Macedon Ranges Health

27/11/2025

Year 6 to 7 Wellbeing Transition Expo a Huge Success!

On Monday we welcomed around 90 local Grade 6 students to our very first Year 6 to 7 Wellbeing Transition Expo - and what an amazing day it was!
Students rotated through three interactive stations focused on managing big feelings, setting healthy boundaries, building positive friendships, and developing healthy habits as they prepare for secondary school.

A huge thank you to our incredible partners who made the day so engaging and supportive:

Gisborne Secondary College
Youth Live4Life
Stride
Macedon Ranges Youth

We’re so proud of our local young people and the courage, curiosity, and kindness they brought to the day. This pilot event is just the beginning, and we’re excited to continue supporting students as they take this next big step in their school journey.

A big thank you to all schools, teachers, and partners who made this possible!
Here’s to building confidence, resilience, and strong connections as our young people move into Year 7.

25/11/2025

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Today we stand together to call for an end to violence against women and girls — a human-rights violation that affects every community. This day also launches the annual 16 Days of Activism, a global movement towards prevention, support and accountability.

What we can all do to support:
• Talk openly – help break the silence and shame.
• Support survivors – believe them, refer them, stand with them.
• Challenge attitudes and behaviours – respect, equality and safety start with each of us.
• Promote safe workplaces, safe homes and safe communities for women and girls.
At Macedon Ranges Health we are committed to:
• Creating safe, inclusive spaces for women and girls in our community.
• Partnering with local services and supports that intervene and prevent gender-based violence.
• Raising awareness through programs, events and resources – because everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and valued.

Today, we wear orange — a to symbolise hope and a future without violence.

Let’s pledge: “No excuse. No violence. No more.”

19/11/2025

International Men’s Day

Today we recognise the positive contributions men and boys make to our families, workplaces and communities and the importance of supporting their health and wellbeing.

The 2025 theme is “Supporting Men and Boys” - a reminder that we all play a role in creating safe, supportive spaces where men can talk openly and seek help when needed.

Let’s celebrate the men who make a difference every day and keep encouraging connection, kindness and conversation.

13/11/2025

World Diabetes Day

Today we come together to raise awareness for diabetes and support everyone those living with or at risk of this condition. According to Diabetes Victoria, over 7 in 10 people with diabetes are of working age and 3 in 4 experience mental-health challenges.

This year’s theme is: “Know more and do more for diabetes at work.” Let’s break the stigma, empower our communities and workplaces, and ensure everyone has access to the support they need.

✅ Get involved:
• Share this post and start conversations.
• Encourage colleagues, friends or family to learn more.
• Head to Diabetes Victoria’s website for toolkits and resources. Diabetes Victoria

At Macedon Ranges Health, we’re here to support you with:
• Diabetes eEducation - tailored programs for Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes, and help with insulin therapy, pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
• Strength for Life and & other fitness classes, helping improve muscle strength, mobility and support chronic condition management (including diabetes).

📞 Call us on (03) 5428 0300 to find out more or book in.

Together we can know more, do more, live well.

10/11/2025

Today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to honour the bravery and sacrifice of all those who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

Lest we forget.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we proudly display poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day. We would like to thank community members from Gisborne and Riddells Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House for sharing their skills including crochet and knitting to contribute to our display.

05/11/2025

KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN! 📣

Strong communities start in shared spaces and shared moments. Neighbourhood Houses are essential for fostering those moments and connections. Every week, 185,000 people access Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria for resilience, friendship, wellbeing, learning, inclusion, and connection.

Neighbourhood Houses have faced rising costs, increasing community need and an erosion of core funding. Our funding no longer covers staff wages, let alone operational costs. Around half of all Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria are running at a loss. This cannot continue.

We are asking and the Victorian Government to urgently restore funding to historical levels through a 25% increase, allowing Neighbourhood Houses to continue providing communities with essential support and connection.

To show your support, visit us here at MRFEC, your local Neighbourhood House and sign a postcard supporting this ask and share what your Neighbourhood House means to you. For more information and to show your support, you can also visit https://www.nhvic.org.au/2026-campaign 🥳

02/11/2025

Macedon Ranges Health will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday 4 November, for the Melbourne Cup public holiday.

We will reopen on Wednesday 5 November

30/10/2025

Living with Chronic Pain? You’re Not Alone.

Macedon Ranges Health is running another free Chronic Pain Program, starting 12 November — designed to help you build confidence, connection, and practical strategies to manage ongoing pain.

Over four weekly sessions, you’ll learn from our experienced health professionals about:
✅ Medical & medication management
✅ Movement & function
✅ Diet & pain management
✅ Mental health & wellbeing

Our group-based program offers a safe and welcoming space to share experiences and learn together. Previous participants have described it as “fantastic and worthwhile” and said “it helped me realise I wasn’t alone.”

100% of past participants surveyed said the program gave them strategies to improve their wellbeing, and all found the environment supportive and welcoming.

If you or someone you know is living with chronic pain, this program could be the first step toward improving quality of life — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Starts: Tuesday 12 November 10.30 – 12pm
Where: Macedon Ranges Health, Gisborne
Cost: Free
Register now: Call 03 5428 0300

28/10/2025

OT Week 2025

This year’s theme, Occupational Therapy in Action, celebrates the creativity, problem-solving, and compassion behind occupational therapy.

At Macedon Ranges Health, our occupational therapists work to help people live more independently, safely and comfortably.
They support you with:
✔ Home modifications & assistive equipment
✔ Strategies to manage daily tasks (self-care, household activities, work, leisure)
✔ Advice, education and tailored approaches to achieve your goals
Let’s shine a light on the vital work OTs do in our community, helping people stay engaged, active, and connected.

To find out more or book OT support, call (03) 5428 0300 or visit mrh.org.au

22/10/2025

Supporting Your Child’s Transition to Secondary School

Is your child starting secondary school next year?

Join headspace Schools & Communities for a free online parent and carer webinar to help you support your young person through this big change.

This one-hour session will explore:
✅ Understanding mental health and adolescent development
✅ Helping young people manage emotions during transition
✅ Where to seek support for you and your child

Session 1: Tuesday 28 October, 7–8pm AEDT
Session 2: Thursday 30 October, 8–9pm AEDT

💻 Online via Microsoft Teams
Register here:

Parent/Carer webinar: Supporting young people with transition from primary to secondary school. headspace Schools & Communities would like to invite you to attend a Mental Health Education Program webinar for Parents and Carers.

21/10/2025

Share your photos in this year’s Free to Be Me Photo Competition 📸

Do you live, work and play in the Macedon Ranges? Enter your photographs showing people of all genders doing things that challenge traditional gender roles - no experience needed.

📅 Entries open now and close on 2 November.

The competition is part of next month's 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, with a range of other events planned.

To enter and find out more about what's on, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/16-Days

15/10/2025

National Carers Week — 12 to 18 October 2025

This week we join the nation in recognising the 3 million unpaid carers across Australia — the family members, friends and loved ones who quietly support others every day.

This year’s theme – You are one, know one, or will be one — shows us that caring is everywhere.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we honour and support carers in our community. We see the dedication, the sacrifices and the compassion they demonstrate every day.

We support carers by:
• Providing health and wellbeing services that your care-recipient may need
• Offering information, referrals, and guidance on support services
• Encouraging carers to look after their own health too – you matter!

You can care for a carer this week by:
• Giving a carer in your life a genuine “Thank you”
• Offering to help with a small task for them
• Sharing this post to raise awareness
• Encouraging carers to reach out for support when they need it

Let’s make ensure carers feel valued and supported — not just this week, but all year round.