The shire-wide Recovery Operations Centre (ROC) is a centralised service where residents and businesses can ask for support, request information, offer assistance, or put forward recovery ideas and suggestions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victoria
For daily updates and advice about the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) visit Victorian Government Department Health and Human Services
If you suspect you may have Coronavirus, call the government hotline on 1800 675 398
National
You can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 for information and advice about COVID-19 or visit Australian Government Department of Health
If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450
Kyneton District Health
Kyneton District Health are continuing to operate and their urgent care centre is open. Kyneton District Health has testing available for Coronavirus COVID-19. If you have any of these symptoms, please call ahead to speak to a nurse. Phone (03) 5422 9900
Cobaw Community Health
Cobaw is open and continuing to provide services, programs and support to the community throughout this emergency. To ensure the safety of the community, all staff are having appointments by phone or video (also known as telehealth). Please call or email Cobaw to discuss their services, which include:
- Social and community support
- Child and adolescent allied health: speech therapy, paediatrics, occupational therapy and physiotherapy
- Disability support services and NDIS
- Mental health supports including counselling and assistance with alcohol and other drug use
- Housing supports
- Family and parenting supports
- Health promotion
- LGBTIQA+ support
- Allied health for chronic disease: pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation and dietary and nutritional advice
Cobaw will update their website if changes to programs occur. If you have never used their support services but think they might be able to help you with anything give them a call on 1300 026 229 or email admin@cobaw.org.au
Macedon Ranges Health
Macedon Ranges Health services continue to operate. A strong screening process has been implemented to protect the health and wellbeing of the community.
Many group programs have temporarily ceased, however they are introducing some online programs for clients.
They have also set up a range of solutions to support those who cannot or prefer not to visit the centre, including video or telehealth appointments.
General Practitioners
Medical services and appointments are still operating across the shire whether by telephone or in person.
To speak with a Victorian Government housing and support worker if you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping family violence, call 1800 825 955 (24 hours) or visit Crisis accommodation
safe steps Family Violence Response
Telephone counselling and referral to safe accommodation.
Call 1800 015 188 (24 hrs) or visit safe steps website
Centre for Non-Violence
Support and referral for women and children experiencing family violence
Call 1800 884 292 or visit Centre for Non-Violence
The Red Cross and Foodbank are coordinating the relief program. Emergency relief packages are available for those in mandatory self-isolation, who have little or no food, and no network of family or friends to support them. For people who are not eligible for the emergency relief packages please refer to the community support section on this page.
Victoria's Emergency Relief hotline
Phone: 1800 675 398 or visit Red Cross or Foodbank websites.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 (triple zero).
You can leave your home if you are at risk of harm from family violence.
All family violence services are operating.
safe steps Family Violence Response
Telephone counselling and referral to safe accommodation. Call 1800 015 188 (24 hrs) or find out how safe steps can support those seek safety during COVID-19 on their website.
Centre for Non-Violence
Support and referral for women and children experiencing family violence. Call 1800 884 292 or visit Centre for Non-Violence
1800 Respect
Sexual assault and family violence counselling service. Call 1800 737 732 (24 hours) or visit 1800 Respect
Men’s Referral Service
Men’s family violence telephone counselling and referral service. Call 1300 766 491 or visit Men's Referral Service online
Kids Helpline
For children, aged up to 25 years. Call 1800 55 1800 (24 hrs).
LGBTIQ-specific
If you are experiencing financial hardship, there are a range of services and agencies that can help.
For more information about Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support services and locally available financial support, please refer to our main Financial support and hardship section.
If you are aware of other community support activities in Macedon Ranges, please call Stephen Hiley on (03) 5422 0333 or email shiley@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Kyneton
Kyneton Caring Community – Food Bank/Emergency Relief
Kyneton Caring Community provides a free foodbank, an emergency relief service (clothing and household items, etc.) and a need assessment and referral service to other agencies and service providers in the local area.
Call 5422 1163 (10am-3pm) or 0420 473 041 (after hours) or visit Kyneton Caring Community
Kyneton Community House - Online Community Care Register
This register will match up those in need with others in the community who can assist. Any assistance provided will need to be done with your own health in mind and social distancing measures will need to be taken.
To find out more, visit Kyneton Community House
Kindtown - Kyneton
Kindtown Kyneton is designed to support local businesses and their towns during COVID-19 by showing who's open, who's offering take away or home delivery.
Visit Kindtown - Kyneton for more information. You can also like the Kyneton Kindtown Facebook page and join the Kindtown Facebook Group to stay in touch with other locals or share information and ideas.
Gisborne
Gisborne Community Care Foodbank
The Gisborne Community Care Foodbank provides fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, pantry items and general household items to those individuals and families in need within our Macedon Ranges community.
Call 0492 850 520 or email gisborneccf@gmail.com
Gisborne Helping Hands
A local initiative of volunteers to support older people to do their shopping or to have a chat with.
Call 5428 2079 or 0418 468 327
Lancefield/Romsey
Lancefield Romsey Community Support
The Lancefield and Romsey Neighbourhood Houses are coordinating a range of activities including deliveries of paid orders from local businesses, phone support and emergency food relief. Call 0491 243 996 for more information.
Woodend
Woodend Neighbourhood House
Woodend Neighbourhood House are planning to offer community support around phone support, deliveries of paid orders from local businesses and other relief options. For more information, visit their website or call the Neighbourhood House on 5427 1845.
Malmsbury
Malmsbury Coronavirus Community Support
Sustainable Malmsbury have established a community care network to support Malmsbury residents. If you need help with picking up food and prescriptions, having meals dropped off or are able to be a helper then contact the group on 0472 721 798 or email malmsburyhelpers@mrsg.org.au
Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre
The Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre provides free legal advice in areas that include child protection, family violence, parenting arrangements, and dept. They are still operating via telephone or via link meetings.
Housing Justice
Head to Health
Head to Health is committed to providing Australians with trusted information and digital supports to help support everyone's mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic. This site covers where to get the facts about the COVID-19 outbreak, tips for maintaining good mental health, information on how to access mental health services, information for parents, and how to keep older Australians safe and connected by helping them get established online.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a non-profit organisation that provides free, 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support service in Australia. Call 13 11 14
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources or you can call them on 1300 22 4636
Council provides a range of services to support older people and people with disabilities to remain independent and living in the community. Council will continue to provide essential services to our clients at this time, which includes personal care, home shopping and domestic assistance.
For more information contact My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422
Intereach is the partner in the community for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Their role is to link individuals to the NDIS, provide information and support in the community. Call 1300 488 226 or email community@intereach.com.au
Easy Read government information
A range of Easy Read fact sheets and resources are available from The Information Access Group.
Volunteer Central Victoria
Volunteer Central Victoria is operating via telephone, email and online inquiries for anyone who wishes to register as a volunteer.
You can register as a volunteer or a volunteer-involving organisation online