Colac Area Health

07/09/2026

Women's Health Week 🌸

Too often, women are told “you can’t do that”, and over time those messages can become the limits we place on ourselves.

This Women’s Health Week is about challenging that narrative. Jean Hailes for women’s Health invites every woman to do it anyway – whatever that looks like for you, in your life and on your terms.

Today is all about how to fuel. Follow the link to see practical nutrition tips and
realistic food habits to help you
feel your best.

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/get-involved/womens-health-week/day-1-to-fuel/

07/09/2026

Women's Health Week starts today! 🌸

This Women’s Health Week focuses on the little things that can make a big difference — nourishing your body, moving more, resting, connecting and prioritising your wellbeing.

Follow along for more information to support your health and wellbeing!

03/09/2026

🌸 Women’s Health Week is next week! | 7–11 September 2026 🌸

Next week, we’re celebrating Women’s Health Week — a reminder to put your health and wellbeing first. 💗

Whether it’s booking that overdue check-up, making time for your mental wellbeing, moving your body, nourishing yourself, or simply listening to what your body is telling you — your health matters.

✨ Make time for yourself.
✨ Ask the questions.
✨ Don’t ignore the signs.
✨ Encourage the women in your life to prioritise their health too.

Because looking after yourself isn’t selfish — it’s essential. 🌷

Here’s to healthier, stronger and empowered women! 💪💕

03/09/2026

🌱 Building Resilience in Children 🌱

The Colac and Corangamite Child and Family Services Alliance, in partnership with the Regional Parenting Service, are pleased to announce FREE Parenting Workshop presented by Lael Stone ✨

Join us for an engaging and an informative session designed to help parents nurture resilience in their children! Learn practical strategies to support your child's emotional wellbeing, confidence, and ability to navigate life's challenges. 💛

📅 WHEN
Thursday 22 October, 7:00pm

📍 WHERE
Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre
95-97 Gellibrand Street, Colac

🎟️ BOOKINGS
This is a free event but bookings are essential! Scan the QR code on the attached poster or book here 👉 https://tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/event/building-resilience-

🧠 We'll explore:
🔹 What is resilience
🔹 How to support children through adversity
🔹 Navigating anxiety and worry
🔹 Helping our children find their power

👩‍🏫 About Lael
Lael Stone is an author, TEDx speaker, counsellor, and parenting educator specialising in navigating trauma and disconnection in families. With 23 years' experience working with families — from babies to teens — Lael is a mother of three grown-up children and co-founder of Woodline Primary School, an innovative school focused on emotional intelligence. She's also the author of two books, Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children and Own Your Story. 📚

💫 Don't miss this chance to gain valuable tools to support your child's emotional growth!

👉 Book now: Geelong.link/LaelStoneParenting

01/09/2026

Today we celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day — a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ stories, cultures and languages.

Indigenous Literacy Day is an opportunity to listen, learn and celebrate the rich diversity of First Nations storytelling, while recognising the important role that stories and language play in sharing culture, knowledge and connection across generations.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support access to culturally relevant books and create and publish stories in languages of their choice.

This Indigenous Literacy Day, we encourage our community to take the opportunity to listen to and celebrate First Nations stories, voices and languages.

📖 Learn more and get involved through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. https://www.ilf.org.au/ild

01/09/2026

Join us for a series of Possum Skin Cloak Workshops led by Aunty Lisa Couzens.

These workshops are an opportunity for community to come together to contribute to the creation of possum skin cloaks and blankets for patients on their cancer journey or receiving palliative care. Supporting connection, comfort and cultural care.

The workshops are open to everyone, regardless of experience, and all materials will be provided. Workshop 1 in both Geelong and Colac will include an introduction to Possum Skin Cloaks, their cultural significance, and a demonstration on laying out and cutting the skins.

Geelong Region workshop 1 | Booln Booln Cultural Centre | Tuesday 15 September | 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Geelong Region workshop 2 | Norlane ARC | Tuesday 22 September | 11.30am to 2.30pm | Drop in at any time during the session

Please register your interest for catering purposes only.
Geelong registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3smJQu9nrX

Colac Region workshop 1 | Colac Makers Space | Tuesday 29 September | 11am – 1pm

Please register your interest for catering purposes only.
Colac Registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/p69DtAktCe

We welcome community members to come along, learn, connect and contribute to this meaningful project.

If you would like further information, please use the contact details below:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

or Phone 0499321345 (Project Phone)

01/09/2026

Colac Area Health is looking for two Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers (AHLOs) to join our team!

The AHLOs will play an important role in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families to access services at Colac Area Health and continue to assist in building an environment that provides culturally safe and appropriate care for the local community.

This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to improving health experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.

👉 To learn more about the roles and apply, please visit the link below! https://peopleplus.swarh.vic.gov.au/CAH/job/Colac-Aboriginal-Health-Liaison-Officer-VIC-3250/1363888766/

26/08/2026

🗣️ Speech Pathology Week 2026 💬

This year's theme, "Communication creates possibility," reflects what our speech pathologists see every day. ✨

When communication and swallowing needs are supported, people have more opportunities to connect, learn, choose, participate and thrive 🌱 — creating stronger participation, greater inclusion, and better access across health, education, disability and aged care.

🩺 Our Speech Pathology team supports both adults and children (0 years–school entry) with:
🔤 Speech sounds
🧠 Understanding language
💬 Speaking & finding the right words (incl. slurred speech, voice changes, stuttering)
📖 Reading & writing
🤝 Social communication
🍽️ Chewing & swallowing

👥 Who we care for:
👶 Children (0 yrs–school entry)
🏠 Adults living at home
🏡 Nursing home residents
🏥 Inpatients at Colac Area Health

📋 How to access our service:
Referrals can come from a GP, medical specialist, or allied health professional — or you can self-refer!

For more information call 5232 5100, or https://cah.vic.gov.au/services/speech-pathology/

Pictured our CAH Speech Pathologists, (L to R): Lauren Ryan, Emma Harkness and Sarah McKenzie

19/08/2026

❤️Yesterday, our iHEART Team travelled to Canberra with patient Keith to present iHEART at Parliament House, part of an inaugural HCF event showcasing health research to federal ministers, staffers and policymakers.

The event was a great success, spotlighting Colac Area Health's work and the value of investing in the regional health workforce. iHEART's success comes not just from technology, but from skilled clinicians embedded in regional communities — a model with real potential to scale across Australia.

We'll keep advocating for the investment needed to expand this clinician-led model across regional and rural Australia.

In Keith's words: "Without this heart health project, I wouldn't be here today."

Heart@Home is Colac Area Health's heart failure service, bringing together the iHEART specialist cardiology telehealth clinic, remote patient monitoring, and a heart failure rehabilitation program.

Your general practitioner (GP), medical specialist, in-patient medical teams or urgent care can make a referral.

Pictured (L to R): Keith and Anna George, Cardiac Clinical Nurse Consultant

17/08/2026

What a wonderful day for our community! 💙

Despite the rain, the Colac community came out in force to support the Colac Area Health Foundation’s Otways Winter Festival — and what an incredible result! 🙌

Together, $11,000 was raised for the Long Road Appeal, bringing us one step closer to a new Colac Area Health Wellbeing Centre supporting people living with cancer and complex health conditions.

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the winter weather, donated, volunteered and helped make the day such a success. This is community spirit at its best! 💫

Wow, Colac! 💫

What an incredible response — thank you for coming out on a rainy day to support the Colac Area Health Foundation’s Otways Winter Festival! 

The winter weather certainly kept things interesting, but your community spirit shone through.

Together, we raised $11,000 for the Long Road Appeal, helping us move closer to building a brand-new Colac Area Health Wellbeing Centre. This vital addition to our community will support cancer patients and people managing complex health conditions, offering programs that foster social support and connection.

If you’d like to be part of this exciting journey, please contact Ami at [email protected] for more information.