Media Releases
Prime Minister's Million Dollar Visit
PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS $1 MILLION FOR CANCER CENTRE
Prime Minister Tony Abbott toured the Wimmera Base Hospital’s Oncology and Dialysis units this morning before announcing $1 million funding to help make the Wimmera Cancer Centre a reality.
Wimmera Health Care Group Board of Management President Mark Williams, Board of Management member and Chair of the steering committee for the proposed Wimmera Cancer Centre and Chief Executive Chris Scott led Mr Abbott and Member for Mallee Andrew Broad on a tour of the hospital’s current oncology and dialysis units before Mr Abbott addressed 200 people at a fundraising breakfast.
Mr Abbott told the crowd he was there to announce the Federal Government would contribute $1 million towards the $3 million cancer centre project. He said it was extremely important for the government to put their hands in their pockets for projects when the community is backing it so strongly.
He also followed suit of Mr Broad and Mr Scott who made their own personal donations of $1000 to the cause, by emptying his own wallet for a contribution of $100. Mr Williams said that he could be left out and did the same and also emptied his wallet for a personal donation.
Mr Broad said the plight of the oncology unit was raised to him by Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation chairman Dr Don Johns OAM and local cancer survivor Rachel Littore.
The $1 million joins the $250,000 already pledged by the Foundation.