Staff News January - 2026

STAFF

STAFF

STAFF

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

NCN HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN

Thank you to our staff and community for your input into the NCN Health 5 year Strategic Plan. The plan is now sitting with the Department of Health (Vic) while we await formal endorsement, which should be within the month. Once finalised it will be available to all staff.

It’s important to remember that this is only the first step. The plan isn’t a static document — it’s a living guide that will continue to evolve as our services, our communities and our workforce change. Over the next five years, we’ll keep revisiting, reviewing and testing the plan to make sure it remains relevant and aligned with our goals. Your insights and involvement will be key to keeping the plan meaningful, practical and responsive to the needs of our organisation and the communities we serve.

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY TRANSPORT PROGRAM

As staff would know NCN Health were provided funding by the Minister for Health to support planning for a new day-stay dialysis unit and same-day cancer care service at NCN Health Cobram. This work is currently underway, with no significant updates to report.

We were also provided with a one-off grant to purchase two dedicated patient transport vehicles to make it easier for people to travel safely and comfortably to their appointments, while the new facility is planned for As a result, two Subaru Forester Vehicles have been purchased and we are in the process of standing up a Community Transport Program, to be run by NCN Health in partnership with volunteer drivers. This exciting initiative is in its very early stages, however, I look forward to sharing updates as the planning progresses

SUMMER STAFF FORUMS

The Summer Staff Forums are scheduled for:

Numurkah, Tuesday Feb 24, 3pm, Nathalia, Thursday Feb 26, 2pm and Cobram, Tuesday March 3, 3pm.

These are in the campus main meeting room, or via teams and you would have received an email invitation. These information meetings are voluntary and an opportunity for staff to find out what is happening around NCN Health and bring any questions, concerns, comments directly to myself, the CEO

PEOPLE MATTER SURVEY

Everyone’s favourite survey is back again in 2026 – The People Matter Survey kicks off from March 10 to April 2. Please take the time to have your say, it is confidential and we use the results to shape our workplace priorities, strengthen our culture, and improve the way we operate

Mark Ashcroft NCN Health CEO

POLICIES OF THE MONTH

Each month we will be highlighting three important policies that staff need to be aware of. This month we have:

Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment NCN

Grievance Resolution NCN

Psychosocial Hazards and Psychological Health

Management

These policies can all be found on PROMPT. Please familiarise yourself with these documents. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your manager or the Quality Team ncnquality@ncnhealth.org.au

Numurkah Pioneer Lodge Update

Early preparation works were completed at Hurley Court last year. This is the site for the new residential aged care, set to replace Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge.

The tender process has closed and the successful builder will be announced in March or April. An internal Project Control Group has been established and their first meeting is set for the end of February. This group, which includes three consumer representatives, will be working towards bringing the ‘new Lodge’ to life, ensuring a compliant and confident workplace, safe and comfortable home while maintaining strong community connections for residents and staff.

We look forward to introducing this Project Control Group, together with the consumer representatives in the February Newsletter.

Welcome - Allied Health and Chronic Disease

Manager - Bruce Gilmore

welcome Bruce Gilmore - Manager Allied Health and Chronic Disease.

Bruce comes to NCN Health with a background in Physiotherapy, having extensive experience in both public and private practice and most recently as Manager of a large team of Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists in a regional health service

Bruce will commence in the role on 2 March and will be initially spending time getting to know the team our services and our communities Please give him a warm

Angela Mitchell

Jacqueline Patten

Azeez Tiamiyu

Ingrid O’Brian

Ellen Minotti

Emma Slee

REACH HAS LAUNCHED!

NCN Health along with partner health services in the Hume Region have now rolled out the new REACH process.

REACH encourages patients to advocate for their health care and speak up if they are concerned about their own care or the care of their loved ones.

REACH stands for:

Recognise – You notice a worrying change

Engage – Talk to the nurse or doctor

Act – Ask for a clinical review if you’re still concerned

Call – Call the hospital’s REACH number to escalate your concerns

Help – A senior health worker will respond

REACH supports partnerships between patients, carers and health workers to ensure concerns are heard and acted upon.

OutlookAdding a shared Mailbox to Webmail

I NEED TO ACCESS DIFFERENT MAILBOXES.

HOW DO I DO THIS?

1.Open the web app, either by finding it on the intranet or via the staff login on the NCN Health website.

2. Locate the three ... next to folders and click. You will get the options to the side.

3. Click add shared folder or mailbox, search for the mailbox you are wanting to add, select it and click continue.

4. If you have permission to that mailbox, you will get the following message.

5. Click close and exit the window, the mailbox will now be visible below your main inbox on the lefthand side. Expand it by click the arrow in front of the name.

SERVICE AWARDS

Elisha Penman - Education

Brooke Clurey - Education

Dawn Hawkins- Environmental Services Nathalia

ICT REQUESTS

TO SUBMIT AN ICT REQUEST TO HRHA

PLEASE USE THESE DETAILS:

Email: Service.Desk@hrha.org.au

Phone: (Internal) *4742

Phone: (External) (03) 5825 9990

Please alert your direct manager if you feel the request needs escalating. They will escalate to the Business Services Manager if required for escalation with HRHA. In this instance you will need to give your manager and the Business Services Manager the job number associated with your IT issue.

REWARD AND RECOGNITION

DECEMBER AND JANUARY

JENNY JACKSON- LEARNING AND DEVLOPMENT OFFICER

Jenny is new to the P&C and I think she has settled in nicely. Jenny has been a great help during the uniform Boxing Day sale, selling many items to staff across different departments. Thank you for your help and positive attitude !

SUE LIEBE- COUNSELLER

IRVIN HOUSE TEAM

I would like to recognise the entire Irvin House Team for the outstanding way they lived our organisational values during an unexpected challenge. On a day when we were short staff due to unplanned leave, every team member - from Nursing to Environmental Services to Laundry - immediately stepped in to ensure our residents’ needs were fully met The team worked together to prepare and serve breakfast, morning tea, and lunch, as well as manage the dishes and cleaning. They did all of this willingly and with a positive attitude, a smile on their face showing genuine care and respect for our residents This collective effort demonstrated exceptional accountability, seamless partnership, and a strong commitment to putting residents first Their teamwork ensured that residents experienced no disruption to their day, and the support they provided to one another was inspiring. Thank you to the Irvin House Team! Your dedication and positivity are very much appreciated.

Graduate Nurses 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Graduate Nurses including 9 RNs and 2 ENs.

Over the next 12 months they will be rotating through acute, aged care and district nursing across all 3 campuses. Welcome to NCN Health, we are all looking forward to working with you.

ZDENA- 100 CELEBRATION AND LIFE STORY TH

Congratulations to Numurkah Pioneer Memorial Lodge Resident, Zdena Cykner who celebrated her 100 birthday at The Lodge surrounded by family and friends in January. th To mark the occasion, Zdena’s son, and only child, Paul, shared her remarkable life story.

Zdena enjoyed a happy childhood in a small village in Czechoslovakia called, Kročehlavy (now swallowed by Kladno, a 20-minute drive from Prague) Her father encouraged her to continue ballet as part of her formal education via the “Gymnasium”, this was thought to be a path direct to University

During WW2, the neighbouring village Lidice was razed and her high school was closed and used to ‘process’ the village occupants. Zdena became a secretary in the Steelworks at the age of appox14

Zdena embarked on an adventurous escape into Germany in 1948 with childhood sweetheart, Vladimir They were processed in a German refugee asylum to Switzerland. He was fortunate to gain a scholarship for university studies and Zdena became a translator for the nascent United Nations in Geneva

Their son Paul was born in 1949 and the young family arrived in Melbourne on Cup Day 1950, temporarily residing in Bonegilla.

Refugees to Australia at that time had to repay passage by working in heavy industry or government employment. Zdena began work in a commercial bakery in Carlton, carrying heavy trays of lamingtons, vanilla slices and other delights to and from the ovens, preparation benches and cooling racks

The family became Australian citizens at a naturalisation ceremony in Collingwood Town Hall in 1956, the year of the Melbourne Olympics

They moved to Port Fairy in 1958, where Zdena developed a love of cats, gardening, and volunteering at Port Fairy Hospital - her dedication shaped in part by her husband’s diagnosis with a rare and aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease

When the family left Port Fairy 17 years later, she was honoured with Life Membership of the Hospital Auxiliary in recognition of her commitment and service.

A new home in Boronia, close to GlaxoAllenbuury’s was purchased with the help of the company Vladimir worked for, situated close to his former manager This was a significant mark of respect for the new “Orstralian” couple as they were known. Here Zdena found another passion, joining the local choir.

Zdena nursed her husband for 7 years, in his final two years, Vladimir was paralysed and unable to talk. The Red Cross organised a roster of people to lift him out of bed before breakfast into his wheelchair and into bed at night

A month after he died, Zdena was so run down that she needed to go to the doctor. When crossing the road to the surgery, she was hit by a speeding car which flung her two metres high onto the road in its wake There were at least half a dozen witnesses Zdena, being made of stern stuff, was discharged with hairline fractures in her spine, multiple bruises but no other discernible injury. She refused to press charges against the driver, also named Vladimir He was a single-family friend (who escaped Czechoslovakia in 68)

Vladimir (#2) became a supportive partner to Zdena and the two spent time travelling together When Vladimir retired, they pooled their money and built their dream house in Yea, where Zdena’s gardening skills were challenged with landscaping on the steep property

Unfortunately, Vladimir developed numerous serious health conditions linked to long-term smoking, including respiratory illness, cancer, diabetes, and vision loss Zdena naturally stepped into a caregiving role, supporting him through the last ten years of his life Vladimir spent his last year at The Lodge

Around this time Zdena was adopted by her most special feline; Oscar, who lovingly, fearlessly, followed her everywhere - they shared many interesting experiences and adventures, garnering her the title of “Cat Lady”

As time moved on Zdena decided the The Lodge was the place that was most suited to support her health and wellbeing needs

She says as a resident she felt valued and respected and her gardening knowledge was acknowledged when she was invited to provide input on the proposed kitchen garden planned for Karinya Nursing Home

Zdena shares that while she is not as active as when she arrived at The Lodge nearly 12 years ago, she still feels very valued and love by everyone.

SomethingtoSmileAbout DentalCareClosertoHome

Cobram Dental Clinic Manager

Stephanie Veal said the new equipment would greatly improve access to dental care for local patients.

NCN Health Cobram has recently installed an OPG (Orthopantomogram) machine, delivering a major boost to our local dental services and making care more accessible for the community.

An OPG machine provides specialised panoramic dental Xrays that are essential for diagnosing and planning a wide range of dental treatments. With this technology now available on site, patients attending the Cobram Dental Clinic can access this imaging locally and bulk billed, removing the need to travel outside the region for the service.

Having this service available in Cobram means faster diagnosis, while making it easier for local residents to obtain care, particularly families, the elderly and those with limited transport options. This investment reflects NCN’s commitment to ensuring the community can access high-quality services close to home.

Staff are currently undergoing training on using the new machine, we look forward to sharing when it is operational.

EVERYSTICHTELLS ASTORY

Talented staff member Sandy Sier created this fabulous quilt for residents and staff of The Lodge - Look closely, there is so much to see!

KARINYA CHRISTMAS PARTY

The residents and families enjoyed a lovely celebration in Karinya for Christmas. Thank you to Teruko and all the staff that attended and organised the food and entertainment.

HEAT WAVE ACTIVITIES

The Karinya men enjoyed a takeaway lunch of Fish and Chips as it was too hot to go out. Bus driver Tim stayed in and had a chat with Brian, Ian, John, Stan, Michael and Eric.

Residents enjoy their cooked breakfast once a month... but nothing beats homemade pasta with fresh ingredients.

We would love a representative from each department to come onboard and join the committee. Help us grow in the right direction �� Including more staff on the committee from Nathalia and Cobram to help in this process.

What does the Social Club Committee do?

Help organise social events for staff

You are wondering what the committee commitment is?

Attend bimonthly meeting (usually go for about an hour) on a Monday in the evening every two months.

What about, if I wish to become a social club member only, what are the benefits of becoming a member (if currently not a Social Club member)?

Social Club costs you $5 per fortnight and currently offers the following;

• One entry into the monthly Billy Barrell monthly $30 draw

• Free or discounted tickets to social club events

• Free or discounted ticket to the NCN Health Club Christmas Party! Scheduled for November 21, 2025.

What do I need to do to become a member? Fill out an Authority to Deduct Form and email the completed form to NCN Payroll –

A newsletter is a periodical publication, which can either be printed or published electronically It is issued regularly, usually every week or every month, and it contains a variety of content. This can include articles, stories, photographs, and advertisements.

Dental Discount for NCN Health staff located at Nathalia and Numurkah

10%

Staff must be in uniform or show their Staff ID Photo Card at the time of the appointment to receive the discount.

Can only be used at the Numurkah practice. No discounts will be given post appointment

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Who Leads Safety?

OHS Team

coach, train, advise and monitor but they can’t do it alone

Managers and delegates lead, Employees embrace,

HSR’s advocate

Demonstrate a positive attitude towards safety and lead by example Compliance with WorkSafe visits and implementing corrective actions

Support a workplace to be free of hazards including psychosocial hazards

Provide employees with a safe platform to report hazards

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others, while complying with employer safety instructions, policies, and procedures.

Report hazards

Represent members of the DWG concerning health and safety matters

Consult between employees and management

Attend OHS meetings

Monthly inspections

Guides, advises and monitors legislative compliance

Facilitate training

Risk specialist

Ensures safety standards are implemented

Policy/procedure development

Internal auditing

Injury management/Return To Work

Facilitate WorkSafe enquiries / investigation

Staff who are interested in creating and promoting Staff Wellbeing programs, events and initiatives across NCN Health. Meetings are held bi monthly and we welcome all new ideas. Bi-monthly meetings.

ECHO - Workplace Wellbeing online seminar.

ncncommunications@ncnhealth. org.au for more info.

Numurkah Summer Staff Forum 3pm meeting room.

Nathalia Summer Staff Forum 2pm Harbison Room

People Matter Survey Opens A