Great Ocean Road Health

21/05/2026

💃 Time to Thrive Dance 💃
Music and movement is good for the soul and you can see people light up from within when we combine them. Thanks to Jess, Dance Movement Therapist, who leads our fun and all ability movement dance program designed especially for residential aged care. Last week Jess moved us through the cha cha, this week we took it slowly and it was all about controlled movement. Both brought completely different energies, but equally enjoyable. Let's see what next week will bring!

21/05/2026

💛 Your Year To Volunteer 💛 Thank You For The Incredible Difference You Make Every Day. This week, we proudly celebrate National Volunteer Week and recognise the incredible impact our volunteers have across GORH and our wider communities. At GORH, we’re fortunate to have around 80 volunteers across our Lorne and Apollo Bay campuses who generously donated an amazing 850 hours of their time in April alone. From transport support, visiting with residents, to Second Sails Op Shop and our neighbourhood house programs, their contribution plays a vital role in everything we do.
The 2026 theme, ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, is a wonderful reminder of the difference volunteering can make both in our communities and in the lives of those who give their time. Our volunteers bring compassion, energy and connection to our patients, residents and community every day and we are so grateful.
To all our volunteers, thank you for your ongoing commitment and passion. We celebrate you this week and always!

Pictured: Photos from National Volunteer week celebrations in Apollo Bay and Lorne.

Thank you to for generously supporting our Volunteer Breakfast at Lorne Central.

19/05/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 - 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
Could you step in during an emergency? A Basic Life Support (BLS) course gives you the confidence and skills to make a real difference when it matters most. Join us to learn essential life-saving techniques, including:
✔️ Basic Life Support
✔️ Using a defibrillator (AED)

This is a 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 being offered on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟏𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. Whether for work, family, or peace of mind, this course is a valuable skill for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to be prepared and make a difference. Bookings essential, as places are limited.
Because knowing what to do can save a life.

13/05/2026

💙𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 💙
This week, we pause to recognise the importance of palliative care — supporting people to live as well as possible, for as long as possible, when facing serious illness.
At the heart of this year’s theme is a powerful invitation to reflect and have meaningful conversations:
👉 What matters most to me?
👉 What care would help me live well?
👉 Who needs to know my wishes?

These questions help ensure that care is aligned with what truly matters. Palliative care isn’t just about end-of-life — it’s about quality of life. It’s about comfort, connection, and choice. It’s about supporting individuals, families, and carers every step of the way.
This week, let’s start the conversation. Talk with your loved ones, your care team, and your community. Because knowing and sharing our wishes empowers others to support us in the ways that matter most.

12/05/2026

💙 Happy International Nurses Day! 💙
Today we celebrate and thank our incredible nurses for the skill, compassion, resilience and dedication you show every single day. You make a lasting difference to our patients, residents and the wider community, and we are so grateful for all that you do.
International Nurses Day is celebrated each year on 12 May, marking the birthday of Florence Nightingale and recognising the vital role nurses play in healthcare. This year’s theme is Our Nurses, Our Future – a perfect reflection of the impact you have, now and for generations to come.

11/05/2026

📚✨ Book Lovers, This One’s for You! ✨📚
For the next two weeks, Second Sails Op Shop is running a book sale you won’t want to miss!
👉 4 books for just $10 – perfect time to stock up on holiday reads, kids’ books, cookbooks, novels and more.
Pop into the shop, grab a bargain, and enjoy a good read while supporting a great cause.

Thank you for your continued support of Second Sails Opportunity Shop and Great Ocean Road Health.
Hope to see you in store!

06/05/2026

Join us for the Biggest Morning Tea in Apollo Bay on Thursday 21st May.

☕️ It’s time for the Biggest Morning Tea! 🍰

Hooray! The Biggest Morning Tea is back, and you are all invited to join us for a cuppa and a chat to raise vital funds for people impacted by cancer.

Mark your calendars and help us make a difference! 💛

The Details:
📍 Where: Apollo Bay RSL, 12 Gallipoli Parade

📅 Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026

🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

🥐 What to bring: A plate to share, a donation, and a friend!

🎟 RSVP: No need to RSVP—just show up on the day!

How You Can Help:
🎁 Raffle Donations: We are looking for local businesses or individuals to donate items for our raffle. If you or your organization can contribute, please reach out via email at coordinator@mwnh.org, text 0419 096 040, or visit us in person at Marrar Woorn.

🖼 Spread the Word: We’ll be heading around town soon with posters. If you have a shop window or a noticeboard and would like to display one, let us know!

✨ Join Us!: The most important part is YOU. Bring your friends and family, enjoy some treats, and help us support a great cause.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🫖🍪

06/05/2026

Recently, representatives from GORH joined the Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton, for a community reception recognising the impact of the January floods in Lorne. Community members, emergency responders, and representatives from local and state government came together in solidarity. We were honoured by the presence of Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor‑General of Australia, who spoke about the power of care, kindness and respect, values our community demonstrated so strongly during the recent floods and fires. The Governor‑General spent several days in the region, including a visit to the Phantom Falls Walking Track.

03/05/2026

𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫: It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that our good friend and long-term Board director, The Hon Rob Knowles AO, passed away this week.
Rob greatly valued his time with Great Ocean Road Health, and previously with Otway Health. He particularly enjoyed director rounding, his conversations with staff, meeting residents, and he always contributed thoughtfully to our Board discussions.
We regularly benefitted from his wise counsel. He brought deep experience in health and was always focussed on ensuring that our decisions supported integrated health care for all members of our community.
Rob was a true statesman, respectful, generous with his knowledge, humble in his approach, and always attentive to others.
Rob used to joke about the length of our meetings and brought a welcome sense of humour to our work, balanced with deep expertise in health, governance and leadership. He mentored us while making us feel like we were his equals. Having him on our Board has been a privilege and a highlight. We will miss his humanity, his friendship and warmth.
On behalf of the Board and all who knew and worked with Rob, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Carmel, Edwina, Bob, George and their families.
𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐛 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬.

Dr. Joy Humphreys
Chair, Great Ocean Road Health

01/05/2026

Yesterday we celebrated a milestone in our shared history with the Apollo Bay and District Health Foundation —20 years of giving Second Sails Op Shop a place to call home! After four decades of moving from place to place, a generous bequest enabled the Apollo Bay Health and District Foundation to secure Shop 5/22 Pascoe Street, where Second Sails Op Shop flourished. A big thank you to the Apollo Bay and District Health Foundation for their unwavering support of Second Sails Op Shop and our volunteers over the years.
As we close this chapter, we both look to the future health and wellbeing of our community and how we can continue to work together to support our community.

The Apollo Bay & District Health Foundation Second Sails Op Shop

28/04/2026

Often it’s the simplest activities that bring the biggest smiles. A huge thank‑you to Second Sails Op Shop for donating our new butter churner. Our residents have loved the hands‑on experience of making their own butter. The process takes only minutes and produces a richer, creamier flavour. We already have plenty of ideas for new flavour combinations to try. The smile on residents’ faces as they enjoyed the fruits of their hard work on their morning toast said it all.

Second Sails Op Shop