Rotarians across Gippsland participated in a fundraising breakfast for one of the region’s most important accommodation facilities, Gippsland Rotary Centenary House.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester attended the fundraising breakfast in Bairnsdale and thanked the volunteers for their outstanding service.
“I’ve often said that Gippsland Rotary Centenary House is the house that love built,” Mr Chester said.
“The 30-bed facility provides a discounted accommodation option for people receiving treatment at Latrobe Regional Hospital and was the brainchild of Rotary Club members in the Latrobe Valley.
“Most of the clients come from places like East Gippsland because it’s families from far-flung areas who need accommodation while being treated for cancer or other ailments at LRH.
“Having access to affordable accommodation in a friendly environment near the hospital can make the difference between people deciding to receive treatment or just accepting their fate. It’s a genuinely life-changing project.”
Mr Chester said the ongoing challenge of raising funds for the program’s operations was an issue that all levels of government should consider.
“The first stage of Centenary House was completed before I was elected, but I was pleased to secure a $1 million grant about six years ago, which helped to extend the facilities and provide more support for patients and their loved ones,” Mr Chester said.
“It would be great to see all levels of government making a contribution to offset the recurrent costs of operating the facility to take some of the pressure off the volunteers to fundraise.
“In addition to East Gippsland, the Centenary House staff and volunteers are regularly hosting people from Wellington Shire, South Gippsland Shire and Bass Coast, with a growing number of people from the West Gippsland area also choosing to have surgery and other treatment at LRH, rather than the big city hospitals.
“Demand will continue to grow, and ‘the house that love built’ will continue to provide compassionate support for families when they are vulnerable and most in need of a helping hand.”
