Bairnsdale Regional Health Service

27/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to share this beautiful story at the start of National Reconciliation Week, featuring our very own Carolyn Alkemade, Care Coordinator in our Aboriginal Health Unit.

Carolyn appears in this video from The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, speaking about the meaning of its Bagon Walert Walert possum skin cloak—a powerful symbol of reconciliation, healing, story, culture and connection.

For Carolyn, this story is deeply personal. As an ocular melanoma patient at the Eye and Ear, and someone who has spent many years working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families and communities, she understands the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, respected, safe and connected to culture.

We are also very proud that our Aboriginal Health Unit team gifted Carolyn her own possum skin cloak to support her journey. The cloak features platypus artwork by Koori Hospital Liaison Officer Adrian Morgan, representing the journey Carolyn was undertaking, as a platypus senses rather than sees.

As Carolyn says in the video: “This is what reconciliation is about, sharing stories, understanding, growing, together, healing.”

During National Reconciliation Week, Carolyn’s story is a powerful reminder that reconciliation is built through relationships, respect, truth-telling and walking together.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is “All In”, which serves as a call for all Australians to step away from the sidelines, commit to reconciliation in their everyday lives, and actively participate in structural and cultural change.

Thank you to the Eye and Ear, Carolyn and our Aboriginal Health Unit team for the important work you do every day to support cultural connection, healing and care.

26/05/2026

We are excited to share with our community that the new BRHS Best Care Café has officially opened. A heartfelt thank you to BRHS Volunteer Marg for attending and performing the official ribbon-cutting ceremony ✂️

This refreshed space has been designed for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy great coffee, delicious food, and a modern, welcoming environment right here at BRHS.

We are also proud to be able to support a number of local businesses, including:
🍫 Chocky Sweet Box for supplying delicious gluten-free snacks and treats
🌸 House of Bloom at New Leaf now providing beautiful fresh flowers available for purchase
☕ The Nicholson Farm Coffee and Nuts for the coffee beans behind every great cup

As part of opening celebrations this week we are running a 🎉 Spin to Win promotion available to the first 10 coffee orders each hour.

The refreshed space will operate on extended trading hours 7am – 4pm seven days a week.

Come along, grab a coffee and join the celebration.

25/05/2026

Today is National Sorry Day.

It is a time to acknowledge the grief, trauma and lasting harm caused to the Stolen Generations, their families and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As we continue our work to strengthen cultural safety together, today is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of National Sorry Day, the trauma caused by past injustices, and the role we each play in supporting healing and culturally safe care.

Sorry without action is not enough.

This year’s theme, From Sorry to Action, reminds us that truth-telling, healing and justice must be supported by leadership, accountability and meaningful change.

Learn more about National Sorry Day: healingfoundation.org.au/stolen-generations/national-sorry-day/

Read the Bringing Them Home report: humanrights.gov.au/bringing-them-home

24/05/2026

-Celebrating Our Incredible Volunteers-
Last week we were delighted to host a special afternoon tea to celebrate National Volunteers Week and say a heartfelt thank you to the amazing people who give their time to support BRHS.

Our volunteers are the backbone of so much that we do, and play such an important role in helping us provide best care experience for every person, every time.

Whether they are welcoming patients, supporting visitors, raising funds for much-needed equipment, running the kiosk, or bringing warmth and kindness to people across our health service, your contribution makes a vital difference.

It was wonderful to come together to show our appreciation for their dedication and support.

A big thankyou to the residents at Maddocks Gardens who made the beautiful table centre pieces and also a shout out to Dale from The Chocky Sweet Box Café for generously donating a giant chocolate freckle for our raffle.

Congratulations to our very well deserving winner:
🎉 Annette Lilleyman – Kiosk Volunteer 🎉

Thank you again to all of our volunteers: we truly couldn’t do it without you!

Interested in joining our volunteer team and making a difference? Email volunteers@brhs.com.au

19/05/2026

Are you or a loved one needing help understanding the Aged Care system? You’re not alone.

As part of the East Gippsland Shire Council Positive Ageing Education Series, join Cindy, an Aged Care Specialist Officer from Services Australia, for an informative session on how to navigate My Aged Care and access the support available.

🗓 Lakes Entrance Service Centre
📍 Wednesday 20 May
⏰ 2.00pm – 4.00pm

💡 Cindy will provide practical guidance and answer your questions in a supportive environment.

Additional sessions:

Bairnsdale Library – Tuesday 26 May
Paynesville Service Centre – Tuesday 23 June
Omeo, Orbost & Mallacoota – Friday 7 August

📞 Bookings: 5152 4225
🌐 www.trybooking.com/eventlist/eastgippslandshirelibraries
✅ A great opportunity for community members, carers and families to gain clarity and confidence.

18/05/2026

A special BRHS connection at the footy 💙

BRHS Koori Liaison Officer Adrian “Ringo” Morgan was part of Carlton Football Club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round recognition on the weekend, presenting a hand-carved Emu Egg and Boomerang to the Club.

The Round celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, cultures and communities, and their contribution to Australian football.

Carlton asked Ringo, a lifelong Blues supporter, to hand-carve the cultural gifts for its match against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, following a visit to East Gippsland earlier this year where Ringo took some of the players fishing.

Each Emu Egg takes Ringo several hours to carve — a skill passed down from his father, Keith Morgan. Carlton has also asked Ringo to carve an Egg for its AFLW team later this season.

At BRHS, Ringo works with our Aboriginal Health Unit, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families with social, emotional and cultural care. His connection to this work runs deep, with his mother, Auntie Helen Morgan, beginning BRHS’ Aboriginal Liaison service in 1982.

The presentation also recognised Carlton’s historic connection with the Lake Tyers Aboriginal community, dating back to a 1913 match between Carlton and the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station football team at Cunninghame, now Lakes Entrance.

Congratulations, Ringo on a great recognition of your work!

📸 Photos: Ringo’s hand-carved Emu Eggs and standing at Patrick Cripps’ locker.

Carlton Football Club

18/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the wonderful people who give their time, care and energy to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service

Across our health service, we are fortunate to have more than 100 volunteers supporting patients, residents, visitors, staff and our wider community in so many meaningful ways.

From helping people feel welcome, to supporting social connection, fundraising, transport, aged care, patient services and more, our volunteers (including our four-legged friends!) play an important role in helping create the best care experience for every person, every time.

To every BRHS volunteer: thank you. Your kindness, generosity and community spirit make a real difference every day.

Check out some of our wonderful volunteers below.

Interested in becoming a BRHS volunteer? We’d love to hear from you. Visit brhs.com.au/about/our-people/volunteers/ or call 5150 3346 to find out more.

Volunteering Australia Archie The Playful Paws Therapy Dog East Gippsland Shire Council

17/05/2026

Thanks to the Bairnsdale Advertiser for last week’s story highlighting the vital role our nurses play in caring for the East Gippsland community.
There are almost 450 nurses working across our health service delivering care, comfort and compassion to those that need it, 24 hours a day ❤️

Nursing workforce plays vital role.

📸 Jo Marshall (second from left) with BRHS' nursing leadership group: Operational Director Clinical Care Rebecca Hall (left), Operational Director Care at Home Deb Eveleigh and Acting Operational Director Quality, Experience and Safety Brooke Andrews.

https://bairnsdaleadvertiser.com.au/19294/nursing-workforce-plays-vital-role/

15/05/2026

BRHS proudly marked IDAHOBIT with a colourful morning tea, bringing staff together to celebrate inclusion, visibility and respect.

IDAHOBIT stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia, and is recognised around the world each year on 17 May.

It was a wonderful opportunity for staff to connect, reflect and reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace and health service where everyone feels welcome, respected and safe.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the morning such a positive celebration of diversity and inclusion at BRHS.



Idahobit: International Day Against LGBT+ Discrimination

14/05/2026

Happening today | Free community event

Conversations about palliative and end-of-life care can often feel confronting, “too soon”, or hard to start. Many people are also unsure what palliative care is, when it can help, or what support is available.

For National Palliative Care Week, members of the BRHS team are hosting a free community afternoon at Club Eastwood today to help connect our community with trusted information, tools and support.

Come along to connect, learn and ask questions in a supportive environment.

📅 Today, Friday 15 May 2026
📍 Club Eastwood
🕐 1pm
🎟 Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1574766

All attendees will go in the draw to win a $100 David Luckes voucher.

14/05/2026

We’re hiring Allied Health Assistants (2 roles!)

Join BRHS and be part of a supportive team delivering high-quality care to our community. These roles offer great hands-on experience working alongside a multidisciplinary Allied Health team, supporting therapy programs and patient care.

We have two unique opportunities available – including a rare Allied Health Assistant role supporting Dietetics, alongside a broader Allied Health position, making this a great chance to gain specialised or varied clinical experience.

👉To learn more, visit www.brhs.com.au/careers