Renmark Paringa Health Advisory Council

06/12/2025

With peak mosquito season approaching in South Australia, now is the time to protect yourself and your family by reducing the risk of mosquito bites. 🦟

Some mozzies can carry serious, incurable diseases, so a few simple prevention steps can make a real difference.

✔ Cover up by wearing long, loose, light-coloured clothing when outdoors.
✔ Repel mosquitoes by using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or PMD on all exposed skin.
✔ Drain standing water from around your home, as mosquitoes breed in still water.
✔ Protect your home with mesh screens on windows and doors, and use mosquito netting where needed.

If you develop fever, joint pain, fatigue or a rash after being bitten, see your GP.

For more information and resources to help protect yourself and your family this summer, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/mozziessuck

05/12/2025

04/12/2025

🥳 CONGRATULATIONS to our first round of Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) Aged Care Cadetship Program graduates!

The Aged Care Cadetship Program is a unique opportunity to work, earn and learn in an aged care environment as a Direct Care Attendant (DCA).

The cadets have spent the last 12 months studying, completing workplace and written assessments, and learning practical on-the-job skills by working as DCAs at one of our Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) or in community health settings through Country Health Connect.

In partnership with Equals International, graduates have received their Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), and the opportunity to be employed ongoing with RMCLHN as a DCA at various locations, including Lameroo, Pinnaroo, Loxton, Barmera, Renmark and Murray Bridge.

📷 Pictured: Sandy Fletcher, RMCLHN Governing Board Chair Elaine Ashworth, Amie Mason, Melissa Spence, Joanna Greenshields, Anissa Crawford, Erica Wachtel, Krishna Oliveira, Catherine Pumpa and RMCLHN CEO Wayne Champion.

👉 Want to join our team? Visit bit.ly/JoinRMCLHN to see a list of vacancies currently available throughout our (beautiful) region and

03/12/2025

Summer kicked off with a cool start but it's well and truly heating up across the region 🥵

Stay healthy in the heat by following these simple steps:
🏠 Check your fans and air-conditioners to make sure they are working, and that filters, pads, and air vents are clean.
🌡 Check the weather forecast so you know when hot weather is coming.
💧 Drink plenty of water and always take water with you when you go out. Avoid alcohol as it can lead to dehydration.
☀ Avoid going out in the heat.
❄ Keep curtains, blinds, and windows closed during the day to keep your home cool.
🚿 Cool off with a cold shower or bath.
❌ Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
👶 Avoid taking babies or young children out in the hottest part of the day.
🚴‍♀️ If you exercise outside, do it early in the day or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler and try to stay in the shade.
👒 Wear a hat, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing when outside. Remember, if the UV is 3 or above, also wear sunglasses and plenty of SPF50+ sunscreen.

02/12/2025

The amount of time you spend on your screen can build up without you realising it.

If you find that your relationships, mood, studies, or work are being impacted by your screen use, then it might be useful to talk with someone you trust.

This could be a parent, teacher, school counsellor, family member, Elder, or friend.

These simple habits can help if your screen time has become out of balance:
✔️ not checking your phone first thing in the morning
✔️ enabling ‘Do Not Disturb’ when you need to focus
✔️ making mealtime screen free
✔️ setting time limits on distracting apps
✔️ charging your device outside of your room

For more tips, visit brnw.ch/21wUH3s

01/12/2025

It’s time to try defying germs (by washing your hands).

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitiser made with at least 60% alcohol to help protect your friends and family from getting sick.

It is especially important:
🧼 after going to the toilet or changing a nappy
🧼 before and after handling food
🧼 after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
🧼 after caring for someone who is sick
🧼 after handling rubbish
🧼 after smoking
🧼 after dancing through life.

To learn more, visit brnw.ch/21wT0pX

01/12/2025

The Coorong Health Service Health Advisory Council (HAC) recently got together for their monthly meeting and annual 🎄 Christmas celebration!

Coorong HAC Presiding Member Julie Barrie (pictured centre) sent through this great pic with Executive Officer/Director of Nursing Meningie and Tailem Bend Hospitals, Cindy Hein (left) and Administration Officer, Alicia Williams (right).

There are eight HACs in the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) who provide a strong link between communities and their health services.

You can find out more about RMCLHN HACs at bit.ly/RMCLHNHACs

THANK YOU to all our HACs and HAC members for the work you do supporting our communities 💙

30/11/2025

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications.

South Australians who aren’t fully vaccinated may be eligible for a free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

People eligible include:
✔️ adults born during or after 1966 who have not received two doses MMR vaccines
✔️ children aged 6 months to less than 12 months who are travelling overseas.

Measles vaccination has significantly reduced cases since it was introduced in the late 1960s.

A second dose of the measles vaccine was added to the childhood schedule in 1994 to boost community protection.

People born between 1966 and 1994 may be at higher risk of measles due to incomplete vaccination or lack of natural immunity.

If you're unsure whether you've had two measles doses, speak to your GP or immunisation provider. It's safe to get another dose, especially before overseas travel.

Anyone who hasn't had any measles vaccinations should get two doses, at least four weeks apart, for full protection.

For more information on the SA Funded Measles Vaccination Program, visit brnw.ch/21wVpNm

29/11/2025

Do you have respiratory issues that you can’t seem to shake?

These may include:
- shortness of breath
- cough
- occasional wheezing.

When your upper respiratory symptoms won’t go away, or re-occur when exercising, it’s a good idea to talk to your health professional about an asthma assessment.

For information and support, call the Asthma Helpline for free on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) to speak to a trained health professional.

For more information, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/asthma

27/11/2025

Information about engaging with the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network.

24/11/2025

🤍 It’s – an important opportunity for us to learn the latest facts and identify actions we can each take to help contribute to a nation free from all forms of gendered violence, harassment and disrespect.

Workplaces hold an important role in providing safe environments for women, driving social change and eliminating men's violence against women.

The Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) is proud to be an accredited . Our staff are committed to eliminating gendered violence, every day of the year.

Visit www.whiteribbon.org.au to find out more about the White Ribbon Australia movement – and if you, or someone you know, is experiencing or at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

📸 Pictured: Work, Health and Safety Consultant Shanette Hunter, RMCLHN CEO Wayne Champion, RMCLHN Governing Board Chair Elaine Ashworth and Director People and Culture Louise Greenlees with our White Ribbon Australia Certificate of Accreditation and trophy which recognises RMCLHN’s commitment to preventing violence against women and creating a safe, respectful workplace.