As part of a Victorian Government initiative, 700 locations such as public hospitals, libraries, TAFEs, courts and train stations, offer free pads and tampons.
Rochester customer service centre and library has a dispenser, and Rochester and Elmore District Health Service has two dispensers, one in the unisex accessible toilet near reception and a second in the women’s bathroom near the Yalukang Aged Care reception.
“It’s free for all people who would like to take them,” REDHS allied health team leader Jacinta Masters said.
“We’ve had a really good response, but also people saying, ‘I wish this was around earlier, this would have been great 30 to 40 years ago’.
“But (there’s) a lot of support for it.”
The organisation hopes the initiative can help address period poverty concerns and gender inequality overall.
“It’s certainly one step to closing the gap in gender equality,” clinical services director Meaghan Douglas said.
“We’re always on this continuous journey to ensure that we are making intentional decisions like this to close that gap.
“I think we have a (part) role-modelling and being an advocate for the community.
“Things like this really do make a difference.”
Likewise, Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Daniel Mackrell is glad to see the products become more accessible.
“These products should be readily available for everyone wherever and whenever they need them — and that’s why council is proud to be able to help where we can,” he said.
According to a survey of 153,000 Australians by Share the Dignity, 64 per cent of menstruators have struggled to afford period products due to cost.
Now, in Rochester, access to products is as easy as pressing a button.
Each machine has the option of two or six packs of regular and super pads and tampons.
They are connected to an organisation’s wi-fi network, and send an automatic notification when stock needs refilling.
Since the program’s launch in November 2024, over 90,000 packs have been dispensed, resulting in significant savings for Victorian families — potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The $23 million program has been created through consultation with community health representatives, menstrual health experts, women’s health organisations and peak organisations representing Aboriginal Victorians, people from diverse communities, young people, LGBTQIA+ Victorians and people with disabilities.
Across Campaspe Shire, there are dispensers at Rochester, Rushworth and Tongala customer service centres, Kyabram Fauna Park, Kyabram District Health Service, Goulburn Valley Health Waranga, Echuca Regional Health and Echuca library.
Community members can find more information about the program and locate other vending machines across Victoria by visiting betterhealth.vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons
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