Ballarat Community Health

15/09/2025

🩰Own your Dreams. Not the V**e.
Va**ng can lead to ni****ne addiction which could quickly steal your shine as it leaves you moody, distracted, anxious and stressed. Keep the spotlight on you – not the v**e.

Supported by Royal South Street Society and VicHealth this campaign is delivered by City of Ballarat , in partnership with . For more va**ng info and support visit https://bchc.org.au/service/smokingandva**ngsupport/
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10/09/2025

𝐑 𝐔 𝐎𝐊? 𝐃𝐚𝐲 is a reminder to pause, check in with those around us, and really listen. A simple “Are you ok?” can make a big difference. This year’s theme “I’m here to hear” encourages us all to take the time to connect with colleagues, friends, and family 💛

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rush, but looking after our mental health is just as important as any task on our to-do list.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or know someone who is, the 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 has a range of local resources to help guide you toward the right support: https://ballaratmentalhealth.com.au/

08/09/2025

This free five-week art mentorship might be the perfect opportunity for a local LGBTQIA+ young person. They will have the opportunity to express themselves through art, connect with others, and explore what belonging means.

Art MENTORSHIP PROGRAM for LGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-25!

Work with two local artists to develop art exploring “belonging in Ballarat” and what that means to you!
Five-week program starting September 24th and finishing on the 22nd of October

Follow the link for more information:
https://events.humanitix.com/belonging-in-ballarat-art-mentorship

:)

07/09/2025

𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡!

Wendouree Primary School is leading the way in creating a healthier, greener future through their work in ResourceSmart Schools, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and B*H’s Health Promoting Schools Framework! From thriving wildlife corridors and sensory gardens to cooking and gardening classes, their initiatives are connecting students with nature and healthy living.

The school’s solar panels, composting, a 5-bin recycling system and the Green Grub Garden Club is powering real change - boosting wellbeing, building community, and even reducing vandalism!

If your school is interested in becoming a Health Promoting School, please contact the B*H Health Promotion Team at healthpromotion@bchc.org.au

Achievement Program
Regional ResourceSmart Schools of Victoria
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation

📸 Photos shared with consent

04/09/2025

Only days after observing International Overdose Awareness Day, we urge community to be aware of the below advice.
Please contact our Harm Reduction Coordinator for opioid overdose education and naloxone on 5338 4500.
It might save a life.

03/09/2025

Meet Hannah, our Sexual Health Nurse at B*H Howitt St and headspace Ballarat. As we celebrate 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲, we are highlighting some of our wonderful GP's and Nurses across our sites.

“My favourite part about working in Sexual and Reproductive Health is being able to support people to access safe and inclusive care that’s specific to their needs. I’ve got a special interest in STI/BBV (Blood Born Viruses) testing and supporting patients who need safe abortion care, and I really love being able to provide that care in a way that’s empathetic and non-judgmental.”

We get it... sometimes people feel nervous about coming in to talk about their sexual and reproductive health, and that’s totally normal.

Hannah says, “I talk to lots of people about their health, and I like to work together as a team to make a plan that really suits them. I’m always up for a friendly chat!”

A little fun fact about Hannah, they have a background in midwifery, working in a regional hospital within maternity services. “I loved caring for families from many diverse backgrounds, hearing their stories and getting to know them, it’s such a privilege.”

Nurse Hannah also sees young people aged 12–25 at headspace Ballarat and enjoys providing sexual and reproductive health care in a relaxed, welcoming way.

You can book an appointment with Nurse Hannah through HotDoc:
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/wendouree-VIC-3355/ballarat-community-health-sexual-health-wendouree/doctors
or by calling 5338 4541

For those aged 12-25, you can book via:
https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/ballarat/
or by calling 5304 4777

It's never been easier to book and she’d love to see you!

PS, we really like Hannah's Jumper! 💟

31/08/2025

Women’s Health Week 2025

For decades, Ballarat Community Health has been proud to provide accessible, affordable, confidential, and compassionate sexual and reproductive health services to our community.

We believe everyone should be free to choose the sexual and reproductive health services and supports that are right for them. Whether that is cervical screenings, contraception or termination of pregnancy to STI testing and menopause, our Sexual Health Nurses and GPs are here to support people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our goal is simple: to make it easier for you to look after your Sexual and Reproductive Health, and to have supportive conversations and access timely services when you need them.

This Women’s Health Week, we’re launching an 8-week campaign to introduce you to some of our incredible team. Each week we’ll highlight one of our dedicated nurses or doctors who specialise in sexual and reproductive health, so you can get to know them, learn more about how they can assist you, and feel comfortable booking an appointment.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share the stories of our team and shine a light on the services available right here in Ballarat.

Appointments can be booked quickly and confidentially through HotDoc: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/search?query=ballarat%20community%20health
Or by calling B*H directly on 5338 4541.

30/08/2025

💜 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 💜

The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter our families, it fractures our communities.

The losses go deeper than one person, one family or one neighbourhood. They ripple out into classrooms, workplaces and the spaces we all share. They cross borders between cities, states and nations.

But in a time when people are searching for connection and safety, overdose also reminds us that our lives are deeply intertwined.
We often instinctively protect our own – our children, our parents, our siblings. We believe in second chances for our loved ones but struggle to extend that same compassion to others. But what if we saw each other as one big family, bound not just by blood, but by shared experiences, responsibility and commitment to each other?

We had tremendous community engagement and learning with our Naloxone sculpture. The sculpture travelled from DTC, Uniting, Lucas and through to Stockland (pictured).

This International Overdose Awareness Day let’s imagine a new meaning of what family can be. A family driven by hope, love and action. We are one big family – not just because we share in the pain of loss, but because we share in the power to change what comes next.

On August 31st, we move beyond awareness.
We organise.
We show up.
We take action.

Because no one should carry this grief alone. Every story shared, every voice raised, and every step we take brings us closer to a future free from overdose.

To learn more about overdose prevention, contact Ballarat Community Health on (03) 5338 4500 to speak to our Harm Reduction Coordinator.

29/08/2025

We’re thrilled to share that the ARRCH Conference is returning to Ballarat in 2026!

📅 12–13 March | The Goods Shed, Ballarat

The last conference welcomed more than 350 guests and next year will be even bigger, with international speakers, industry experts, sector leaders and plenty of opportunities to connect.

This important event for everyone working in health, community, and the not-for-profit sector.

Please share this with colleagues & networks and follow ARRCH on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/95027493 to stay connected for program announcements, registrations, and sponsorship opportunities.
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Who is ARRCH?
The Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health is made up of 10 registered Community Health organisations in rural and regional Victoria. Their focus is to reduce health inequity by addressing the social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, education and housing.

Each of the organisations that make up ARRCH deliver a comprehensive range of free and low cost health, wellbeing and community services across the lifespan from early childhood through to older adults.

28/08/2025

𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

A day dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ young people. Founded by students in response to stories of teenagers lost to bullying and harassment, Wear It Purple has grown into an international movement of love, visibility, and support.

This year’s theme, “Bold Voices, Bright Futures,” celebrates LGBTQIA+ people proudly achieving their dreams in sport, art, science, and beyond. Wearing purple is a simple but powerful way to stand in solidarity, celebrate diversity, and affirm that everyone has the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming 💜

26/08/2025

"Dance hard. Feel alive. Keep va**ng OUT of your routine"

We're proud to be partnering with City of Ballarat and the Royal South Street Society to tackle va**ng among young people.

Read more in the post below ⬇️

🎭🚫 Own your dreams. Not the v**e.

The City of Ballarat, Ballarat Community Health and the Royal South Street Society have teamed up to launch a bold new campaign tackling va**ng among young people, right in the heart of the performing arts community.

The campaign will run throughout the 2025 Royal South Street Eisteddfod, reaching thousands of singers, dancers and musicians aged 10 to 25 with a powerful message: va**ng can hold you back from performing at your best.

Va**ng affects lung health, stamina and focus - things every performer relies on. Whether you're on stage or in rehearsal, your health matters.

This campaign was shaped with input from local performing arts students and aims to empower young people to make informed, healthy choices.

For more information, visit https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/performers-take-centre-stage-new-anti-va**ng-campaign

📸: City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves with Royal South Street Society Executive Officer, Judy-Ann Quilliam and students from Ballarat Centre of Music & the Arts.