GV PHU Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit

01/11/2026

Keep safe out there GV ! Theres an alert out for today - follow the steps to stay well!

UPDATE: the moderate risk alert for Northern Country has been upgraded to high risk. The high risk alert for North Central and North East region has been downgraded to moderate. The high risk alert for Mallee and Wimmera region remains for Monday 2 November. Continue to monitor local conditions and, if you have asthma, always carry your reliever and if at any time you develop symptoms, follow the four steps of asthma first aid.

There is also a moderate risk for the North Central and North East regions.

If you develop asthma symptoms, follow your asthma action plan or use asthma first aid.

Go indoors and shut windows and doors and turn off air conditioners that bring outside air in.

Stay up to date at VicEmergency: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

30/10/2026

Stay safe out there we have a high risk forecast for thunderstorm asthma tomorrow (Saturday 31/10) in the Northern Country, West and South Gippsland, and East Gippsland districts.
If you develop asthma symptoms, follow your asthma action plan or use asthma first aid. Go indoors, shut windows and doors and turn off air conditioners that bring outside air in.
With a moderate forecast for most other areas, you should take your asthma puffer with you wherever you go. Monitor warnings and updates via VicEmergency. Stay up to date at VicEmergency: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

UPDATE: the moderate risk alert of epidemic thunderstorm asthma for North East and North Central region has been upgraded to high risk for Saturday 31 October. The high risk alert for East Gippsland, West & South Gippsland and Northern Country regions remains.

The moderate risk forecast across Central, Mallee and Wimmera regions also remains in place.

If you develop asthma symptoms, follow your asthma action plan or use asthma first aid.

Go indoors and shut windows and doors and turn off air conditioners that bring outside air in.

Stay up to date at VicEmergency: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

30/10/2026

Spring is in full swing across the Goulburn Valley, bringing rising grass pollen and the risk of Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma🌾💨

While anyone can be affected, people with a history of asthma, hay fever, or springtime wheezing are at higher risk. When high pollen meets a sudden storm, pollen grains can burst into tiny particles that travel deep into your lungs.

Stay safe by checking daily pollen forecasts on the VicEmergency app, keeping your reliever puffer handy, and heading indoors with windows and doors closed when high-risk storms hit.

For more information, head over to Better Health Channel socials and webpage. Stay safe, stay prepared this season 💜

26/10/2026

📣 𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗧𝗦𝗔? Spring weather and rising grass pollen levels increase the risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma. The Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit (GVPHU) is urging people with asthma or hay fever to prepare now before spring pollen levels and thunderstorms increase the risk of sudden and severe breathing difficulties.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀:
Thunderstorm asthma can occur when grass pollen is swept into the air during a thunderstorm and broken into tiny particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀:
This can trigger sudden and severe asthma symptoms, including in:
✳️People whose asthma is usually mild or well controlled
✳️People with hay fever who may not have previously experienced asthma symptoms

Don't wait for the first thunderstorm to act. Speak with your GP or pharmacist about your asthma or hay fever plan today 💜❗

05/10/2026

📣 Making a change to your smoking habits takes time, and every single attempt counts. Thousands of people across our local communities are on that journey - whether you're cutting down, trying for the first time, or already smoke-free.

We're here to help❗️For more information, visit Quit.org.au or call the Quitline on 13 7848.

Let’s keep the momentum going 💙

04/10/2026

📣 Quitting smoking doesn’t happen overnight - it takes practice, patience, and a plan.

With daily and occasional smoking rates reaching up to 21% in parts of our region, creating open, stigma-free conversations is vital.

Whether it’s your first attempt or your fifth, local networks are standing by to back you up. 🩺💬 We're here to help.

For more information, visit Quit.org.au or call the Quitline on 13 7848 💜

01/10/2026

📣 Healthy babies start with healthy communities. Regional data shows that smoking during pregnancy in our catchment sits above the Victorian average, highlighting an important area where we can wrap extra support around local families.

Protecting the health of local mothers takes a village, and you don't have to do it alone 💜💙

📞 Quitline: 13 7848

30/09/2026

📣 Across our communities, backing each other's health is what we do best. With over 30% of adults in parts of our region successfully living as ex-smokers, our area is living proof that change is possible.

Every journey to quit is unique, and our region is living proof that it’s possible. If you've been thinking about stubbing it out for good, local support is right here in your backyard.

Let’s keep the momentum going 💙🚭

📞 Quitline: 13 7848

11/09/2026

𝗗𝗮𝘆 5: 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 💜💙

For the final day of Women's Health Week, we are highlighting how much strength we draw from each other!

Staying connected with others, helps improves mental wellbeing, reduces isolation, and helps build resilient communities. Yet when life gets busy, keeping in touch is often the first thing to fall off the list.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱:
✳️ Send a quick text or voice message to a friend you haven't spoken to lately.
✳️ Say hello to a neighbour or have a quick chat with staff at your local library or shop.
✳️ Look into local groups: Check out community catch-ups, walking groups, or volunteer activities in our area.

Let’s not stop here—women’s health matters every single day of the year!

Keep building on these simple habits, making time for yourself, and supporting the women around you. Thank you for following along during Women's Health Week—let's keep looking out for one another! 💜💙

10/09/2026

𝗗𝗮𝘆 4: 𝗧𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 🧘‍♀️

Women often carry a lot on their shoulders - balancing family care, work, home life, and health changes.

It can be easy to brush off feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burnt out as "just being tired." But your mental health deserves the same care and attention as your physical health.

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱:
💟 Be kind to yourself: Feeling overwhelmed isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you need time and support.
💟 Set small boundaries: Saying no to extra tasks is a healthy way to protect your time and energy.
💟 Reach out early: If you’ve been feeling low, anxious, or off-track for a couple of weeks, book a friendly chat with your GP.

Take a deep breath today, and remember that asking for support is always okay 💜💙