Bayside Health Regional

13/02/2026

Attention parents of 2-12 year-olds! You’re invited to join our free 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching parenting program.

The program is designed to help you with your parenting journey and support you with challenging behaviours.

To learn more and to book your spot 👉 basscoasthealth.org.au/parentingsupport

12/02/2026

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤!

Think lunchboxes need to be fancy? They really don’t.

In this short video, Kooweerup Hospital dietitian Anthony shares simple, realistic tips to help make lunchboxes:
✔️ Balanced and nourishing
✔️ Easier to manage on busy mornings
✔️ Fun and interesting for kids

From focusing on balance (not perfection) to planning ahead and keeping things simple, small changes can make a big difference.

Watch the video and take away easy tips to make your lunchbox work for you.
For practical ideas and tips on how to plan a nourishing lunchbox, please visit:
www.healthymadetasty.com.au

If you’d like more information about nutritional issues, help to develop meal plans, or guidance for individuals, families, groups and communities toward better health through proper dietary choices, please contact one of our Dietetics services:
📞 𝐊𝐨𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5997 9679
📞 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5654 2737
📞 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – 03 5671 3343

06/02/2026

LEONGATHA | Your local care options

Leongatha Memorial Hospital continues to provide support for the local community following the closure of the Leongatha Healthcare Group’s GP clinic.

Urgent medical care
For urgent, non-life-threatening illness or injury, you can:
• Attend the Urgent Care Centre at Leongatha Memorial Hospital
• Use Virtual Emergency Care via video call, available 24/7
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/services-and-support/virtual-emergency-care
• Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24, available 24/7
Maternity, urgent care, and surgical services are operating as usual, with additional staffing in place to support current demand.

Medication renewals
Prescription renewals are available online via Instant Scripts:
https://www.instantscripts.com.au

Emergency care
For medical emergencies or life-threatening conditions, call 000

Local GP services
The following local GP clinics have advised they are accepting former Leongatha Healthcare patients:

• Long Street Medical: appointments available from the week commencing 9 February. Patients can also present via the Urgent Care Centre

• Z Medical: appointments available now

• Korumburra Medical: appointments allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call to book

Leongatha Memorial Hospital does not operate or manage the Leongatha Healthcare Group GP clinic. While the closure is outside our control, our focus remains on supporting the community to stay connected to care.

06/02/2026

KOOWEERUP | 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 - 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩!

Is parenting feeling overwhelming? You’re not alone — and we’re here to help.

Our 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐏𝐔) has 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 in our 𝐝𝐚𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 (𝟗–𝟏𝟑 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲), and we’d love to support you and your family on your parenting journey.

We also have a 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟗 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜.

Whether you’re struggling with sleep, feeding, or just need some extra guidance and reassurance, our caring and experienced team is here for you.

📞 Call us on 𝟎𝟑 𝟓𝟗𝟗𝟕 𝟗𝟔𝟕𝟒 for more information or to book your spot.
⏰ Places are limited, so don’t wait too long!

04/02/2026

🌿 A Garden Making a Real Difference 🌿

Recovery takes more than treatment. It takes the right space to rebuild strength, confidence and independence.

Thanks to the generosity of the Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary Club, the Phillip Island Community Hospital is home to a very special space: the Rotary Rehabilitation Garden.

This beautiful garden supports patients recovering from surgery or injury and helps those relearning how to walk safely and regain independence after strokes, falls, and fractures.

Rotary has committed to raising $100,000 over five years to support this vital space…and you can help!

⛳ Charity Golf Day – 6 March
Join them at the Phillip Island Golf Club in Cowes for a fun-filled day of 4 person Ambrose with friends. Enjoy exciting on course surprises, including:
🏌️ Straightest drive prizes
🎲 Games of chance
🎈 A thrilling ball drop
🚗 And your chance to win a brand new car from Wonthaggi Toyota in the Hole-in-One competition!

📅 Bookings are now open:
👉 https://trybooking.com/DIKVC

Come along, have fun, and help support patient recovery closer to home 💙

02/02/2026

KORUMBURRA/LEONGATHA

You don’t have to navigate alone

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn? Support starts right here.

Our Social Workers are here to walk beside you, every step of the way.

Whether you’re facing a personal crisis, supporting someone you love, or trying to make sense of systems like NDIS or My Aged Care, help is closer than you think.

The Social Work team at Bayside Health, supporting Leongatha Memorial Hospital and Korumburra Hospital, works with people across Leongatha, Korumburra and the wider South Gippsland community.

So, what do our Social Workers actually do?

They are problem-solvers, advocates and trusted listeners.
Our team can support you with:
- Coping with grief, trauma or sudden life changes
- Finding and understanding local services and supports
- Carer support and family challenges
- Short-term generalist counselling (non-paediatric)
- Guidance through Aged Care, NDIS and disability services
- Referrals to community programs, including financial hardship, housing and mental health support

Every conversation is grounded in empathy, experience and respect.

And the most important part?
There is no cost.

You don’t have to go through this alone.
Our Social Workers are just a phone call away.

📞 To request a referral, call our Gateway Team on (03) 5654 2737

02/02/2026

BASS COAST | Local measles exposure sites

San Remo and Phillip Island have been added to the list of exposure sites during the current measles outbreak.

Please read the information below to know the symptoms to look for, so you can keep yourself, family and friends safe.

Chief Health Officer Alert – New measles cases in Victoria

Two new measles cases have been reported in Victoria, with two exposure sites identified in the Gippsland region.

If you visited one of the listed exposure sites during the specified dates and times, please monitor for symptoms and follow the advice provided.

View the most up-to-date exposure sites here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

Symptoms of measles can include:
• Fever
• Cough or runny nose
• Sore or red eyes
• A red rash (usually appears a few days later)

There is an ongoing risk of measles.

If you’re aged 20 to 59, you may have only received one dose of the measles vaccine as a child, and two doses are needed for full protection. Not sure how many measles vaccines you’ve had, it’s safe to get the free Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Free measles vaccinations are available across Gippsland through Council immunisation clinics and participating local pharmacies. Book here: https://lrh.com.au/gippsland-region-public-health-unit/free-measles-vaccines/

You should also consider getting your MMR vaccination if you've recently returned from overseas or interstate travel.

If you’re planning to travel, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including the MMR vaccine. Vaccination is recommended at least two weeks before departure.

***More information:

Chief Health Officer advisory:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/new-measles-case-in-victoria-4?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrVnVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqNHdyRGlEN2RlY21UNTI3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtUspk4cg9YxAnx2T7-sVRRNX8IfL4UdrGPyux-kPsCkPCa2IudU5-W0OJIM_aem_eogPj-VIMjGsQ5EKmZO3lw

Better Health Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrVnhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqNHdyRGlEN2RlY21UNTI3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi9h5sAHofxe6V-5wXrHpW6-LrUQMcQ0YziOSd1v7K19bexK2lRWA0AtPpkR_aem_KXJETbPLKsgxOI4lZKKIag

30/01/2026

BASS COAST | The sound of the surf at Williamson’s Beach drifts on a westerly breeze all the way to Wonthaggi Hospital.

That natural connection inspired the name of our new staff accommodation facility: Williamsons Sounds.

Designed with hotel-style comfort, Williamsons Sounds will provide visiting clinicians and specialists with convenient, high-quality accommodation close to the hospital - helping us attract more skilled professionals to care for our community.

Learn more 👉 https://basscoasthealth.org.au/new-developments/staff-accommodation-facility

29/01/2026

LEONGATHA I Five journeys. One proud afternoon.

There’s something quietly powerful about pausing to celebrate before the next step begins.

This afternoon at Leongatha Memorial Hospital, the smiles were real and the room held a shared sense of pride as we congratulated our 2025 Graduate Nurses and wished them well for what comes next.

Over the past year, each of these grads have moved through two six month rotations. Time spent on the General Ward in Leongatha, alongside moments of growth in specialist areas including Theatre, District Nursing and Urgent Care.

Along the way, they learned not only clinical skills, but how to listen, steady themselves, and show up for patients when it matters.

Today was about acknowledging that work. The quiet resilience. The questions asked. The confidence earned.

As we farewelled this group with genuine warmth, we also looked ahead. Next Monday, we welcome 11 new Graduate Nurses through our doors. New faces, new stories, and the next chapter of care beginning.

To our 2025 graduates, Miguel, Georgia, Alexandra, Megan and Emerald.
Thank you for what you have given and for the nurses you are becoming. You will always be part of this place.

28/01/2026

Heading out for a walk with your furry friend? 🐾🐾

You can find water fountains for yourself and your four-legged friends, especially on those warm summer days.

Keep an eye out for the human and dog friendly drinking fountains to keep those tails wagging 🐕

💧 Westernport Water’s fountains can be found here: https://bit.ly/WPW-permanent-refill-stations
💧 South Gippsland Water’s fountains can be found here: https://bit.ly/SGW-drinking-fountains

28/01/2026

LEONGATHA | Shaping the Game of Rural Healthcare

Some places are landmarks. Others shape the game.

Of all rural health services across Australia, Leongatha made the Monopoly board.

The ACRRM Rural Medicine Monopoly board was created to recognise the real-world foundations of rural and remote healthcare. The places that support clinicians, sustain services, and deliver care where it is needed most.

That’s why Leongatha is included.

Developed with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, this special edition reimagines Monopoly through the lens of rural medicine. Every property reflects contribution, capability, and commitment beyond metropolitan systems.

Leongatha isn’t a stop along the way.
It’s part of the structure.

A small square on a board.
A significant mark of respect in rural medicine.

27/01/2026

𝐊𝐎𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐏 | 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

January 2026 was extra special at Kooweerup Hospital as we celebrated two incredible wedding anniversaries with our residents.

𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐚 & 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 – 𝟕𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞
Alvina and George marked an amazing 70 years together. Their love story began many years ago through a pen pal program, when George was living in WA and Alvina was in Victoria. After a year of letters, George decided to make the drive to meet Alvina — and the rest, as they say, is history.
When asked the secret to such a long marriage, George simply said, “I was just lucky.”

𝐃𝐨𝐭 & 𝐌𝐚𝐱 – 𝟔𝟒 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞
Dot and Max also celebrated a wonderful milestone, marking 64 years of marriage. They shared many beautiful memories from their life together and enjoyed a lovely celebration at the facility, surrounded by care and warmth.

We are honoured to celebrate these remarkable love stories and the joy they bring to our community.