What is CHIRF?
CHIRF (Mallacoota Community Health, Infrastructure and Resilience Fund) Inc. is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Created in 2016 to provide support across a wide range of activities in the Mallacoota community. Initially to find Doctors to work at the Mallacoota Medical Centre, fill the gaps in health care services available locally, build a new medical centre and provision it with modern equipment.
CHIRF is a fully volunteer organisation who work hard to support the needs of the local community. Through their dedication and persistence Mallacoota now boasts a community owned fit-for-purpose modern medical centre which includes three consulting rooms for doctors, a treatment room, a training room and office space. The clinic is now staffed by 5 doctors, 2 nurses, visiting clinical psychologist, visiting pathology service and a visiting occupational therapist.
In addition to the 5 GPs CHIRF fund visiting clinical psychologist and visiting occupational therapist who also operate out of clinic.
Association purpose:
The principal purposes of the association are;
- To accept donations, raise funds by any method and distribute those funds to assist the Mallacoota community and surrounding district communities to achieve a viable medical centre and support any other activity that will assist the community and surrounding district communities achieving resilience in the event of major incidents.
- To advance health of Mallacoota and surrounding district communities
- To advance social & public welfare of Mallacoota and surrounding district communities
- To Enhance the security and safety of Mallacoota and surrounding district communities
- Accept donations of, acquire and dispose of, property and as required manage it for the purposes of the Association
Subject always to its principal purposes, the association has the following additional objects within our Catchment Area:
- To provide direct relief to those suffering from hunger, sickness, disability or misfortune.
- To assist other volunteer service organisations, as required and requested
- To assist with the development of youth
History
CHIRF was launched following a community meeting called by Mallacoota’s then sole GP in April 2016. Dr Sara Renwick-Lau outlined the challenges faced by a small medical practice in a very remote community and what that meant for the viability of the business moving forward. With a population of 1300 residents, the coastal town of Mallacoota, Far East Gippsland, is as remote as it is picturesque. With 347 people aged over 70, many of its residents are elderly. The nearest hospital is in Bega NSW, two hours’ drive away. This placed unsustainable pressure on its sole resident GP, Dr. Sara Renwick-Lau.
Following that meeting two key activities were activated; the first, a Doctor Search committee was formed with the goal of increasing the number of doctors in the community; and secondly, a fund-raising committee was formed and tasked with improving the equipment and facilities in the medical centre.
This story and the precarious position Mallacoota found its self in were highlighted in the ABC Back Roads series – season 2 Back Roads: ABC iview – Start watching with a free ABC Account
What has CHIRF achieved?
2018
In 2018, after a sustained Doctor Search, CHIRF successfully recruited Dr Mubashar Sherazi to join the Mallacoota Medical Centre. CHIRF’s ‘Doctor Search Team’ had been very visible at GP Medical Conferences and it was through this campaign at a conference in Sydney that Dr. Mubashar made contact.
“It’s an exciting time for my family and me,” Dr. Sherazi said. Dr. Sherazi is a skilled Doctor with more than 20 years’ experience and qualifications from Pakistan, Canada and the UK. Since March 2017 Dr. Sherazi has been working in the emergency department of Mackay Hospital in Queensland. Following his move to Mallacoota Medical Centre Dr. Sherazi will work toward a GP Fellowship from May this 2018.
Dr. Sherazi’s arrival reflects the efforts of CHIRF who stepped outside the envelope to find and select their own doctors to present to the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) for their consideration. RVTS is a federally funded program for training medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities throughout rural and remote Australia. Its four-year training program leads to a Fellowship of either ACRRM (Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine) or RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners). Instead of waiting for fortune to find another GP, CHIRF’s Doctor Search initiative was locally organised and funded to attract suitable candidates to the attention of RVTS. The CEO of RVTS, Dr. Pat Giddings said partnering with a community group dedicated to achieving its goals, was challenging but rewarding. “RVTS sees this Doctor Search model which gives the Community more say and more responsibility in attracting GPs is a promising way ahead for many remote communities”.
2018 – Mental Health Services
In collaboration with the Mallacoota Medical Centre, 2018 saw the return of face-to-face Mental Health services in Mallacoota. CHIRF has supported three face-to-face mental health clinicians over the last 7 years. This vital service has been particular invaluable post bush-fires and COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
2019
In 2019 CHIRF, together with Mallacoota Inlet Aged Care (MIAC), proudly opened the new Medical Centre at 21-23 Maurice Ave. Built to house the growing service, this fully community owned facility, helped to ensure the Medical Centre remained viable and able to continue seeing patients. Thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Federal Government covering a third of the cost of the build, with the other portion being raised by the Mallacoota community.
“The Federal Government is funding half of the cost of this project through the Mallacoota Community Health Infrastructure and Resilience Fund, with the other half raised by the Mallacoota community, led by Mallacoota Inlet Aged Care,” Mr Chester said.
“This is a remarkable result of the hard work of two local charities for a community-driven project that will benefit many, many people.”
The new medical centre has modern facilities and includes three consulting rooms for doctors, a treatment room, a training room and office space.
“It is hard to believe that the Mallacoota Medical Centre has finally opened the doors of the new community owned medical centre property. It is the first stage of our town’s long battle to fill gaps and give our patients as good as, or even better care than our city counter-parts. None of this would be possible without the contribution of many community minded and caring people.” Dr Sara
2025
The Mallacoota community has long advocated for improved Aged Care services to be delivered locally. Throughout this work CHIRF has developed a close working relationship with Mallacoota Inlet Aged Care (MIAC) and in 2025 Mallacoota Cares – Ageing at Home was born!
A not-for-profit local care coordination service supporting the residents of Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, and Genoa. As care coordinators, we offer assistance with applying for Support at Home Packages and have partnered with Trilogy Care as the Package provider. Mallacoota Cares was built by a team of locals dedicated to providing easily accessible home care supports, employing locals and using local businesses whenever possible. Mallacoota Cares works with clients and the local workforce to meet home care needs to enable people to age well in their homes. We offer support to manage tasks that clients may find difficult, such as finding appropriate support workers, scheduling care hours, managing budgets and running compliance checks.