In early 2023, Central Highlands Rural Health reached out to the Community Bank Creswick & District and former Hospital President Bob Orr OAM to assist in raising funds for Stage 3 of Creswick Health’s redevelopment project. A committee of community members was formed and in just over 7 months an incredible $130,301.00 has been raised to cover the shortfall in building funds due to global supply issues and significant price increases in materials. The redevelopment project began in 2019 with stages 1, 2 and 3 completed and stage 4 currently in progress.

The Creswick Health Upgrade Appeal committee, a group of passionate community members, gathered on Wednesday 8 November to celebrate their hard work and success. They were able to rally support for their local health service and encourage individuals, businesses, and community groups to donate to the appeal.

Members of the committee were thanked by Central Highlands Rural Health’s CEO Maree Cuddihy and Board Member Kate Redwood for their commitment to ensuring that the Creswick community continues to have access to quality health care.

Bob Orr OAM, Committee Chair, said, “Locals feel comforted knowing that we have a health service in our much-loved rural town so we receive medical care close to home and our loved ones.”

Individuals and businesses in the community responded positively to the Community Bank Creswick & District’s offer to match donations for the first $33,000 received to kick off the campaign. Local community groups were very generous in contributing over $37,000 and the remaining funds were raised through raffles and the Creswick Hospital 160 Year Dinner.

Grant Hopkinson, Branch Manager, said, “The Community Bank Creswick & District are proud to have supported the Creswick Health Upgrade Appeal Committee.”

Central Highlands Rural Health’s Deputy Board Chair, Kate Redwood, applauded the Creswick community for rallying behind the committee to support their much-loved hospital and aged care facility.

“Central Highlands Rural Health is incredibly grateful that Bob Orr and the committee have successfully raised over $130,000 to support the major upgrades at the facility. They couldn’t have done it without the community bank’s generous contribution and the incredible response from locals” she said.

“Central Highlands Rural Health remains committed to providing our residents and patients with contemporary, purpose-built environments to ensure their comfort and care are maximised. We are proud to have recently been shortlisted in the 2023 Victorian Public Health Services Awards in two categories. This is a great acknowledgement of the organisation’s commitment to rural health care,” Kate said.

Future donations are welcome from community groups, businesses and individuals. If you’d like to donate to Creswick Health, please get in touch with Kathryn Kosloff, Fundraising Manager, on (03) 5321 6555 or via giving@chrh.org.au