Great Ocean Road Health

21/02/2026

At Great Ocean Road Health we're developing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and we want to make sure the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at the centre of it.

As part of this process, we are seeking feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Elders, community members, and healthcare consumers to ensure our RAP reflects genuine priorities and creates real, lasting change of our communities.

This is your opportunity to help shape how we work, care, and grow as an organisation. We are committed to listening and building a plan that goes beyond words on a page.

If you would like to contribute, please reach out to Meg Aylett via megan.aylett@gorh.vic.gov.au prior to 31 March 2026.

21/02/2026

🚴‍♂️𝐀 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠! 💛
We are incredibly grateful to the amazing Great Ocean Road Cycling community for their generous $3,500 donation in support of our goal to enable people to live purposeful, healthy and engaged lives.

"Great Ocean Road Cycling has had a long association with GORH, dating back to 2012. As a club, representing 140 members between Torquay and Apollo Bay, we believe it is important to make meaningful contributions to support our community. Our objective is improve health services for all communities on the Great Ocean Road, including cyclists." Garry Smith, GOR Cycling President.

GOR Cycling's commitment to giving back to the community makes a meaningful difference, and we’re so thankful for their ongoing support of our health service. This contribution helps us continue providing vital programs and services for our local community — and we couldn’t do it without partners like GOR Cycling.

Thank you for riding with purpose and supporting our mission! 🙌✨

18/02/2026

𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓!!

Tickets for our 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 event on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 have now sold out.

To all of our wonderful ticket holders we look forward to welcoming you to a fabulous day of celebrating 'Living Well & Supporting Local'. The day will feature an incredible array of food, 4 live acts and a fashion parade from our Deluxe Boutique.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors Lorne Op Shop, Lorne Aquatic & Angling Club and Community Bank Surf Coast.

If you missed out on a ticket and would like to go on a waiting list, please contact our Fundraising & Communications Manager, Jessica Culhane, via email jessica.culhane@gorh.vic.gov.au
Please note there is no guarantee additional seats will be available.

18/02/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
This week, we are pleased to welcome Esther Merrett, Nurse Practitioner, to the GORH Apollo Bay clinical team.

Great Ocean Road Health and Colac Area Health are proud to continue our strong partnership, working together to provide Nurse Practitioner Candidates with diverse and meaningful clinical experiences. As part of this collaboration, Esther has joined us in Apollo Bay to expand her rural health expertise, while our own Anandhi has recently spent time at Colac Area Health gaining valuable emergency care experience in a larger hospital environment.
This cross-site collaboration is a powerful example of how regional partnerships can enhance learning, strengthen capability, and build a highly skilled workforce for the future of rural and regional healthcare.

Pictured: Karen Stewart (ANUM, GORH Apollo Bay) and Esther Merrett.

16/02/2026

The magicians behind the scenes working their garden magic!

Thank you to Mel Howell and our wonderful volunteer team for attending our garden to keep our hospital entrance looking so nice - we appreciate all the work.

Pictured: volunteers Kelvin & Cheryl making our entrance at Apollo Bay full of sunshine by planting sunflowers. It puts a smile on everyone’s faces.

16/02/2026

☆post edited ☆

𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢-𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬

Our great Allied Health team will be running a series of monthly Menopause workshops commencing Monday 23rd February (Lorne) and Wednesday 25th February (Apollo Bay). Each workshop will be offered at each site twice, 11am and 5:30pm, to allow for people to make it regardless of shift times.

𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 will be on Monday at 11am & 5:30pm at Fig Tree - Lorne Community House.
Please note the first workshop in Lorne will commence at 1pm not 11am due to venue availability.
𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 sessions will be on Wednesday at Gym Lab (11am workshop) & Marrar Woorn Neighbourhood House (5:30pm workshop).

Each workshop in the series will explore a new topic.
✅February - exercise and movement
✅March - bone health
✅April - nutrition
✅May - stress and sleep management
✅June - women's health checks

Sessions will run for approximately 1-1.5hrs to allow for in depth discussions and questions from participants.

13/02/2026

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟎 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭! Have you got your tickets yet? 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 - 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of great food, wonderful company, music and community generosity at our Lunch on Lorne Fundraiser.
Relax over a beautifully curated long-table lunch featuring local produce, live entertainment and a warm atmosphere—all in support of our local hospital Great Ocean Road Health.
Tickets are $95pp includes entry, a 3-course meal (entree, main and dessert) and a donation. Drinks available at bar prices.
Get your tickets today online at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1507607
Your presence will help us raise essential funds for improved care, improving health care services closer to home and making a meaningful difference in our community.
Thank you to our lead Sponsor the Lorne Op Shop.

05/02/2026

Only 3 weeks left to get your tickets!

Be in it to win one of these fantastic experiences. Whether you're looking for a fun get away, an indulgent escape or an adventure somewhere new. There is something for everyone in these prizes!
Tickets are $10 each, or discounted for multiple purchases 2 for $15, 4 for $25 or 10 for $50.
Tickets are sold online. Follow the link: https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=h27zb
Get your tickets today for your chance to win one of our incredible prizes and help support our great health service. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the Great Ocean Road Health 2025-26 Annual Appeal - raising money to keep great health care close to home for our community.
𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚
𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐥
𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 - $𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟐 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫.
To donate directly to our Annual Appeal please visit our website.
The raffle will be drawn on Friday, 27 February 2026 at 5:00 PM.

03/02/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦

A warm welcome to our new GP registrars who started this week. At our Apollo Bay Medical Centre we welcome Dr Patrick McDonald, Dr Bree Lucas, and Dr Saeba Thomas. At our Lorne Medical Centre we welcome Dr Fiona Ivri.

To book an appointment at our Medical Centres please call book online or call our friendly reception staff.

02/02/2026

In life and in health it's important to take the time to do the things we love.

For our Aged Care Residents, we love to see them active outdoors, following their interests and passions. For Joan that's tending the garden, getting her hands in the soil and watching the beauty of her hard work flourish!

Pictured: Joan our resident green thumb tending her plants, showing us all how to do it effortlessly with a huge smile.

01/02/2026

Have you got your tickets yet? 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 - 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of great food, wonderful company, music and community generosity at our Lunch on Lorne Fundraiser.
Relax over a beautifully curated long-table lunch featuring local produce, live entertainment and a warm atmosphere—all in support of our local hospital Great Ocean Road Health.
Tickets are $95pp includes entry, a 3-course meal (entree, main and dessert) and a donation. Drinks available at bar prices.
Get your tickets today online at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1507607
Your presence will help us raise essential funds for improved care, improving health care services closer to home and making a meaningful difference in our community.
Thank you to our lead Sponsor the Lorne Op Shop.

31/01/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: MEASLES EXPOSURE

Great Ocean Road Health has been notified that a confirmed case of measles attended Urgent Care at our Apollo Bay campus on 24/1/2026 between 17.30 and 19.15 hrs. The case also attended other public locations along the Great Ocean Road between 23/1/2026 and 28/1/2026.
Please check the link below for a list of exposure sites

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

Measles is a highly infectious virus. Symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure and may include:�• Fever�• Cough�• Runny nose�• Red, sore eyes�• A rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downwards

What to do if you attended an exposure site at the listed time:�• Monitor for symptoms for 18 days after exposure�• If symptoms develop:
* Stay at home away from other people
* See a doctor to get tested for measles but do not attend a clinic without calling ahead.

We encourage everyone in the community to check if you are up to date with your MMR vaccination. If you were born during or after 1966 and have not had two MMR vaccinations, or if you are unsure, speak to your immunisation provider about catch-up vaccination.�
Thank you for helping protect our community by staying informed and sharing this message.

For more information about measles: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles

Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation.