THE $630 million Bendigo Hospital Project has been officially opened.
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Dignitaries and community members from all walks of life gathered in the hospital atrium this morning as Premier Daniel Andrews, Health Minister Jill Hennessy, Bendigo Health board chair Bob Cameron and CEO Peter Faulkner did the honours.
Seated front and centre as the plaque was revealed were some of the volunteers and supporters who made the project possible.
While, from the bridges of the floors above, some of the health care group’s dedicated staff devoted some of their precious break time to watching the proceedings unfold.
“This is a proud day,” the premier said.
VIDEO: Bendigo Hospital Project official opening
The 45-minutes of official proceedings were devoted to thanking all those involved in the project, planning for which started in 2006.
“This has been a long journey,” Mr Andrews said.
But he said what had been achieved, and what the new facilities made possible, was a ‘testament to public health in our state’.
The project was completed in two stages and took 2.6 million hours to build.
The new hospital, the first stage, opened in January 2017.
A helipad and a 505-space car park were key features in the second stage, which was completed in June.
“We are so proud of our staff and what they are able to do,” Mr Cameron said.
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