Benalla Health CEO Janine Holland shares her update highlighting the achievements of the organisation.

Benalla Health in partnership with the local community will be demonstrating again its enduring commitment to reducing family violence with the White Ribbon March on Thursday 23^rd November. This March will be Benalla’s 8^th March against Violence. We were pleased to have 700 people attend the March last year and our aim is to double that this year.

The contemporary Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) will be ready for public use in early November.  The CRC will support Benalla Health’s talented staff to deliver evidence based rehabilitation programs for people living with chronic and complex diseases. The new facility will also position Benalla Health as the provider of choice when the National Disability Insurance Scheme becomes operational in our local government area in November. We will hold a community open day to celebrate the opening of the CRC on Wednesday 29 November and to thank the community for their generous donations over the last two Annual Appeals.

In addition, the major capital works program for Morrie Evans Wing will commence in February 2018. This end result will be 16 new single rooms with ensuites. By the end of 2018, Morrie Evans Wing will have 30 single rooms with ensuites, new sitting areas, extra storage spaces and new staff offices. We are very much looking forward to continuing to provide exemplary aged care in a home like environment to support resident dignity and privacy.

Finally, Benalla Health’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22^nd November at the Lakeside Community Centre with doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Our guest speaker will be Robyn Davidson who is an Australian writer best known for her book Tracks, which details her 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of Western Australia using camels. Her travelling and writing career has spanned more than 30 years. We will also be celebrating key organisational achievements and the Staff Excellence Awards will be a new feature of this evening. Community members and all staff are very welcome to attend.

- Janine Holland

Chief Executive Officer