Hesse Rural Health

20/01/2026

Penny Hill - Enrolled Nurse, celebrated 30 years of dedicated service at Hesse this year and was recognised at Hesse's 2025 AGM in November.

Thank you for all of your hard work, compassion and for all of the extra things you do!

Penny is a very reliable, honest and hardworking nurse. Achieving 30 years of service means that Penny joined Hesse in the earlier 90’s, the same day the non-ensuited corridor in our residential aged care facility was officially opened and we first commenced as a nursing home after the closure of those at Beeac and Birregurra.

The year was 1995, babies were still being delivered at Hesse and there was an operating theatre where Urgent Care is now. This means Penny has seen many changes over those past 30 years.

Penny also worked in the continence portfolio role for many years. When considering that she also manages to run a farm when not at work and also be a very busy mother and grandmother, Penny is remarkable and a wonderful asset to Hesse.

Penny goes about her work with a minimum of fuss and is not fond of the spotlight. But we must acknowledge Penny’s ongoing dedication to go above and beyond, with her grounded and kind nature contributing to a lovely rapport with residents.

A recent resident of Hesse said “Penny is like another daughter to me”. Hesse is fortunate to have an experienced mentor and nurse in Penny.

Thank you Penny for the 30 years of dedicated service at Hesse!

13/01/2026

Celebrating 15 years of dedicated service at Hesse, thank you for all of your hard work, compassion and for all of the extra things you do!

Jo Eckhardt - Care Partner, Home Care, was recognised at Hesse's 2025 AGM in November.

Jo began her career with Hesse in 2010, joining the Residential Aged Care team as the Team Leader of Lifestyle. She continued her passion for supporting older adults as she transitioned across to Community Services. Seeking new challenges and opportunities, Jo moved into Home Care as a Customer Service Officer before achieving her current and desired role as a Case Manager for Home Care Packages.

Recently Jo’s role transitioned to be a Care Partner for the new Support at Home program, with Jo playing an integral role in the Home Care Project Team’s moving to this new model. Jo is widely respected for her ability to build trusting relationships with consumers and for her commitment to ensuring that every individual receives personalised care.

11/01/2026

🏃‍♀️💧 Exercise groups have resumed for the New Year!

All Hesse Rural Health exercise groups have resumed after the holiday break, including our newest water aerobics group at Winchelsea Swimming Pool. It’s a great time to get moving again, reconnect with others, and support your health and wellbeing in a safe, supportive environment.

Whether you enjoy gentle movement, strength and balance exercises, or exercising in the pool, we’d love to welcome you. If you’re new and interested in joining a group, please get in touch to find out what’s available.

For more information or to register, contact Hesse Rural Health Community Services by emailing: communityintake@hesse.vic.gov.au or calling: 5267 1200

10/01/2026

🚨 Bushfire smoke affecting Victoria 🚨

There are multiple bushfires burning across Victoria. Smoke and ash can travel long distances and affect air quality, even far from the fires.

People most at risk include:
Infants and young children, older people, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions (including asthma).

🏠 Protect your health:
• Follow any emergency warnings related to fires near you
• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when air quality is poor, if it is safe to do so
• Avoid outdoor physical activity in smoky conditions
• Use air conditioners on recirculate (or turn off if unavailable)
• Reduce indoor pollution (no smoking, candles or vacuuming)
• When smoke clears, ventilate your home.

❤️ If you have a heart or lung condition:
Take your regular medication, follow your treatment plan, and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.

☎️ Get help:
• Call NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024
• Call 000 immediately if breathing becomes difficult or chest tightness occurs

For more information:
• Better Health Channel: Smoke and your health: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bushfiresmoke
• Environment Protection Agency: Smoke and your health: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/smoke-and-your-health
• Environment Protection Agency: Air quality forecasts and information: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality
• Visit VicEmergency for information on fires near you: http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

08/01/2026

IMPORTANT-Please note that the Winchelsea Community Foodbank will be open from 11am-1pm today due to the extreme weather conditions.

08/01/2026

Please note Heatwave conditions remain in place until Saturday 10th January, with conditions to intensify and peak tomorrow/Friday. There is an Extreme Fire Danger rating in place for the Central district and Catastrophic for the South West tomorrow:

Message from Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority

A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating means conditions will be the most dangerous for a fire and if a fire starts and takes hold, lives and homes are likely to be lost.

⛔ CLOSED – Friday, 9 January

🏛️ Cape Otway Lightstation
🏞️ Princetown Recreation Reserve
🏞️ Port Campbell Recreation Reserve
🚐 Skenes Creek Foreshore Caravan Park
🚐 Kennett River Family Caravan Park
🏕️ Wye River Beachfront Campground

🏞️ Port Campbell National Park, including the Twelve Apostles
🌳 Great Otway National Park
🌳 All other parks and forests in the Wimmera and South West districts

🌊 Peterborough foreshore
🌊 Port Campbell foreshore
🌊 Marengo Foreshore
🌊 Apollo Bay Foreshore
🌊 Skenes Creek Foreshore
🌊 Kennett River Foreshore
🌊 Wye River Foreshore

🚫 Do NOT travel into forest environments

🛟 Bushfire Places of Last Resort and Neighbourhood Safer Places are open. This is a designated location for individuals to seek shelter during a bushfire when all other safety plans have failed.

📢 Never rely on one channel for emergency information.

06/01/2026

⚠️ The CFA has declared tomorrow (Wednesday 7 January) an Extreme Fire Danger Day⚠️

What the rating means:
🔥 Fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.
🔥 Reconsider travel through bushfire risk areas.
🔥 Leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.

In the interest of community and employee safety, we'll be closing some facilities and changing service levels in high fire risk areas:

👉 Anglesea Waste Transfer Station will be open from 9am-10am.
👉 Anglesea Resale Shed will be closed.
👉 Lorne and Winchelsea Transfer Stations will be closed.
👉 Scheduled kerbside bin collections in high fire risk areas will happen early in the morning. Please put your bins out tonight as usual.
👉 Public street bins in high risk areas will be emptied in the morning and staff will return to empty them again when it's safe to do so.
👉 Recreation reserves in high fire risk areas will be closed.
👉 The Lorne and Anglesea visitor information centres will be closed. Torquay Visitor Information Centre will be open.

Find out more: surfcoast.vic.gov.au/servicechanges
Thank you for your understanding as we prioritise safety.

👉 Download the VicEmergency app or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au for incidents and warnings. Stay safe.

06/01/2026

High temperatures are expected-stay cool and hydrated and check in on each other during the heatwave ☀️

A SEVERE heatwave warning has been issued for parts of our region this week. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that areas likely to be impacted include Ballarat, Horsham and Maryborough.

Extreme heat can affect anyone. However, those more at risk include people who are young, older, who are pregnant, have acute or chronic health problems, are socially isolated or have limited ways to keep cool

Protect yourself and others by:

>Staying 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.

>Staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.

>Checking 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. Look out for those who might be more affected by extreme heat.

>Planning ahead. Watch the weather forecast in your area 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 Service for Australia - https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/heatwave-warning/IDV21013
>Department of Health – Heat health warnings - https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/heat-health-warning
>Better Health Channel - Extreme Heat - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat
>VicEmergency - https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

31/12/2025

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 🎉

Wishing our community a safe, happy and healthy year ahead!

25/12/2025

Christmas wishes from all of the hard working staff at Hesse Rural Health!

22/12/2025

🎄 A Visit from Santa and Friends 🎅

On Thursday morning our residents enjoyed some more festivities in the form of our annual Christmas morning tea with a visit from Bendigo Bank, the wonderful Winchelsea Community Op Shop, and a very special guest - Santa!

Residents received a gift and had their photo taken with Santa, kindly organised by Bendigo Bank. The Winchelsea Community Op Shop also generously gifted a beautiful outdoor umbrella, which will allow residents to enjoy more shaded spaces in the gardens during the warmer months.

Thank you to everyone involved for your generosity and ongoing support - these thoughtful gestures are truly appreciated by our residents and staff ❤️💚

20/12/2025

Thank you Community Bank Surf Coast and Winchelsea Op Shop for spreading the festive cheer with our residents.