Timboon and District Healthcare Service

12/01/2026

Even when bushfires aren’t close by, smoke can affect air quality and make breathing feel uncomfortable.

What you might notice:
Smoke in the air can cause itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, a runny nose or coughing — these are common and usually go away once the air clears.

Who might feel it more:
Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma, heart or lung conditions (or diabetes) can be more sensitive to smoke.

Tips to protect your health in these conditions:
• Stay indoors when smoke is in the air.
• Close windows and doors — and use air-conditioning on recirculate if you have it.
• Avoid heavy outdoor exercise.
• Follow your usual treatment plan if you have a lung or heart condition, and keep medications on hand, and if you have asthma please keep your medications with you and have your asthma plan on hand - Refer to Better Health Channel for further tips: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bushfiresmoke

📞 If you feel unwell
• Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 for advice.
• If someone is struggling to breathe or having chest pain, call 000 immediately.

TDHS Urgent Care Centre is available locally 24/7 (available for urgent healthcare that is not an emergency). In an emergency, always call 000.

Let’s look out for each other — stay informed and take simple steps to keep well while smoke is around. 💛

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) provides information and advice on air pollution levels. You can find information about air pollution in your local area on the EPA AirWatch or visit VicEmergency for information on fires near you.

Learn how smoke from fires can affect your health and what you can do to avoid or reduce potential health effects for you and your family.

11/01/2026

Smoke from nearby fires may impact air quality across the South West, including Timboon, over the next 24 hours.

Conditions may worsen overnight as winds shift.

What to do?
• Check local air quality: epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality
• Limit time outdoors
• Keep doors and windows closed
• If needed, take breaks in air-conditioned spaces
• People with heart/lung conditions, asthma, older adults, pregnant people, and young children should take extra care

Stay informed:
• emergency.vic.gov.au for updates
• Nurse on Call: 1300 60 60 24

TDHS Urgent Care Centre is available locally 24/7 (available for urgent healthcare that is not an emergency). In an emergency, always call 000.

Victoria air quality: Smoke impacts today & tonight
Smoke from nearby fires has led to Poor to Very Poor air quality in parts of Victoria over the past 24 hours, and conditions may worsen again tonight as winds shift and smoke recirculates.

Current air quality
Check epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality

What you'll see (next 24 hrs):
• Very Poor: Mallee (Ouyen, Red Cliffs, Hattah, Mildura), Northern Country ( Bendigo, Echuca), and North East (Bright, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Wodonga) — especially overnight.
• Poor: Wimmera (north of Horsham, incl. Dimboola, Pimpinio), Central (eastern parts incl. Melbourne CBD tonight), East Gippsland (tonight), much of West & South Gippsland and North Central overnight.
• Fair to Poor: South West north of the Otway fires (Cobden, Camperdown, Colac).

Stay informed
• Keep up to date on fire conditions and health advice on emergency.vic.gov.au
Check your local air quality before heading out: epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality
• Reduce time outdoors when it’s smoky; keep doors/windows closed. If it’s safe and you need a break from smoke, consider an air conditioned venue.
• Sensitive to smoke? (heart/lung conditions incl. asthma, over 65, pregnant, infants/children, diabetes) take extra care and follow your treatment plan.
• Health advice: Nurse on Call 1300 60 60 24. If an emergency such as breathing trouble/chest pain, call Triple Zero 000.

08/01/2026

🚨 Catastrophic Fire Danger Warning – Southwest Victoria 🚨

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for Timboon and the broader Southwest region tomorrow. These conditions are considered extreme and unpredictable, with any fires likely to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

In line with emergency management advice and to prioritise everyone’s safety, Timboon District Healthcare Service has made the decision to cancel all community-based services for the day, including:

• Meals on Wheels
• Community health appointments
• Home visits and outreach services

This decision reflects current safety guidance and our commitment to protecting both our clients and staff during these high-risk conditions.

Our Timboon Urgent Care Centre will remain open for anyone requiring urgent medical assistance.

Our Medical Clinic will also continue to operate as normal.

Please continue to follow CFA and emergency services advice, avoid unnecessary travel, and ensure you have a fire safety plan in place.

We will share updates as conditions change.

Stay safe!

07/01/2026

On Sunday 4 January, Timboon & District Health Service and Timboon Golf Club hosted the Longest Day Golf Challenge. The event challenges players to complete up to 72 holes from dawn to dusk, testing skill, strength and stamina, while raising vital funds for Cancer Council research, prevention and support services.

21 players across six teams began at 5:30am with a breakfast prepared by Judy Delaney, followed by the first tee-off at sunrise. Most players walked the course, covering up to 40 kilometres, supporting each other and showing remarkable determination. A highlight came as the ladies’ team completed their 72 holes to cheers and tears of pride. What a team!

Awards for the day included Overall Winner: Darren Smith, 1st 18 holes: Jack Rowe, 2nd 18 holes: Sam Cunnington, 3rd 18 holes: Andy Austin, and 4th 18 holes: Judy Delaney, with Nearest the Pin honours also awarded to Darren Smith, Ben Saunders and Judy Delaney (including a hole-in-one).

We were also honoured to welcome Cancer Council Ambassador Ben Cunnington, AFL star and cancer survivor, who inspired everyone with his positivity and determination.

We are incredibly proud of every participant and grateful to our community for coming together to support such an important cause. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Team Timboon has raised over $6,000, with donations still open.

Thank you to our incredible team, and health promotion officer Christie for all of her hard work and planning efforts. This would not go ahead without your dedication.

Donate here: https://www.longestday.org.au/st/10696/43254

Every step, swing and cheer made a difference.

05/01/2026

Hot weather is forecast for tomorrow - Extreme heat can affect anybody.

Those more at-risk include people over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems and people who are socially isolated.

Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.

Take steps to protect yourself and others by keeping cool, staying hydrated, planning ahead and checking in with others.

Recognising early symptoms of heat-related health problems and taking action is crucial.

If you need help today, don’t wait. TDHS Urgent Care Centre is available locally 24/7 (available for urgent healthcare that is not an emergency). In an emergency, always call 000.

Stay informed via the VicEmergency app, and most importantly take care of each other 😀

Head to Better Health for further information, tips and tricks: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat

04/01/2026

With warmer weather forecast this week across our beautiful region, travel conditions can change quickly - And it's important to remain informed.

We know Timboon and the surrounding areas attract plenty of visitors over summer, so whether you’re a local or here enjoying the sights, please plan ahead.

We encourage locals and visitors to stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency and VicTraffic apps, or saving the websites to your phone for the latest alerts and road conditions.

If you need urgent medical care while in the area, TDHS Urgent Care Centre is available locally 24/7 (available for urgent healthcare that is not an emergency). In an emergency, always call 000.

Safe travels and enjoy everything our region has to offer.

04/01/2026

⛳️ The Longest Day Golf Challenge ⛳️

TDHS and the Timboon Golf Club are proud to be hosting the Longest Day 72-hole (or however many holes you can play!) Golf Challenge to raise vital funds for Cancer Council research, prevention and support services.

Six teams are enthusiastically taking on the challenge, showing incredible determination, team spirit and sharing plenty of laughs along the way.

We are also fortunate to have Cancer Council Ambassador Ben Cunnington playing today. After facing some health challenges over the past 12 months, Ben—along with all participants—is still out there giving the day a real crack 💪

You can still support this important cause and donate here:
👉 https://www.longestday.org.au/st/10696/43254

Every swing counts. Every donation makes a difference 💛
Cancer Council Victoria

01/01/2026

Tee off for a cause! ⛳

TDHS & Timboon Golf Club are taking on The Longest Day – 4 January 2026, playing up to 72 holes to support people impacted by cancer.

Whether you join for a few holes, come for a quick chat with friends, or go the distance, every swing counts and every dollar raised makes a difference.

Want to get involved?

Donate: https://www.longestday.org.au/st/10696/43254

Play: Register here: https://www.longestday.org.au
→ select Join Team Timboon

Get outside, have fun, and help us make this Longest Day one to remember! ⛳️

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Timboon & District Healthcare Service! 🎄

We wish you a joyful, safe, and relaxing holiday season with family, friends, and loved ones.

All we want for Christmas is for you to stay safe today and throughout the festive season. But, if you or someone you care for becomes unwell or injured there are a few options available:

- Timboon Urgent Care Centre, located at Timboon & District Healthcare Service (available for urgent healthcare that is not an emergency)
- Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) (a public health service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies) (online)
- Nurse On Call (call 1300 60 60 24

22/12/2025

If you’re feeling a bit MEH-ry Christmas this year, we get it. Not everyone jingles all the way and that’s okay. For some of us, Christmas hits different: quieter, heavier, or just… complicated.

The holidays can be joyful, but they can also be tough. New diagnoses. Empty chairs. Big changes. Quiet houses.

Whether you’re adjusting to a new diagnosis, missing someone you love, or spending the season solo, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re carrying, your feelings matter.

Having friends, family, or even small connections can be powerful for your health and wellbeing. But remember: being alone doesn’t automatically mean you’re lonely, and feeling lonely doesn’t mean you’re truly alone.

Share this to remind someone they’re seen, or tag a friend who makes your holidays brighter just with their presents (see what we did there).

If you are struggling these holidays, help isn't too far away, and Victoria has a range of mental health support services, some are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services can provide treatment, information, tools and advice on how to deal with a range of mental health issues.

📲 Lifeline: 13 11 14
📲 MensLine Australia (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. 1300 789 978
📲 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
📲 Su***deLine Victoria (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. 1300 651 251 - for counselling, crisis intervention, information and referral
📲 Su***de Call Back Service (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. 1300 659 467
13YARN (13 92 76) 24/7 for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples
📍 Mental Health & Wellbeing Locals: https://go.vic.gov.au/48GJT3U

And, if you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, support and information are available at: Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria.

Credit: Victorian Department of Health

17/12/2025

Join Our Caring Team at TDHS.

Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team in providing high-quality care across South West Victoria. We have multiple roles available and invite applicants who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, residents, and the community.

Why Join TDHS?

Contribute to a team committed to compassionate, person-centred care

Work within a supportive, values-driven environment

Enjoy living and working in a welcoming regional community

If you are ready to be part of a team that makes a real impact every day, we encourage you to apply.

Location: Timboon, South West Victoria
Apply: https://peopleplus.swarh.vic.gov.au/TDHS

16/12/2025

Timboon Clinic – Holiday Closure

The Timboon Clinic will close at 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December and will be closed from 25–28 December.

If you need medical assistance during this time:
Please attend our Urgent Care Centre, or
In an emergency, call 000.

We wish everyone a safe holiday period.