Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) will launch a commemorative history book at its 50th anniversary celebrations this Saturday, October 11.
The book captures the organisation’s growth from a small community health centre to one of East Gippsland’s most trusted healthcare providers, charting five decades of innovation, advocacy and care, beginning in 1975.
Half a Century of Community Health will be available to read at a celebration this Saturday, with everyone invited to the GLCH Jemmeson Street site from 11am, where historical displays and family activities are taking place.
In the 70s, Lakes Entrance residents had pushed for a 12-bed hospital, but a new federal initiative championed by the Whitlam Government and funded by both federal and state governments supported the creation of community health centres across rural Victoria. Lakes Entrance was among the first.
Former manager and secretary, Ian Wolstencroft, who led the centre in its
formative years, provided
the book’s foreword.
“It’s remarkable to reflect on the 50 years that have passed since the Lakes Entrance Community Health Centre first opened its doors,” he said.
“Looking back now, after five decades of success under what is today known as Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, I believe the government made the right decision in establishing a community-based, non-inpatient service.”
The book also highlights the enduring relevance of community health. GLCH chief executive officer Anne-Maree Kaser, writing in the book’s introduction, said that investment in community health remains a priority and a responsibility.
“Community health is not just a model of care; it’s a philosophy of equity, inclusion and resilience. It’s prevention and early intervention. Very often, our staff walk with people through some of their most difficult experiences.”
Book researcher and writer Susan Scarr, who spent a year gathering stories, interviewing past and present staff, and piecing together the organisation’s history, said the project has been one of the highlights of her career.
“We really were pioneers; there was only one other community health centre at the time and that was in Queenscliff,” she said.
“I hope people reading the book take away the sense of fun, the sense of togetherness and the sense of camaraderie that the organisation has had from the very beginning.”
The book, while reflecting on GLCHs inception, also serves as a call to action, advocating for stronger investment in community-based care as
the most cost-effective, evidence-based path to better health outcomes.
GLCH will officially launch the history book at the 50th Anniversary celebrations this Saturday in Lakes Entrance, where copies will be available.
The celebrations run from 11am to 3.30pm, with plenty to see and do for all ages. A
key highlight will be our historical displays, showcasing photographs, memories, and milestones from across the past five decades of health and community service in
East Gippsland.
