Gippsland Lakes Complete Health

06/08/2026

In three months, Lakes Entrance's new Drop-In Centre has welcomed people seeking support 171 times.

For many in Lakes, the Centre has become a place to find practical support and build helpful relationships. Visitors come for a hot meal, a shower, laundry facilities, warm clothing and the chance to reconnect with others.

Community support for the Drop-In Centre continues to grow, with community groups finding new ways to contribute.

Among them is the Lakes Entrance Lions Club, which recently donated eight purpose-built backpack beds and 10 portable stoves to the centre.

Designed specifically for people sleeping rough, the backpack beds use waterproof and fire-retardant materials to provide shelter in all weather conditions, when traditional blankets and doonas are often no longer usable.

💬“Lions is a huge organisation but we want to focus on our immediate community here in Lakes – with a focus on early intervention. We are here to serve and prioritise the needs of the community." -Lakes Entrance Lions Club president Brigid Baldwin.

📸: Lakes Entrance Lions Club secretary / treasurer Max White with president Brigid Baldwin at the Drop-In Centre in Jemmeson Street. The Centre is open Monday and Tuesday from 10am-3pm.

03/08/2026

Seeing people sleeping rough in East Gippsland communities has become the norm, driven by rentals becoming increasingly unaffordable and insufficient social housing. The longer people remain without support or stable housing, the more complex their needs become.

This Homelessness Awareness Week, The Gippsland Homelessness Network has shared facts about homelessness in our region:

➡️ In March this year there were 7,791 households on the Victorian Housing Register social housing waitlist
➡️15.2% of households that accessed homelessness supports were sleeping rough in tents, cars and in the open
➡️12.2% of people who accessed homelessness services were employed.

The top three reasons for accessing supports were; inadequate or inappropriate housing, housing crisis and financial difficult.

No one chooses to be homeless.

Our Drop-In Centre in Lakes Entrance is a small way we are working to increase support available to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It’s a safe and warm place, people can come and grab a meal, wash clothes and access a shower. Open Monday and Tuesday 10am-3pm in Lakes Entrance, we’d like support to ensure this service remains viable.

📸: We've received a lot of support from volunteers and helpers, like Debbie.

30/07/2026

A nursing career in the place you love.

From leadership to specialist roles, we're recruiting nurses for the following positions:

• Primary Healthcare Manager – lead a team of GPs and nurses
• Respiratory Health Registered Nurse – specialist role in Lakes medical clinic
• Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner candidate – develop your career

Gippsland Lakes Complete Health provides an extensive range of health and community services to the people of East Gippsland.We value excellence of service and pride ourselves on delivering coordinated and accessible health services and health promotion programs. We focus on the health of communitie...

27/07/2026

A new dispensing unit in Jemmeson Street means people in Lakes Entrance can now access free naloxone 24-hours a day.

Naloxone is a safe, easy-to-use nasal spray that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose while waiting for emergency services.

It can be administered by anyone and won't cause harm if opioids aren't involved.

"I think sometimes people look at East Gippsland and see how fortunate we are - the lifestyle, the natural beauty – and that's absolutely true," says Executive Manager Family, Youth and Children's Services Kathy Dickinson.

"But alongside that, there are some really complex health and social challenges playing out in our community. Overdose is one of them.

"Making naloxone available around the clock means people can access this life-saving medication whenever it is needed."

The dispensing unit complements our existing Alcohol and Other Drug services, including free counselling and a Needle and Syringe Program.

Naloxone is also available free through the Take Home Naloxone Program at participating pharmacies across East Gippsland. It has a shelf life of around three years, so people can collect it before it's needed and keep it somewhere accessible.

If you'd like to learn more about the support available, we're on 5155 8300. The naloxone dispensing machine is located at 18-28 Jemmeson Street, Lakes Entrance.

20/07/2026

⚠️ Important: National AusAlert test - Monday 27 July, 2pm (AEST)

At 2pm on Monday, all mobile phones in Australia will receive a test emergency alert.

Your device will vibrate and play a loud siren for around 10 seconds, even if it's on silent, Do Not Disturb, or doesn't have a SIM card.

For some people, this alert could create a safety risk, including those experiencing family violence who have a hidden phone or device.

If you or someone you know may be at risk, it's important to plan ahead.

Before 2pm on Monday:
• Turn the device off, or
• Switch it to aeroplane mode
• Leave it off or in aeroplane mode for at least one hour

Please consider sharing this information with anyone who may need it.

If you need support:
📞 Safe Steps: 1800 015 188 (24/7)
📞 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
📞 The Orange Door: 1800 319 354 or 1800 512 358
📞 Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA): 5134 3922

These emergency alerts are designed to help keep people safe, so we only recommend disabling them if receiving the alert could place someone at risk.

Learn more: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01201k0

Please share this information on your timelines.

15/07/2026

As we step into our Drop-In Centre, the first thing we notice is the conversation.

People are having lunch, chatting over a cup of tea, working on jigsaw puzzles and spending time together. Staff offer practical support while taking the time to listen and share details of their lives.

Some people visit our Drop-In Centre for a hot meal or to have a shower and use the laundry. Others come for the conversation, a cup of tea and to warm up on a cold day.

The centre provides practical support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It's open Monday and Tuesday from 10am - 3pm in Jemmeson Street, Lakes Entrance.

We're incredibly grateful for the support our community has shown through our Winter Appeal, it's your support that's helping meet the needs of our community. All donations are gratefully received: https://www.givenow.com.au/safe-warm-and-supported

📸: Photography by Lauren Murphy, who recently stopped in at the Drop In Centre.

14/07/2026

"I wish people knew that the choices you make today can help your future self live well."

That's the message from our Diabetes Educator Melissa Ceely this National Diabetes Week.

"People don't always feel the changes happening in their body, but the damage can be occurring in the background and affect them years down the track."

Melissa wants people to think beyond today.

"I often ask people: what would your 10-years-from-now self say about not exercising or not eating your vegetables? The work you do now will help your future self."

"Exercise and healthy eating aren't just about diabetes. They're about protecting your heart, your bones and preventing many diseases. They're about staying well enough to keep doing the things you love. We want to get you from today to later life still able to do everything you want to do."

"Today is the day to start becoming the person you want to be in later life."

If you live in the Lakes Entrance area and have diabetes, GLCH currently has appointments available with Melissa. Talk to your GP about a referral.

08/07/2026

Disability is not something to be hidden, fixed or overcome. It's part of human diversity, and something many people proudly embrace as part of who they are.

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity, achievements and contributions of people with disability, while recognising disability as a natural and valuable part of human diversity.

One of the most recognisable symbols of Disability Pride Month is the Disability Pride Flag (pictured).
🟥 Red represents physical disabilities
🟨 Gold represents neurodiversity
⬜ White represents invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
🟦 Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities
🟩 Green represents sensory disabilities

The charcoal background acknowledges the resilience, strength and perseverance of people with disability, while the diagonal stripes represent creativity and the ways people continue to navigate barriers in society.

This month is an opportunity to listen, learn, challenge assumptions and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives and strengths that people with disability bring to our communities.

Because everyone deserves to feel valued, respected, included and empowered to live well.

07/07/2026

🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC Week local spotlight: The Wurinbeena Archives

This NAIDOC Week, we're shining a light on the rich stories, artwork and cultural knowledge preserved through the Wurinbeena Archives.

For more than two decades, Wurinbeena artists, Elders and collaborators created artworks, films, public installations and community projects that celebrated culture, shared stories and strengthened connections across Gunaikurnai Country.

You may already know some of their work. The Spirit Poles, Water Hole and Camp Fire at the entrance to our Lakes Entrance site were created through Wurinbeena projects and remain important cultural landmarks in our community.

If you're looking to learn more this NAIDOC Week, we encourage you to explore the Blue Horizons videos, the Black Post White film series, and the collection of stories shared by local Elders.

This year's NAIDOC Week theme, "50 Years of Deadly", celebrates the strength, achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Taking time to learn about local culture is one small way we can continue listening, learning and building understanding.

Explore the archive: https://www.wurinbeena.org.au/ You might just discover a piece of local history you didn't know was right on your doorstep 🖤💛❤️

06/07/2026

🎉 Danielle didn't just survive Terms 1 and 2... she absolutely smashed them!

We're celebrating the fabulous Danielle from our Early Learning Centre, who has officially progressed from provisionally registered graduate teacher to fully registered proficient teacher. 🥳

To achieve this magnificent milestone, Danielle completed an inquiry project exploring how intentional teaching supports children's language and communication skills in kindergarten. The project involved months of research, reflection and hard work, all while continuing to support, encourage and inspire the children in her care.

This achievement is a wonderful reflection of Danielle's dedication to her profession and her commitment to continually growing her knowledge and skills to give children the very best start in life.

The best part? The children may not realise their teacher has just reached a major professional milestone, but they'll continue to benefit from her passion, knowledge and commitment every day.

Congratulations, Danielle! We hope you're enjoying a well-earned holiday break. 🌟