Casterton Memorial Hospital

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Casterton Memorial Hospital

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CMH is a small rural health service and has been meeting the health needs of our local and broader community since 1908.

From 1 April 2026, CMH has merged with Western District Health Service (WDHS).

04/11/2026

Exciting improvements are coming to Hamilton Base Hospital's Emergency Department!

We are investing $5.15 million in an interim upgrade of the Emergency Department to improve safety, accessibility, comfort and privacy for patients, while also creating a better working environment for staff.

Works will begin with preliminary site preparations from 16 November, with major construction planned for early 2027.

Key improvements will include:
✅ A new reception and triage area
✅ A larger waiting room
✅ Better patient privacy and comfort
✅ A behavioural assessment room
✅ Better access to amenities, including accessible bathrooms
✅ Separate entrances for Ambulance Victoria and the general community
✅ Improved internal flow and circulation throughout the department

This project is an important step towards our long-term vision of a new Emergency Department and has been carefully designed to deliver immediate benefits while supporting future growth.

There will be no impact to Emergency Department presentations or hospital access during the initial stage of works, and we will continue to keep our community updated as the project progresses.

We look forward to delivering these important improvements for our staff, patients and community.

04/11/2026

🚜 𝟮𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.

There’s always another job to do on the farm, but making time for your own health
doesn’t have to take all day.

Free 20-minute health checks are available for farmers and agricultural workers at CMH this Wednesday 11 November, giving you a quick and practical way to check in on your health.

Appointments are confidential and delivered by Agri-health nurse Jess from the National Centre for Farmer Health, with checks including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and eyesight, as well as practical advice and referrals for follow-up care where needed.

📞 Bookings are essential. Call CMH Reception on (03) 5554 2555 or email [email protected] to book your appointment.

02/11/2026

What a lovely afternoon at the Hamilton and District Aged Care Trust Annual Garden Walk in Church Hill!

Around 245 people enjoyed a beautiful afternoon yesterday exploring some of Hamilton's stunning gardens in perfect spring weather.

A big thank you to the generous garden owners who opened their gates and shared their beautiful spaces with the community:

🌷 Eleanor and Richard Edgar
🌷 Louise Le Nay and Daryl Black
🌷 Lee Osmond O'Keefe
🌷 Robyn and John Braider
🌷 Sally and John Pollard

And thank you to Angus Law and Rosie Mercer for hosting refreshments in their garden.

A special acknowledgement must go to the dedicated Aged Care Trust Committee. With 18 volunteers helping on the day, the committee worked tirelessly behind the scenes and throughout the event, coordinating advertising, manning gates, running the produce and plant stall, organising the raffle, preparing savouries, and serving refreshments. Their commitment, generosity, hard work and dedication to supporting aged care services in our community is truly remarkable.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event. Your contribution helps make a real difference with around $8,500 raised on the day, and we are grateful for the wonderful community spirit shown throughout the afternoon.

💚 A fantastic day made possible by so many generous people. Thank you all for your support of aged care in our community.

01/11/2026

🎡 We’re heading to the Casterton P&A Show!

Join us on Saturday 14 November for a great day out, with plenty of FREE activities for the kids, proudly supported by CMH and the National Centre for Farmer Health.

There’ll be plenty to keep the young ones busy, including:
🎨 Free pottery and rock painting workshop with Portland Bay Pottery
🎢 A giant inflatable slide from Macca’s Amusements

We’re looking forward to being part of the day, supporting a great community event and seeing plenty of familiar faces.

Come along, say hello and enjoy the show! 👋

31/10/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗠𝗛 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟱𝟬

More than 40 staff, volunteers, Board Directors and community members gathered at CMH on Tuesday 20 October to mark a special moment in our hospital’s history, as two time capsules were placed together in the wall beside the main entrance.

The new capsule captures a snapshot of CMH and life in 2026, with hospital publications, photos capturing its history through the years and a message from the Board Chair and Chief Executive for the future leaders who will care for the community in the years ahead.

There are also a few everyday items that might raise a smile when the capsule is opened in 2050, from a FoodWorks catalogue and weather forecast to Australian coins, stamps and a Herald Sun newspaper cover. An N95 face mask made its way in, too, recognising the COVID-19 pandemic as an important part of our healthcare story.

It’s fascinating to think that the things we take for granted today may one day offer a glimpse into the past. Just as we had the chance to discover a piece of history through the original 1977 capsule, we’ve now left our own little piece of the story for the next generation to discover.

30/10/2026

We're excited to invite our community to the Western District Health Service Annual General Meeting, where we will reflect on the past year, share our achievements and launch our new Strategic Plan.

We are also pleased to welcome Liz Kearins, Chair of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council and Director of Engagiosity as our guest speaker. Our Chief Executive recently heard Liz speak at the National Providers Conference and was inspired by her insights into leadership, consumer engagement and the future of aged care. Given her extensive experience in governance and her work advising on aged care quality and safety at a national level, we are delighted she will be joining us for this special event.

The AGM is an opportunity to hear about our past year, our future direction and how we will continue working with our communities to deliver high-quality, person-centred care across the region.

📅 Thursday 19 November 2026
🕝 2.30pm
📍 Hamilton Base Hospital Auditorium, Casterton Memorial Hospital Boardroom, Coleraine District Health Service Board Room, Penshurst & District Health Service, or via Livestream

Click here to RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/NGqRsVJJWN

We welcome community members, staff, partners and stakeholders to attend.

29/10/2026

New Central Sterile and Supply Department for Hamilton

Hamilton Base Hospital will build a new Central Sterile and Supply Department (CSSD) costing nearly $10 million to support its important role in providing elective surgery to the region.

The Victorian Government has announced $9,790,000 for the project which will deliver a full new build CSSD. The existing CSSD will be decommissioned and available for a new recovery and day procedure area at a future stage.

A CSSD is vital for the cleaning, disinfection, sterilising, and distribution of surgical instruments, medical devices, and reusable equipment.

Western District Health Service CEO Rowena Clift said the funding was good news for the region.

“We previously received a grant for detailed design of the project and it’s pleasing now to have funding to move to building this important infrastructure, which is vital to support our role as a provider of elective surgery for south-west Victoria,” Ms Clift said.

The project will include new interior materials and finishes, theatre support areas and specialist equipment.

She acknowledged the work of CSSD staff, staff working in the hospital’s operating theatres and senior management for developing the successful funding submission.

Work is expected to start in 2027. It is being funded under the Victorian Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) 2025-26.

Pictured here are: Back Row - Donna Hobbs Assistant Nurse Unit Manager Theatre, Kathleen O’Brien CSSD Technician, Janina Bailey Nurse Unit Manager Theatre and CSSD, Zelda Doherty Senior CSSD Technician
Middle Row :- Mandy Francis CSSD Technician, Zoe Ahern CSSD Technician
Front: - Lorraine Hedly, Executive Director Acute Operations / Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Nick Starkie, Executive Director Finance & Corporate Services

28/10/2026

🌟𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰𝟬+ 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴!

This month, Casterton’s own Betty Collins was inducted into the Health Volunteer Honour Roll at the 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, recognising more than 40 years of service to Glenelg House residents and the wider community.

At the ceremony in Melbourne, Betty received her official recognition from Department of Health Secretary Jenny Atta PSM, celebrating an extraordinary contribution to public healthcare and our community.

Now 93, Betty is still volunteering every Monday and Wednesday, playing cards, calling bingo, celebrating birthdays and, most importantly, spending time with residents. For Betty, it’s about the people and the joy that comes from making someone’s day a little brighter.

Her recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of the care, companionship and countless little moments she has shared with residents over more than four decades.

Congratulations, Betty, on this well-deserved honour, and thank you for all you continue to bring to Glenelg House and our community. 💚

28/10/2026

𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱

How can we better support teenagers as they navigate technology, social media and the challenges of growing up today?

Live4Life Glenelg is bringing together expert advice, local young people’s perspectives and practical strategies at its upcoming Community Mental Health Event in Portland.

📅 Tuesday 17 November 2026
🕠 5.30pm–9.30pm
📍 Richmond Henty Blueroom, Portland

The evening is designed for parents, carers, educators and other trusted adults who support young people, featuring:
• Keynote speaker Dr Arne Rubinstein will be sharing practical approaches to building resilience, strengthening relationships and supporting teenagers’ wellbeing in a digital world.
• Youth-led panel discussion, giving local young people the opportunity to share their experiences and what they need from the adults around them.
• Interactive workshop with Kate Wilde from Human Development Workshop, encouraging meaningful conversations and practical learning.

The event responds directly to feedback from local young people through the Youth Focused Survey, with a focus on wellbeing, connection, open conversations and navigating technology.

🎟️ Tickets must be purchased by Friday 13 November.
Book your place online via: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2003043097826

This is a valuable opportunity to hear young people’s voices, learn practical strategies and connect with others who want to help teenagers thrive.

27/10/2026

A big part of building a stronger future for healthcare is sharing what we learn along the way.

Our Chief Executive Rowena Clift, recently joined fellow health service leaders at the Victorian Healthcare Association’s 2026 Conference to discuss voluntary health service amalgamations and the experiences of bringing organisations together.

The panel explored *Health service governance: navigating voluntary amalgamation*, drawing on experiences from across the sector.

For CMH, coming together with WDHS on 1 April marked an important step in building on our hospital’s long history while strengthening healthcare for Casterton and the surrounding region.

We’re proud to see our local experience contributing to conversations about the future of public healthcare across Victoria.

Address

63-69 Russell Street
Casterton, VIC
3311

Telephone

+61355542555

Website

http://www.castertonmemorialhospital.com.au/, https://wdhs.net/v2/

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