Health expo coming to town

Council communities director Jo Bradshaw said the purpose of the expo was to provide information about the services on offer for residents, particularly post-floods.

“It is aiming to increase the awareness of community services,” she said.

“It is significant for those people who have been flood-affected to provide them more knowledge of what services and programs they might find beneficial.”

The keynote speaker is Narelle Fraser, a former member of Victoria Police for 27 years, where she spent a significant part of her career investigating child abuse and sex offences.

In 2012, she was diagnosed with PTSD and became a metal health advocate, sharing her story at events as well as through her true-crime podcast, Narelle Fraser Interviews.

There will also be panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions from four of the five health domains.

“In getting feedback, and looking at what people have been asking for questions and support on, that’s why those areas have been chosen,” Ms Bradshaw said.

“The thought was, we can bring everyone together in an expo format rather than people needing to go here, there and everywhere or go to several different workshops and information sessions.

“It’s a one-stop place where you can access all of those things in one space.”

Council has looked at including exhibitors from a range of organisations to provide varied support. This includes REDHS, Rural Aid Australia, headspace, Arc Justice and SR Health.

Ms Bradshaw said she was confident there would be services on offer that interested everybody, and that the expo format would make it more accessible for people to reach out for assistance.

“There will be something for everyone,” Ms Bradshaw said.

“For those people who are reluctant to access services, it’s a bit of a nicer space instead, rather than having to come in one-on-one and ask for help.

“There’s information they can learn from the panels without having to identify themselves as needing some help, as well as information on tables and exhibitors.”

The event fits in to the Rochester Active August initiative, where residents are encouraged to prioritise their health and get active.

Rochester Lions Club will be providing a barbecue after its souvlaki success at July’s community barbecue, with the support of Rochester Fish and Chip Shop’s Tony Roudis.

For more information, including the full list of exhibitors, head to the event listing on the Campaspe Shire Council website or contact council on 1300 666 535.

Panel discussion schedule:

Rochester Town Hall is located at 45 MacKay St, Rochester.