Benalla Health

31/12/2025

🎉 READY TO KICK-START A FIT & HEALTHY 2026? 🎉

Start the new year feeling strong, motivated and connected by joining your local Parkrun!

Parkrun is an amazing way to boost both your physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you prefer running solo or enjoying the company of friends and family, all ages and fitness levels are welcome.

🏃‍♂️ No pressure
🏃‍♀️ No race
✨ Just your own pace — and a supportive community cheering you on!

Track your progress each week, connect with others, and make 2026 your healthiest year yet. 💪🌿

Want to learn more? Check out the Benalla Botanical Gardens Parkrun here:
https://www.parkrun.com.au/benallabotanicalgardens/

Let’s make this the year of you — see you at Parkrun! 🎈

Nothing - it's free! but please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.

30/12/2025

Heatwaves can be serious for children. Here are ways to keep them cool and safe.
Stay safe and keep cool.

28/12/2025

Warm and wet weather can mean more mosquito biting and breeding, including the ones that can carry diseases that make you sick.

Your only protection against mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry is to avoid mosquito bites.

Tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites
* Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing. Cover up – wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing.
* Use mosquito repellents containing active ingredients like DEET or Picaridin.
* Apply evenly to all exposed skin and clothing.
* Limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about.
* Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home or campsite.
* On holidays, make sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
* Use 'knockdown' fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat outdoors.
* Don't forget the kids – always check the insect repellent label. On babies, you might need to spray or rub repellent on their clothes instead of their skin. Avoid applying repellent to the hands of babies or young children.

To find out more visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/protect-yourself-mosquito-borne-disease

28/12/2025

CONGRATULATIONS NATALIE MAHER
on receiving the Innovation & Sustainability Award at the Benalla Health Awards Event 2025!
🌟🏆🌟

Innovation and sustainability aren’t just about big ideas, they’re about the everyday actions that make a lasting impact. Natalie brings creativity, care, and commitment to everything she does.

Natalie truly embodies our organisational values through her passion and dedication. Whether she is preparing meals or welcoming visitors, she gives her absolute best every single day. Her attention to detail and genuine compassion mean that even the smallest touches, a friendly word, a warm smile, or going the extra mile, make a real difference to those around her.

If something isn’t quite right, she fixes it, not because she has to, but because she cares. She creates a welcoming, comforting environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

Natalie is also an incredible team player, always willing to lend a hand, share her knowledge, and support her colleagues. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic uplift those around her and set the standard for what “Best Care, Every Person, Every Time” truly means.

Her dedication, compassion, and professionalism make her a true asset to our organisation and a shining example of innovation through care and commitment.

25/12/2025

CONGRATULATIONS JENNY DERMOTT
on receiving the Consumer Care & Engagement Award at the Benalla Health Awards Event 2025!
🌟🏆🌟

Consumer care and engagement are at the heart of everything we do. It’s about compassion, respect, and ensuring every person feels valued and supported. Jenny lives these values every single day.

Jenny approaches every patient, family member, and colleague with genuine kindness and understanding. She takes responsibility for her actions, leads by example, and consistently upholds the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Her respect for others fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork, while her empathy ensures every interaction is personal and meaningful.

She doesn’t just meet expectations, she goes above and beyond. When faced with a challenge, she does whatever it takes to ensure procedures can go ahead without disruption. That level of dedication makes a real and lasting difference to patients and their families.

Jenny’s journey with Benalla Health began during the challenging days of COVID-19, when she joined as a Concierge. Since then, she has grown into a valued member of the Clinical Administration Team and now the CSSD Team, always learning, always contributing, and always putting people first.

Her actions embody Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empathy, and Excellence, the very essence of Benalla Health’s values.

24/12/2025

🎄🎄🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎄🎄🎄

As the year comes to an end, the Benalla Health team is filled with gratitude and hope. We’re thankful for the chance to care for our wonderful community and for the support and trust you’ve shown us throughout the year.

We’re so proud of our dedicated staff who work tirelessly to keep everyone safe and well. Their commitment helps us live our goal of providing Best Care, Every Person, Every Time.

As we look to the year ahead, we’re excited to continue supporting our community with compassion and excellence.

The Board of Directors and Executive Team of Benalla Health wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

23/12/2025

HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Hospital will remain OPEN over the Christmas and New Year period.

🎄 MAIN RECEPTION at Benalla Health will be CLOSED on...
Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
Thursday 1st January
Friday 2nd January

🎄COMMUNITY HEALTH will be CLOSED on...
Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
Thursday 1st January

🎄 DAY PROCEDURE UNIT / THEATRE will be CLOSED on...
Friday 19th December - Monday 12th January.
Any enquiries during that time please call Benalla Health on 5761 4222.

🎄 COMMUNITY REHABILITATION CENTRE 🎄
Cardiac & Pulmonary groups CLOSED Tuesday 16th December
- Tuesday January 6th. Orthopaedic, Falls & Balance and Strength & Endurance groups will continue during this time and closed only on public holidays.

🎄 PLANNED ACTIVITIES GROUP will be CLOSED on...
Last day of programs Friday 19th December.
Return to programs Tuesday 6th January 2025.

🎄 DOREVITCH PATHOLOGY will be CLOSED on...
Wednesday 24th December from 12.30pm
Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
Thursday 1st January

🎄 I-MED RADIOLOGY will be CLOSED on...
Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
Thursday 1st January

23/12/2025

Heatwaves are serious. Here’s how to stay cool and safe this summer.
Stay safe and keep cool.

21/12/2025

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTY HARDING
on receiving the Consumer Care & Engagement Award at the Benalla Health Awards Event 2025!
🌟🏆🌟

Consumer care and engagement isn’t just about meeting needs, it’s about creating connections, building trust, and making people feel welcome. Kristy does all of that and more.

Kristy keeps everything running seamlessly, combining professionalism, initiative, and warmth to create an environment where staff, students, and visitors feel supported and valued. Her ability to connect with people and foster collaboration is remarkable. She supports other departments and external organisations, strengthening community ties through initiatives such as the redevelopment of maternity services, fundraising for the Blue Ribbon Foundation, and educational activities during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. She also played a key role on the 2025 Hospital Ball Committee.

One of her standout contributions has been coordinating the work experience program, managing onboarding and schedules with care, and ensuring students have a meaningful and positive experience. Thanks to her efforts, Benalla Health is viewed as an inspiring and supportive environment for the next generation.
When challenges arise, Kristy is the first to step in and find a solution. She anticipates needs, acts quickly, and keeps everything flowing smoothly. Her dedication, problem-solving skills, and commitment to our values make her an outstanding recipient of this award.

18/12/2025

CONGRATULATIONS GLENN McCANN
on receiving the Quality Service Award at the Benalla Health Awards Event 2025!
🌟🏆🌟

Quality service is about going beyond what’s expected, paying attention to the details, planning ahead, and making sure everything runs smoothly for the people who rely on us. Glenn does all of that and more.

Glenn is the first to arrive each morning, ready to ensure everything is in order. His workshop is immaculate, his stock organised, and his approach consistently structured and thoughtful. But what truly sets him apart is his initiative. When he realised the hospital’s electrical distribution boards hadn’t been updated for years, he didn’t wait for someone else to act, he mapped the entire system himself, creating detailed schematics that now help maintain power to critical areas during outages or maintenance.

His planning was put to the test during a major switchboard upgrade. Thanks to his meticulous preparation, the shutdown was managed safely and efficiently, with essential services maintained and the outage limited to just 40 minutes. That’s the kind of foresight and dedication that makes a real difference.

And it doesn’t stop there. Glenn has also taken on a mentoring role with school-based student placements, patiently guiding them through tasks and helping them build confidence. The students spoke highly of their experience, leaving with a genuine sense of achievement, thanks tohis supportive and respectful approach.

Glenn’s attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and commitment to both the hospital and the next generation of tradespeople make him an invaluable member of our team.