IN 1856, Bendigo’s Chinese community was the first to raise funds for the local hospital, making a donation of £100.
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History repeated itself 160 years later with yesterday’s announcement that the Bendigo Chinese Association and the Golden Dragon Museum had jointly donated $50,000 to the region’s new hospital, the first public contribution to the New Bendigo Hospital Appeal.
“That is a fantastic way to start,” appeal committee chairman Keith Sutherland said.
“One hundred and sixty years ago with £100, now with $50,000 all these years later.”
Already the appeal has raised $1 million in private donations, but the appeal committee hopes to raise at least another $3 million in the next three years.
Mr Sutherland said a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, or cath lab, had already been purchased from the fund, giving the new hospital a second cath lab and ensuring a seamless transition from the old hospital.
It is planned that money raised from the appeal will also go towards two automated pharmacy systems for better safety, efficiency and cost in the management of medicines, and an opthalmic microscope for high-level surgery.
Mr Sutherland said staff were consulted to identify priorities for the new hospital.
Golden Dragon Museum director Russell Jack said some of the money donated had come from the sale of pomelo trees and a fundraising initiative that saw people pay for the chance to get inside the dragon Sun Loong.
Mr Sutherland praised the state government for the $630 million for the hospital, and said the community now had an opportunity to contribute and take on some ownership of the asset.
Bendigo Health Foundation director Jane Anderson described the appeal as “value-adding” to what already existed, saying it allowed the purchase of equipment that would maintain the hospital at world-class standards.
John Mulder, the chief executive officer of Bendigo Health, is confident the community will embrace the appeal.
“We’re lucky we live in a community that has a wonderful history of giving,” Mr Mulder said.