Peter’s Project founder guest at volunteer awards

East Grampians Health Service will recognise the valuable work of its volunteers in October.

EGHS volunteers and anyone interested in learning about volunteering at the health service, are invited to the 13th annual Volunteer Service Recognition Awards on October 13 at Pyrenees House at 10am.

“East Grampians Health Service has more than 150 volunteers, who give up their time to provide services across a variety of areas,” EGHS  Board president Matthew Wood said.

“Many of our volunteers work through our five auxiliaries, raising valuable funds for new equipment and services, while we also have volunteers who visit people in our aged care facilities, the Oncology Department, Palliative Care, Red Cross and RSL visitors.”

Guest speaker at the Volunteer Service Recognition Awards will be Founder and Director of the ‘Peter’s Project Foundation’ and 2017 Australian of the Year – Local Hero, Vicki Jellie.

Mrs Jellie established Peter’s Project in Warrnambool in September 2008 after the death of her husband Peter, aged 49 years, from Oesophageal Cancer. The Victorian south west regional community embraced the Peter’s Project ethos and its goal to bring vital radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients in the local region.

Peter’s Project was primarily set up as a lobbyist group to be heard by both Victorian State and Federal governments. After seven years of hard work, community engagement and fundraising, the South West Regional Cancer Centre, an integrated cancer service providing radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a community support centre, opened its doors on July 18 2016.

Mrs Jellie and the Board of the Peter’s Project Foundation continue to financially support regional cancer services into the future.

“We look forward to hearing about Vicki Jellie’s experience and to recognising our own valuable volunteers,” Mr Wood said.

“Our volunteers make a huge difference to the operation of the health service, not only do they raise funds for vital services and equipment, but they are also there to offer a kind word, assistance to patients or clients and help create a caring and supportive environment across the health service.”

Anyone interested in attending should contact Anna Wadge by October 6 on 5352 9331 or email anna.wadge@eghs.net.au