During October Orbost Regional Health (ORH) attended four events to support local community members.
On Saturday, October 11 Orbost Golf Club hosted a mental health day, with presentations by local doctor Edwina Brown, ORH Social Worker Glyn Jones, and the East Gippsland Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Community Engagement Officer Susie Bady.
Diabetes Educator and Chronic Disease Nurse Elizabeth Barnes provided physical health checks.
Andrew Phillips, who supported the Golf Club to host the event said “This is the third year that ORH supported the mental health event at the Golf Club.
“Our guest speakers provided mental health education and explained where to access services. We received great feedback that these presentations supported attendees to manage their mental health”.
The following weekend, Jarrahmond Landcare Group hosted a very popular “Relax by the River” gathering to strengthen the health and well-being focus of local residents.
This event received a grant from Ag Vic’s ‘Look over the farm gate program’.
Held in a paddock at Bronwyn Llewelyn’s farm, under a huge shady plane tree, about 40 locals enjoyed relaxing with old friends and meeting new people.
Respected local farmer Royston Nettleton shared a moving and heartfelt personal journey with mental illness.
ORH’s wellbeing team leader Jacque Archer spoke to attendees about how to access local services.
ORH psychologist Hannah Rumpf increased participant’s shared Mental Health First Aid information to support attendees to pick up signs of people struggling and how to approach them and offer help.
Elizabeth Barnes spoke about general health with excellent information on diet, heart health, and diabetes.
“This was the most interactive and engaged group and I performed the highest number of health checks at any event I’ve attended on behalf of ORH,” Elizabeth said.
ORH was delighted to be invited to support Orbost Kinder’s annual fete on Saturday, October 25.
The families who attended enjoyed delicious hummus dips and vegetable sticks provided by ORH.
Local farmers Vanessa Ingram Daniel, Jules Henderson and Royston Nettleton organised a screening of the Just a Farmer movie on Friday, October 31 at Lochiel Park.
They strongly encourage the local community to register to attend this event.
The movie’s producer Leila McDougall is excited to share with the Orbost community her realistic portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of a resilient farmer in rural Australia. Leila will also be available to answer attendee’s questions.
This movie tells the story of a mother who has recently lost her husband.
She is left caring for her alcoholic father-in-law and their failing farm, but despite these enormous struggles, she creates a new path for her family.
ORH’s Wellbeing Team Leader Lea Thomas and Susie Bady from the East Gippsland Mental Health and Wellbeing Local will both support film screening attendees to navigate local mental health options.
“We hope that this movie encourages important conversations about mental health, and empowers attendees to seek out the support that is available to them,” Vanessa Ingram Daniel said.
