Write & Win!
Join GLCH to support mental health of our community members, this RU OK? Day – Thursday 10 September 2020
Join GLCH to support mental health of our community members, this RU OK? Day – Thursday 10 September 2020
Our community has been through drought, fires and now a pandemic. So it’s completely understandable that you may not feel OK!
This is why we’re inviting local businesses, schools, organisations and individuals to support the mental health of our community, and celebrate mateship as part of R U OK? Day, by entering a poetry/short story writing competition.
RU OK? POETRY / SHORT STORY COMPETITION, Supported by Bairnsdale Advertiser
The theme for the competition is mental health, mateship and being there for one and other during challenging times (i.e. pandemic, bushfires, drought). For adults this may mean writing about things such as who do you turn to for support, where’s your happy place, what gets you through the tough times or what keeps you sane. For the kids, it may be more about what makes them feel happy, what makes them smile, or they may like to write about their friendships or favourite people. Your entry could be a poem or a short story (no more than 1,000 words).
The best four winning entries will be published in the Bairnsdale Advertiser, Lakes Post and Snowy River Mail on Wednesday 16 September. They’ll also be shared on GLCH’s social media pages, and displayed at all five GLCH locations in Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale, Nowa Nowa, Bruthen and Metung. Plus, each winner will receive an RU OK? Prize pack containing items such as:
An AFL or soccer ball
An apron
A drawstring bag
A cap
A mug
A lapel pin
Post-it notes
HOW TO ENTER
Entries are open to all East Gippsland residents from Monday 17 August.
Submissions must be emailed to marketing@glch.org.au no later than Sunday 6 September 2020.
Your submission must also include:
- Name
- Age (if under 18 years)
- Address (for prize delivery)
- Phone number
Click HERE for full competition Terms and Conditions.

It’s totally OK, if you’re not OK
GLCH is here to support you, and to help you support your staff, family, friends and network. Now, more than ever, is the time to work together to look after each other, and ask each other “R U OK?”
It’s important to understand how to continue the conversation if someone says they are NOT OK. You can do that by watching the below video or by downloading useful resources from ruok.org.au
If you’re not feeling OK, following are some useful contacts, sourced from The Hand that Feeds You calendar.
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health offers a comprehensive range of health and wellbeing services to people who are experiencing a variety of issues and problems. Click HERE to view these services or call us on 5155 8300 to find out more.
Your GP and GP Services
If you don’t have a regular GP in Gippsland go to www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services and in the box titled “Services”, click on the option “GP (General Practice)” and then enter your postcode in the Location box below. You can also tick the box for your current locations to help the website provide the best information. Click on “Search” and a map with a list of GP options will be shown. At the bottom of the list there may be more pages with GP listings. Click on the next number to see more GP or health provider options.
Mental Health Care Plan
A GP can make a referral for support through a mental health care plan. This entitles you to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual/group appointments with a psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker in a year. Visit www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-care-plan
Other health services
- Orbost Regional Health: Call 03 5154 6666. Visit www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au
- Omeo District Health: Call 03 5159 0100. Visit http://odh.net.au
- Relationships Australia Victoria: Offers counselling for individuals, couples, families, and children. Call 1300 36 42 77. Visit: www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/services/counselling
- Headspace Bairnsdale: Confidential support services for young people aged between 12 and 25 years. Call 5141 6200 or visit www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/bairnsdale
Counselling and Support 24/7 Services
If you need help now and can’t wait for a GP appointment the following contact options are available:
- Call 000 (Emergency Services): If you or someone you knows life is in danger right now.
- NURSE-ON-CALL: 24/7 phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. Call 1300 60 60 24 or visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/nurse-on-call-service
- Mental Health Triage: Gippsland–wide, 24/7 crisis support and referral. Call 1300 36 33 22
- Lifeline: 24/7 telephone crisis support and counselling. Call 13 11 14. Visit www.lifeline.org.au/about-lifeline/contact-us
- Beyond Blue: 24/7 telephone information and support for mental health concerns. Call 1300 22 46 36. Visit www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/
- Mensline Australia: 24/7 service for men with relationship and family concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78. Visit http://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling
- Family Relationship Advice Line: Providing families with access to information about family relationship issues. Call 1800 050 321. Visit www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line
- 1800RESPECT: 24/7 phone service that provides counselling for sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au
- Maternal and Child Health Line: 24/7 state-wide telephone service, that works alongside the Maternal and Child Health Service and is staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses. Call: 13 22 29. Visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/maternal-and-child-health-line-service
- Suicide Call Back Service: Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. Call 1300 65 94 67 or visit www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Bush Nursing Centres
- Swifts Creek: 03 5159 4210
- Ensay: 03 5157 3215
- Buchan: 03 5155 9222
- Gelantipy: 03 5155 0274
- Cann River: 03 5158 6274
Mallacoota District Health & Support Service Inc: Call 03 5158 0243
Drug and Alcohol 24/7 Services
- DirectLine: Confidential Drug and Alcohol support line Victoria. Call 1800 88 82 36 or visit www.directline.org.au
- Family Drug Support Australia: Call 1300 36 81 86. Visit www.fds.org.au
Other Counselling and Support Services
- Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE): Free support, referral and information for Victorian women. Call 1300 134 130 or visit www.wire.org.au
- Men’s Referral Service (VIC): Monday to Friday 8am-9pm, Weekends 9am-5pm. Call 1300 76 64 91 or visit www.ntv.org.au/get-help
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service. Call 1800 01 51 88. Visit www.safesteps.org.au
- ParentLine Victoria: This is a confidential telephone helpline that offers information and counselling about parenting and relationship issues. Call 13 22 89. Visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service
- Suicide Line: If you are based in Victoria Australia and need support call the counselling team now. Call 1300 651 251 or visit www.suicideline.org.au
Financial Services
- Rural Financial Counselling Services: Visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance/rural-financial-counselling-service/vic then call your preferred regional provider as detailed on the website list of Financial counsellors.