Tom’s LHAC chat

Chair Lynda Barclay with Deniliquin LHAC members Louise Mace, Lourene Liebenberg and Rachelle Austin celebrating their success at MPHN’s 2024 Primary Healthcare Awards.

I was very pleased to attend my first MPHN Primary Healthcare Awards night. It was great evening that recognised the impressive work that is being undertaken within our communities for our communities. Congratulations to the Deniliquin LHAC for winning the Promoting Healthy Living Award with Health in Your Hands and for being highly commended in the Murrumbidgee Community Grant of the Year category for Healthier Together in Deni. 

Another highlight of the past month was attending the first combined LHAC chair sector meeting. The meeting was well attended, and each sector held robust discussions regarding the Murrumbidgee Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Alcohol and Other Drugs Joint Regional Plan. Thanks to all the chairs for your willingness to give the new format a go and for your patience whilst we continue to strive for improvement. It would be great if each LHAC could spend some time talking about what themes they would like to discuss in next year’s sector meetings. The theme for our first sector meeting next year will be Aged Care. 

Two new items have been added to the LHAC resources website. One of the items is the updated LHAC agenda template and the other is the 2024 LHAC year in review template. https://mphn.org.au/lhac-resources  

In 2025 representatives from MPHN and MLHD will be travelling to each of the LHACs to discuss the newly updated Health Needs Assessments for each of your Local Government Areas. The aim of these planning sessions is to prioritise and begin planning goals for the 2025/26 period. 

Please note their will not be an LHAC update provided for January due to LHACs not meeting during this month. The next LHAC update will be provided towards the end of January ready for February.  

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a fantastic holiday period and thank you all for your great work over the last 12 months. 

Thanks for the chat, 

Tom.