Media release – Victorian Multicultural Award of Excellence for BCHS
Bendigo Community Health Services has been recognised for outstanding care in looking after the health and wellbeing of refugee and multicultural communities with a 2020 Victorian Multicultural Award of Excellence.
The Excellence in Health Award was announced during a Victorian Multicultural Commission ceremony lived streamed from Government House last night featuring Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau AC and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
The organisation also celebrated a highly commended in the Excellence in Community Response and Recovery category with Bendigo Food Relief Network partners.
BCHS Cultural Diversity and Relationships manager Kaye Graves said the Excellence In Health Award was recognition for the importance the organisation placed on the health and wellbeing of refugee and multicultural communities.
“We are fortunate to have so many wonderful services that can provide health and wellbeing support to clients from the moment they arrive in Bendigo and through their life journey. Not only important settlement services in the beginning but ongoing care through our refugee health nurse, mental health and wellbeing programs, GPs and nurses and allied health such as podiatry or diabetes educators,” Ms Graves said.
Victorian Multicultural Commission Awards 2020 – Excellence in Health
We are incredibly honoured to have been recognised in the 2020 Victorian Multicultural Commission Awards for Excellence tonight.
Looking after the health and wellbeing of our refugee and multicultural communities is very important to us.
The Excellence in Health Award is recognition for all the hard work by our staff in caring for their clients and community.
A big shout out to those who gathered at our Central site tonight to watch a live stream of the award ceremony. They’re pretty chuffed!
It’s also recognition for the wonderful communities we work with across the City of Greater Bendigo and the partners who support us in delivering programs and initiatives to care for them.
A big shout out to all the Bendigo Food Relief Network partners who gained a highly commended in the Excellence in Community Response and Recovery category.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners in tonight’s awards. Never forget it’s the work that you all do that improves the lives of so many. Keep up the great work.
MEDIA RELEASE: BCHS wins 2020 Victorian Multicultural Award of Excellence. Click here
Elmore site and program changes for Bendigo Community Health Services
Public statement
Gerard Jose
CEO, Bendigo Community Health Services
Bendigo Community Health Services is making some changes around our Elmore site and programs.
The organisation has completed a ‘COVID normal’ review of all services and programs with a priority on staff and client safety.
Of immediate impact is that the floor space of the Christine Cummins Centre is no longer suitable for our Elmore Social Support Group, especially given plans to expand the group in 2021 by attracting more members.
Thankfully, we have access to the Elmore Community Hub to continue running the Elmore Social Support Group in line with all Department of Health and Human Services COVID protocols.
This is great news for our participants who are very keen to get back together and enjoy all the benefits of the Elmore Social Support Group.
The Elmore Community Hub is wonderful community facility that our consumers will enjoy.
We are talking to our Social Support Group participants about the venue change and so far the response has been really positive.
Our staff will use the Christine Cummins Centre for office space, storage and car parking.
The Walking Group and Physical Activity Programs are being reviewed as part of the COVID normal roadmap. We expect these services to return to Elmore in the new year but the format is still being reviewed.
Bendigo child care educator spends 36 years nurturing more than 200 children
The wonderful Day Care Educators who open their homes to children of all ages are the heart and soul of our Family Day Care program.
Their caring nature and desire to help other families is inspiring.
We are fortunate that many of our Family Day Care Educators stay with our team for a long time.
Sue Barr is the perfect example having joined Bendigo Family Day Care in September 1983 and building a wonderful rapport with children and parents through 36 years until her retirement in 2019.
Sue was a mum of three daughters aged between four and eight.
Family Day Care senior co-ordinator Denise Flanagan said Sue had embraced many changes in home-based child care through the years.
“When Sue first started working she was earning $45 for a 40-hour week and $1.50 per hour for care over that. If the child was absent she was paid a whole $1 per day,” Denise said.
Bendigo refugee project – are you are therapist looking to do some good in our community?
We are on the look out for complimentary therapists to partner in an exciting new project hosting therapeutic groups for people with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Bendigo.
Our aim with this Foundation House-funded project is to work with people who have lived experience and symptoms of trauma to help them manage and increase their mental health and wellbeing.
We need caring, thoughtful and motivated therapists who have an interest in working with this client group and a willingness to learn more about trauma and culturally informed practices.
We’re particularly interested in areas such as:
- Massage
- Yoga
- Naturopathy/herbal medicine
- Nutritional and dietary support
- Creative arts therapy
- Movement therapy and physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
The idea is for you to co-facilitate sessions within our therapeutic program to teach skills and techniques to participants and explore the strategies they already use.
Our Foundation House Complementary Therapy Team will provide training and support around the specific nature of this work and our Bi-Cultural Workers will be on hand to help with translation during sessions.
Therapists must be qualified and experienced with the ability to provide an invoice for services.
If we have caught your interest with this opportunity please pick up the phone and call Casey Ross or Janaya Wiggins on 5406 1200 to learn more.
To print out our official Expression of Interest document click here
Last updated: December 2, 2020
It’s out – the December edition of our There For You e-news. Check it out!
The December 2020 edition of our There For You E-news is out now.
It’s our way of letting you know about the latest news and happenings around our sites.
Here’s what you will see in our December There For You E-news edition:
A special milestone for our Coronavirus Refugee Resource Hub.
Fun video featuring a flying ‘specimen jar’ delivers a serious message about STI testing.
WIN $1500 through our Achievement Program campaign to create a healthier and happier community.
BCHS staff support 16 Days of Activism calling for an end to all gender-based violence.
Vale Ken Rogers – our tribute to a wonderful supporter of Bendigo Community Health Services.
Heat Health – are you ready for a long, hot summer. Our staff provide some timely advice.
HeadtoHelp Hub created to make sure more people struggling with mental health get the support they need.
Meet our team: Our Family Day Care team oversees valuable child care services in Bendigo.
Member’s Corner: Our new BCHS Board of Directors members introduce themselves to you in a special little video welcome.
Five new career opportunities available at Bendigo Community Health Services.
Remembering Rusty – a little tribute to our much-loved therapy cat Rusty
To read our December There For You E-news please click here
Subscribe to our There For You E-news
If you would like to see earlier editions of our There For You e-news or get this delivered straight to your email inbox each month click here
Bendigo Fire, Flood and Heat Refugee Resource Hub – Dinka language
Last updated: November 14, 2022
We publish this Bendigo Bushfire and Summer Safety Refugee Resource Hub information in support of our South Sudanese community.
Scroll down for flood safety and heath health information.
Bushfire safety information sheet
Information sheet – Dinka langauage
Information sheet – English language
Created in partnership with Country Fire Authority North West Region Community Safety.
Bushfire awareness safety information videos
Part 1 – Learn about bushfire safety and how to get ready for summer: Watch video.
Part 2 – Learn how to prepare for a bushfire: Watch video.
Part 3 – Learn how to stay informed during a bushfire: Watch video.
Flooding awareness and VicEmergency App information
Information sheet (October, 2022) Dinka language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Information sheet (October, 2022) English language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Video Part 1 – How to stay safe in a flood and where to get help. Watch video.
Video Part 2 – How to prepare for a flood. Watch video.
Video Part 3 – How to stay informed during a flood (includes VicEmergency App) Watch video.
Video series created in partnership with the State Emergency Service Bendigo unit, City of Greater Bendigo and State Government.
Heat Health information – stay safe in hot weather
Information sheet: Heatwave Action Plan Dinka 2021
Created in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo.
More translated information
To see this information translated in Karen language click here
To see this information translated in Dari language click here
Bendigo Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub – Dari language
Last updated: November 2023
We publish this Bendigo Bushfire and Summer Safety Refugee Resource Hub information in support of our Afghan community.
Scroll down for flood safety and heat health information.
Bushfire safety and information sheet
Created in partnership with Country Fire Authority North West Region Community Safety.
Bushfire awareness safety information videos
Information sheet – Dari language.
Information sheet – English language.
Part 1 – Learn about bushfire safety and how to get ready for summer: Watch video.
Part 2 – Learn how to prepare for a bushfire: Watch video.
Part 3 – Learn how to stay informed during a bushfire: Watch video.
Created in partnership with Country Fire Authority North West Region Community Safety.
Flooding awareness and VicEmergency App information
Information sheet (October, 2022) – Dari language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Information sheet – English language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Video Part 1 – How to stay safe in a flood and where to get help. Watch video.
Video Part 2 – How to prepare for a flood. Watch video.
Video Part 3 – How to stay informed during a flood (includes VicEmergency App) Watch video.
Video series created in partnership with the State Emergency Service Bendigo unit, City of Greater Bendigo and State Government.
Heat Health information – stay safe in hot weather
Information sheet: How to stay healthy and safe on days of extreme heat
Information sheet 2: Beat the heat
Created in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo.
More translated information
To see this information translated in Karen language click here
To see this information translated in Dinka language click here
Bendigo Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub – Karen language
Last updated: November 2023
We publish this Bendigo Bushfire and Summer Safety Refugee Resource Hub information in support of our Karen community.
Scroll down for information on flood safety and heat health information.
Created in partnership with Country Fire Authority North West Region Community Safety.
Bushfire awareness safety information videos
Bushfire safety information fact sheet: Karen langauge
Bushfire safety information fact sheet: English language
Part 1 – Learn about bushfire safety and how to get ready for summer: Watch video
Part 2 – Learn how to prepare for a bushfire: Watch video
Part 3 – Learn how to stay informed during a bushfire: Watch video
Heat Health information
Video 1: Our Community Guide Ma Paw explains how to keep yourself safe in extreme heat. Watch video
Heat Health information sheet 1: How to keep yourself safe in extreme heat
Heat Health information sheet 2: Beat the heat
Created in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo
Flooding awareness and VicEmergency App information
October, 2022:
Information sheet – Karen language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Information sheet – English language: Find out how to stay safe during a flood
Video Part 1 – How to stay safe in a flood and where to get help. Watch the video.
Video Part 2 – How to prepare for a flood. Watch the video.
Video Part 3 – How to stay informed during a flood (includes VicEmergency App) Watch the video.
Video series created in partnership with the State Emergency Service Bendigo unit, City of Greater Bendigo and State Government.
June 2023
Video – How to stay safe in floodwaters. Watch the video
More translated information
To see information translated in Dari language click here
To see information translated in Dinka language click here
Bendigo Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub
Last updated: October 2023
Summer can be a dangerous time in Australia.
Bushfires can be destructive and deadly so it’s very important you understand how to stay safe and what to do if a fire breaks out in your area.
Summer thunderstorms can cause flash flooding. Find out how to stay safe here.
Extreme summer temperatures can lead to serious health issues such as dehydration and heatstroke.
Thunderstorm Asthma and hay fever are other issues that can effect your lifestyle.
Be careful when swimming in any water and be wary of snakes when out and about in bushland or around water and learn what to do if bitten.
This Bendigo Bushfire and Summer Safety Refugee Resource Hub is designed to give you all the information you need to stay safe and healthy through the Australian summer.
Please click on the flag below to see Bushfire and Summer Safety information translated in either Karen, Dari or Dinka language.
This introduction is translated in Karen, Dari and Dinka language below the flags. Please click the ‘read more’ button.
KAREN: Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub in Karen language
DARI: Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub in Dari language
DINKA: Fire, Flood and Heat Safety Refugee Resource Hub in Dinka language
