South West Healthcare

29/08/2026

This week we strolled down Memory Lane as we fondly farewelled an amazing committee that has voluntarily supported the residents of our Camperdown aged care facilities (Merindah Lodge, which closed a year ago, and its stunning new replacement, Leura Aged Care) for the past 36 years.

The Friends and Relatives of Merindah (FROM) were the guests of honor at a special morning tea organised by Leura Aged Care staff, led by activities coordinator Bernadette Leehane, to recognise their support, care and compassion. In attendance to see them off in style were many residents who regard FROM as family.

Bernadette, Camperdown Hospital operating theatre nurse unit manager Nikky Delaney and community partnerships manager Suzan Morey spoke of FROM’s dedicated volunteering whilst Director of SWH Camperdown Hospital & Aged Care director Abhi Dolar (unable to attend) sent the following words of thanks:

‘Over the years, the Friends and Relatives of Merindah have been an invaluable source of support for our residents and aged care team. Through their dedicated and highly successful fundraising efforts, they have funded essential equipment that has significantly enhanced the quality of care and comfort for our residents and our facility. It is with deep gratitude and sadness that we say farewell to the FROM Committee. We extend our heartfelt thanks for their years of service and dedication to our residents, our health service and our local community.’

Since 1990, FROM has organised dozens and dozens of social outings, in-house events including concerts, craft activities, dances and Christmas lunches, and been heavily involved in fundraising to enhance the lives of residents and staff. From significantly contributing towards the costs of Merindah’s first-ever mini bus to its parting gift – a keyboard for Leura Aged Care – FROM has been a dynamic community institution. We thank all of FROM and wish them a well-deserved retirement.

28/08/2026

Today, our team came together to celebrate Wear It Purple Day. Proudly supporting LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and community, we recognised this year's theme, Colours of Courage, and the importance of speaking up, standing out and creating change. 💜

27/08/2026

It's Wear it Purple day tomorrow! We encourage all visitors, consumers and staff to wear something purple to show your support of this years Colours of Courage celebration that exists because every LGBTQIA+SB person deserves to feel safe, celebrated and empowered.

24/08/2026

22/08/2026

AN UPDATE FROM PIGEON HQ

It’s been a massive week! Thank you to everyone who’s been inspired to sponsor a pigeon. From far away spots like Canberra, Mornington, Echuca and Penola, businesses, auxiliaries , clubs, families and individuals have enthusiastically become involved in this unique fundraising event. In just one day of this week we sold $10,000 in sponsorships! As of this moment, more than two-thirds of our pigeons are fully sponsored and the rest are half-sponsored. We now have just thirty-nine $150 sponsorships to sell and we will hit our $115,000 fundraising target for a new Prostate Cancer Detector System for the men of our region.

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PIGEON RACE - a partnership between South West Healthcare, the Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club (celebrating its centenary during this event), Beyond Bank, and South West Local News – will see 150 pigeons race 320 kilometres across the Little Desert, the Grampians National Park and the volcanic plains of Western Victoria to the City of the Southern Right Whale next Sunday (August 30). That night, there’ll be a live telecast of the race results with serious prizes for the naming rights ‘owner’ and the sponsor of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 100th-placed pigeons to come on home.

For all the details click here https://southwestlocalnews.com.au/the-great-australian-pigeon-race/

OUR MOST PRESSING CHALLENGE NOW is to sell the remaining 39 sponsorships before COB this Tuesday – because, on the Wednesday, we run the sweep to pair pigeons with *their* people. Wednesday afternoon you’ll be able to find out what loft (there’s 11 involved) your pigeon comes from, and whether you’re one of the lucky people to have scored one of the 11 celebrity pigeons we’ve showcased here, on our FB feed, over the last couple of weeks.

If you’d like any other info about this race that WILL DEFINITELY stop the nation you can call our Pigeon Hotline on 0417 103 420.

21/08/2026

Meet Nathan, one of our Aboriginal Liaison Officers

Before joining the Aboriginal Liaison team, Nathan worked as a Linen Services Production Manager at our Regional Logistic Distribution Centre. No two days look the same as he works alongside care teams and local Aboriginal service providers to create a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

Nathan supports patients to navigate the healthcare system, understand their care, have their cultural needs respected, and access the services they need for better health outcomes. For him, one of the most important parts of the role is building trust in healthcare and seeing teams work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.

Nathan is looking forward to the completion of the new Clinical Building and loves spending time up north on the Murray River, his favourite place on Country. 🌿

19/08/2026

Let’s talk about cancer screening and early detection… this post could just save your life.
1. Cervical cancer - women aged 25-74 are encouraged to have a cervical screening every 5 years. Swabs can now be self collected if you are more comfortable doing it that way, but you will still need to book an appointment with your GP.

2. Bowel cancer- from July 1 the Government has lowered the age of or the national bowel cancer screening program from 50 to 45.

3. Breast screening is recommended for women aged 50-74 and repeated every two years.

4. The national lung cancer screening program is a free Australian Government initiative designed to detect lung cancer early, before symptoms appear, for those who are high risk. Check the website for eligibility.

5. Early detection tests are available for prostate cancer, ovarian cancer. For more detailed information go to: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/screening-tests-and-treatments/early-detection-and-screening

16/08/2026

Every morning we’ve been introducing you to one of the favorite pigeons of one of the 11 Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club members involved in THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PIGEON RACE. To be held on August 30, if we sell the sponsorship and naming rights to every one of the 150 pigeons entered, our $115,000 fundraising appeal for a new prostate cancer detector system will be over.

This is the final pigeon you’ll get to meet… SPEEDY is a blue chequer c**k and one of TONY AULD’s favourites – especially because his grandson also thinks SPEEDY’s pretty special. He’s had one race so far and shows good ability. Well-bred from good bloodlines, he’s also very tame and will eat his food right out of your hand. Tony loves pigeon racing because ‘it’s good competition’. He’s been racing pigeons, and been with the club, for the past two years.

On August 26 the sweep will be drawn to determine which pigeon each Sponsor and Naming Rights Business will *own* for the race. You could end up getting SPEEDY if you’re lucky.

To buy YOUR pigeon for the race please click here https://southwestlocalnews.com.au/the-great-australian-pigeon-race/

16/08/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE SOON! Are you an aspiring board director aged between 25 and 40 and based in South West Victoria?
We’ve partnered with South West TAFE, Wannon Water and Brophy to offer The Observership Program. This initiative provides governance training and practical experience in not-for-profit board leadership over 12 months.
You’ll receive training from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Ethics Centre, while also building your professional network across Victoria with other observers.
Applications for the 2026 Program close on 16 August. Find out more and apply here: https://observership.com.au/south-west-region-candidate-information-webpage/

15/08/2026

Introducing another of the pigeons entered for THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PIGEON RACE – in which 11 members of the Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club are helping us to raise $115,000 for a new Prostate Cancer Detector System.

BLUEY is the blue bar c**k bird of WAYNE (pictured) and JULIE FARY. One of their favourites entered in the Great Australian Pigeon Race, BLUEY’S father won the couple’s longest race in 2024: a 600-mile (966 kilometre) distance from Tiboburra, Queensland. A young bird bred this year, he’s had two races so far this season and been consistently with the early birds home each time – so is showing lots of promise. BLUEY always sleeps on the same perch every night and stops any other birds from taking over that spot. (You’ve gotta love a pigeon with a quirk.) Over the years, Wayne’s raced pigeons in three blocks of time: as a kid from about 12-years-old until he was 18, then again after he got married he took them up around 1995 until 2005. He then gave them away to go classic motorbike racing before taking them back up in 2020.

On August 26 the sweep will be drawn to determine which pigeon each Sponsor and Naming Rights Business will *own* for the race. You could end up getting BLUEY if you’re lucky.

To buy YOUR pigeon for the race click here https://southwestlocalnews.com.au/the-great-australian-pigeon-race/