The Mildura Health Foundation has received an extraordinary $1 million donation from the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, providing significant confidence in the establishment of a PET/CT scanning service in Mildura.
The Foundation launched the PET/CT scanner fundraising project last month, setting a target of $6 million to set up the vital service in the region.
Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club General Manager Craig Muir said the contribution reflects the organisation’s long-standing commitment to improving health outcomes for communities across Sunraysia.
“As a community organisation with over 10,000 members, many of who we see regularly, we can identify with the large number of people within our community who are either directly or indirectly impacted by cancer,” Mr Muir said.
“For these people, having to travel considerable distances to obtain necessary medical support adds another complicated layer to what is already a very difficult and stressful time.
“Our Board of Directors recognised that and decided that due to the significant number of people impacted, we needed to assist in some way and help reduce that additional layer of stress and in turn provide a meaningful and lasting benefit across our entire community.”
Mr Muir also said bringing such highly specialised equipment to the region was likely to attract further specialist medical professionals to Sunraysia, strengthening local healthcare services and improving long-term community wellbeing.
The donation builds on Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club’s previous support of the Dr. Julie Zrna Centre, which provides accommodation for patients and families travelling to Mildura for treatment. After only 12 months of operation, the centre has achieved high occupancy, demonstrating the strong demand for accessible patient accommodation in the region.
Mr Muir said the Club understood just how important access to quality local healthcare is for Sunraysia families, particularly given the region's distance from metropolitan centres.
“Unfortunately, I have seen firsthand the impact of cancer and whilst that never leaves your mind, it is the number of persons I see via my involvement at the Club each day that strikes a chord with me and I am sure our Board of Directors feel similarly,” he said.
Mr Muir said the Club’s latest donation also reflected the strength of local partnerships and the willingness of regional communities to come together to achieve meaningful outcomes.
“The Sunraysia community has shown its resilience time and time again. Because of our isolation, we have proven over many years that when we truly need something, we come together and make it happen.
“The current situation with health facilities is no different; we cannot sit back and wait for others to provide. It is more important than ever that we again come together and raise the funding together, remembering these facilities will have significant long-term benefits for the entire community.”
Mildura Health Foundation Chair Terry Hill said the Club’s extraordinary contribution was a game-changing moment for the project and a powerful vote of confidence in the vision of bringing PET/CT services to Sunraysia.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club has placed in our vision, and what makes this donation so meaningful is the lasting impact it will have for generations to come,” Mr Hill said.
“They have once again demonstrated what community leadership looks like. This incredible donation reflects a genuine commitment to improving the lives of local people and ensuring our region has access to the healthcare services it deserves.”
Donations for the PET/CT fundraising project can be made at: www.mhfoundation.com.au or by contacting Foundation Corporate Secretary Cheryl Rix on 0418 170 074 or cherylr@mhfoundation.com.au
