BCH Annual General Meeting

The Bellarine Community Health Ltd (BCH) Annual General Meeting has been held with financial members informed the Company has recorded an operating surplus for the financial year. The overall financial result for 2021/2022 is $632 K (before capital income and depreciation).

“We are pleased to report that BCH is successfully implementing its turnaround strategy, despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on recruitment and service delivery,” said BCH Board Chair Fay Agterhuis.

“The Board, Executive and staff are committed to improving all aspects of our business and delivering outstanding health care to people on the Bellarine.”

BCH also reported on the ongoing impact on capital works projects because of COVID-19 and the increase in construction costs of more than 20% because of the pandemic. Building tenders for the redevelopment of the Portarlington site came in significantly higher than expected, forcing time delays and the scope of the work to be stripped back. A builder was appointed in November 2021 with demolition of the northern section of the building occurring in March 2022. Completion is expected in January 2023.

Highlights for the financial year included:

Developing a new Strategic Plan 2022-2025 for the Company following extensive consultation with community, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders
Partnering with Retirement Village operator Sirovilla to renovate and reopen the Eric Tolliday independent living units at the Point Lonsdale site
Forming an alliance with 10 other regional Community Health Services to advocate for the status of community health within the Victorian health sector
Establishing the first Youth Guerrilla Garden project on the Bellarine
Officially opening the headspace Ocean Grove satellite which was established in August 2021

You can view the BCH 2021- 2022 Annual Report here.

BCH Annual General Meeting