About North Richmond Community Health
We are a not-for-profit Community Health Service enhancing lives and strengthening community.
Acknowledgement of Country
North Richmond Community Health (Wulempuri-Kertheba) acknowledges the Wurundjeri people, the owners of the land on which we work. We respect the land in honour of the Wurundjeri Ancestors, who have owned this land for many thousands of years. We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Ancestors, Elders and people past and present. We also acknowledge the impact of colonisation on all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our story
A group of progressive doctors approached the estate’s community-led Tenants Union in the early 1970s, and together they came up with the idea of a health centre that didn’t just provide vital medical services, but also fostered and supported the community.
We work with everybody in this community and try to deliver services that work for all people regardless of their background.
We’re experts in working effectively with migrant and refugee clients. We share this knowledge with other organisations through our program The Centre, for Culture Ethnicity and Health (CEH). CEH helps Victorian organisations deliver and improve their services so they are easy to access and provide fair treatment to migrant and refugee clients.
North Richmond Community Health’s current building opened in late 2012. At that time, North Richmond Community Health was given the honour of an Aboriginal name by Wurundjeri Senior Elder Doreen Garvey-Wandin: Wulempuri-Kertheba, which translates from Woi wurrung as ‘staying healthy together’ in the Woi Wurrung language.
North Richmond Community Health has a long history, with many relationships in the community going back 46 years. We look forward to many more years of learning, working and building healthier communities.
To find out more about our continuing story, take a look at the services we offer.
Purpose
To pursue care solutions with a strong focus on addressing health inequity.
Vision
Enhance lives and strengthen community.
Values
Making a difference, embracing diversity, working together, being courageous.
Our Values
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We know that small wins can change lives, provide hope and inspire change. We make a difference by doing our jobs well.
BEING COURAGEOUS
We are resourceful and will keep working for social justice and equity. We find creative ways when we hit roadblocks.
WORKING TOGETHER
We collaborate and partner with community and other organisations. We are here for clients, community and staff and understand that everyone requires support at times.
EMBRACING DIVERSITY
We support connection and belonging for staff, clients and community. Our clients come back because they feel safe and are not judged.
Our Values
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Enable affordable and sustainable healthcare solutions that foster
connection with community.
BEING COURAGEOUS
- Establish NRCH as a safe and innovative place for harm reduction and addiction services.
WORKING TOGETHER
Advocate for the rights of the residents of the North Richmond Housing Estate to be respected and upheld.
EMBRACING DIVERSITY
Create a thriving organisation and workforce.
Our community
North Richmond Community Health is located within the North Richmond Housing Estate on Wurundjeri land, and is proud to serve the community there and beyond.
The Langdon Park Ministry of Housing Estate towers were erected in the late 1960s, after the area’s cottages, units and pubs were declared a ‘slum’ and demolished.
Many different languages, cultures, religions and backgrounds are now represented on the estate. North Richmond Community Health considers it to be a privilege to be part of the local community and their story.
In our 46 years, our community has spread beyond the local housing estate. We offer our care and expertise to people all across Melbourne – some who grew up on the estate and have moved on, others who never lived there but discovered North Richmond Community Health one way or another. Our community includes Aboriginal children in Robinvale, young families who have just moved to Richmond, older people who have received our care for decades and Timorese patients in our international oral health program.
We welcome you to join our community.
Click here to see what services we offer or find out how to get involved.
Our CEO
Simone Heald is the CEO of North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) and brings outstanding qualifications in community health leadership.
Simone has over 35 years of health experience, particularly in the community and social health sector.
She is a passionate advocate for addressing the social determinants of health through initiatives targeting social and health inequities in local communities.
Simone has a strong track record of building authentic and mutually beneficial partnerships that directly influence community outcomes.
Our governance and structure
North Richmond Community Health’s Board Membership reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
Each Director is independent and serves on the Board of Governance in a voluntary capacity.
Sally Mitchell
(Chair)
Sally has worked with community health services across inner Melbourne in a range of positions. An experienced executive manager and board member, she has supported organisations through periods of growth and change. Sally has been a resident of Richmond for many years.
Tim O’Leary
(Deputy Chair)
Tim has extensive experience as a CEO, board director and policy consultant in community and public health, acute hospitals, psychiatric services and local government.
Natalie Savin
(Director)
Natalie is an experienced executive manager and has worked in both local and state government as well as in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently a director and company secretary of Alola Australia Ltd. Natalie is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Public Health Association of Australia.
Dr. Tim Woodruff
(Director)
Dr. Tim Woodruff is a long-term resident of Richmond, a practicing medical specialist in private practice, and a long-term advocate for health reform with a particular emphasis on equity of access and tackling social determinants of health. He is president of the Doctors Reform Society and acting chair of the Australian Health Care Reform Society.
Richard Wong
(Director)
Mr. Wong is an expert in language services and a NAATI Accredited Professional Translator and Interpreter. Mr. Wong is a member of several Chinese community organisations across Victoria.
Andrew Cresswell
(Director)
Andrew is a Senior Finance Professional with a unique blend of Finance, IT & Operational skills moulded through a diverse career within consumer, global manufacturing, distribution, engineering & construction industries and Victorian Public Service in Executive and Board roles. He is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators and Governance Institute of Australia and a retired Fellow of CPA Australia.
Jane Herington
(Director)
Jane has over 35 years’ experience in senior executive positions in both the Victorian and Tasmanian public services, and in local government. Her primary areas of responsibility were in Housing, Children and Family Services and Ageing & Aged Care. Jane is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration, and has been awarded a Public Service Medal for her contribution to public administration. She is a long-time resident of the City of Yarra and has a strong commitment to local services.
Trang Du
(Director)
Trang grew up in the Richmond Housing Estate (RHE) and has a deep understanding of the social, health, and economic challenges facing local residents. She is a service designer and the founder of social enterprise Two Square Pegs that builds inclusive local businesses communities. Two Square Pegs provides enterprise training and mentoring support to turns ideas into self-employment opportunities. She has coordinated since 2021 the Women’s Health and Economic Inclusion (WHEI) project.
Roberto Colanzi
(Director)
Roberto was a Councillor and Mayor with the City of Yarra Council from 2012 to 2016, and had a very good working relationship with, and understanding of the wide-ranging community health work provided by NRCH. He has a long-term commitment to local community affairs and organisations. He has strong board governance experience, more recently as a Board Member of Inllen, which develops partnerships and strategies to support young people across Darebin, Merri-bek, and Yarra, to successfully move from school to further education, training, and employment.
Registration
Our Annual Reports
Our Quality Account
2018-2019 Combined Quality Account and Annual Report
2016-2017 Quality of Care Report
2015-2016 Quality of Care Report
2014-2015 Quality of Care Report
2013-2014 Combined Annual Report and Quality of Care Report
2012-2013 Combined Annual Report and Quality of Care Report
2011-2012 Combined Annual Report and Quality of Care Report