The outstanding local success in containing the Caronavirus pandemic can be attributed in no small part to the initiative, professionalism and hard work of Central Highlands Rural Health through its five locations in Daylesford, Kyneton, Creswick, Trentham and Clunes. Please consider offering a tax-deductible donation to Central Highlands Rural Health.

In just a few short months, the service created two new Respiratory Assessment Clinics to provide local residents with free Covid-19 screenings. In a true community partnership, construction of both facilities was supported by many local building suppliers and tradies, who generously donated their products and services. This allowed the community to quickly receive what soon became a truly essential local service.

The clinics conducted asymptomatic screening to school teachers, health care workers and aged care residents and now offers symptomatic testing to community members. The importance of constant vigilance remains, particularly as the region opens its doors once again to tourists visiting from other areas.

Indicative of the expertise throughout the health service is its Infection Control Manager Erin Lowe, who has previously worked against the Ebola virus outbreak in west Africa. High on Erin’s wish list is the ability to further increase the staffing capacity of our local Coronavirus screening clinics and to purchase equipment to more efficiently screen visitors and staff visiting all our campuses to protect our community and staff.

Accordingly, we now ask the wider community to help us to maintain our enviable local safety record. Please consider offering a tax-deductible donation to Central Highlands Rural Health.