Healthy turnout for open house

Dozens of community members took the opportunity to view the newly renovated and extended Drysdale Community Health Centre at an Open House last week.
Up to 50 local residents, clients and interested community members got their first look inside the recently finished building.
The centre has re-opened for client appointments after being closed for eight months while the extensive renovation works were carried out.
Bellarine Community Health Board Chair Hazel Ingram said visitors took in the modern new waiting areas as well as new clinical spaces and the extended ground floor activity room.
“Some energetic members of our wonderful Mobility Plus exercise group put on a demonstration in the activity room to showcase their program to the public,” said Ms Ingram.
“We also used the Open House as an opportunity to seek community input for the design of the outdoor space at the Drysdale site which we want to be multifunctional.”
Bellarine Community Health is working with the Kevin Heinze Grow organisation which focuses on designs that promote the benefits of horticulture based therapy. Concept plans include a mobility assessment area and a sensory garden for adults and children.
The outdoor space will remain known as the Joan Falahey memorial garden in commemoration of the first Bush Nurse at the Drysdale Community Health Centre.
The Drysdale Community Health Centre is home to many services including specialty children’s services such as physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy and dietetics.
An extensive program of services is also available for older clients including physical and planned activity groups, physiotherapy, podiatry and counselling.
The $1.7 million dollar renovation was completed within eight months by local construction company Lyons. The building will be officially opened later this month.