories during this Royal Commission because that bravery now has the real potential of bringing about historic change.

Our submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was based on our experience providing services to people in need.

It’s heartening to see today’s interim report recognise the groups highlighted in our submission as needing urgent consideration.

There is the ‘missing middle’ – those who fall between the gaps due to not being at the higher level of acuteness and not meeting eligibility requirements for services funded to worth with people with mild mental health presentations.

To read the full interim report pdf click here (1.54 MB)

Young people needing better access to services along with people of refugee background.

: Tuesday 26 November 2019; Written by Rod

Exciting times as we welcome Public Health Researcher Danielle Couch to the Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors at tonight's November meeting.

Danielle was elected to the Board at our Annual General Meeting on November 14.

Directors Katie Johnson and Dean McKay were re-elected for another term.

Danielle is excited about getting involved in BCHS with its social model of health and focus on providing accessible, quality health and social services.

She brings a strong interest in public and rural health, media, health workforce, communities and social models of healthcare.

Danielle holds a Master of Public Health and a PhD in public health with her work recognised by the inaugural Violet Vines Marshman Postdoctoral Fellow in Rural Health at La Trobe University in Bendigo.

She has an extensive history working in population health, health promotion and primary prevention with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, funding and commissioning organisations, digital health and peak consumer health bodies.

Danielle has worked with Murray PHN, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative and Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group.

She is an Associate Editor with the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry and a member of the Public Health Association of Australia and The Australian Sociological Association.

Welcome Danielle!

Jenny Dillon stepped down from the board at the AGM and we thank her for the time and effort she gave BCHS during her stint as a Director.

Who are the other members of the BCHS Board of Directors? To find out click here

Last updated: November 2019

Eaglehawk site takes direct hit from falling tree on Code Red Day

: Thursday 21 November 2019; Written by Rod

Our sincere thank you to the Eaglehawk community who were quickly on the phone to the Victoria State Emergency Service when our Seymoure Street site took a direct hit from this tree which has come crashing down in today's high winds.

Thankfully, our Eaglehawk site is closed today after we activated our Code Red Day Plan yesterday.

It's a stroke of very good fortune because while the major damage has happened to our new courtyard fence and surrounds, the tree has hit the roof and area above where the City of Greater Bendigo Maternal and Child Health nurses work.

It's safe to say the fact the site is closed and no one was in harm's way is something for which we are truly grateful.

We're on the site now assessing damage but it's clear the tree won't be removed today given the continuing high winds and dangers that creates.

We don't believe this incident should impact on the delivery of our bulk-billed medical practice and Allied Health services when the Eaglehawk site opens as normal at 8am tomorrow but we'll keep you informed if anything changes.

So thank you again to everyone who called the SES - that community support and care means a lot to us!

And thank you to the SES and other emergency services crews who are out and about in these atrocious conditions working to keep our community safe.

Stay safe everyone - it's a filthy day!

www.bchs.com.au I #BCHS #thereforyou

Code Red Bendigo plan activated at Bendigo Community Health Services

: Wednesday 20 November 2019; Written by Rod

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp has declared tomorrow (Thursday) a Code Red Day for the Northern Country region including Bendigo.

This means we need to activate our Code Red Day Plan for the safety of our staff and consumers.

So, on Thursday, November 21, the following will take place:

Kangaroo Flat site - closed.

Eaglehawk site - closed.

Central site - closed.

headspace Bendigo - closed.

Family Day Care services - cancelled.

Active Living Program and walking groups - cancelled.

Elmore Planned Activity Group - cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience but the safety of our staff and you our consumers is extremely important to us.

Our staff have been working hard this afternoon to contact everyone who has an appointment with us tomorrow but if you have any questions or concerns please call 5406 1200 during business hours or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Don't forget to look after yourself tomorrow, drink plenty of water and keep as cool as possible. If you wanted a few tips on getting through a day of extreme heat click here: http://bit.ly/tipsforhotday

www.bchs.com.au I #BCHS #thereforyou

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 executive

News from our executive
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.