Yarram & District Health Service

31/03/2026

It’s been a bumper month of events and being out and about in the community for the YDHS team during March.

🥤 Our smoothie bike and craft activities proved to be a big hit with the kids at Wellington Shire Council’s Kids Day Out as part of Parks Week early in the month.

👩‍⚕️ We also stopped in at Federation University’s Nursing Expo to highlight opportunities available for the next generation of nurses and healthcare workers.

🙋🏼‍♀️ Plus, we celebrated all of the extraordinary women we work with at YDHS as part of International Women’s Day.

And the events aren’t stopping, as we head into the Tarra Festival this coming weekend in Yarram.

The Bridge -Local News

24/03/2026

Need a GP appointment?

We have some appointments available at the Yarram Medical Centre today.

To make an appointment, phone 5182 0222 and select option 1 for the Yarram Medical Centre or visit https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/yarram-VIC-3971/yarram-and-district-health-service-yarram/doctors

The Bridge -Local News

23/03/2026

🌟 We’re hiring – Care Partner 🌟

Are you passionate about empowering older people to live well, stay independent and feel supported in their community?

We’re looking for a compassionate and proactive Care Partner to join our Community Care team.

In this rewarding role, you’ll work closely with clients and their families to develop tailored care plans, support access to services through My Aged Care and help people stay connected, safe and thriving in their homes.

What you’ll do:
🗣️ Build meaningful relationships with clients and their families
📋 Complete assessments and coordinate services
🗂️ Develop individualised care plans that reflect each person’s goals
💻 Support clients to navigate My Aged Care and local services
🗒️ Work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team
🫶🏻 Champion dignity, independence and person‑centred care every day

What you’ll bring:

- Experience in health, community or aged care
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
- Ability to manage a varied caseload with autonomy
- Certificate IV in Aged Care, Community Services, Disability or similar (mandatory)
- A genuine passion for supporting older people to live well.

If that sounds like you, apply today to make a meaningful difference every day.

Visit https://www.ydhs.com.au/current-vacancies/ for more information or to apply.

The Bridge -Local News

22/03/2026

Are you interested in playing a part in collecting some of Australia’s most important data?

We’re talking about the kind of information that governments and businesses rely on every day to make important decisions.

Right now, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is looking for Field Managers to support the 2026 Census in Gippsland.

As a Field Manager you’ll be responsible for:

- Recruiting, training, managing and supporting a team of 6 - 12 field staff;
- Reviewing your work area for major changes, housing developments and identifying potential work, health and safety hazards; and
- Engaging with hotels, hospitals, caravan parks and other establishments to help them prepare for the Census.

These are great roles with plenty of variety and the chance to contribute to the most comprehensive snapshot of Australia.

To find out more, including to apply, visit www.census.abs.gov.au/jobs.

The Bridge -Local News

21/03/2026

Today is Harmony Day – a chance to celebrate cultural diversity, inclusivity and respect.

The day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and this year’s theme is ‘Everyone Belongs'.

At YDHS, we’re fortunate to have a community where a diverse range of cultures are represented.

Whether its amongst our staff, volunteers, residents or family and friends, we’re stronger as a result of our multicultural diversity.

And we love getting to share in the various customs and traditions from across the cultural spectrum.

Whether that’s enjoying traditional cuisine and dishes from certain countries or participating in traditions particular to a culture, these acts provide a chance to deepen our understanding of the community we live within and work with.

The Bridge -Local News

18/03/2026

Today is National Close the Gap Day.

The Close the Gap campaign arose in response to Professor Tom Calma’s 2005 Social Justice Report which challenged governments to bring about health equality within a generation for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

In Australia, Aboriginal infants die more often than non-Indigenous infants, while Aboriginal people’s life expectancy is shorter, with more than double the rate of illness.

The theme for this year’s Close the Gap Day is ‘Justice, Equality and Healing’ which acknowledges the need to tackle systemic racism, enhance cultural safety and ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples lead the design and delivery of solutions to truly Close the Gap.

We all have a role to play in Closing the Gap, in particular health services and providers - from ensuring our approaches are culturally safe to working with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to inform the design and delivery of our services.

So today, whatever sector you work within, think about some of the adjustments you might be able to make that go towards improving the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The Bridge -Local News

12/03/2026

Today is World Kidney Day – a chance to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health, the risks of kidney disease and the need for early detection.

This year’s theme is “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet” which seeks to draw attention to the link between kidney health and planetary health.

Environmental challenges such as air pollution, heat stress, dehydration and extreme weather events increase the risk of kidney disease and speed up its progression.

At the same time, treatments for end-stage kidney disease, particularly dialysis, require large amounts of water, energy and single-use plastics, placing an added burden on our environment.

By prioritising prevention, early detection and greener therapies, we can protect both kidney health and the planet.

So on this World Kidney Day, think about incorporating these simple tips into your daily life to lower your risk of kidney disease:

🥗 Make healthy food choices
🏃‍♀️ Make physical activity part of your daily routine
㎏ Aim for a healthy weight
🛌 Get enough sleep
🫀 Manage diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The Bridge -Local News

11/03/2026

Well done to the team at Yarram Secondary College on this fantastic initiative.

✔️ More healthy options for local students.
✔️ Free fresh fruit and fruit cups.
✔️ Using produce and ingredients directly from the kitchen garden.

🌟 Monthly member highlight: Yarram Secondary College! 🌟

Fruit and veg are taking centre stage at Yarram Secondary College and we’re loving it!

The canteen team has introduced more fruit and veg based snacks, using fresh produce straight from their kitchen garden. Options like zucchini slices, mini apple and pear muffins and vegetable soup have been big favourites with students.

Fresh fruit and fruit cups are also available in the canteen for students to grab for free, giving everyone easy access to a nutritious bite. Any extra garden produce is frozen for future meals or used in classes as part of their Paddock2plate program, helping the school make the most of every harvest.

👏 Well done, Yarram Secondary College. We’re celebrating all the great steps you’re taking!

Schools can join Vic Kids Eat Well for free here: https://bit.ly/3CLwtSZ

Cancer Council Victoria
National Nutrition Foundation
Healthy Eating Advisory Service
Victorian Department of Health
Yarram & District Health Service

07/03/2026

Today on International Women’s Day (and everyday), we proudly celebrate the incredible and inspiring women of YDHS and more broadly across Yarram.

We’re incredibly lucky to work with some of the most extraordinary women - our patients, families, carers, and the remarkable women across our health service - who show strength, compassion and leadership every single day.

From our nurses and clinicians to our volunteers, support staff and leaders, your dedication keeps our community healthy, connected and cared for. Your impact reaches far beyond the walls of our service and today we say thank you.

This year’s theme, Balance the Scale reminds us of the importance of creating spaces where every woman feels valued, respected and empowered. In regional communities like ours, that sense of inclusion and support is especially powerful - and it’s something we’re committed to strengthening every day.

When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive and society becomes safer for everyone.

This International Women’s Day let's Balance the Scales together.

The Bridge -Local News

05/03/2026

We’ve found a set of keys at the Yarram Medical Centre.

So if you’ve lost a set of keys and have been at YDHS in recent days, we might have them.

They have a distractive branded key ring on them and to ensure they’re returned to their rightful owner, you’ll be asked to identify the brand of the keyring.

You can collect them from the Yarram Medical Centre reception.

The Bridge -Local News

04/03/2026

This week, we bid farewell to Jo Scimone.

If you’ve had a blood test at the Yarram Medical Centre over the last couple of years, chances are it’s been Jo that’s done it.

Jo has been at Monash Pathology at YDHS for the last seven years and in that time has become a valued member of our healthcare team.

So, from all of us at YDHS, a big thanks to Jo for all of her efforts and her commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community in her time here.

And if you’re wondering where Jo is going, she’s shared the below message with us before she clocks out for the final time. It seems Jo’s enjoyed her time here just as much as we have valued having her as part of the team.

From Jo:

Hi Yarram and surrounds community,
Jo here from Monash Health Pathology at Yarram Medical Centre. I just wanted to let all my patients know that I’m finishing up working in pathology. Just wanted to say thankyou to everyone I’ve gotten to know and taken blood from over the last seven years working there. I will miss our chats and getting to know you. My hubby and I are opening up a cafe in Rosedale so it’s time for me to move on and work with my family and do something different. Wishing everyone that I’ve crossed paths with all the best in life. Always be kind.

Also, to all the staff at Yarram Medical Centre, thank you for always being kind and making me always to feel welcome. I will miss all your faces and chats too.

Regards

Jo Scimone

The Bridge -Local News