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With more than 50 years of local health experience, Bendigo Community Health Services has a strong connection to our community. We care for everyone - no matter who you are, where you live or how much you earn. We are a not-for-profit organisation and have more than 270 staff and more than 50 services funded through various government health programs, community donations and sponsorships. We envision better health and wellbeing across generations. 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
Youth
Community outreach and health promotion. We are also, proudly, the lead agency for:
After 11 years of dedicated study, we are proud to congratulate headspace Bendigo GP Colin Sherlock on successfully passing his recent GP exams! 🎉👏
He says that he’s really enjoyed working as a GP Registrar at headspace Bendigo and we feel so privileged he chose us to be part of his journey. 💚
“It has given me a brilliant opportunity to work with young people in a setting that is welcoming, flexible and above all, allows them time to express and explore the complex mental health issues that they are experiencing,” he says.
“My time at headspace Bendigo has taught me a lot so far and I have no doubt will continue to do so throughout the rest of my time here”.
Shout out to Agnico Eagle Australia Community Partnership Program too, who generously provide funds to headspace Bendigo. This financial support allows us to host and train GP Registrars which then enables us to grow the GP Mental Health workforce in Central Victoria!
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we introduce our newest GP registrar to the team who will be with us for the next 6 months. 👀
09/02/2026
❤️ Got a hot date this weekend for Valentine's Day?
Just remember - protected s*x is fire! 🔥
You can grab free condom and l**e packs from any of our BCHS sites or headspace Bendigo!
09/02/2026
Mrs Trish and co at Camp Hill Primary School are all smiles after receiving a brand spanking new microwave, courtesy of our Vic Kids Eat Well program.
The program rewards schools, out of school hours care and early learning centres for promoting a healthier community where nutritious food is the hero. Congrats to all at Camp Hill who’ve contributed to the cause.
Who loves community news? We do. February issue out now, featuring:
💚 Mandy's new year message
💚 Spring Gully dance for drug and alcohol support
💚 Road safety for Karen community
💚 Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH) Conference
💚 smalltalk playgroups begin, and more ...
Welcome to the February BCHS community newsletter, which aims to set you and your family up for a healthier, more connected 2026. Head to bchs.com.au for all the details.
04/02/2026
Can you imagine moving from a place with no formal road system to, quite literally, navigate life in a new country?
Our Cultural Diversity team can, and so they're again delivering the vital Road Safety for New Arrivals program in 2026.
Program funded by the Department of Transport and Planning
03/02/2026
Did someone say G.O.A.T?
Did you know, condoms are one of the oldest forms of contraception? They have been preventing pregnancies and STIs for too many years to count!
Although they are now made mostly of latex and not sheep or goat intestines, they still play a huge role in ensuring s*x is safe. Condoms are the G.O.A.T. That's information worth knowing with National Condom Day coming up on Feb 14.
You can grab free condom and l**e packs from any of our BCHS sites, or headspace Bendigo.
02/02/2026
Thank you Eaglehawk Preschool! Our Health Promotion and School Readiness staff were welcomed to Bright St today to talk all things lunchboxes.
It's National Lunchbox Week, and the perfect time to show parents some simple hacks to pimp the health factor of their little ones' lunches.
Visit https://www.lunchboxweek.org/ for some terrific recipe and snack ideas to set your family up for the year ahead.
29/01/2026
Enrolments are now open for Term One of our smalltalk supported playgroups.
We're especially seeking parents/carers and preschoolers to join the Heathcote, Huntly & Long Gully groups.
Find out why you should come along - read the story on our website.
The smalltalk supported playgroup duo Tiffany and Rachel are looking forward to a big Term One of fun with Bendigo families, with an expanded program to cater for some of the city’s newest arrivals. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families with pre-schoolers will gather for a special ...
29/01/2026
INITIAL EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSE SUNDAY, JAN 31
Have you thought about joining our new Community Advisory Committee?
💚Use your lived experience to inform our services and contribute to your community.
💚Fantastic networking and professional development opportunity.
💚Be remunerated for your time at approx. ten meetings over the year.
Details and EOI form on our website.
Would you like to have your say in the planning, design, delivery and review of our community and health services? Expressions of interest from people within the Greater Bendigo region are now open for our Community Advisory Committee. We are interested in hearing from all ages and backgrounds, incl...
28/01/2026
This video explains Helicobacter Pylori, in the Karen language with English subtitles.
Please watch and share if it can help you or someone you know.
28/01/2026
An important heat health reminder for our Karen-speaking community.
Please watch and share if it can help you or someone you know.
28/01/2026
A new school year = new beginnings, friendships and adventures. 🍎🎒✏️🚸
All of which, while exciting, can be overwhelming. If your little one is starting school this year, we've got some great tips on supporting them at the link below 👇
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Bendigo Community Health Services:
Bendigo Community Health Services is a place you can go for health or well-being care, advice and support no matter who you are, where you live or how much you earn.
We are a not-for-profit organisation in the City of Greater Bendigo and offer a range of primary and community health services, most of which are free or have minimal cost.
We work with everyone but particularly those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.
Our services cover family and children, mental health, alcohol and other drugs prevention and withdrawal, refugee settlement, s*xual health, women’s health, men’s health, allied health such as podiatry and diabetes. See a full list at www.bchs.com.au
Bendigo Community Health Services has a team of understanding, supportive and experienced health care professionals who 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 to improve and manage your health and well-being.
Our vision
We want: Better health and wellbeing across generations
Mission
We exist: To work hand in hand with our community to achieve healthier lives
Values
We strive for:
Integrity
We are authentic and accountable, and we honour our obligations
Respect
We build respectful relationships through trust, empathy and collaboration
Inclusion
We recognise and promote accessible, safe and holistic supports and services as basic rights
Innovation
Through continuous learning, we ensure an agile, responsive and sustainable service
Togetherness
We create a sense of connectedness, pride and support through enjoying our work and being passionate about making a difference
Principles
We are committed to:
· We make sure our services are reliable, safe and easy for you to access
· We deliver fair and inclusive services for you
· We respect and accept you for who you are and what you believe in
· We support you to take control in the decisions and actions affecting your health and wellbeing.
· We will make informed decisions by using data and learning from your lived experience
· We create trusted, strong and collaborative relationships with community, stakeholders and government
· We are committed to creating healthy and sustainable environments
Our pillars
Consumer and Community
The change we want to see: People in our community, especially those most in need, have improved health and wellbeing
How we will do it:
• Provide equitable supports and services that achieve measurable improvements
• Working together to deliver high quality, inclusive, safe and accessible supports and services
• Consumers are at the centre, having choice and control
Influence
The change we want to see: We use evidence, data and the voice of our community to shape our supports and services.
How we will do it:
• Our organisation uses its learning to influence better outcomes for consumers
• Working with consumers, recognising their lived experience, to influence and advocate for change
• Equipping our workforce to be skilled, resilient, capable of change and collaborative leaders
• Using data to improve
Visible
The change we want to see: Our service is identified as a quality provider and our people are recognised as leaders
How we will do it:
• Creating a strong, trusted public voice
• Providing a range of quality services that improve access
• Collaborating with others to maximise impact and improve health and wellbeing
• Contributing to better practice through research and review
• Maintaining a passionate, skilled and qualified workforce
Sustainable
The change we want to see: Our sustainability is based on a healthy culture, improved systems, outcomes and growth
How we will do it:
• Reviewing and improving processes to ensure long term sustainability
• Driving strategic growth and expansion where there are shared benefits to the community and our organisation
• Being a socially and environmentally responsible organisation
• Creating a work environment that is respectful, inclusive and staff are motivated to perform at their best
To find out more about how we can help you or your family please visit www.bchs.com.au
