Murray PHN

16/01/2026

Staying in your local community: if you have an upcoming event and it's scheduled for a high fire danger day, consider cancelling or rescheduling it early. Consider the circumstances, seek information to help with decision making and don't leave things to the last minute. For resources, visit our bushfire information and support page: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/primary-care-preparedness/bushfires/ or the CFA website: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/about-fire-danger-ratings

15/01/2026

To help link people to useful resources and information, we've developed a webpage, which includes public health and safety messages and available supports: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/primary-care-preparedness/bushfires/

14/01/2026

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are a free service for people aged 26 and older, providing treatment, care and support for mental health and wellbeing.

In our region they are located in:

📍Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield
📍Bendigo and Echuca (servicing Greater Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe)
📍Mildura (servicing Rural City of Mildura)
📍Mount Alexander (servicing Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges)
📍Shepparton (servicing Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie and Moira)

For more information and contact details, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals

If there isn’t a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local near you, call Partners in Wellbeing for support on 1300 375 330 Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

During a threat or emergency, such as a bushfire, our bodies are placed in a heightened state of alert. This is a natural response to danger, but maintaining this state can take a toll on our mental health.

Free mental health supports are available to help those affected by the recent bushfires and their families with recovery.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals provide free support in your community for people aged 26 and over. The nearest Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are:
• Bairnsdale and Orbost
• Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield
• Bendigo
• Mildura
• Mount Alexander (offering wellbeing supports via telehealth)
• Shepparton

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs free and available to everyone of all ages right across Victoria. The nearest Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are:
• Ballarat
• Cowes and Wonthaggi (servicing the Bass Coast, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Towong and Wellington Shires)
• Horsham
• Warrnambool

For more information on accessing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4sKiV3E

For information on accessing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4sKiXbM

You can also call Partners in Wellbeing for support on 1300 375 330 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Partners in Wellbeing offer free, phone-based support for Victorians aged 16 and over who are experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges, including those without Medicare or permanent residency.

The department will continue to share information to protect the health and safety of the community.

14/01/2026

A reminder to those who look after others, to look after yourself too! Many local services have been continuing to support their communities, while personally being impacted by the January 2026 bushfires.

If you need support, Murray PHN has extended its employee assistance program to provide free and confidential counselling to primary healthcare professionals, including allied health practitioners, GPs, pharmacists and staff working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and residential aged care homes.

Appointments are available from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Book online with a choice of practitioners for a private consultation via video, phone or live text message chat, here: https://accounts.connectpsychservices.com.au/ and use the relevant access code:

Allied health: MPA482
General practice: MPP121
Pharmacy: MPP825
Residential aged care: MPR623
Other primary healthcare professions: MPO872.

12/01/2026

Important steps to take to protect your health when returning home after a bushfire 👇

Healthcare across the Loddon Mallee is set for a major step forward, with Bendigo Health announcing the creation of its first-ever Chair of Clinical Research.

12/01/2026

Bushfires can be confusing, worrying and stressful. headspace provides young people aged 12 to 25 years old and their families with support both online and in-person.

In our region, headspace centres are located in Albury Wodonga, Bendigo, Echuca, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Wangaratta. For contact details, see our webpage: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/mental-health/headspace/

Coping with the uncertainty of bushfires can be tricky for young people and their families and friends.

There's no "right" way to feel in response to the impacts that the current fires are having on our local communities, and thoughts and feelings can change over time.

Remember to stay connected to your family, friends, community and VicEmergency, and remember that help is available if you need it.

We are open as usual, and our operating hours can be found here: https://bit.ly/4borhaI

Handy resources 💻
Coping with the stress of bushfires: https://headspace.org.au/bushfires/
How well do you know fire?: https://bit.ly/49s2AHO
Common responses to bushfires: https://bit.ly/49iO9qR
Supporting your young person during the fires: https://bit.ly/4sG28ia
eheadspace: https://bit.ly/49vYcah

Translated resources 🫂
How well do you know fire?: https://bit.ly/49PR2PV
CFA multicultural resources kit: https://bit.ly/49yD2sG

Stay safe 💚

11/01/2026

Important advice from the Ovens Murray Public Health Unit at Albury Wodonga Health.

With fires currently impacting parts of Victoria, snakes and bats may be displaced from their natural habitats and move into urban and rural areas.

People are advised to not touch bats to avoid bites that can cause serious infection, and to stay calm and move slowly around snakes, as signs of a snake bite are not always obvious but can be life-threatening.

In a medical emergency, always call Triple 000.

If you’re worried about wildlife, the best action to take is to contact a snake catcher, WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue service.

For advice and first aid for snake bites, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/bites-and-stings-first-aid

For information on Australian bat lyssavirus infection, visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Australian-bat-lyssavirus

10/01/2026

It's OK to not feel OK. Support is available. Reach out for help if you need it.

Understand the mental health impacts of extreme weather and learn ways to manage stress and build resilience before, during, and after a natural disaster.

10/01/2026

Today, bushfire smoke is impacting air quality. Emergency Warnings remain in place - including for Walwa and Longwood fires - with a statewide total fire ban in force again.

Do not return home until you are instructed that it is safe to do so and continue to remain alert and informed via the VicEmergency website and app, and emergency broadcasters, including ABC local radio.

10/01/2026

Be aware and take some steps to protect yourself, especially if you have a chronic or respiratory condition, such as asthma.

If you need medical advice but it's not an emergency, you can phone Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department via https://www.vved.org.au/ both available 24 hours, seven days a week.

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000).

💨⚠️Smoke and air quality update

EPA Victoria is forecasting very poor air quality over the next 24 hours due to smoke.

Smoke can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, and may trigger asthma or worsen heart and lung conditions. You might notice coughing, sneezing or congestion - in most healthy adults these symptoms should ease once the smoke clears.

To protect yourself and your family:
✅ Keep an eye on the air quality via EPA Victoria (epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality.)
✅ Stay indoors when it’s smoky and keep windows and doors closed
✅ Use a damp towel to seal gaps under doors if needed
✅ Turn off air-conditioners that draw air from outside
✅ When air quality improves, open windows and doors to ventilate
✅ Consider a P2, KN95 or N95 mask if you need to be outdoors

Please take extra care, especially if you have existing health conditions, and check in on those who may be more vulnerable.

Stay safe and look after each other. 💛

09/01/2026

Relief centres in our region:

North Central District
• Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre, Pollard Street

Northern Country District
• Bendigo Showgrounds, Enter via Holmes Rd, Bendigo
• Cobram Sports Stadium, Apex reserve, Campbell Road, Cobram
• McIntosh Centre, Shepparton Showgrounds

North East District
• Benalla Relief Centre,Town Hall 82-86 Nunn Street, Benalla
• Mansfield Sporting Complex 35 Highett Street, Mansfield
• Wodonga Exhibition Centre at Wodnoga Racecourse, Hamilton Smith Drive, Wodonga

Central District
• Bannockburn Cultural Centre, 27 High St Bannockburn
• City of Whittlesea Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang
• Kyneton Sports Aquatic Centre, 4 Victoria St, Kyneton
• Lilydale Highschool, 26 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale

Mallee District
• Ouyen Football Netball Clubrooms, Blackburn Park, 6 Calder Highway, Ouyen

If you are in an area of bushfire risk you should leave. Head to a major town or regional centre.

The best option is to stay with friends or family away from the bushfire risk.
You can stay at a relief centre if you need. Relief centres are set up to provide basic support like a place to stay, food, water and mental health first aid.

Check the comments for a list of open relief centres.

The situation is changing, please check VicEmergency warnings and road closures before travelling to a relief centre.
🚨 https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond
🚗 https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/

09/01/2026

A State of Disaster has been declared in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort - allowing authorities to order evacuations, control movement through dangerous areas, and act as decisively as possible.

These fires are widespread, fast-moving and devastating. Tonight, I have declared a State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort - allowing authorities to order evacuations, control movement through dangerous areas, and act as decisively as possible.