Macedon Ranges Health

22/10/2025

Supporting Your Child’s Transition to Secondary School

Is your child starting secondary school next year?

Join headspace Schools & Communities for a free online parent and carer webinar to help you support your young person through this big change.

This one-hour session will explore:
✅ Understanding mental health and adolescent development
✅ Helping young people manage emotions during transition
✅ Where to seek support for you and your child

Session 1: Tuesday 28 October, 7–8pm AEDT
Session 2: Thursday 30 October, 8–9pm AEDT

💻 Online via Microsoft Teams
Register here:

Parent/Carer webinar: Supporting young people with transition from primary to secondary school. headspace Schools & Communities would like to invite you to attend a Mental Health Education Program webinar for Parents and Carers.

21/10/2025

Share your photos in this year’s Free to Be Me Photo Competition 📸

Do you live, work and play in the Macedon Ranges? Enter your photographs showing people of all genders doing things that challenge traditional gender roles - no experience needed.

📅 Entries open now and close on 2 November.

The competition is part of next month's 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, with a range of other events planned.

To enter and find out more about what's on, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/16-Days

15/10/2025

National Carers Week — 12 to 18 October 2025

This week we join the nation in recognising the 3 million unpaid carers across Australia — the family members, friends and loved ones who quietly support others every day.

This year’s theme – You are one, know one, or will be one — shows us that caring is everywhere.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we honour and support carers in our community. We see the dedication, the sacrifices and the compassion they demonstrate every day.

We support carers by:
• Providing health and wellbeing services that your care-recipient may need
• Offering information, referrals, and guidance on support services
• Encouraging carers to look after their own health too – you matter!

You can care for a carer this week by:
• Giving a carer in your life a genuine “Thank you”
• Offering to help with a small task for them
• Sharing this post to raise awareness
• Encouraging carers to reach out for support when they need it

Let’s make ensure carers feel valued and supported — not just this week, but all year round.

14/10/2025

Podiatry Week 2025 – More Than You Think!

This week we’re celebrating Podiatry Week, shining a light on the important role podiatrists play in keeping us healthy, active, and independent. It’s not just about toenail health — podiatrists care for the whole foot and lower limb, helping to prevent and manage conditions that can affect your mobility and overall wellbeing.

At Macedon Ranges Health, our podiatry team supports the community with:
✔ Ingrown & thickened nails
✔ Corns, callouses & fungal infections
✔ Foot pain, orthotics & footwear advice
✔ Diabetes foot checks & wound care

Healthy feet mean freedom to move, stay active, and enjoy life. If you’ve been putting off a check-up, Podiatry Week is the perfect reminder!

Call us on (03) 5428 0300 or visit mrh.org.au

09/10/2025

Happy Seniors Festival 2025!

During October, we celebrate the contribution of our older community members across Victoria.

This year’s theme is Connect. Create. Celebrate — a fitting reminder of the strength, wisdom, creativity, and connection our seniors bring to our communities.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we want to take this moment to say thank you:

❤ To our seniors — for your contributions, your stories, your resilience, your spirit.
❤ To those who care, support, volunteer — you help make our ageing community feel safer and more connected.
❤ To local community groups, clubs and partners — for your energy in putting on events and keeping everyone engaged.

For further information about specific Seniors Festival activities within the Macedon Ranges, visit https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Live-Work/Older-People/Seniors-Festival-2025

Let’s celebrate together — connect, create and make this Seniors Festival one to remember!

The Victorian Seniors Festival is a major state-wide festival for and involving seniors. The festival runs from 1–31 October every year, with free and low-cost events right across Victoria.

07/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month we join the nation in raising awareness about breast cancer — its impact, the importance of early detection, and the power of community support.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia. Early detection offers the best chance for treatment and survival.
At Macedon Ranges Health, our Community Health Nurse is available to support you with breast health checks, information and guidance.

To find out more or book in with our Well Women’s Clinic services, contact MRH on (03) 5428 0300 or visit mrh.org.au

02/10/2025

October is Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month is about raising awareness, reducing stigma, and reminding us that caring for our mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical health.

This year’s theme highlights the power of connection — reaching out when it counts. Even small conversations or acts of kindness can make a big difference.

At Macedon Ranges Health, our counsellor Hugh Martin is here to support individuals, couples and families. Hugh can help with concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, family conflict, school stress and more.

To learn more about this free service or to make an appointment, call (03) 5428 0300 or visit mrh.org.au.

Let’s stay connected and support each other — because mental health matters.

29/09/2025

World Heart Day

Every year, World Heart Day reminds us of the importance of protecting our hearts and making small changes that can lead to longer, healthier lives.

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death worldwide — but the good news is that many heart events are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and early support.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we’re proud to support our community with the Heart Smart Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

This program is designed for anyone recovering from a heart event or living with a heart condition, helping you to:
✔ Understand your heart health
✔ Make positive lifestyle changes
✔ Improve or regain physical fitness
✔ Involve your family or carers in your recovery journey

Delivered by our experienced health team and recommended by the National Heart Foundation, Heart Smart combines education, practical tools and tailored exercise sessions to support recovery and confidence.

Referrals are welcome from hospitals, GPs, or you can nominate yourself to participate in the program.

Call us on 5428 0300 or visit mrh.org.au to learn more and book.

On this World Heart Day, let’s commit to making heart health a priority — for ourselves, our families, and our community.

24/09/2025

Did you know that Macedon Ranges Health offers clinical Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact exercise focused on improving overall health. Through controlled movements, core strength and breathing, Pilates aims to boost stability, flexibility and motor control, and can help to manage chronic pain and injuries. It's suitable for most ages and fitness levels, especially for those with conditions like back pain, fibromyalgia or limited mobility.

Pilates is an adaptable and safer way to enhance strength and can help to prevent future injuries while improving balance, mobility and wellbeing.

Explore physiotherapist-led clinical Pilates classes at Macedon Ranges Health by visiting mrh.org.au or call (03) 5428 0300 to book your place.

16/09/2025

Calling all long day care cooks and staff in the Macedon Ranges!

We’re excited to launch the Macedon Ranges Cooks Network – a new quarterly network designed just for you.

This free initiative is facilitated by a Macedon Ranges Health Dietitian and Health Promotion Coordinator, and offers a supportive space for long day care staff to:

✔ Connect with peers
✔ Share ideas, recipes and resources
✔ Get expert nutrition advice
✔ Strengthen your skills in menu planning
✔ Align with the Menu Planning Guidelines for Long Day Care

Each session is peer-led, with topics determined by participants and tailored to their interests! Whether held in-person or online, the sessions will be modified to meet the needs of participants.

Our first network meeting will be held on Wednesday 1 October 2pm-3pm at Woodend Neighbourhood House.

If you are interested in joining or want to know more, please email Kristen.holding@benetas.com.au.

Let’s work together to support healthy eating and a brighter future for our little ones.

11/09/2025

R U OK? Day 2025

Today is a powerful reminder to check in with the people around us. A simple conversation can change a life.

R U OK? Day encourages us all to pause, ask the question, and really listen — because staying connected and supported makes a world of difference to someone who may be struggling.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we marked the day with a shared employee lunch. This was a great chance for our staff to come together, connect and reflect on the importance of looking out for one another — not just today, but every day.

By creating time and space to talk, we hope to spark meaningful conversations and raise awareness of the importance of mental health in our community and workplace.

Remember: you don’t need to be an expert to check in with a friend, family member or colleague. Just being there and asking “Are you OK?” can make all the difference.

If you or someone you love needs support, Macedon Ranges Health offers FREE counselling services for people of all ages. Call our Intake Team on 5428 0300.

10/09/2025

World Suicide Prevention Day

Today we stand with communities across Australia and around the world to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect, raise awareness of the importance of mental health, and remind each other that help and hope are always possible.

At Macedon Ranges Health, we offer FREE counselling for people of all ages across the Macedon Ranges Shire.

Our caring counsellors provide a safe, supportive space to talk through challenges like anxiety, depression, grief, stress, family or relationship difficulties and more.

To book a counselling session call our team on 5428 0300 .

If you or someone you know needs urgent help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.