Bendigo Community Health Services

15/06/2026

We've got news... the latest news from BCHS that is!

Our June newsletter is out and features so many good things, including:

💚 BCHS chosen as a site for the Naloxone dispensing machine trial
💚 Former refugees find a place to call home in Bendigo
💚 V**e education video series launched (in partnership with of Greater Bendigo)
💚 Alana's home away from home for little learners
💚 Health Matters column: Why PCOS is now PMOS by the wonderful Dr Katrina.
Plus more...

Click the link below. Happy reading!

Welcome to the June 2026 BCHS community newsletter. We've got some life-saving news to share with BCHS chosen as a site to host a Naloxone dispensing machine; read about the former refugees who've found a place to call home in Bendigo; find out why PCOS is now called PMOS is our latest Health Matter...

14/06/2026

How good is Nestory Irankunda's story 👇 and on the day Refugee Week started too 🫶

This Refugee Week (June 14-20) is marking A Million Stories and with the help of our Settlement Services team former refugees have been sharing their stories with us for 15 years. We are so proud to tell them.

Here's just a few from over the years:

💚 'No matter what, this is my present and my future' https://tinyurl.com/4t32njca

💚 From Myanmar to medicine: Lived experience drives BCHS' newest GP https://tinyurl.com/pd2am3k4

💚 Finding freedom in Bendigo https://tinyurl.com/musw7pyv

💚 'When I arrived, I thought, this is an amazing country, but where are we going to start?' https://tinyurl.com/4nskwk6p

💚 From deepest jungle to Quarry Hill, seven months in https://tinyurl.com/343b4sf6

💚 Recognising Karen allies on Anzac Day https://tinyurl.com/2fheuyey

From a refugee camp in Tanzania to lighting up the World Cup. 🌍⚽

Nestory Irankunda, born to Burundian parents who fled civil war, became the youngest scorer in Australia's World Cup history with a stunning opener against Turkey – and the first player born outside Australia to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos.

His journey is a reminder of what's possible when people are given safety, opportunity and a place to belong.

This Refugee Week (15-21 June), we celebrate stories like Nestory's. Get involved 👉 refugeeweek.org

11/06/2026

📣 Call out: Share a piece of your story for Refugee Week.

We invite you to tell your story through art. Our collective artwork will celebrate experiences, memories, hopes and journeys. All pieces will be combined to create a visual mosaic of stories.

Pick up a square, draw or paint your piece and drop it off at BCHS’ Central site in Hargreaves Street. Full details in the flyers below.

Refugee Week runs from June 14-20 and is celebrating A Million Stories this year. For more visit https://tinyurl.com/2tdafbur

11/06/2026

We simply can’t let this milestone pass! 👇🎉

Norma first came to us for our exercise physiology classes and 20 years on it’s clear she stayed for the camaraderie.

“Joel picks up on everything! He won’t let us get away with anything if we’re doing it wrong,” Norma told us, as our ever-popular exercise physiologist laughed without denying it.

“You can see how our groups provide a great social aspect along with the physical benefits,” Joel added. “But seriously, some clients only stay for our 10-session pass while others might attend for 10 years. Then there’s Norma. We all think it’s amazing that Norma has attended for 20 years and we enjoy seeing her each week.”

From Kangaroo Flat to our White Hills site, for two decades Norma has come along to classes twice a week. A former home eco and textiles teacher, the 85-year-old said the sessions help improve her strength, manage chronic conditions and stay as independent and healthy as possible.

“As long as I’m here and fit enough to drive I’ll be coming to the classes,” she said as she picked up her weights to begin her session.

We 💚to hear it, see you at the next class Norma! 💪

For more on our exercise physiology classes click this link 👉https://tinyurl.com/ysmddyp3

10/06/2026

We absolutely second this 👇 Annie North Inc. Thanks for having us!

It was great for the Executive Teams from Annie North Inc and Bendigo Community Health Services to meet last week to discuss client needs and explore opportunities to partner together.

So important to share these insights and to meet in person.

09/06/2026

This video explains Shingles Immunisation, in the Karen language with English subtitles.
Please watch and share if it can help you or someone you know.

09/06/2026

Empowering our kids ✅
Creating healthier communities ✅
Making a difference ✅

We are endlessly proud of doing truly great things together Bendigo Foodshare

Watch the video below 👇 to see the impact the Cooking for Change program has had across the Greater Bendigo region. 💚

07/06/2026

All of our BCHS sites are closed for the public holiday. Please take care and see details below 👇 if you need assistance.
All sites will reopen Tuesday.

07/06/2026

05/06/2026

The honour was all ours recently as we gathered at Bendigo TAFE to celebrate our latest round of graduates from our Essential Life Skills program. 🎓🎉

Lay Eh Htoo Paw (pictured below in purple) was one of the many dedicated learners who got together weekly to take classes on housing, taxation, Australian law, social support, English, education, employment, training and so much more.

“For me, taking this course has been like receiving a lifesaver,” she said. “Before, I knew very little about this country. I felt like a child who did not understand much. Now, this course has given me confidence. I have grown into someone who can share knowledge with others.”

Working in education at the refugee camp, Lay Eh waited three years for the opportunity to come to Australia and said she finds joy and comfort in the community in Bendigo.

“I can truly say this is the happiest time of my life as a young person,” she said.

Our orientation program is an important pathway for people of refugee background and is run by a very special bunch of people - our Settlement Services team! They wholeheartedly walk alongside our new arrivals providing all the care and support needed to settle here.

Thanks to our CEO Mandy Hutchinson for handing out their certificates, and to Bendigo Tafe for your continued partnership.

We’re so proud of all our graduates and we can’t wait to see you achieve your dreams!

Read more and see our full gallery of graduates at this link https://tinyurl.com/4t32njca