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MELBOURNE philanthropist and AFL Women’s pioneer Susan Alberti will spearhead a fundraising campaign for the Heathcote Dementia Village.
The campaign will begin next month, with a target of $300,000 for a feasibility study to get the idea off the ground.
Ms Alberti will become the spokesperson for the campaign, and will speak at an information event in May for possible donors.
The Australia-first idea is proposed to span five acres in Heathcote, employ 250 people and accommodate 150 dementia sufferers. The project’s cost has been estimated at $50 million.
The committee behind the project will host three fundraising events.
City of Greater Bendigo manager community partnerships Steven Abbott said a fundraising campaign would be launched in May, with a target of $300,000.
“It needs $300,000 for a business development plan and feasibility study,” he said.
“The steering committee, led by Heathcote Health, will start the fundraising campaign soon and will run until about July.
“The campaign will have an element of crowdfunding, but it will also rely on significant philanthropic funding from both individuals and the business community.”
A number of sites in Heathcote have been proposed for the village, but a decision will not be made until funding is guaranteed.
Mr Abbott said the feasibility study would give greater clarity to the project and allow the committee to apply for funding from the state and federal governments.
Dementia affects more than 400,000 Australians. The dementia village aims to improve the quality of life by establishing a “stimulating environment”, reducing the need for sedation and physical restraint.
It centres on a real life, safe “village environment”.
The Heathcote Dementia Village has also been named as a finalist for a national award recognising “bright ideas”.
While still only a concept, the project was one of 10 ideas listed as finalists in the Regional Australia Lightbulb Moments program.
A hobby farm project, known as This Farm Needs a Farmer, based in Kyneton, was also named as a finalist in the Regional Australia program.