West Gippsland Healthcare Group

14/11/2025

Today is World Diabetes Day.

Today we would like to celebrate and congratulate a patient of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Daniel.

Daniel has been honoured with the Kellion Victory Medal for reaching the remarkable milestone of living 50 years with type 1 diabetes.

The Kellion Victory Medal, established by Diabetes Australia, acknowledges individuals who have led fulfilling lives while managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes for 50 years or more.

Daniel was first diagnosed at aged four and initially visited the West Gippsland Healthcare Group before receiving lengthy treatment in Melbourne.

“I grew up like everybody else; I never felt the need to hide that I had diabetes," he said.

For the past 15 years, Daniel has had consultations with our Diabetes Educators here at the WGHG for guidance on self-managing his condition.

“They are easy to talk to, accessible, and a great team,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, he noted, “It’s good to see how things have changed and improved in technology and support; everyone’s heard of it now".

Donna, our Diabetes Education Manager, has been a key supporter for Daniel over the years.

“It’s wonderful that we’ve been able to offer support throughout his journey. This truly highlights the dedication and hard work Daniel has demonstrated in self-managing his diabetes and all the accomplishments he has achieved in his life,” she said.

Daniel would like to especially thank his mum, Beverley, who has been there with him from his first appointment till now. “I’d like to thank my mum for being there right from the start, supporting me the whole way,” he said.

Take a look at Daniel with his remarkable award along with his old glucose monitoring device.

Congrats Daniel!

13/11/2025

You're invited! 📩

Join us for our 2025 Annual Meeting.

We will launch our new Strategic Plan alongside the Annual Report this year, reflecting on the year that was and setting our direction through to 2028.

We will also hear from guest speaker Farhat Firdous, an expert in workforce transition and cross-cultural change.

Event Details:

Venue: Warragul Country Club
Date: Thursday, 4 December 2025
Time: 4-6pm

Light refreshments provided

Please rsvp to: governance@wghg.com.au by Thursday, 27 November 2025

12/11/2025

Thanks to A Girls' Day Out - Warragul , patients can now receive quality care close to home.

With the arrival of our new Scout machine, individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment can receive tumour scans in a more comfortable and convenient manner.

This machine precisely identifies tumor depth and location, increasing the likelihood of complete cancer removal and can be done weeks or even months before surgery.

We are grateful to A Girls' Day Out Warragul for their generous contribution. 🙌🧡

Check out our new machine below, pictured alongside our Breast Cancer Surgeon, Dr Chere McCamley.

To read more: https://wghg.com.au/latest_news/quality-care-close-to-home-new-breast-cancer-technology-for-west-gippsland-community

11/11/2025

Today marks Remembrance Day.

At West Gippsland Healthcare Group, we take a moment to honour and pay tribute to all who have served.

Lest we forget.

06/11/2025

This week, our staff and residents of Andrews House and Cooinda Lodge came together to celebrate the launch of the new Aged Care Act.

The Act sets clearer expectations for providers in delivering quality aged care with more measurable, comprehensive standards. They focus on improving diversity, governance, food and nutrition, dementia, and clinical care.

Residents and their families were invited to Cooinda Lodge to hear more about these changes from Judith and Paula, with a delightful afternoon tea included.

Take a look at some photos from the Cooinda afternoon tea below. 🧡

05/11/2025

From continence and counselling to employment and library services, our second annual Aboriginal Health Expo brought resources and the local Aboriginal community together last week.

Our Health Promotions team staged the event at Drouin Football Club with the aim of providing a welcoming, safe and fun-filled atmosphere for families to access resources and discuss health concerns. The expo is an extension of our monthly Aboriginal Community Yarns.

The night included prizes, bingo, a barbecue, and outdoor sports activities, alongside information stalls run by our staff and visiting services such as Anglicare, Victoria Police and Myli Library. Topics covered included diabetes, podiatry, vaccination awareness and more.

Thank you to our amazing Health Promotions team, staff who contributed to running the stalls, visiting services and the Aboriginal community members who attended.

Take a look at some of the photos of our event below!

04/11/2025

The new Gippsland Local Health Service Network (GLHSN) has received its first team recognition with a high-risk foot care initiative being named a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
The Strengthening High-Risk Foot Care initiative is among three finalists in the Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing category. It is led by Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS), Latrobe Regional Health (LRH), Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and hospital-based Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers (AHLOs) from across the Gippsland region.
The initiative aims to expand culturally safe, community-led diabetic foot care, bringing specialist services closer to home for the Gippsland Aboriginal community. It has involved staff training, expanding the model of care to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and Gippsland Southern Health Service, incorporating telehealth to increase access to specialist podiatrists and wound care nurses, and creating clinical spaces that are welcoming and grounded in culture.
WGHG Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer and local artist Leah Horvath was commissioned to create an artwork that represents the initiative’s purpose. The artwork now features across all clinic spaces, including appointment cards, posters, postcards and wall decals.
Winners of the 2025 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards will be announced at a gala on 26 November.
Good luck everyone!

03/11/2025

Last week our staff celebrated OT Week. 🧡

The theme for OT Week this year was 'Occupational Therapy in Action', highlighting the innovative problem-solving abilities and creativity that occupational therapists (OTs) contribute to their work.

Get a look behind the scenes as Kerrie offers us a guided tour of our OT kitchen, where our committed team assists patients in reclaiming their functional independence.

Thank you for celebrating OT Week with us!

31/10/2025

OT Week Continues! 👋

Meet Georgia, an Allied Health Assistant working in Occupational Therapy.
Discover her insights on OT Week and take a look at some of the tools OTs use to help patients regain independence at home.

30/10/2025

To celebrate Occupational Therapy Week this week, we’re excited to hear from our devoted team about what being an Occupational Therapist (OT) signifies to them.

Listen to Kerrie as she shares her thoughts on what OT Week represents, it's importance and what the role means to her. 🙌

29/10/2025

Board director opportunities are now open at West Gippsland Healthcare Group.

The Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, is pleased to invite applications for part-time board director positions at West Gippsland Healthcare Group. The positions start on 1 July 2026, for up to three years.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for persons with an interest in making a difference in the health sector and have the knowledge and skills for ensuring health care is delivered safely and effectively, with public money used to the benefit of all Victorians.

As a director you will be doing more than just contributing your time or knowledge. Being appointed to a hospital board places you in a position of trust. You will play an important role in providing leadership, accountability and integrity in the delivery of health care across Victoria.

Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional experience, knowledge, and skills that contribute to the strategic leadership and oversight of health care for the Victorian community. It is preferable that applicants reside in Victoria or within the border community of those hospitals near the New South Wales and South Australian borders.

While Victorian public health boards are based on capabilities, boards are more effective when these capabilities also represent the richness of the diverse voices of Victorian communities. We encourage First Nations people, people living with a disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, gender equality, and upholding human rights.

Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 23 November 2025.

Further information about Victorian health service boards and how to apply, please go to the following website:

Eligibility requirements and position descriptions for Victorian public health services, hospitals, and Early Parenting Centres.

29/10/2025

Our Allied Health team celebrated Occupational Therapy (OT) Week with a special lunch and quiz on Tuesday.

The annual celebration highlights the incredible impact OTs have on patients who are facing injury, illness, development delays and the effects of aging.

Our OT team also took part in the Federation University Job Fair last week to showcase what they do and what it’s like to work as an OT at WGHG.

OT Lilianna Butler says: “Being in a regional healthcare setting, you get greater exposure to a range of presentations rather than being assigned to one ward. It’s a rotational position and a great way to experience different areas as you work out where you want to focus.”

Keep an eye on our socials over the next week to see some of our OTs in action. 🙌