Community Awards 2026: Initiative of the Year - Save Our Community Health
Save Our Community Health (SOCH) is a grassroots community campaign that has successfully mobilised residents, healthcare users and community stakeholders to protect essential health services in Yarra.
The campaign was formed in October 2025 after cohealth announced plans to close the long-established medical practices and pharmacy at its Collingwood and Fitzroy centres, make local counsellors redundant and sell the Collingwood Centre. Through coordinated advocacy, community organising and engagement with government representatives, SOCH helped secure the continuation of trusted local medical practices, prevent the planned sale of the Collingwood Centre and contribute to significant governance reforms within cohealth.
The campaign has ensured continued access to healthcare for some of Yarra’s most vulnerable residents, including public housing tenants, refugee and migrant communities, older people, people experiencing homelessness and people with a disability. By empowering residents to advocate for services that support their health, dignity and wellbeing, SOCH has strengthened community participation and demonstrated the power of collective action in creating positive local change.
The nominees for Community Initiative of the Year
- A4 Art Australia: National Exhibition
- Bringing Breast Screening to the Yarra Community
- Clifton Hill Good Karma Network
- Cubbies 50th Birthday Celebration
- Euphoria Foundation - 314 Movement
- Jowhara Al-Mahabba Group
- Nicer Wellington Street
- North Richmond Community Hub
- Richmond West Primary School Vision and Hearing Screening Program
- Supporting Victoria Street Traders affected by the firebombing
- Supporting African Australian Jobseekers into Employment Program
- Yarra Sparkles
Thanks to all our nominees for your contributions to life in Yarra.