The boards of community health services in Castlemaine and the Macedon Ranges have today announced merger talks.
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Castlemaine District Community Health chief executive officer Anne Bates said the move join with neighbouring Cobaw Community Health was an effort for her organisation to find long-term sustainability.
The Castlemaine service is the smallest in Victoria and a merger would mean more services for the Mount Alexander Shire, Ms Bates said.
“We share the same vision and purpose in serving geographically similar rural communities and recognising the diversity within them,” said Ms Bates.
Cobaw CEO Margaret McDonald said a combined the organisations could attract more funding to the region if combined.
“In the future it means having greater opportunities to grow, adapt and meet the emerging needs of local communities as they change, including being able to deliver NDIS services across our region,” Ms McDonald said.
"It’s a story of neighbours becoming good friends.”
The two organisations already collaborate on a youth program and volunteer service.
But it was “business as usual” while the boards consulted with their staff, stakeholders and the wider community, Ms McDonald said.
It is not the first time Cobaw has entered merger talks, having floated an amalgamation with Bendigo Community Health Services in May 2014.
Those discussions were abandoned one year later when the Macedon Ranges-based organisation secured funding for several of its services.
Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
