01/12/2025
If you like reading reports... this post is for you! It's also a good overview of what's been happening at the Health Centre for the past year.
President’s Report November 2025
The Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre (Health Centre for short) exists to promote health and wellbeing in the Tarwin Lower and Venus Bay area. It aims to achieve this by providing and facilitating a broad range of accessible and reliable, non-emergency health and wellbeing services.
In 2023, the (TLCHC) committee developed a plan to guide the committee’s work and decision making.
Key aims of the plan were to:
1. Employ a full time Community Health Centre Manager to promote, create and manage the centre as a local hub for health services and activities.
2. Doctor/s and nurse practitioners to be available at the centre every week
3. A wide variety of allied health professionals to be available at the centre on regular basis. Allied health including occupational therapists, psychologists, podiatrists, counsellors and regular opportunities for breast screening and other critical health checks.
4. Broader health services such as massage to be available on a regular basis.
5. Wellness and social inclusion activities to occur regularly. This has large scope and includes art exhibitions, library and book clubs, gardening, walking and friendship groups.
2025 Plan Progress
While 2025 has seen an overall increase in health and social activity at the Community Health Centre, it is important to note that we have not progressed or been successful in attaining a paid manager position or a general practitioner. This is largely due to GP’s being scarce and also because the committee needs assistance in how to obtain on-going funding for a paid manager.
Health Services
For many people in our community, travelling to Doctor’s & Allied Health practitioners in Inverloch, Wonthaggi, Leongatha and Foster, is difficult and sometimes impossible.
The Health Centre committee would like to give our sincere thanks to the following health practitioners who provide services at the Health Centre:
Clinical psychologist Debbie Birkett
Occupational therapist Judy Stampton
Gippsland Southern Health Service Podiatrists
Gippsland Shire Council Maternal & Child Health Nurse
Massage therapist Robyn Ellen (extra thank-you for making the Health Centre smell good with essential oils).
A special thankyou to Nurse Practitioner Deb Garvey who continues to provide essential medical services in our community. In the last year, Deb has had over 1,500 appointments providing prescriptions, health tests, advice and referrals.
CERT who provides essential services within our community.
Wellness and social activities
The Health Centre Committee believes health in our community includes a broad range of social, creative and caring activities. The wide range of groups operating out of the Health Centre means there are opportunities for everyone to be involved and connected in their community.
Thank you to:
Little Kin Music
Creative Art class
Interflow, busy mum’s support group
Interflow Kids
Pilates
Friday Friendship Group
Grow Your Own Food Group
Gardening Bee Crew- the gardens are looking great!
Community Food Cupboard
Red Cross
CERT
Bass Coast Wildlife Rescue
Tarwin Lower Lifestyle Festival & Auto organising committee
Car Boot Sale
Volunteers
Thank-you to the Health Centre volunteer receptionists, Rita, Chris, Brian, Ray, Kath. They are central to the centre being open and are often the friendly face or voice on the phone for people in need.
Committee Members
Thank-you to our committee members Brian Henderson (Secretary), Alison Jordon (Treasurer), Russell Miller (Vice President), Kath Molnar, Lesley Peell, Judy Hassell, Ray Saunders, Debbie Birkett and Di Dobbs. Everyone brings valuable insights and contributes to the open and supportive culture of the committee. It has been a busy year. The increase in activity at the Health Centre has only happened because of your effort.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) and South Gippsland Shire Council (SGSC), for their on-going support. From building and grounds maintenance to keeping the lights on, the centre warm, the internet working, GSHS and SGSC are important partners in the continuing operation of the Health Centre. Special thank-you to GSHS Volunteer Co-ordinator, Vicki Reilly who has shown genuine care and responsiveness in working with the committee and volunteers.
The Year Ahead
We have a positive outlook for the year ahead. The Bayside Health merger aims to deliver improved access to specialists and the full spectrum of health services closer to home. We will welcome an increase in services available at the Health Centre.
We are also continuing to work closely and collaboratively with the Venus Bay Community Centre and the Venus Bay & Tarwin Lower Community Energy plan. The Health Centre is being included in a major grant application. If successful, the Health Centre would receive rooftop solar and a battery. This would be an important step in the health centre being a valuable community hub in the case of power outages and emergencies.
Thank-you again to all committee members. It is your energy, enthusiasm and collaborative approach that makes the Health Centre welcoming to all community members.
Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge and thank our out-going Secretary Brian Henderson. Brian has been Secretary for over 3 years and on the committee for over 4 years. Brian’s professionalism, organisational skills, openness to new ideas and positive support for committee members has been invaluable. Brian will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best for the future.
Teresa Davison
President
Tarwin Lower & District Community Health Centre
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