Published on 6 October 2021

Today, I am introducing something very different and new – a fantastic new organisation wide microsite that will bring plenty of variety and relief to all.

It’s called Westerly and it’s not as you normally know our websites. In this time of continuing pressure across the health service, we decided the most important thing to do was to provide you with some fun, some social engagement, some things that surprise us!
Westerly is the new place where staff and volunteers can come to connect, share and support each other and have a good time in the meantime!
It is a central place where you will be able to access any of our other main sites, including:

  • New Footscray Hospital
  • Coronavirus and Vaccinations
  • Digital Health
  • Live Best Care
  • United
  • Inspire Awards
  • Strategic Direction site
  • Western Doctors
  • Greatest Need Project
  • The People’s Hospital

And some new additions to the family…

  • The brand new Western Public Health Unit site
  • And in the coming days, there will be a special new subsite for all things Nursing and Midwifery – but more on that from Shane later – I don’t want to steal his thunder!

Westerly is not a new intranet.

Instead it is a place to focus on new directions for the organisation and the priorities across Western Health in the months and years to come. As you know, that is a lot for us here at Western Health: expanded footprint of the Sunshine Hospital ED; new mental health bed facility at Sunshine; the New Footscray Hospital; our continuing transition with Bacchus-Marsh-Melton and new Strategic Direction.

One of my favourites sections is the Virtual Tea Room. No better time to have a virtual tea room than now of course and I can assure you there is plenty for everyone in there. I’d particularly like to highlight the Live Sessions. In this section we are bringing you some fantastic and unique opportunities. Make sure you take even a couple of minutes to check these out.

A great example of this is a session coming up this Friday 8 October from midday to 12.30pm and I will be making every effort to catch this one!

Dave O’Neil & Des Dowling – We have an Issue Grab a Tissue
Join two of Melbourne’s funniest comedians and corporate entertainers for a laugh filled 30 minutes of problem solving. Based on the television show ‘Hughesy We Have a Problem’, guests can have their problems solved by Dave and his expert problem solver. This is a funny and interactive Zoom session.

(Wow I hope they can solve some of our major concerns here at Western Health!)

Dave O’Neil
Dave has performed at 16 Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and at dozens of comedy clubs nationally. On screen you have seen him as a guest on ‘Hughesy, We Have a Problem’, The Yearly with Charlie Pickering, dishing out life advice in The Agony of the Mind, The Agony of Life, The Agony of Modern Manners, Can of Worms, plus Good News Week. He is probably most well-known for being the guest with the most appearances (over 50) on ABC TV’s ever-popular Spicks & Specks.

Des Dowling
Des is an Australian comedian, actor, writer, and producer and has worked on multiple Australian TV shows.

There are other great comedy sessions coming up as well, but also something for everyone:

  • This Saturday 9 October at 11am we have the first of a number of Saturday weekly sessions on Edible Gardens, from someone who has become quite a star in this field. His name is Craig Castree and he is a regular presenter on a TV show called Vasili’s Garden.

  • Morning yoga classes starting on Monday 11 October at 7am

Suitable for every body and beginners I’m told.

  • A 20 min lunchtime meditation session with the first one at midday on Monday 11 October

  • A series of professional cooking classes with a wonderful Melbourne chef and caterer who has a world of experience in Greek, Turkish and Israeli food and a gift for creating wonderful feasts. These start on Wednesday 20 October at 6pm.

The six week forward calendar for the Live Sessions is undoubtedly a major highlight for the launch of Westerly, so print it out, pin it around your staff areas and please make the absolute most of these. They are at different times of the day and week, with some on weekends, so something for everyone.

From today, there will be some pens available around about to share the website address but it’s an easy one:
Westerly.wh.org.au

Enjoy!

Stay Safe and thank you