Projects on the horizon following BCH annual report release

BELLARINE Community Health (BCH) has declared 2023 as a success in its latest financial report, coupled with the completion of several community projects.

BCH chief executive officer Garry Ellis and the board highlighted the organisation has achieved significant success by adhering to the financial turnaround strategy implemented by the Board of Directors in 2020.

As a result BCH reported an operating result (excluding depreciation, donated land and capital income) of $80,000 for 2022-23.

“Our Annual Report is an opportunity to share stories about our organisation, show how we can support our community to achieve their health and wellbeing goals and highlight where we have been innovative with our services and programs,” Mr Ellis said.

“During the past financial year we have completed some significant projects.

“Such as the redevelopment of our site at Portarlington, helped establish the Farm My School project and become one of the first community health organisations to have achieved accreditation under the new National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Health Care Standards.”

BCH will continue into 2024 with several ongoing projects, after receiving a land donation from the Corless family, developers of the Kingston Estate in Ocean Grove.

The land itself will become BCH’s new child, youth and family hub, serving the Bellarine over coming years.

BCH will also remain an active member of the Alliance of Rural & Regional Health, which will assist the organisation in raising its profile within the community, a major objective for 2024 according to Mr Ellis.

“As a member of both the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health and the Community Health First groups, we have contributed to several proposals to boost funding for the Community Health sector which could lead to new and innovative state-wide services,” he said.

“Operating in the current economic environment remains difficult with a growing population leading to growing demand for our services while funding remains constrained.

“We adapt as well as we can to match our resources but our ability to fully deliver all that is required by our community is often limited.”

Mr Ellis and BCH chair Fay Agterhuis thanked the organisation’s volunteers, staff, executive team and directors for their ongoing commitment.