Great Ocean Road Health

05/02/2026

Only 3 weeks left to get your tickets!

Be in it to win one of these fantastic experiences. Whether you're looking for a fun get away, an indulgent escape or an adventure somewhere new. There is something for everyone in these prizes!
Tickets are $10 each, or discounted for multiple purchases 2 for $15, 4 for $25 or 10 for $50.
Tickets are sold online. Follow the link: https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=h27zb
Get your tickets today for your chance to win one of our incredible prizes and help support our great health service. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the Great Ocean Road Health 2025-26 Annual Appeal - raising money to keep great health care close to home for our community.
𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚
𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐥
𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟐 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫.
To donate directly to our Annual Appeal please visit our website.
The raffle will be drawn on Friday, 27 February 2026 at 5:00 PM.

03/02/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦

A warm welcome to our new GP registrars who started this week. At our Apollo Bay Medical Centre we welcome Dr Patrick McDonald, Dr Bree Lucas, and Dr Saeba Thomas. At our Lorne Medical Centre we welcome Dr Fiona Ivri.

To book an appointment at our Medical Centres please call book online or call our friendly reception staff.

02/02/2026

In life and in health it's important to take the time to do the things we love.

For our Aged Care Residents, we love to see them active outdoors, following their interests and passions. For Joan that's tending the garden, getting her hands in the soil and watching the beauty of her hard work flourish!

Pictured: Joan our resident green thumb tending her plants, showing us all how to do it effortlessly with a huge smile.

01/02/2026

Have you got your tickets yet? 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 - 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of great food, wonderful company, music and community generosity at our Lunch on Lorne Fundraiser.
Relax over a beautifully curated long-table lunch featuring local produce, live entertainment and a warm atmosphere—all in support of our local hospital Great Ocean Road Health.
Tickets are $95pp includes entry, a 3-course meal (entree, main and dessert) and a donation. Drinks available at bar prices.
Get your tickets today online at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1507607
Your presence will help us raise essential funds for improved care, improving health care services closer to home and making a meaningful difference in our community.
Thank you to our lead Sponsor the Lorne Op Shop.

31/01/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: MEASLES EXPOSURE

Great Ocean Road Health has been notified that a confirmed case of measles attended Urgent Care at our Apollo Bay campus on 24/1/2026 between 17.30 and 19.15 hrs. The case also attended other public locations along the Great Ocean Road between 23/1/2026 and 28/1/2026.
Please check the link below for a list of exposure sites

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

Measles is a highly infectious virus. Symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure and may include:�• Fever�• Cough�• Runny nose�• Red, sore eyes�• A rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downwards

What to do if you attended an exposure site at the listed time:�• Monitor for symptoms for 18 days after exposure�• If symptoms develop:
* Stay at home away from other people
* See a doctor to get tested for measles but do not attend a clinic without calling ahead.

We encourage everyone in the community to check if you are up to date with your MMR vaccination. If you were born during or after 1966 and have not had two MMR vaccinations, or if you are unsure, speak to your immunisation provider about catch-up vaccination.�
Thank you for helping protect our community by staying informed and sharing this message.

For more information about measles: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles

Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation.

31/01/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: MEASLES EXPOSURE

Great Ocean Road Health has been notified that a confirmed case of measles attended Urgent Care at our Apollo Bay campus on 24/1/2026 between 17.30 and 19.15 hrs. The case also attended other public locations along the Great Ocean Road between 23/1/2026 and 28/1/2026.
Please check the link below for a list of exposure sites:

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-

Measles is a highly infectious virus. Symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure and may include,
Fever, Cough,Runny nose, Red, sore eyes
A rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downwards.

What to do if you attended an exposure site at the listed time:
Monitor for symptoms for 18 days after exposure. If symptoms develop:
* Stay at home away from other people
* See a doctor to get tested for measles but do not attend a clinic without calling ahead.

We encourage everyone in the community to check if you are up to date with your MMR vaccination. If you were born during or after 1966 and have not had two MMR vaccinations, or if you are unsure, speak to your immunisation provider about catch-up vaccination.
Thank you for helping protect our community by staying informed and sharing this message.

For more information about measles: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles

Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation.

29/01/2026

Recycling Fun - Good for the environment, great for the soul!

Congratulations to Dan and the team at LPW. They have recycled 1000 bottles and made $100. LPW Aged Care residents collect cans and bottles to recycle as part of Victoria's container deposit scheme (CDS Vic).

By returning eligible drink containers with CDS Vic, you’re keeping containers out of landfill and giving them another lease on life – to be recycled again and again!

Pictured: Alan, Joan and Dan recycling with a smile.

28/01/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫

This week we welcome Brandon Howard as CEO, Great Ocean Road Health.

Brandon brings more than 25 years of CEO and executive leadership experience across a broad range of sectors, including public and private health, aged care, disability, youth, and family services. He has experience in leading complex, diverse, and highly regulated organisations, with a focus on transformation, continuous improvement, and delivering meaningful outcomes.

With a genuine passion for wanting to make a lasting difference within our communities, Brandon’s authentic leadership style will support and empower our staff and volunteers, to ensure we remain highly engaged and continue to foster a positive culture.

Prior to joining Great Ocean Road Health, Brandon held senior leadership roles with MacKillop Family Services, Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT, and genU. His health sector career commenced at Barwon Health and later included senior roles at St Vincent’s Public Hospital Melbourne and Epworth Healthcare.

Having worked across South West Victoria, Brandon understands the unique challenges and opportunities within our region. He also brings significant governance experience, having previously served in non-executive board roles across a range of community and health organisations, including South West Healthcare (Warrnambool). He is currently a non-executive board member of the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.

With a focus on sustainable healthcare, Brandon will work closely with partners across the Barwon Local Health Service Network and with community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and build enduring partnerships.

The Board is delighted to appoint Brandon to the role and confident that he will lead Great Ocean Road Health with integrity, compassion, and strategic vision as we implement our new strategic plan. We remain firmly committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care, close to home, from the ocean to the Otways.

The Board would also like to express our sincere thanks to Andrea Russell for her leadership and commitment as Acting CEO during this transition period.

28/01/2026

A very cute visitor today in Lorne.

27/01/2026

Update on GORH Services - Be Prepared. Stay Safe.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 28th January 2026, GORH will be running limited services, due to the current Extreme Fire Danger and severe weather conditions. Our Medical Centres in Apollo Bay and Lorne will be open, any patients whose appointments may be impacted will be notified. Our Community Services will operate in Apollo Bay and Lorne townships and as directed by our community nursing staff. Our Aged and Acute Care services as well as Urgent care remain open 24/7. In an emergency, please call 000.

Please stay informed through the Vic Emergency App. If you need counselling and mental health support services or to evacuate to a relief centre, there are numerous resources available.

If you are advised to enact your bushfire plan and need to evacuate the following Emergency Relief Centres are open:
• Colac Showgrounds – for domestic animals and large animals, including horses
• Bluewater Leisure Centre, 118–134 Hearn Street, Colac – open for people and families (pets are not permitted
• Grovedale Community Hub, 45–47 Heyers Road – open for people and families and can accommodate domestic pets. Pets must be self-managed and kept on a leash or in crates at all times
• Apollo Bay Fire Ready has opened the Senior Citizens Centre and the Cricket/Football Club in Apollo Bay, making both venues available to community members.

Please note that Great Ocean Road Health is not an evacuation site.

Again, we encourage all members of our great community to have a fire safety plan, stay hydrated, keep cool, watch for signs of heat related health problems and check in with those at risk. Please be mindful of air quality. Smoke in the air can trigger asthma and worsen other health conditions. If air quality is poor outdoors, please stay inside with the windows and doors closed until air quality improves. Ensure you have your medication on hand such as inhalers to be used as prescribed.

Stay informed and take care.

27/01/2026

Let's Talk About It and Stay Connected

Emergencies can bring on strong emotions or even physical reactions and can be different for everyone.
Talking about how you’re feeling, staying connected with others, and taking practical steps to address your concerns can help. There are many free mental health support services across Victoria. These provide crisis support, information, resources, counselling and therapy to people of all ages. See images for local service information.

In an emergency where there is immediate risk of harm to a person, call Triple Zero (000). For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For up-to-date information on emergency information and warnings, including drinking water and air quality, visit VicEmergency https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/