BCHS seeks passionate and experienced leaders to fulfil new organisational structure
Bendigo Community Health Services is set to strengthen its impact on the health and wellbeing of the city with a new organisational structure.
CEO Mandy Hutchinson has led a months-long consultation with BCHS’ 280-plus staff to determine the new framework, which will position the health service to meet future challenges, and support a new strategic plan.
“We’re now looking for some talented new leaders to help fulfil our vision,” Mandy said.
“This week we began our campaign to find a number of high-level leaders to join us in our purpose to support Bendigo people to live healthier lives.
Supporting the important first year of life for little locals
Bendigo Community Health Services is opening up its popular INFANT Program to all parents and carers of babies in Bendigo. The program supports healthy eating, active play and a great start to life for the city’s newest residents.
BCHS has delivered a pilot INFANT Program since 2022. The evidence-based program brings parents and carers together at the three, six, nine and 12-month marks of their little one’s first year of life.
Facilitator and Health Promotion Officer Christine Steele said the four sessions were a fun, social and informal way to learn about a host of topics essential for child health.
Twenty years of round-the-clock detox care ticks over at Nova House
AOD nurse Drew Reid says it’s the courage of Nova House’s clients that’s kept him working with the detox unit over its 20-year history. Here, Drew, unit Senior Leader Sheenah Van Eck and Bendigo mother Gillian Burns help tell the story of an essential service to Bendigo, and the impact it’s had on the lives of local people.
In marking the success and progress of 20 years of residential detox service Nova House, we must first acknowledge the pain of what came before.
Bendigo Community Health Services’ drug and alcohol detox unit Nova House opened in 2004, following a sustained campaign by a group of local parents and grandparents who went by the name Bendigo Grassroots Drug and Alcohol Action Group. Gillian Burns (above) was their spokesperson.
Gillian’s 26-year-old son Rodney had died from a heroin overdose in 2000. She later learnt within a ten-day period of Rodney’s death, seven Bendigo people had lost their lives to the opiate.
There’s more than meets the eye in Elmore
There must be something in the water in river-side Elmore. How else to explain the bright vitality and fresh faces of nonagenarians Ina, Nance and Elva?
At 91, 92 and 94 they’re defying the odds to be not only living independently at home, but out of the house three days a week; crafting, lunching, laughing.
“Well, Elmore is on underground bore water,” Elva says. “Didn’t you know that?”
Before you start bottling the local drop, it turns out at least part of the trio’s secret is their long-term attendance at the Elmore Social Support Group.
Seniors invited to walk for health and wellbeing in White Hills
Bendigo Community Health Services has joined forces with Healthy Loddon Campaspe to make walking easier for seniors in White Hills.
The new White Hills Wanderers walking group is meeting on Mondays at 9.30am until June 24.
Health Promotion officer Moni Sonsuwan said anyone aged 60 and older who wanted to get back into walking was welcome to join.
South Bendigo Bowls Club makes history
For more than 120 years the South Bendigo Bowls Club has been welcoming people for pleasure and pennant. But there’s never been an influx like the new group of bowlers coming week-by-week to master the art of the green line.
The club is thrilled to have ten new social members following a Bendigo Community Health Services Sports Inclusion program to introduce Karen people to lawn bowls.
The program has fostered participation in soccer, tennis, volleyball, rowing and more for Bendigo’s former refugee communities.
When South Bendigo Bowls Club member Iain Aitken attended one of BCHS’ Understanding Karen Culture sessions at another local sports club, he was keen to get his own sport involved.
Take the Anti Stigma Campaign survey
Bendigo Community Health Services is seeking to gather information on people’s experiences of stigma in the City of Greater Bendigo.
This month BCHS launches its second Anti Stigma Campaign to bring awareness of the impact stigma can have on individuals and within society.
Health Promotion Office Sebastian Goscha said the campaign also aimed to encourage people to take the time to listen to others’ stories and experiences, and ultimately to support each other.
“We’re highlighting the importance of acting without judgement; in our schools, workplaces, and in the wider community,” Sebastain said.
BCHS calls for liquor law compliance following mystery audit
Bendigo Community Health Services’ annual supply monitoring audit of local takeaway liquor outlets has revealed alcohol is being sold to people to who appear underage in Bendigo.
Late last year, BCHS sent mystery shoppers who appeared under the age of 18 into 32 local liquor stores. The audit showed that:
- 12 stores sold alcohol.
- 4 of the 12 sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they didn’t have ID.
- 20 stores asked for ID and refused to sell if the purchaser said they didn’t have ID.
- 13 per cent of chain stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- 40 per cent of independent stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- 33 per cent of franchise stores sold alcohol without asking for ID.
- Alcohol signage laws were visible in 75 per cent of audited stores, and 29 per cent of these did not request for ID from the purchaser.
Working towards reconciliation and healing
Bendigo Community Health Services has taken important steps on its path to partner respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. BCHS’ Reconciliation Action Plan was launched to staff this week, which reflects on actions to date and outlines a way forward towards healing.
CEO Mandy Hutchinson said the Reflect RAP provided a framework to build strong and respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities.
Click image to view the plan.
Hey Maree, we’re proud of you!
When Maree Dixon convened the first headspace support session for parents and carers of trans and gender diverse young people in Bendigo eight years ago, she wasn’t sure if it was only going to be the manager, her husband and herself attending.
“That wasn’t the case at all,” she says. “We had a room full of parents and carers. I knew then how much this group was needed.”
Since then, the group has continued to meet twice a month – once for specific support, and once for a meal out, helping smooth the path for – and celebrate the lives of – local LGBTIQA+ young people and their families.
