Bellarine Community Health (BCH) returned a modest surplus for the financial year it announced at its annual general meeting.
Excluding depreciation, capital income and gains from revaluation, a $149,000 surplus was reported, with the not-for-profit supporting almost 6000 clients across the reporting period.
Almost 28 percent of clients accessed more than one service at BCH.
Chief executive Kathy Russell said she was proud of the outcomes achieved throughout the past 12 months, which has had both challenges and opportunities.
“We cannot continue to have the impact we do in our community without ongoing financial viability, and that remains a concern for community health organisations like ours,” she said.
“We are continuing to advocate for increased investment in community health to support the record population growth on the Bellarine and escalating healthcare needs.”
Throughout the year, BCH has taken a proactive approach to advocacy, by strengthening relationships with stakeholders and participating in sector-wide initiatives through its membership of the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH) and the statewide Community Health First group. “We rely on partnerships and successful partnerships rely on relationships, trust, goodwill and a strong belief in the power of working together,” BCH board chair Fay Agterhuis said.
“Working together is how we maintain, sustain and grow as a community health service.”
The annual report was also released at the AGM, highlighting some of the achievements for the year including: the official opening of the new BCH Child, Youth and Family Hub in Kingston Estate, Ocean Grove; navigating changes under the new Aged Care Act and the transition to the Support at Home Program, Launching the ‘Nourish’ series of cooking workshops developed in partnership with Farm My School; expanding the BCH Ageing Well Hub to the Drysdale site; being finalists in the National Palliative Care Awards; celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BCH Portarlington Ladies Auxiliary; and participating in a ‘Showcase of Community Health’ at Parliament house.
The full BCH Financial and Annual Reports appears under the publications tab at bch.org.au
