Murray PHN

12/02/2026

On Tuesday, Murray PHN held its first Multicultural Health Roundtable in Shepparton, hosted by Uniting.

The Roundtable brought together local health services, community organisations and agencies to explore practical ways to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, improve service coordination and referral pathways, and enhance access to care for migrant and refugee communities.

One of the highlights was a Q&A panel, where local community representatives shared valuable insights into the strengths of the local health system and challenges people face when navigating care.

Community and health professionals can visit our Multicultural health webpage for information, resources and training: https://murrayphn.org.au/community/multicultural-health/

08/02/2026

We're looking for a full-time, Officer Contracts Systems and Reporting to join our team in Albury, Bendigo, Shepparton or Mildura.

If you have strong attention to detail and data accuracy skills, and experience in contract administration or a related field, we'd like to hear from you.

To learn more and apply for this role, visit: https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/Job/Details/323c8ea4e7ab470e8a2f2551c5bd78b9

Applications close this Thursday 12 February at 11.59pm.

06/02/2026

Applications for AUSLARC Scholarships are now open for Implanon and IUD training, to reduce financial and geographic barriers to long acting reversible contraception (LARC) training.
These fully funded scholarships provide training by Sexual Health Victoria in Implanon NXT insertion and removal for eligible health professionals - GPs including GP registrars, nurse practitioners, RNs and midwives - equipping participants with the skills to expand contraceptive choice and support reproductive health in their communities.
For more information and to apply, visit: srha.org.au/auslarc

29/01/2026

Funding is now available through our General Practice Investment Strategy to support models of care focusing on cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes complex care coordination, including early intervention.
Local general practices, including medical services in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, can apply for up to $100,000 to adopt enhanced models of care that also strengthen the health system in supporting a multidisciplinary team.
Practices can visit https://murrayphn.org.au/news/general-practice-investment-strategy-funding/ for more information and to apply.

23/01/2026

☀️☀️A severe heatwave warning has been issued for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North East and East Gippsland with maximum temperatures increasing this weekend to the high 30s to mid 40s over the north of the state. Severe heatwave conditions are building over the north and east of the state over the weekend and persisting well into next week at this stage. Locations likely to be impacted include Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Corryong, Echuca, Horsham, Kerang, Mildura, Ouyen, Shepparton and Swan Hill.
While extreme heat can affect anyone, people who are young, older, who are pregnant, have acute or chronic health problems, are socially isolated or have limited ways to keep cool are more at risk.
Tips to protect yourself and others:
💦 Stay cool. Use air conditioning and/or a fan. Wear light and loose clothing. Keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge and by taking cool showers. If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go on hot days to cool down such as public pools or air-conditioned buildings.
🫗 Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
☎️ Check in with family, friends and neighbours. Let people know you are OK and check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support.
📆 Plan ahead. Watch the weather forecast and plan activities at cooler times of day.
🚫 Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
🧑‍⚕️ If needed, call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at https://www.vved.org.au/
👮‍♂️ In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
For more information:
• Bureau of Meteorology heatwave warning: https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/heatwave-warning/IDV21013
• Better Health Channel advice for extreme heat - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat
• VicEmergency: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

16/01/2026

Staying in your local community: if you have an upcoming event and it's scheduled for a high fire danger day, consider cancelling or rescheduling it early. Consider the circumstances, seek information to help with decision making and don't leave things to the last minute. For resources, visit our bushfire information and support page: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/primary-care-preparedness/bushfires/ or the CFA website: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/about-fire-danger-ratings

15/01/2026

To help link people to useful resources and information, we've developed a webpage, which includes public health and safety messages and available supports: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/primary-care-preparedness/bushfires/

14/01/2026

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are a free service for people aged 26 and older, providing treatment, care and support for mental health and wellbeing.

In our region they are located in:

📍Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield
📍Bendigo and Echuca (servicing Greater Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe)
📍Mildura (servicing Rural City of Mildura)
📍Mount Alexander (servicing Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges)
📍Shepparton (servicing Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie and Moira)

For more information and contact details, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals

If there isn’t a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local near you, call Partners in Wellbeing for support on 1300 375 330 Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

During a threat or emergency, such as a bushfire, our bodies are placed in a heightened state of alert. This is a natural response to danger, but maintaining this state can take a toll on our mental health.

Free mental health supports are available to help those affected by the recent bushfires and their families with recovery.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals provide free support in your community for people aged 26 and over. The nearest Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are:
• Bairnsdale and Orbost
• Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield
• Bendigo
• Mildura
• Mount Alexander (offering wellbeing supports via telehealth)
• Shepparton

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs free and available to everyone of all ages right across Victoria. The nearest Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are:
• Ballarat
• Cowes and Wonthaggi (servicing the Bass Coast, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Towong and Wellington Shires)
• Horsham
• Warrnambool

For more information on accessing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4sKiV3E

For information on accessing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4sKiXbM

You can also call Partners in Wellbeing for support on 1300 375 330 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Partners in Wellbeing offer free, phone-based support for Victorians aged 16 and over who are experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges, including those without Medicare or permanent residency.

The department will continue to share information to protect the health and safety of the community.

14/01/2026

A reminder to those who look after others, to look after yourself too! Many local services have been continuing to support their communities, while personally being impacted by the January 2026 bushfires.

If you need support, Murray PHN has extended its employee assistance program to provide free and confidential counselling to primary healthcare professionals, including allied health practitioners, GPs, pharmacists and staff working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and residential aged care homes.

Appointments are available from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Book online with a choice of practitioners for a private consultation via video, phone or live text message chat, here: https://accounts.connectpsychservices.com.au/ and use the relevant access code:

Allied health: MPA482
General practice: MPP121
Pharmacy: MPP825
Residential aged care: MPR623
Other primary healthcare professions: MPO872.

12/01/2026

Important steps to take to protect your health when returning home after a bushfire 👇

Healthcare across the Loddon Mallee is set for a major step forward, with Bendigo Health announcing the creation of its first-ever Chair of Clinical Research.

12/01/2026

Bushfires can be confusing, worrying and stressful. headspace provides young people aged 12 to 25 years old and their families with support both online and in-person.

In our region, headspace centres are located in Albury Wodonga, Bendigo, Echuca, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Wangaratta. For contact details, see our webpage: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/mental-health/headspace/

Coping with the uncertainty of bushfires can be tricky for young people and their families and friends.

There's no "right" way to feel in response to the impacts that the current fires are having on our local communities, and thoughts and feelings can change over time.

Remember to stay connected to your family, friends, community and VicEmergency, and remember that help is available if you need it.

We are open as usual, and our operating hours can be found here: https://bit.ly/4borhaI

Handy resources 💻
Coping with the stress of bushfires: https://headspace.org.au/bushfires/
How well do you know fire?: https://bit.ly/49s2AHO
Common responses to bushfires: https://bit.ly/49iO9qR
Supporting your young person during the fires: https://bit.ly/4sG28ia
eheadspace: https://bit.ly/49vYcah

Translated resources 🫂
How well do you know fire?: https://bit.ly/49PR2PV
CFA multicultural resources kit: https://bit.ly/49yD2sG

Stay safe 💚

11/01/2026

Important advice from the Ovens Murray Public Health Unit at Albury Wodonga Health.

With fires currently impacting parts of Victoria, snakes and bats may be displaced from their natural habitats and move into urban and rural areas.

People are advised to not touch bats to avoid bites that can cause serious infection, and to stay calm and move slowly around snakes, as signs of a snake bite are not always obvious but can be life-threatening.

In a medical emergency, always call Triple 000.

If you’re worried about wildlife, the best action to take is to contact a snake catcher, WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue service.

For advice and first aid for snake bites, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/bites-and-stings-first-aid

For information on Australian bat lyssavirus infection, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Australian-bat-lyssavirus