MAP is a program to support people from multicultural backgrounds to access primary healthcare services at no cost. Ballarat Community Health in partnership with BRMC (Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council) offer Multicultural Health Clinics, held at Ballarat Welcome Centre, 25/39 Barkly St, Bakery Hill.
HAP is a program providing support to those experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The program provides access to a nurse at no cost to support people with their health and wellbeing needs.
Ballarat Community Health in partnership with Uniting Vic.Tas offer a Health Clinic, held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 12.30pm at Uniting Drop in Centre, 101 Albert Street, Ballarat. This is a free service.
Nurse Led Health Clinic
Health checks
Vaccinations
Support with making and attending appointments
Assistance accessing other services (including making referrals)
Podiatry (monthly additional clinic)
GPs and Healthcare Providers can refer into the program. Fax 5336 1613 or email [email protected]
Ballarat offers a wide range of food relief services to support individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity.
From emergency food parcels and hot meals to low-cost groceries and community lunches, local organisations such as the Salvation Army, Uniting Ballarat, Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul, and Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre provide essential assistance across the region.
The Ballarat Community Food Centre, operated by Foodbank Victoria, further strengthens this support network by distributing fresh and healthy food to local agencies, offering food education programs, and running a community supermarket for students and residents in need.
Together, these services ensure that no one in Ballarat goes hungry and that everyone has access to nutritious food and compassionate care.
Ballarat food relief, social connections and other resources. Compiled by the Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth (IHSHY), Ballarat Community Health December 2025.
Details may change without notice, contact organisation to confirm they are open and have food. Updated 26/11/25.
Elder abuse is any mistreatment of an older person by another person with whom they have a relationship of trust. Often that person is a family member or carer, but could also be a friend or neighbour who they depend upon.
The abuse can be financial, psychological, emotional, physical or sexual, or could involve social isolation or neglect of the older person.
Contact
If you’re interested in booking a session or presentation on Elder Abuse for your organisation, club or group you can make an email enquiry.
In May 2017 the Victorian Government launched the ‘Free from violence strategy’ to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women. Although the strategy is primarily focused on violence against women, it acknowledges that elder abuse affects both older men and women, can be perpetrated by both men and women with whom the older person has formed a relationship of trust, such as a son, daughter, close friend or partner. It is through this strategy that Ballarat Community Health received funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for a project to coordinate a regional Elder Abuse Prevention Network.
The Central Highlands Elder Abuse Prevention Network (CHEAPN) aims to reduce the incidence of elder abuse in the Central Highlands region. It achieves this by further expanding the CHEAPN and supporting organisations and community groups in primary prevention activities to stop elder abuse before it starts, in line with the Victorian Government’s ‘Free from violence’ strategy. The network targets six local government areas in the Central Highlands and Grampians region (Ararat, Ballarat Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees).
The project is supported by the peak body Seniors Rights Victoria, which provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. Seniors Rights Victoria also provides leadership on policy and law reform and works with other organisations to raise awareness of elder abuse.
The network includes over 30 organisations and community groups that have committed to taking action against elder abuse.
Why this happens, why this is important
Prevention of elder abuse is important given the rising number of older people in Australia, lack of reporting, difficulty in resolving problems once they happen and damage to family relationships that can occur.
Tackling the drivers of elder abuse requires addressing ageism and other forms of potential disadvantage, such as cultural and linguistic difference, disability, racism and sexual orientation, as well as gender equality.
What to do if you are concerned that someone is experiencing elder abuse
Talk to the person you are concerned about. Invite them to talk in a place where they are alone and safe.
Listen to the person. Offer them your time and your support and respect their right to make their own decisions.
Remind them they are not to blame and that everyone has the right to live in safety and be treated with dignity and respect.
Let them know that help is available and offer to assist them in getting the necessary support if and when they are ready to do so.
Encourage them to call Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 for advice and assistance. If they are unable to call but you know they want to speak to someone, you can call on their behalf and Seniors Rights Victoria will arrange a way to speak to them by phone, at their offices or, if necessary, at the older person’s home.
Continue to offer support and encouragement even if the person is not ready to accept help at this point in time.
If there is an immediate risk of physical harm or damage to the older person’s property call the police on 000.
The police can help in a number of ways, including removing the abuser and/or applying for an Intervention Order on the older person’s behalf. This is a court document that will help protect the older person against further violence.
Interactive sessions for your club or organisation
Recognising and Responding Training
A training presentation for organisations that employ older people or offer local programs and supports for older people.
Elder Abuse Services brochure. If you believe you or someone you know are experiencing elder abuse, your GP, or any of this resource can help and provide advice.
These guidelines will provide support for handling disclosures that may occur while undertakingactivities that contribute to the work of the Central Highlands Elder Abuse Prevention Network(CHEAPN). It focuses on disclosures that relate to older people’s health and wellbeing, in particularexperiences of violence against older people.
Speech pathologists at Ballarat Community Health work closely with parents and carers to help support a child’s growth and development in all areas of communication.
Ballarat Community Health accept referrals for children between the ages of 2 – 8 years. We are able to assess and treat the following areas
Speech – Speech sounds and how a child can be understood by others in conversation.
Language – The understanding of concepts, following directions, listening, telling stories, and being able to communicate their needs and wants.
Social skills – The use of communication skills in social situations.
Stuttering – When a child is repeating sounds, words, or phrases during conversation.
Ballarat community Health can assist children and families of all abilities in a supportive and neurodiversity-affirming environment.
Speech pathology services are offered at the Ballarat Community Health Lucas site.
We encourage all children to have a hearing test. For further information on how to arrange a hearing test please discuss with your GP. For more information , contact our customer service team on (03) 5338 4500.
Foot and leg pain should not be a part of your daily life and can unnecessarily impair your mobility and health. A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
Caring for the health of your feet begins at any age—the earlier the better! Early detection and management in babies and children can help reduce foot problems in later life. Ballarat Community Health podiatrists are located at the BCH Lucas, Wendouree, Sebastopol and Smythesdale sites.
They provide professional and affordable footcare for all ages, with service prioritised for individuals on a healthcare card or pension. They can help with
sore or aching feet
gait analysis and orthoses (support wear for feet and lower limbs, like orthotics, braces, splints, etc.)
Physiotherapy is for more than just back pain. Physios can help with chronic disease, injury management and prevention, general pain, headaches—and much, much more. It has been found that physiotherapy is more effective in treating various conditions and injuries than either surgery or medication, so it’s important to see if a physio can help you with your condition.
BCH physiotherapists (physios) can help with sore body parts and limbs, dizziness and headaches, chronic conditions, post-surgery rehabilitation, and much more. Physiotherapy services are available to all people, including frail older people and people with disabilities.
Our physiotherapists will work with you to restore your function and independence. They aim to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life, utilising treatment techniques such as manual therapy, exercise and education, as well as guiding you toward self-management. Our physiotherapists treat conditions such as
back and neck pain
chronic conditions such as arthritis
post-surgery (eg, knee and hip replacements, shoulder surgery)
general joint and muscle pain/injury or weakness
reduced mobility
dizziness caused by conditions such as BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) as well as other conditions contributing to dizziness.
We also provide children’s physiotherapy services, which can help your child to improve
motor development
strength
range of motion
endurance
gait difficulties
balance
coordination
delayed motor development.
Ballarat Community Health has qualified physiotherapists practicing at Lucas, Sebastopol and Wendouree.
Along with general outpatient treatment, there are several new and continuing programs available, including pole walking and the stroke group.
A referral may be required to access this service. An initial assessment is 60 minutes and a review is typically 30 minutes.
Looking to improve the way you eat? Manage or prevent diabetes? Just feel healthier? Our BCH dietitians are here to support. Healthy eating and nutrition have long been considered one of the cornerstones of human wellbeing, but it’s not always simple in practise.
The dietitians at Ballarat Community Health work within a multidisciplinary team to help you to understand the relationship between food and health.
Our team can offer evidence based, non-judgemental support with food and eating, working with you to help meet your needs and support your goals.
All dietitians employed at BCH are accredited practising dietitians (APDs) and offer a range of support in many different areas, including
general nutrition and healthy eating
diabetes and prevention of diabetes
heart health, cholesterol and high blood pressure
assistance to manage gout through diet
fussy or selective eating
improving your relationship with food
body image concerns
nutrition for pregnancy and breastfeeding
nutrition for healthy ageing
stomach and gut issues
food intolerance and allergy
vegetarian and vegan eating
loss of strength or energy
vitamin and mineral deficiencies
confusion about popular diets.
Carmen Goldsborough
Carmen is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Credentialed Diabetes Educator working primarily within her area of expertise, Diabetes. Carmen is keen to support people living with diabetes to achieve their health goals.
As a DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) facilitator Carmen can support people living with Type 1 Diabetes with carbohydrate counting, managing exercise and insulin dose adjustment.
You can find Carmen at our Wendouree (Howitt St) and Sebastopol sites.
Zoe McCuskey
Zoe is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. She has a passion for making nutrition information easy to digest and facilitating positive relationships with food.
In addition to practicing with a non-diet approach, Zoe can help you with a range of food and nutrition related concerns such as; diabetes, heart and gastrointestinal health, malnutrition and disordered eating.
You can find Zoe at our Lucas, Sebastopol, Howitt St & headspace Ballarat sites.
Felicity Robinson
Felicity is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. In addition to a special interest in gastrointestinal health, she sees people with diabetes, high cholesterol, malnutrition and for general healthy eating.
Felicity is a certified LIFE! facilitator and runs regular groups for diabetes, stroke and heart disease prevention. You can find Felicity at our Wendouree (Howitt St) and Sebastopol sites.
Elaine Donovan
Elaine is an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Elaine enjoys working with clients to achieve their nutrition related health goals particularly in the areas of digestive health, heart health, diabetes and malnutrition. Elaine is trained in the Low FODMAP Diet Approach.
You can find Elaine at our Lucas and Sebastopol sites
Jane Martin
Jane is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. She can help you with a range of nutrition concerns such as heart health, diabetes, malnutrition, and general healthy eating. Jane also has a strong interest in gut health, helping people form a positive relationship with food, and empowering people to make better and informed choices with their food and nutrition.
You can find Jane at our Lucas and Sebastopol sites.
The aim is for you to feel better supported in managing and understanding your heart condition and recovery. Being a group program, it also provides peer support with others who have experienced similar heart events.
Where?
You have the option to attend the program at Lucas or Sebastopol.
What to Expect?
You will attend a 90minute initial assessment with a cardiac nurse and exercise physiologist. This is then followed by seven weeks of twice weekly exercise and weekly education sessions. Your program can be tailored around work/personal commitments where possible. Family members are encouraged to attend education sessions with you.
What does the program offer?
Education sessions are facilitated by qualified professionals including Cardiac Nurse, Dietitian, Counsellor, Pharmacist, Exercise Physiologist and Ambulance Victoria.
Your exercise program is adapted according to your heart condition and recovery post heart event.
Are You Eligible?
Have you experienced within the last 12 months
a heart attack
heart stents
heart bypass surgery
angina
surgery or treatment on the valves of the heart
controlled heart rhythms such as Atrial Fibrillation
placement of a pacemaker
controlled heart failure conditions
High risk of cardiovascular disease
How can the Program Help Me?
better understand your heart condition
learn about your medications
understand your risk factors & how to manage them
create a healthier lifestyle
return to normal activities and or work
figure out what to do in an emergency.
Cost?
There is a small cost per session however a fee waiver can be offered if experiencing financial hardship (enquire for further information).
How Can I Access the Program?
You can get a referral from your GP, Cardiologist or you can self-refer. For more information contact us on (03) 5338 4500
The Cardiac Health Program is a professionally supervised 8 week exercise program in a well-equipped gym. Heart health education is also delivered to improve outcomes for people who have had a heart event.
If you or someone you know is living with Hepatitis C, Ballarat Community Health offers a supportive and confidential nurse-led service to help you through testing, treatment, and recovery.
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that affects your liver. Without medicine to treat it, hepatitis C can cause liver disease and liver cancer. There is now a cure for hepatitis C that works really well.
Free Testing Clinics
Regular clinics are available for Hepatitis C testing, request a call back from our nurse
Personalised Support, our Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse works with clients across the Grampians region
We help connect you with effective treatments that cure over 95% of chronic Hepatitis C cases
FibroScan Services, non-invasive liver scans are available throughout the year at Ballarat Community Health and other regional locations (GP referral required)
