Open invite to tour pharmacy

March 1, 2025 BY Tim Bottams

Welcome: Some of the team behind the new Rokewood Pharmacy, including community nurse Brooke Greig, pharmacist Somnath Sekaran and Hesse Rural Health's director of community health Sue Ryan are inviting everyone to attend an open day launch for the new service next week. Photo: SUPPLIED

A NEW pharmacy at one of the region’s central localities is set to be officially opened next week.

Hesse Rural Health staff are inviting everyone to attend the launch of the Rokewood Pharmacy at the Rokewood Community Health Centre this Tuesday afternoon, 4 March.

Partnering with Trident Pharma for the venture, the pharmacy is being leased through the front of the centre to HealthEZ Pharmacy while the former’s Somnath Sekaran will lead the operations.

Hesse Rural Health director of community services Sue Ryan said the pharmacy is a win for healthcare services for Golden Plains Shire’s central townships.

“We are thrilled to enhance healthcare services in Rokewood by welcoming HealthEZ Pharmacy and pharmacists Som and Pav [Singh] to our community,” she said.

“This integrated approach supports the overall health of rural communities by addressing key barriers such as distance, cost, and limited healthcare resources.

“By improving convenience, efficiency, and patient support, pharmacy colocation plays a critical role in strengthening rural healthcare systems and fostering healthier communities.”

To celebrate the opening, Hesse staff will host an open day during the launch from 11am to 2pm.

The event will include a tour of the pharmacy, a free barbecue, while people can ask questions of Hesse Allied Health staff and meet some of the new service’s operational team.

Mr Sekaran has nearly 20 years’ experience managing pharmacies across rural and regional Victoria, including at Willaura, Lismore and Derrinallum.

Show bags will also feature in the open day while attendees can also contribute to a community art mural.

A planning application for the pharmacy to operate at the Rokewood Community Health Centre was obtained last year following community engagement in 2023 which continued into 2024.

The pharmacy is located at 55 Ferrars Street and will operate every Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm following next week’s launch.

Access to the pharmacy is available via the building’s front entrance, while those wishing to access the centre’s other services can do via the side entrance.