Delivering healthy choices
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Health foods supermarket Nu Life is celebrating 50 years of business in Horsham this year, supplying people with diet and lifestyle-specific items.
Eleven-year owner Steve Grose, with a lifelong interest in health food and a background in supermarkets and merchandising, prides himself on being able to supply people with raw, untouched, healthy foods.
“It’s just a healthy supermarket really, you’ve got everything from bulk food, bulk home and personal care – complete retail ranges,” he said.
“We have virtually every pantry food and supplement, sports and everything, and we also try to source particular foods for people.
“That’s half of what we do, carefully selecting our range by request.
“Invariably it’s going to stay on the shelf, because it’s filling a niche that we didn’t have, then you see how it sells from there.
“That’s how we get a lot of products in and increase our range, it works out quite well from that aspect.”
Mr Grose said the size of the store was limiting, but he was planning on renovating later this year.
“It is really hard, crammed into a tiny little shop, but later this year I’ll be knocking out a wall to open up the retail section a bit. It just needs a bit more planning,” he said.
“But it’s working well as it is; we style ourselves with a more homely approach.
“Primarily, it’s about helping people, that’s where we’re at.”
Nu Life, at 50A Pynsent Street, sources quality foods from as-local-as-possible suppliers, with people able to choose from small, self-serve amounts to buying in bulk.
Long-term goals
P
eople can find support to stay longer in their own homes, right their holiday eating wrongs, and find support groups, among Rural Northwest Health’s services.
Assisting people across the Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Beulah areas, the service offers a range of medical specialists and wellbeing programs.
Health promotion co-ordinator Tif Devasia said staff were pleased to help people take control of their health and wellbeing this year.
“Whether you’ve made a new year’s resolution, or the time has come to take charge of your health and wellbeing, 2025 can be the year you thrive,” she said.
“If you’ve over-indulged over the holidays, or would just like to get healthy, our dietitians can guide you on making healthier choices for longterm health.”
The service also offers a social activity program for people over the age of 65, for connection over coffee, cards, cooking, bowls, bingo and lunch.
“All our services are aimed at helping people of all ages retain their independence and connection – as part of our planned activity groups for a social outlet, or as part of our cancer support group which, through shared experiences, helps members navigate the cancer journey,” Ms Devasia said.
The service also employs occupational therapists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, radiographers, speech pathologists, diabetes educators, social workers and asthma educators, while providing wellbeing for cardiac and dementia patients. Community care offers domestic assistance, centre-based meals, meals-on-wheels, personal care and property maintenance so people can stay in their homes longer, or during times of shortterm injury or illness.
“If you’re eager to make 2025 your year and would like to find out more, please give our friendly team a call,” Ms Devasia said. People can find more information via website rnh.net.au, or by calling 5396 1200.
ANNIVERSARY YEAR: Nu Life is celebrating 50 years of business in Horsham this year, with owner Steve Grose actively involved for the past 11 years.
Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
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Journey from surviving to thriving
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Stawell’s Ree O’Riley has lost more than 68 kilograms and gained a zest for life she did not know she was missing, after health issues brought her close to death.
Ms O’Riley said she had battled with her weight for most of her life, and a car accident resulting in chronic pain, restricting her physical ability and resulting in more weight gain.
She said as much as she hated her circumstance, she had accepted it.
“I just thought ‘this is it for me’,” she said.
“I was not as independent and active as I would have liked to have been when my kids were little – the mental part of it was the big weight I was carrying around, as well as the actual weight that people could see.”
Three years ago, Ms O’Riley woke unwell and her children called an ambulance.
Her body was shutting down – later diagnosed as sepsis, and she flat-lined three times during a five-minute ambulance ride to the hospital.
During her four months at a Ballarat hospital, sepsis caused her organs to shut down, resulting in lymphedema and her leg swelling to eight times its normal size.
She was prescribed the only thing western medicine had to offer – compression stockings and leg elevation.
Ms O’Riley said her specialists told her that her diagnoses would have given her a life expectancy of five years.
“I felt like I’d hit lower than rock bottom, because I already felt like I was at rock bottom previously with insulin-dependent type-two diabetes and being obese, so I went on the search for alternatives,” she said.
“I was only 41, and I thought this can’t be it, surely I can’t be like this forever.”
Ms O’Riley found a gut health program – along with her partner Bill, who joined her for moral support –
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and ultimately reversed her diabetes, managed her chronic pain and reduced her medications. She slept better and had energy throughout each day.
“I thought if I could feel that good with all my health problems, and with
“I started sharing my journey on social media and it just spiralled. I tell people weight loss and health is easy if you have the right tools. Food is both a healing tool and something to fuel your body” – Ree O’Riley
Bill seeing results too, we knew other people could feel that good too, so we signed up to be mentors,” Ms O’Riley said.
“I started sharing my journey on social media and it just spiralled.
“I tell people weight loss and health is easy if you have the right tools.
“Food is both a healing tool and something to fuel your body.”
Ms O’Riley has supported about 200 people through the Modere program in two years, which includes natural supplements, meal plans, access to daily mentoring and an online support group with more than 80,000 participants.
She invites people to contact her through her Facebook page, www. facebook.com/maree.oriley, for more information.
“In the 30-day program, which can be tailored to suit each budget, people lose an average of eight kilograms,” Ms O’Riley said.
“I want people to find their rhythm and get to that better place for them.
“I always say that I help the people that I used to be – I’ve gone from surviving to thriving.”
POSITIVE: Ree O’Riley has lost more than 68 kilograms and has gone from spending most of her time at home, to gym sessions and classes, walking her dog and kayaking in the Grampians.
Caring for our volunteers
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Emergency services volunteers provide support to their communities in times of need – which is rarely confined to short shifts during daylight hours.
Fires, floods and other weather and emergency events bring a force of specifically trained volunteers out, away from their jobs, families and lives, requiring not just an ability to apply specific skills and training, but an ability to balance their lives and maintain their wellbeing.
Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade immediate ex-captain and lieutenant Ash Wallace said his brigade had a variety of volunteers, of all ages and stages, who were able to offer different levels of commitment.
“We are flexible in what we expect from our volunteers, because some people have the capacity to jump in boots and all, while others can offer smaller amounts of time, and this can change at any time,” he said.
“Being a smaller brigade, we know our crew, and we can respond to cues when people are struggling and starting to hit the wall, so you bring in the resources you need to balance that, whether it’s at a job or on a more personal level.
“We have a hierarchy of a captain and lieutenants, and we delegate and share the load when we need to.”
Mr Wallace said Dimboola’s brigade had a strong social aspect, which helped to balance the demands of incidents.
“We have always tried to be a fairly social group,” he said.
“I have also found that CFA itself contributes to work/life balance; it gives people an outlet from their day-to-day jobs, and a sense of purpose, as well as being a social outlet.”
CFA community engagement coordinator Jenny McGennisken said CFA had a range of free, 24-hour support services available to vol-
unteers, staff and members of their families.
“It’s important CFA personnel and their families manage their mental health in the same way they manage their physical health,” she said.
“Our volunteers, staff and their family members have access to counsellors for personal and CFArelated issues, as well as our assistance, peer support and chaplaincy programs.”
Ms McGennisken said the confidential services also included personal support in nutrition, sleep
health, mindfulness, grief and loss, exercise, and alcohol and drugs.
“There are many factors that can influence our personnels’ mental health, from attending traumatic or stressful incidents, having conflict with others, and general life stressors,” she said.
“Our support services are in place to ensure our members can look out for their own mental health, and that of their peers and families.”
CFA staff, volunteers and their families can find more information on support services on the CFA website.
Calm in the chaos
Holistic Haven in Horsham’s central business district offers people the opportunity to find peace and balance with a range of therapeutic services to help find calm in the chaos.
Founded by Brianna Wills, a seasoned counsellor with more than 14 years’ experience, Holistic Haven offers a diverse range of therapies tailored to individual needs.
Services include floatation therapy, infrared sauna sessions, mindfulness meditation classes, holistic counselling, and the spinal flow technique, with breathwork soon to be added to the offerings.
Ms Wills said establishments such as Holistic Haven were at the forefront of complete health.
“In a time when wellness tourism is evolving to encompass mental, emotional and spiritual health alongside physical wellbeing, establishments like Holistic Haven are at the forefront of this movement,” she said.
“By offering a sanctuary for holistic healing, we empower individuals to embark on personalised wellness journeys, fostering a balanced and harmonious life.”
Ms Wills said floatation therapy allowed clients to experience deep relaxation by floating effortlessly in warm, magnesium-rich water, promoting stress reduction and mental clarity.
“Our infrared sauna sessions utilise patented technology to aid in weight loss, muscle recovery, and overall relaxation,” she said.
“Additionally, the spinal flow technique offers a gentle yet powerful healing modality that releases stored stressors in the spine, facilitating profound healing.”
Holistic Haven also offers holistic counselling services, which integrate various psychotherapeutic and mindfulness approaches to foster selfawareness and empowerment.
“Our aim is to help you achieve greater levels of happiness by improving your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing,” Ms Wills said. Jo-Lee Kinesiology also offers sessions out of Holistic Haven.
SUPPORT ON HAND: Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade captain Lyndon Kuhne and firefighter Brian Nicholson at Little Desert National Park fires last week. Hundreds of volunteer CFA firefighters have worked around the clock at major fires for several weeks.
Expanding, thriving space
BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
Horsham’s Thrive Health
Clinic will launch The Herb Bar next month, a first point-ofcall, walk-in clinic for natural health care – coinciding with its second birthday.
Already boasting a range of holistic treatments including naturopathy, reiki, and reflexology, clinic founder and naturopath Ebony Jordan said The Herb Bar’s mini naturopathic consults would cater to acute health concerns.
“It’s more for things like cold and flu, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, gastro, and new health concerns,” she said.
“People can simply walk in and ask for a mini consult, complete an intake form, and have a 15-minute chat to a qualified naturopath in our clinic reception to receive safe and effective health advice and a personalised supplement prescription from $29.95.
“Bookings can also be made ahead of time via our website, calling or messaging us at Thrive Health Clinic.”
Officially launching on March 3, The Herb Bar will be open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm.
“We’re trying to make quality, practitioner-grade natural health supplements and herbal tonics more accessible and affordable for the community,” Ms Jordan said.
“We understand that not everyone can afford a full consultation, and
not everybody has a complex health condition that they’re wanting to use natural health services for.”
Naturopaths will allow 15 minutes for each client, taking information, cross-checking medications and health history to ensure safe, personalist prescriptions.
“If somebody came in and they did have a more complex health condition, like a long-term hormonal condition, then we would triage them and refer them for a full consultation with a qualified naturopath,” Ms Jordan.
After working alongside Hosham pharmacist and herbalist Des Lardner, Ms Jordan branched out into her own space to see a small number of clients.
She said her business quickly expanded into a multimodality clinic, including naturopaths Carla Hendy and Emily Grieger, reiki master and naturopath Josephine Pummeroy, reflexologist and remedial massage therapist Tanya Hogan, Krisanda Lloyd, who offers ear candling, foot detox baths, and infrared sauna, and receptionist and student naturopath
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Adele Reardon. “We are driven by our core values of connection, collaboration and community,” Ms Jordan said.
“Our team is committed to supporting the health and wellness of our local community.”
The clinic is open from 9am to 2pm five days a week; for more information and to book an appointment, people can visit www. thrivehealthclinic.com.au or call 0493 671 773.
Melanoma on rise
Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program is reminding Victorians to stay vigilant about sun protection this summer, as data shows melanoma diagnoses are on the rise, with people living in regional areas and men more likely to be diagnosed.
According to Cancer Council Victoria’s annual Victorian Cancer Registry, 3182 Victorians – 1860 males and 1320 females – were diagnosed with melanoma in 2023, up from 2884 new cases in 2022.
A total of 1205 of the new cases came out of regional Victoria, where people are 54 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than Victorians living in major cities.
Cancer Council Victoria Head of SunSmart, Emma Glassenbury, said exposure to the sun’s UV radiation accounts for most melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, capable of spreading to vital organs like the brain, lungs and liver.
“The good news is melanoma is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it remains the fifth most common in Victoria, accounting for eight per cent of all new cancer diagnoses in 2023,” she said.
“We think the rise in reported melanoma detection may be partially explained by growing and aging population in Victoria and fewer cases during COVID-19.”
Ms Glassenbury said while numbers reported were compelling, they were just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, and did not capture the 164,737 treatments for other forms of skin cancer in Victoria in 2023.
The latest report showed the rate of melanoma among Victorians aged 25-49 had declined by 52 per cent since 1997 – coinciding with a generation who grew up with iconic SunSmart ‘slip slop slap’ messaging from the 1980s, now expanded to include slide – on sunglasses – and seek – shade. Visit sunsmart.com.au to learn more or download the SunSmart Global UV App.
Launching Monday, March 3 Open 9am-2pm Monday to Thursday
BUSINESS BOOST: Horsham’s Thrive Health Clinic staff, from left, Krisanda Lloyd, Carla Hendy, Emily Grieger and founder Ebony Jordan. The clinic will open a new The Herb Bar next month for acute health care. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
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Driving personal care
Mother-daughter duo Gabriella Da Ros and Jamila
Robins are the driving force behind Simply Skin and Laser Clinic, the Wimmera’s leading destination for advanced skin and laser treatments.
Together with Dr David Lester and their dedicated team of dermal and beauty therapists, as well as a nurse practitioner, they are passionate about understanding each client’s unique skin concerns and goals, delivering customised treatments with exceptional care.
Combining medical-grade skin and laser technology with clinically proven products, Simply Skin and Laser Clinic offers results that go beyond surface-level improvements.
Ms Da Ros said common skin concerns such as pigmentation, sun damage, rosacea, vascular conditions, unwanted hair, and loss of skin volume often brought clients to the clinic.
“In order to safely and adequately treat these conditions, Jamila and I have invested in cutting-edge medical-grade laser technology, bringing city-quality services to Horsham and making advanced skin treatments accessible to the regional community,” she said.
“Our treatments have transformed the skin health and confidence of many clients.
“Our mission is to deliver transformative results, instil confidence, and create a sanctuary where beauty and well-being thrive.”
Research launched by headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation reveals many family members are worried about their young person’s mental wellbeing.
The findings come from the inaugural headspace National Family Mental Health Survey of 2059 family members, including parents, carers, siblings, elders, close friends, and stepfamily, who care for a young person aged 12 to 25.
headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said the survey highlighted the size of the challenges facing families, who were doing their best to respond to their young people’s mental health needs.
“Family members are the first group that young people will reach out to when they need support, so it’s important they stay engaged with their young person’s mental health and wellbeing by being aware of any changes in their behaviour, such as disengaging from social activities, difficulty focusing, or changes in sleep habits,” he said.
“While these can be early signs of stress, they also present opportunities to check in, provide support and create a safe environment that en-
Creating headspace Mental health expo, training
Horsham
Neighbourhood
House is hosting a mental health expo on February 23. The event will feature food and activities for all ages, from 10am to 2pm at Horsham’s Sawyer Park.
The community organisation is also offering limited spaces for peo-
courages open communication and seeking help when needed.”
To help build the skills needed to seek professional support, headspace encourages family members to: start conversations early; use available resources; seek professional help when needed; ensure all connections are good connections, with any trusted adult; and practice selfcare, for both adults and young people.
“It’s important to remember that there’s no expectations for you to be an expert and it’s okay to get things wrong. Just being there for your young person and showing that you care for them unconditionally is a good start,” Mr Trethowan said. headspace Horsham is dedicated to supporting young people aged 12 to 24 and their families’ mental health and wellbeing, ensuring they have comprehensive resources to navigate their journey.
Any parent, carer, young person or family member in need of support can call headspace Horsham on 5381 1543, or call in to 77 Hamilton Street, Horsham, to speak to staff about getting support for their young person.
ple to complete a free Youth Mental Health First Aid training on March 17 and 24.
People can contact Horsham Neighbourhood House on 5382 5352 for more information on these events, or to reserve a space on the first aid course.
Gabriella Da Ros, right, and Jamila Robins