Central Highlands Rural Health

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Central Highlands Rural Health

Central Highlands Rural Health provides acute, community health and aged care services to communities across the Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges.

Central Highlands Rural Health has facilities in Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham. Central Highlands Rural Health has been providing healthcare to its local community for over 160 years. Although we have had a number of name changes over the years, our mission remains the same – to deliver high quality healthcare for our communities. Central Highlands Rural Health provides acute, community health and aged care services to people across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire. We work collaboratively with medical professionals and regional healthcare partners to provide a breadth of services for you and your family, plus seamless transitions between hospital and the home. We can provide or connect you with the services, programs and expertise you need. The intention of this page is to inform the community of the services, program, activities, events and health promotion information provided Central Highlands Rural Health. It does not replace professional health advice. It is not a resource for emergencies, raising health concerns or seeking professional advice. Our Urgent Care Centres in Kyneton and Daylesford are open 24/7 or in a life threatening emergency you can 000. We welcome friendly and authentic engagement but expect people to be respectful, constructive and legal. We reserve the right to remove comments. Central Highlands Rural Health has no control over shared posts and comments made on those posts. If you’ve got a specific issue, we’d prefer to resolve your concerns in ways that respect privacy. Formal feedback or complaints can be sent confidentially to ceo@chrh.org.au. We expect that users will not post content that falls into the following categories and reserve the right to remove postings that are:
• off-topic and not appropriate for discussion in this forum
• in violation of another’s privacy
• vexatious, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading
• abusive, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or otherwise offensive
• of a political nature or promote particular services, products, or political organizations
• illegal or advocate illegal activity
• in violation of another’s intellectual property or infringe upon copyrights or trademarks

10/03/2026

Thanks to the incredibly supportive crowd at ChillOut, generous online donations, and the support of The Royal Daylesford Hotel, Central Highlands Rural Health can now purchase a children’s resuscitation cart for the Daylesford Urgent Care Centre.

On Saturday afternoon the Royal hosted Songs for Scrubs, a fundraiser held as part of the ChillOut celebrations. Locals and visitors came together for an afternoon of music, dancing and community spirit, all while helping raise funds for equipment that will support our clinicians to care for children in emergency situations.

A big thank you to Cam, Jody, Jo, Sophie and the Royal team for getting behind the event and supporting our staff on the day.

Events like this show how strongly the community values its local health service. When people come together in support, it highlights the important role rural health services play for families across the region.

Thanks to everyone who attended or donated. Our goal was $3,000 and in just four hours we raised more than $3,600. We are thrilled with the support.

08/03/2026

On Friday we were proud to welcome the Victorian Minister for Health, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, to Kyneton Health in the lead-up to International Women’s Day.

The Minister joined our team and members of the community for an open day to learn more about the women’s health services now available locally through our Women’s Health Clinic and Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub.

Central Highlands Rural Health clinicians, including our GPs, physiotherapist and nurse navigators, spoke with the community about the care and support available for women and girls across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires.

By bringing these specialised services closer to home, we are improving access to care and reducing the need for women to travel long distances to get the support they need. It’s part of a broader effort to ensure women in regional communities can access timely, coordinated and compassionate care at every stage of life.

It was great to be joined by many health professionals from other organisations as well including Omnia Community Health and Women's Health Loddon Mallee.

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the work being done to strengthen women’s healthcare and help more women get the care they need, when and where they need it.

06/03/2026

‘It’s beginning to look a lot like our Songs for Scrubs fundraiser!

Our maintenance crew including Liam and Paul have been hard at work putting up temporary fencing and signs ahead of our fundraiser tomorrow during ChillOut 2026.

Shout out to Royal Hotel Manager Jody and owners Cam, Sophie and Jo for partnering with Daylesford Health to host our fundraiser over the fabulous ChillOut weekend.

Come along tomorrow at 1 and stay for a song or an entire set to help us raise money for a children’s resuscitation cart for our Daylesford Urgent Care Centre.

Let’s make this happen together!

27/02/2026

Last week we held an event in Creswick to acknowledge the completion of the major redevelopment at Creswick Health, and to thank the community who helped make it possible.

This milestone marks a new chapter for aged care and sub-acute services in our region.

Funded by the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, the project has delivered a new 30-bed residential aged care facility, along with the full upgrade and reopening of the Creswick Acute Ward and sub-acute services.

What truly got this project over the line was the backing of the Creswick community.

More than $150,000 was raised locally through the Creswick Health Upgrade Appeal to complete the project. Significant contributions came from Community Bank Creswick & District and the Creswick Auxiliary led by Margaret Orr, and her husband, Bob.

We would also like to acknowledge …

◾ Our project manager Frank Sawyer
◾ Former Board Member and Fundraising Committee Chair, Kate Redwood
◾ Cr Don Henderson and Cr Lesley Hewitt from the Hepburn Shire Council
◾ Richard Blight from Blight, Blight & Blight Studio
◾ SJ Weir (Ballarat)

This redevelopment is more than new buildings. It reflects the strength, generosity and trust of our community, and ensures Creswick families can access high-quality aged care and hospital services locally, now and into the future.

24/02/2026

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Graduate Nurses to Central Highlands Rural Health. 👏

This week we were thrilled to meet six new nursing graduates who are beginning their careers with us.

Pictured here with our team at our Kyneton campus, they’re set to embark on an exciting year of learning and growth.

Over the next 12 months, our grads will complete two six-month rotations, one in aged care and one in acute, working across Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham.

Along the way, they’ll build confidence, strengthen their clinical skills and make a real difference to our patients, residents, and community.

We’re proud to support them as they take this important next step.

13/02/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

It is a day for learning, reflection and acknowledging the ongoing impacts of past policies on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities.

On this day, we are sharing Central Highlands Rural Health’s Statement of Commitment to First Nations health.

Our commitment reflects our values of respect, care, accountability and learning, and guides how we work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. It is focused on cultural safety, self-determination, addressing racism and taking meaningful action to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

You can read our full Statement of Commitment here:
https://www.chrh.org.au/articles/11044-2/

◾ Artwork by Tanisha Murray, First Nations artist living on Djaara Country.

10/02/2026

Custom Mouthguards for Contact Sports – 2026

Central Highlands Rural Health, in partnership with Oral Health Victoria, is offering custom-made mouthguards as a preventative health strategy for 2026.

Custom mouthguards are manufactured by a qualified Dental Prosthetist, are available in club colours and will be ready for collection approx. 2 weeks after impressions are taken.

Eligibility and costs (Hepburn Shire participants):

12 years and under (minimum of four permanent front teeth): Free

13–17 years (concession card holder or dependant): Free

18 years and over (concession card holder): $32

13 years and over (no concession card): $250

Private health insurance rebates may apply

Important: All impressions will be taken in Ballarat.

How to register:

Contact the CHRH Oral Health Department on (03) 5321 6580 to check eligibility. Eligible participants will be referred to the Ballarat Denture Clinic.

Book an impression appointment online or by phone on (03) 5331 6486. Appointments take place at 18 Raglan Street North, Ballarat.

Mouthguards can be collected from the CHRH Community Health and Wellbeing Centre within 7–14 days after your impression.

For more information, contact Central Highlands Rural Health.

08/02/2026

Keeping lunchbox packing simple for (9–15 February 2026)

Simple is always a win — think fresh basics and quick combos!

Follow these 4 easy steps and you’re good to go:

Step 1️⃣ Start with a main item such as a sandwich, roll, wrap or leftovers.
Step 2️⃣ Add a fresh fruit or vegetable snack.
Step 3️⃣ Top up with a second snack like cheese and crackers, yoghurt or popcorn.
Step 4️⃣ Finish with a water bottle

Looking for extra support? Our Population Health team, in collaboration with the Dietetics department, has developed a Parent/Guardian Lunchbox Resource with practical, no-fuss tips.

Download it here:
https://www.chrh.org.au/articles/8400-2/

Find more inspiration at lunchboxweek.org

06/02/2026

Every cent counts! 💛

A huge shout out to Hailie and Owen from Bakers Delight Daylesford, who recently handed over more than $150 raised through loose change and the generosity of our community.

The Bakers Delight Daylesford team are wonderful supporters of Central Highlands Rural Health and are always finding ways to give back. Each year, the collection box in store raises close to $600, which is pretty amazing.

If your business or organisation would like to support Central Highlands Rural Health with a collection box, please get in touch with our Fundraising and Engagement Manager at ...

👉 narelle.groenhout@chrh.org.au

05/02/2026

After more than two decades of service, Pam Saunders has retired from her role as Director of Nursing at Creswick Health, with her final day on Friday 30 January.

Pam commenced with Hepburn Health (now Central Highlands Rural Health) in 2004 and progressed through leadership roles including Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Care Coordinator and Director of Nursing. Across more than 20 years, Pam led the Creswick team with integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to patient care and clinical excellence.

Her leadership guided Creswick Health through significant periods of change, including the amalgamation, major infrastructure upgrades, pandemic management, accreditation processes, the completion of aged care renovations and the reopening of the sub-acute ward. These achievements reflect Pam’s long-term vision and dedication to strengthening local health services.

Pam’s legacy extends well beyond projects and milestones. She is widely respected for her mentorship, attention to detail and ability to build strong, capable teams grounded in shared values.

Pam’s retirement was celebrated with a farewell morning tea shared with residents and staff, complete with heartfelt speeches, thoughtful gifts and some very special cakes – including one decorated with many photos of Pam’s nursing journey.

On behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health, we thank Pam for her exceptional contribution and years of service and wish her all the very best in her retirement.

03/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Cancer Survivorship Community Forum at Kyneton Health yesterday.

We were pleased to host this event and to see so many community members attend, including people with lived experience of cancer and those supporting family and friends.

Hearing directly from the community about what’s working well and what people want from their local health service will help guide how we continue to strengthen and connect cancer support services close to home.

The feedback shared on the day has already given us clear insight into where we can do better and how we can better support people locally.

If you weren’t able to attend, the Cancer Survivorship Survey is still open! Your feedback is just as valuable, and it’s a great way to have your say on what local cancer care should look like. You can complete it online via the link or QR code or pick up a hard copy from Allied Health Reception at Kyneton Health.

A special thank you to the Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service for their partnership and for being with us at the forum – your support makes a real difference.

Thank you again to everyone who has shared their voice so far – your input will help shape better cancer care for our community.

30/01/2026

Great to be part of the Ballarat Community Aged Care Expo 👋

Our Central Highlands Rural Health team, including Associate Nurse Unit Manager Gabby and Care at Home Manager Jo, loved spending the day chatting with the community about residential aged care, home support packages, dementia programs, and our allied health and wellbeing services.

A big thank you to The Aged Care Events Community for hosting such a fantastic day with more than 300 attendees coming together to connect, learn, and support older residents and their families.

Address

Daylesford, VIC

Website

http://www.chrh.org.au/

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Our Story

Central Highlands Rural Health has been a part of the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shire for over 160 years.

Although we have had a number of name changes over the years, our mission remains the same – to deliver high quality healthcare for our communities.

We provide acute, community health and aged care services to people across Hepburn Shire and the Macedon Ranges. We work collaboratively with medical professionals and regional healthcare partners to provide a breadth of services for you and your family, plus seamless transitions between hospital and home. We can provide or connect you with the services, programs and expertise you need.

In November 2019, Hepburn Health Service amalgamated with Kyneton District Health to establish a new entity – Central Highlands Rural Health. The primary goal of Central Highlands Rural Health is to continue to provide the best possible integrated health services for our communities across a broader region.