THE Community Bank Dunkeld & District has continued to give back to the region, contributing the largest donation so far to the MRI for U&I Appeal.

Western District Health Service (WDHS) chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said for a small community, Dunkeld has a huge heart, with the Community Bank donating $125,000 to bring an MRI scanner to Hamilton Base Hospital.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Community Bank Board, customers, shareholders and staff for this significant contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of our community,” he said.

“After two years of COVID-19 uncertainty, and with the current turmoil in Europe, it’s sometimes hard to see the positives.

“But amid the geopolitical strife, and living with the virus locally, there are many reasons to be optimistic.

“You just need to look at our region to be inspired.”

Since its launch six months ago, the appeal has captured the hearts of many locals and has rapidly reached the half-way point of the expected $2 million cost.

“To date we have raised over $950,000, which is quite remarkable and speaks volumes about the community spirit and amazing generosity that’s alive and well in the Southern Grampians,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Community Bank, Dunkeld & District chair, Craig Oliver said the bank wanted to support the project, because so many families are travelling long distances and experiencing long wait times to use an MRI.

“It’s fantastic that we’ll have an MRI fairly soon in Hamilton,” he said.

“At the moment people need to travel at least 100 kilometres for this service, and more and more patients need MRI to diagnose and monitor everything from stroke to sports injuries.

“It’s a great example of what people can achieve when they invest in their community bank.

“The $125,000 we’ve donated to this very worthwhile cause has been generated from the profits of the Dunkeld branch, as opposed to the profits of other banks that go to their head offices in Melbourne and Sydney.

“We’re able to retain significant funds to improve our district.

“In this case its healthcare, but we also fund events, clubs and societies that keep the community going and growing.”

MRI for U&I Appeal Sub-Committee chair, Mary-Ann Brown said she was grateful for the Dunkeld contribution and the community response to date.

“A big thank you to the Dunkeld community and to everyone across our region who has supported the project,” she said.

“We’re just about to reach the $1 million mark, which is an outstanding effort.

“It’s going to be great to have local access to this service - that’s what it’s all about.

“We’re also very appreciative of the work Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan is doing behind the scenes to secure our MRI licence.”