About us
Bendigo Community Health Services has been caring for the health and wellbeing of locals for 50 years.
Who we are
Bendigo Community Health Services is a not-for-profit organisation working hand-in-hand with our community to achieve better health and wellbeing across generations.
With sites in central Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, White Hills, North Bendigo and Elmore. We care for everyone in our community – no matter who you are, where you live or how much you earn.
We have more than 270 staff and more than 50 services funded through various government health programs, community donations and sponsorships.
“I was welcomed into the team from day one and encouraged to make contributions and felt supported to participate as much as possible, not only by the settlement team, but by all the staff at BCHS.”
- Cameron Jones Humanitarian student placement at BCHS
Bendigo Community Health Services is a not-for-profit organisation working hand-in-hand with our community to achieve better health and wellbeing across generations.
With sites in central Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, White Hills, North Bendigo, and Elmore, we care for everyone in our community—no matter who you are, where you live, or how much you earn.
We have more than 270 staff and offer more than 50 services funded through various government health programs, community donations, and sponsorships.
Our services are either free or low-cost and include:
- GPs
- Mental health care and counselling
- Alcohol and other drugs support
- Sexual health care
- Refugee settlement and support
- Child and family services
- Bendigo Family Day Care
- Podiatry
- Diabetes education
- Exercise physiology
- Community outreach & health promotion
We are proud of our team of experienced health care professionals who are understanding, supportive, and work in partnership with other health services across central Victoria to deliver the care you need.
It can be as simple as taking that first step—speak with one of our team, and together we can work on a plan to assist you in improving and managing your health and wellbeing.
We exist to:
- Make a fundamental difference in the lives of vulnerable people.
- Promote healthy lifestyles and preventative practices.
- Provide services to improve individual and community health and wellbeing.
- Lead and coordinate primary and community health services and activities.
We take pride in our:
- Client relationships and service responsiveness.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Leadership in planning, service provision, governance, and consumer advocacy.
- Reputation as an employer, provider, and partner of choice.
- Contribution to building healthier communities by looking forward and working towards positive change.
Bendigo Community Health Services 2025–2027 Strategic Plan outlines the Vision, Purpose, Strategic Priorities, Values and Impact Areas of the organisation.
Bendigo Community Health Services began in 1974 as the Eaglehawk and Long Gully Community Health Centre in Bright Street, Eaglehawk, after residents of the historic goldfields suburb recognised their health was poor and health services were inadequate.
Encouraged by the social reforms of the Whitlam era, the community lobbied for free and accessible health services at a time when there were no GPs or dentists in the suburb and when people were sicker than elsewhere in Bendigo.
In 1975 Kangaroo Flat received its own community health centre, with the fierce support of local counsellor Elaine Knight. By 1976 Eaglehawk had outgrown its tiny weatherboard building and moved into a purpose-built site in Seymoure Street.
In 1991 both centres, plus the Bendigo Regional Drug and Alcohol Service and the Playhouse Childcare Centre amalgamated to form Bendigo Community Health Services. Today, we feature services across medical, allied health, drug and alcohol, family services, cultural diversity, settlement services, mental health and more.
Learn more about our history through this short film made to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
