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Maternal and Child Health

Overview

Murrindindi's Maternal and Child Health service is a free and confidential service that provides professional advice on the health and development of your child from birth to 6 years. Available services include

information on infant feeding - both breast feeding and formula feeding
introduction to solid food and general nutrition
immunisation
childhood illness
guidance on prevention of childhood injury
sleeping and settling
behaviour management and positive parenting
24 hr support via the MCH Line 13 22 29

Book an appointment with one of our Maternal and Child Health Nurses.

Discover Council supported playgroups in Murrindindi Shire.

Learn about childcare options in Murrindindi Shire.

You can also follow our Murrindindi Children's Network Facebook page.

Maternal and Child Health Centre Locations

Alexandra Maternal and Child Health Centre

Perkins Street, Alexandra

5772 0399 or 0437 884 811

Hours: Mondays and Thursdays from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm (by appointment)

Eildon Maternal and Child Health Centre

By appointment only. Please call 0437 884 811 to book your appointment.

Flowerdale Maternal and Child Health Centre

Flowerdale Primary School and Early Learning Centre, 6525 Yea-Whittlesea Road, Flowerdale

0436 659 910

Tuesdays (Fortnightly by appointment)

Kinglake Maternal and Child Health Centre

Kinglake Ranges Children's Centre, 37-69 Extons Road, Kinglake

0436 659 910

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm (by appointment)

Marysville Maternal and Child Health Centre

Marysville Primary School and Early Learning Centre, 15 Falls Road, Marysville

0437 884 811

Tuesdays from 9.00 am - 12 noon (by appointment)

Toolangi Maternal and Child Health Centre

By appointment only. Please call 0436 659 910 to book your appointment.

Yea Maternal and Child Health Centre

Yea Children's Centre, The Semi Circle, Yea

0460 931 317

Fridays from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm (by appointment)

Key Age and Stage Visits (KAS)

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service works in partnership with Victorian families to care for babies and children until they start school. It is a free service which includes visits to a local MCH nurse at 10 key ages and stages in your child’s development.

Health Records

Council’s Maternal Child Health service providers collect Child Health Record information. We take privacy and confidentiality seriously, and this information is handled in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001(Vic) and only shared if the child’s primary care giver provides consent or where required by law.

Learn more about the Heath Records Act 2001.

Immunisation

A comprehensive childhood immunisation service is provided throughout the Shire and offered free to all children aged between 6 weeks old and less than 5 years old. Our experienced nurses are available to discuss your child’s immunisation program and give the required vaccines.

Immunisation sessions are conducted in Yea, Kinglake and Alexandra by appointment only.

Book an appointment

Download the 2024 Immunisation sessions timetable.

Category	Risk
From 6 months of age with underlying medical risk factors	Influenza - annually
Pregnant Women	Influenza - annually Pertussis - each pregnancy between 28-32 weeks gestation
12 months of age premature babies or < 32 weeks gestation	Hepatitis B - HBVax II Paediatric
12 months of age with underlying medical risk factors or < 28 weeks gestation	Pneumococcal - Prevenar 13
4-5 years of age with underlying medical risk factors or < 28 weeks gestation	Pneumococcal - Pneumovax 23
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-49 years of age with underlying medical risk factors	Pneumococcal - Pneumovax 23

To learn more about immunisation, please visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search 'immunisation', speak with your GP or contact Council's Immunisation team via email at immunisation@murrindindi.vic.gov.au

Immunisation History Statements

You can view your child's immunisation history by using your Medicare online account. To access your child's Immunisation History Statement

go to my.gov.au and sign in to your Medicare online account. If you do not have a myGov account, you can create one and then link it to your Medicare account; or
use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. If you don’t have the app, you can download it to your smart phone or tablet. For more information, go to humanservices.gov.au/expressplus

Please note that if your child is 14 years of age or over they will need to sign into or create their own Medicare online account through myGov to view their immunisation history statement. You will not be able to view their immunisation history statement in your account. If you are unable to access the immunisation history statement online, you can obtain a copy by calling the Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

Learn more about immunisation requirements and payments.

Programs and Activities

First Time Parent Groups

First Time Parent Groups run in Alexandra, Kinglake and Yea. For more information, contact your nearest Maternal and Child Health Centre.

Sleep and Settling Information Sessions

Our Maternal and Child Health team run a series of FREE information sessions each year. They cover topics including; frequent overnight waking, bottle dependency, bedtime or nap refusal, cot to bed transition and catnapping.

To book a session please fill out Sleep and Settling Group Booking form.

Sleep and Settling Outreach Support for Families

Council provides flexible support options including phone consultations and in-home visits to help with routine assistance, overnight wake-ups, bedtime or nap refusal, cot to bed transition and catnapping solutions.

For more information or to book a consultation, call our Maternal and Child Health nurse on 0437 884 811.

INFANT Program

Are you a new parent seeking guidance on feeding, play, and parenting strategies? Look no further! Our INFANT sessions and companion app are here to support you on this incredible journey.

Join our face-to-face group sessions led by experienced health professionals. These sessions occur when your baby is approximately 3, 6, 9, and 12 months old. Connect with other parents, ask questions, and build a supportive community.

Our group sessions are complemented by the My Baby Now phone app. Access it anytime for additional resources, reminders, and expert advice.

Contact our MCH team or book into a session.

Breastfeeding Support

Councils Internation Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) provide free flexible support for breastfeeding parents including Telehealth and Outreach Visits every second Tuesday.

For more information or to book a session, contact Susan on 0436 659 910.

Swimming Pools

Council operates outdoor swimming pools in Alexandra, Eildon, Marysville and Yea. Learn more about pools.

Murrindindi Library Service

Our libraries in Alexandra, Kinglake and Yea run storytime sessions as follows:

Alexandra Library - Thursdays from 11.00 am to 12 noon during the school term

Kinglake Library - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00 to 11.00 am during the school term

Yea Library - Wednesdays from 11.00 am to 12 noon during the school term

Children's Week

Held in October each year - ask your local Maternal and Child Health nurse about the fun activities on offer!

Kindergartens

Here is a list of Kindergartens located in Murrindindi Shire

Alexandra - 5772 1387
Eildon - 5774 2041
Flowerdale - 5734 6200
Kinglake Ranges - 5786 1352
Marysville - 5963 3330
Yea - 5734 6200

For more information and to find a Kindergarten near you, go to vic.gov.au/kindergarten.

Playgroups

Council operates the following playgroup programs:
- Supported Playgroups - Kinglake
- Parent Early Education Partnership (PEEP) - Kinglake Ranges Children's Centre and Yea Library

There are a number of other playgroups that operate around the Shire, including:

Alexandra (St John's Hall) - alexandraplaygroup@gmail.com
Flowerdale (Flowerdale Community House) - 5780 2664
Flowerdale (Steiner inspired Bush Playgroup) - goannaj@gmail.com
Kinglake (Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House) - 5786 1301
Marysville (Marysville Kindergarten) - 5963 3330
Toolangi (Toolangi Primary School) - 5962 9255
Yea (Rosebank Hostel) - 5797 3056
Yea (Pioneer Reserve) - 0400 270 681 or 0419 159 734

For more information go to playgroup.org.au

Childcare

Learn about Council's Family Day Care service.

There is also childcare and occasional care offered through Kinglake Ranges Children's Centre. For more information the Centre can be contacted on 5786 1352.