Mid-West Health Advisory Council

02/07/2026

25/06/2026

⚠️ 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐮 (𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐚): 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝, 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 ⚠️

With confirmed cases of H5 bird flu in Western Australia and possible cases in South Australia, the community is being asked to stay vigilant and report sick or dead birds and other wildlife.

If you see sick or dead birds or other animals:
🚫 Do not touch them
📸 Take photos or video if safe to do so
📍 Record the location
📞 Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888

Bird flu can affect wild birds, poultry and some mammals. Signs may include unusual behaviour, difficulty flying, lack of coordination, illness, or multiple dead birds in one area.

Even if you're unsure, it's important to report it. Early detection helps protect South Australia's wildlife, livestock and poultry industries.

For more information, visit birdflu.gov.au or follow SA Government and Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

18/06/2026

Do you live in Country SA? Are you interested in volunteering?

Join us for our FREE Volunteer Information Session next Thursday!

Discover what it’s like to volunteer with SAAS, the benefits you’ll gain, and what you can expect from the experience. Meet our Volunteer Ambassadors and ask them questions.

👉 Click the link to learn more and reserve your spot today.

https://saambulance.sa.gov.au/vis2026

18/06/2026

Suzi Evans is a guest speaker who specialises in providing solutions to mental health. She is a one on one coach, resilience facilitator, positive psychology facilitator and mental health first aid facilitator. She has created her own program "Workbench for the Mind" after realising her so

12/03/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲

Over the past 18 months, our Streaky Bay community has experienced a series of deeply tragic events. Nine traumatic deaths — including shark attacks, drownings and suicides — have had a profound impact on families, workplaces, schools, sporting groups, emergency services and friendship networks across our district.

In a close-knit rural community such as ours, the impact of loss is rarely felt by just a few people. Grief is shared. It is carried by neighbours, teammates, classmates, colleagues and friends.

Recent discussions between local services and community representatives have reinforced a shared view: it is time to acknowledge the cumulative impact of these events and to work together on a coordinated, compassionate response.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 to establish a small reference group to help guide this work. The group will support the development of an action plan aimed at:

🔹 Publicly acknowledging the impact of recent traumatic events
🔹 Reconnecting community members with available support services
🔹 Strengthening coordination and communication between agencies
🔹 Proactively identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals and families
🔹 Delivering a consistent message of care, inclusion and unity across our community

Community members who would like to be involved in this reference group are encouraged to get in touch.

Please contact 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 - [email protected] if you are interested in participating.

In the coming months, the community will also see a number of events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness, encouraging people to seek help when needed, and connecting individuals and families with the support services available.

By working together and looking out for one another, we can continue to support healing and strengthen the resilience of our community.

10/03/2026

SA Ambulance Service aims to improve the health of the community by providing emergency ambulance transport, clinical care & patient transport services

10/03/2026

Help shape a more accessible and inclusive future for our District ♿💬

👉 Have your say:
https://form.jotform.com/DistrictCouncil/disability-access--inclusion-survey

The District Council of Elliston is developing its next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2026–2030, and we want to hear from you.

We’re inviting feedback from people with disability, people with mobility challenges, families, carers, service providers — and anyone who wants to help make our community more inclusive.

📅 Survey closes Thursday 7 April 2026 at 5pm

Drop-in sessions will also be held in Elliston, Lock, Venus Bay and Port Kenny (dates coming soon).

📞 Need help completing the survey or prefer a hard copy?
Contact Council on 8687 9177 or [email protected]

Your voice matters — please share your experiences and ideas 💙

10/03/2026

We are pleased to welcome back Dr Niki Pocsi

Niki will be working Wednesday and Thursday mornings in clinic

If you would like to make an appointment or have any questions please call 8626 1072

26/02/2026

Here’s the updated Flood Watch area in South Australia. This image shows just how much of the state is covered in the Bureau of Meteorology Flood Watch issued today.

Yep, that’s right, pretty much the whole state! So, it’s important for all of us to be prepared.

The highest rainfall totals are forecast over North East Pastoral district during today. However, rainfall is forecast to extend southwards from Friday and over the weekend. Accumulated rainfall totals will be significant.

What can you do to be prepared and stay safe?
> Where it is safe to do so, clear gutters, downpipes and drains to prevent water damage to your home or property
> Check whether you need sandbags. If your property is prone to flooding, SES sandbag pod locations are listed on the SES website: https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/about-sa-ses-sandbag-locations
> Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
> Keep children well away from floodwater, creeks and storm drains.
> If you’re travelling, ensure you have adequate food and water for the trip. Visit the South Australia Police website for more information about holiday and remote travel safety: www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/crime-prevention-and-security/holiday-and-remote-travel-safety
> Take extra care, drive to the conditions, and adhere to road closures. You can check road closures via SA Infrastructure and Transport TrafficSA website: www.traffic.sa.gov.au
> Check on friends, family and neighbours during and after this rain event to ensure they’re safe and doing OK

🌊For flood preparation tips, visit ses.sa.gov.au/flood
☎️ For emergency storm or flood assistance, call 132 500
☎️ For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)

26/02/2026

⚠️ 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 & 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 ⚠️🌧️

The SES has advised that severe weather is expected this weekend, with potential for heavy rain and localised flooding.

We are encouraging everyone to 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘄, particularly if your property is prone to flooding.

𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲
The SES currently has a supply of sandbags available for residents.

𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀:
Call Trevlyn Smith on 0427 261 120
Collect from 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 – 𝟰𝟵𝗖 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁
A limited number will also be available from the 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 – 𝟮𝟵 𝗔𝗹𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 (as of Friday, 26/02/2026)

Please note:
• Sandbags will need to be filled by residents.
• SES recommends using self-draining sand (not builders grade sand).
• SES resources are limited and they may not be able to assist everyone, particularly as conditions are expected to worsen in the evening.

Now is the time to prepare your property, clear gutters and drains, and make a plan in case conditions deteriorate.

Stay informed via official news pages and stay safe.