Today marks one year since DHHS reported the first COVID-19 positive case in Ballarat.

This past year has included many challenges and changes that we never expected. Few people will have experienced anything like this ever before, and our community has collectively worked so incredibly hard to make it through.

Ballarat Health Services would like to sincerely thank our staff, patients, residents, clients and community for their efforts in protecting themselves and each other throughout the pandemic so far.

A year ago, we hoped for a vaccine. It seemed a world away, and today it’s incredible to think that vaccinations have already started in our community.

While this is a step in the right direction, we’re not out of the woods yet; there is the very real risk of COVID re-entering our community, particularly as we head towards winter, knowing that it thrives in cold conditions.

As vaccines begin to become available, we ask the community to please continue to behave responsibly and follow restrictions, and very seriously consider having both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines when they become available to you. These vaccines are safe, effective, and free, and they will see us through to the other side.

Thank you, Ballarat.

Dale Fraser
CEO
Ballarat Health Services