Ballarat Community Health

09/10/2026

A wonderful milestone for Ballarat's multicultural community!

Yesterday, we proudly hosted the launch of Ballarat's first Migrant Health Guide.

Developed through the Multicultural Access Program (MAP), a partnership between B*H and Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council - BRMC, funded by Western Victoria Primary Health Network@, this fantastic new resource aims to make navigating local health services easier and more accessible for people from migrant and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Already available in six languages, the guide is an important step towards ensuring everyone in our community can access the healthcare they need.

💬 One of the highlights of yesterday's launch was hearing just how much this resource means to our community.

Jack, originally from China, shared:

"I am so proud to see my language in print right here in the town I call home. This is so important."

It was wonderful to hear community members recognise the work of Tashkah & Robyn, and the entire team in creating something so meaningful.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you to our partners and community members who helped bring this important resource to life.

You can read or download from our website: https://bchc.org.au/migrant-health-guide/

Photos by Paul Shire

City of Ballarat WIN News Ballarat The Courier Ballarat Times

06/10/2026

Join us for the Ballarat Community Health Ltd 2026 Annual General Meeting & Innovate RAP Launch.

Date: Wednesday 4th November
Time: 4:00pm (AGM from 5:15pm)
Location: Ballarat Community Health,12 Lilburne Street, Lucas

To RSVP and read more, visit: https://bchc.org.au/news/2026-bch-agm/

29/09/2026

Nominations are now open for the City of Ballarat 2026 International Day of People with Disability Awards.

Ballarat Community Health is proud to sponsor the Accessibility Ally Award, recognising someone without lived experience of disability who actively supports the rights, voices and inclusion of people with disability.

Supporting people of all ages and abilities is an important part of what we do at B*H, and being a strong ally means listening, supporting inclusion and helping remove barriers to participation.

So, do you know someone who demonstrates this in their workplace, community or everyday life? We encourage you to nominate them and help recognise the difference they are making.

There are also a range of other award categories recognising people with disability, carers, volunteers, organisations, venues, sporting groups and community leaders.

Nominations close Monday 16 November.

Learn more and nominate via the City of Ballarat website linked in the comments

24/09/2026

A friendly reminder that all B*H sites will be closed for the AFL Grand Final Public Holiday, Friday 25th September.

Our services will resume as normal from 28th September.

🩺Urgent Care and After-hours Services:
• The Ballarat Urgent Care Clinic (UCC): Open daily 9am - 11pm. Level 1, 1010 Sturt St, Ballarat Central.
• Medical emergencies: Call 000 or go to your local Emergency Department - Grampians Health Ballarat or St John of God Hospital.
💙 Additional Support Services:
• Alcohol and other drugs: 24-hour support service. Call 1800 888 236 or www.directline.org.au
• Lifeline: Call 131 114 or Text 0477 131 114

18/09/2026

Our Class of 2026 ❤️

15/09/2026

Please note all B*H sites will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday 16th September, for a staff training day.

🩺Urgent Care and After-hours Services:
• The Ballarat Urgent Care Clinic (UCC): Open daily 9am - 11pm. Level 1, 1010 Sturt St, Ballarat Central.
• Medical emergencies: Call 000 or go to your local Emergency Department - Grampians Health Ballarat or St John of God Hospital.

💙 Additional Support Services:
• Alcohol and other drugs: 24-hour support service. Call 1800 888 236 or www.directline.org.au
• Lifeline: Call 131 114 or Text 0477 131 114

All sites will reopen Thursday 17th September.

07/09/2026

In need of discreet and anonymous STI testing? The Ballarat Library is now hosting an STI-X vending machine where you can access free STI test kits.

Dispense a free kit (available for both male and female ge***al anatomy) then self-collect at home to test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV. Once complete, pack the sample using the pre-addressed, reply-paid packaging and drop it off at any Australia Post box.

Results will be sent to you directly and discreetly.

📍 178 Doveton St N, Ballarat Central (in the upstairs accessible toilet)

For more information, visit: medicine.unimelb.edu.au/cersh/projects/sti-x/sti-x-campaign

In partnership with Department of Rural Health at UniMelb

04/09/2026

Our CEO, Sean Duffy, joined other health leaders in Ballarat last week to discuss the rising issue of timely access to mental health support in Ballarat.

Ballarat is the third largest in-land regional city in Australia and one of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia.

With that growth comes an opportunity to shape the kind of community we want to become. We want a city where people feel connected, supported and able to access help close to home when they need it. A Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is more than an investment in services. It is an investment in our people, our families and the future wellbeing of Ballarat, and would provide an essential and currently missing element of mental health support for the Ballarat community.

Ballarat remains the only major regional centre in Victoria without one, which provide free treatment, care and support for those with mental health concerns.

🔗 https://links.acm.media/xfFIHg
✍ Nick Powell

04/09/2026

At Ballarat Community Health, 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, termination of pregnancy, STI testing or menopause, our Sexual Health Nurses and GPs are here to support people of all ages and backgrounds.

This World Sexual Health Day, we’re celebrating our incredible team who are dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, confidential, and compassionate sexual and reproductive health services to our community. You can discover more about their work and how they can assist you through the images below.

To learn more about our sexual and reproductive health services at B*H, visit our website: https://bchc.org.au/service/information_and_advice_on_sexual_health/