Donations and lasting legacies to Foundation secure health service’s future

The East Grampians Health Service Building for the Future Foundation recently invited sponsors and supporters to an afternoon tea, discussing ways in which the Foundation can be promoted to the Ararat and district community.

The Building for the Future Foundation is a charitable Trust established in 2010 with the purpose of providing funding for staff development, special purpose projects and equipment for East Grampians Health Service.

The Trust is governed by six independent local Trustees who manage the Trust’s assets and the distribution of funding for the sole benefit of the health service. The current Trustees include Chair David Hosking, Bill Jones, Geoff Laidlaw, Graeme Foster, Jill Tivey, Heather Fleming and EGHS Board Directors Sybil Abbott-Burmeister and Cameron Evans.

Chair David Hosking said the Foundation funds educational scholarships to staff, assists with purchasing equipment and funds large scale projects.

The Foundation is a public charitable fund, with all income directed to the Trust Fund. The Foundation currently manages assets of just over $7 million, comprising an investment portfolio and some property, and consults a Financial Planner for advice on investment holdings.

Mr Hosking said a donation to the Foundation via a person’s will ensures the future of the East Grampians Health Service workforce and contributes towards vital capital projects.

“If you choose to donate or leave the Foundation a gift in your Will, you can be assured that it will be of immense value to the health service,” Mr Hosking said.

Since 2010, the Foundation has made $1.184 million in donations to EGHS, including $537,000 in Capital support and $847,000 in bursaries/scholarships.

The Foundation annually offers scholarships up to the value of $30,000 to individuals to enhance and develop their knowledge and learn new skills. In 2020, an additional scholarship was created on behalf of the Estate of Joe Kapp, up to the value of $15,000. These scholarships are open for both clinical and non-clinical educational support to improve staff retention and to contribute to workforce development and service delivery.

In 2024 the Foundation also made available a Doctor in Training Scholarship, valued at $15,000 per year for four years to support an EGHS employee to complete qualifications in Medicine and a Master Scholarship valued at $20,000 to support an EGHS employee to complete a Master course.

The Foundation also distributes a $15,000 scholarship, generously made available by Keith Little, in the name of Ray and Wayne Ord.

If you would like to consider leaving a donation or lasting legacy in your Will, please contact the Foundation via buildingforfuture@eghs.net.au or phone 5352 9300 and one of the Trustees will contact you.