Council supports families with young children with its Maternal and Child Health Service.
The MCH service delivers a free service for all families with young children from birth to school age.
COVID-19 announcement
Maternal and Child Health Services are continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the limit the spread of COVID-19, and the impacts it has on our community, consultations will be prioritised based on age of infants, parent and child vulnerability, and need. We will continue to utilise alternative models of service delivery such as telephone and telehealth consultations to supplement and enhance face-to-face service provision and increase engagement of families.
Alpine Shire Council is implementing social distancing processes, to limit the spread of the disease by reducing opportunities for close contact between people. Strict hygiene and health protocols will be followed right throughout the consultation to ensure the safety of both staff and families.
Read the most recent Department of Health and Human Services Information for parents of infants and young children.
Online Baby First Aid
Alpine Shire Council and Parentmedic Victoria believe every parent deserves access to a health education program that will empower them to keep their newborn safe, understand baby first aid and health recommendations for common illnesses for your child.
Council and Parentmedic Victoria proudly bring parents this fully funded online course which provides crucial knowledge on how to handle the most common reasons a young baby might be presented to the Emergency Department. The online course includes common children's illnesses, access to Parentmedic Triage Tool Symptom Checker, GP help from home through our Telehealth partner Medinet and if parents still need help, questions can be submitted online and answered in real time.
To find out more and to sign up visit the Online Baby First Aid webpage
Universal Maternal and Child Health Service
The Maternal and Child Health service (MCH) is free and provides primary care to postnatal women and children from birth to school age. The service supports families with an emphasis on parenting education, social support groups, health promotion and prevention, developmental assessment, and early intervention.
Maternal and child health nurses are registered nurses and midwives who have tertiary qualifications in child and family health nursing. Some nurses also have additional qualifications in perinatal and infant mental health, immunisation and lactation consultant accreditation.
We aim to give you the very best support and the latest evidence-based information to promote your child’s health and development, and to support your wellbeing as their parent.
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service
The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service is a home visiting program provided by Maternal and Child Health Nurses and Social Workers to assist families by providing extra support and guidance, and is in addition to the suite of services offered through the Universal MCH service.
It provides a more intensive level of support and responds assertively to the needs of children and families who may be at risk. Telephone referrals are accepted from GPs, child and family services or allied health professionals.
Maternal and Child Health Line
The MCH line | 13 22 29 | provides 24-hour phone advice, support, counselling and referral to families with children from birth to school-age.
MCH App
Get accurate and reliable information at your fingertips. Download the Victorian Government's free Maternal and Child Health app on your smartphone.
Download the MCH App:
Alpine Shire Maternal and Child Health Service
Consultation by appointment
- Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm
- Phone: (03) 5755 0555
- Email | mch@alpineshire.vic.gov.au
For queries from health professionals or enhanced referrals contact MCHN Coordinator on 0417 147 120
MCH center locations
- Myrtleford | Mountain View Children’s Centre, 55 Prince Street, Myrtleford 3737
- Mount Beauty | Lakeview Children’s Centre, Reserve Drive, Mount Beauty VIC 3699
- Bright | Alpine View Children’s Centre, 23 Deacon Avenue, Bright VIC 3741
What happens to information about you, your child and your family while you are a client of the Victorian Maternal and Child Health service?
We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your/your child’s record. The privacy of your information is also protected by law. Your information can only be seen by the professionals in this service involved in your/your child’s care.
Key Age and Stage Appointments
Maternal and Child Health Nurses review your child’s health and development at key age and stage appointments. The 10 key age and stage consultations are set out in your Child’s Health and Developmental Record and are important milestones in your child’s early years.
First Time Parents Group
If you are a first time parent with a baby aged about 1 - 6 months old you are invited to join one of our groups where you can meet other new parents in your area. For further information contact to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or contact mch@alpineshire.vic.gov.au or (03) 5755 0555.
Supported Playgroup
Alpine Shire Council runs two Supported Playgroups for families who meet certain eligibility criteria as set by the Victorian Department of Education and Training.
Supported playgroups are run by a trained facilitator during Victorian school terms and are free for families with children aged from birth to four years. If you would like to enquire about attending a Supported Playgroup, please contact the facilitator on 0427 495 631.
- Myrtleford | Neighbourhood Centre | Mondays 9.30 - 11.30am
- Mount Beauty | Alpine Children’s Services Flexible Learning Space | Wednesdays 1.30 - 3.30pm
Community Playgroup
There are many ongoing playgroups in the Alpine Shire. Community playgroups are open to anyone to attend, run from various community venues, and are a wonderful way for adults and children to meet new people, socialise, and share new information and ideas. Community playgroups are run by the parents/carers and usually run with the Victoria school terms. Additional information for community playgroups can found by contacting the playgroup directly:
Immunisation
You can immunise your children once every month in Myrtleford, Bright and Mount Beauty. Immunisation of standard vaccines is free of charge. Please bring your Medicare card and your child’s health record book to the session for updating. We request that you remain at the centre for a 15 minute period after your child’s vaccination.
The schedule for immunisations follows the Victorian Immunisation Schedule.
Immunisations for Adults
Eligible adults can be vaccinated for free against a range of illnesses, including: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping cough), and Influenza (if you are over 65 years old).
For more information or support contact
- If you are in immediate danger dial 000
- Parent line (help with child behaviour) | 132289
- Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Counselling Line | 1800 686 268
- COVID-19 hotline | 1800 675 398
- COVID-19 Multilingual Resource Library
- Raising Children website
- PANDA (anxiety and depression help) | 1300 726 306
- Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636
- Family violence | 1800 7377328 (1800 RESPECT)
- Safe Steps | 1800 015 188 (immediate assistance with family violence)
- Mental Health Triage | 1300 657 259
- Suicide call back | 1300 659 467
