November 23, 2012
A $2.4m expansion which has seen Gippsland Rotary Centenary House double in size has been officially opened today.
The expansion includes nine new units; new bathroom and laundry facilities; outdoor areas; and a meeting room that will be used to train staff from the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre (GCCC) and Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH).
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and State Member for Morwell Russell Northe attended the proceedings.
Since opening in 2006, Centenary House has already supported more than 1070 patients from across the region undergoing cancer treatment at LRH. The facility eases the burden of travelling to Melbourne for treatment, keeping them closer to their families at a difficult time.
Mr Chester is a long-time supporter of Centenary House and helped to secure $1.5 million in Federal Government funding which supported the expansion.
He remarked that the facility will continue to prosper and serve local cancer patients well in the future because of the dedication of Gippsland Rotary groups, the generosity of local small businesses and the community as well as the hard work of facility staff and management.
“I have met patients from all over Gippsland who have stayed at Centenary House and they speak in glowing terms about the quality treatment, care and accommodation that they received during their visit,” Mr Chester said.
“The facility provides them with a home away from home at a very affordable price during an incredibly vulnerable time in their lives.
“The facility’s reputation is an absolute testament to everybody who has been involved in the project, in particular the local Rotary Clubs who have fundraised and businesses which have donated generously to help build the project from the ground up.”
Mr Northe planted a tree at the ceremony on behalf of Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan in recognition of the State Government’s $50,000 investment in landscaping works and praised the community for supporting the facility.
“$750,000 has come directly from the community – there have been raffles, balls, cup day events and other fundraising right across the Gippsland region,” Mr Northe said.
“Most people know someone who has experienced cancer or have been touched in some way by the disease and that makes Centenary House relevant and important.”
Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government recognised the vital role of community based, not-for-profit organisations like Gippsland Rotary Centenary House.
“Across Victoria, government is working in partnership with local community organisations, groups and associations and local councils to help drive projects such as this that deliver long-term positive benefits for the community,” Mr Ryan said.
Rotary Centenary House Chairman Ken Peake said even though it had doubled in size, the facility was still running at almost 100 percent occupancy.
“With the expansion of the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre, I expect we will have to consider a Stage Three project in the not too distant future,” Mr Peake said.
“Fortunately we have had such wonderful support from the Gippsland community to help us expand this facility.
“We have all three levels of government on side and we will be working hard to get more government funding to make sure we can continue to provide the best possible facilities for Gippsland families.”