At Bendigo Tech School, we believe in providing authentic industry engagement and experiences for our local secondary school students. That's why, way back in 2022, we partnered with Bendigo Health, Goldfields LLEN, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo TAFE, and RWAV - Rural Workforce Agency Victoria to develop the Allied Health Immersion Day, aiming to raise the profile of study and employment opportunities in the region while offering students a fun taste of life as an allied health professional.

On 4 August, we proudly delivered the fifth annual Allied Health Immersion Day, joined by 100+ students from Bendigo South East College, Catherine McAuley College, Eaglehawk Secondary College, Girton Grammar School, Indie School, and Marist College Bendigo.

Clinicians from Bendigo Health led interactive workshops showcasing different allied health disciplines — including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, podiatry, speech therapy, social work, occupational therapy, and allied health assistance — before inspiring the students with their own stories and journeys into the industry through a panel discussion.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success in 2026 and in years past: our amazing industry and education partners, Bendigo Health clinicians, teachers, students, and Tech School staff. It was a mammoth effort that no single organisation or person could deliver alone, and we're grateful to have so many incredible collaborators!

The Allied Health Immersion Day serves as a blueprint for our numerous industry immersion offerings here at Bendigo Tech School, and we are so proud that the event has reached this key milestone. More than 400 students from 12 Central Victorian schools have attended since the inauguration, a powerful example of the authentic and impactful experiences that can be achieved when education and industry unite.