LAST Monday, the Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre (BBNC) held a combined Annual General Meeting (AGM) and official opening event to celebrate the completion of five projects.
The launch of the 2022 Annual Report and the BBNC/Ambulance Victoria Colocation project were notable, but especially important was the awarding of two life memberships – the first time in many years – to stalwarts of the facility.
The occasion was an opportunity for the challenges, achievements and milestones of the previous year to be acknowledged, and many people braved the unsettled weather to attend, including representatives from Ambulance Victoria and the Coleraine Community Bank.
The AGM was followed by an official opening for five capital and minor works projects that have been completed over the past 18 months.
It was the culmination of an enormous amount of work over many years by the Board, staff, volunteers and BBNC partners who contributed to the projects through planning, consultation, fundraising, troubleshooting and hands-on hard work to achieve wonderful results.
The two life memberships were awarded to Neville Trotman and Lisa Hutchins, who both received framed certificates acknowledging their long-term contributions to the BBNC.
Mr Trotman has freely given countless volunteer hours over his 11-year term on the Board of BBNC – many of these as president, and he led the board through a challenging period with clear direction and strong leadership.
Always the first person to put his hand up to pitch in on the tools around the centre, he contributed significantly to the recent landscaping project.
Ms Hutchins has been employed at BBNC since 1993 and held the role of health service manager for 19 years.
Over this time she has been integral in growing the centre into the quality health service it is today, building the capacity of both the facility and the staff within it.
BBNC president, Tom Silcock, spoke of his appreciation of their hard work.
“Both Neville and Lisa have gone above and beyond their roles to the great benefit of BBNC and the community and are very worthy recipients of life memberships,” he said.
“After significant delays during the pandemic, the BBNC Board are very pleased have held an official opening event. We are especially proud of the unique BBNC/AV colocation project which strengthens the collaboration between BBNC and Ambulance Victoria and has important long-term benefits for our community.”
Projects completed
BBNC/Ambulance Victoria colocation project (completed May 2021)
• Financial contributors: Ambulance Victoria $450,000, Victorian Government (Bush Nursing Support Fund 2013-14) $209,373, Don and Jill Cant $25,000.
• Key deliverables: better patient outcomes with safer, private patient transfer and all-weather access, further develop collaboration with AV improving local emergency response.
Safety and security project (completed September 2021)
• Financial contributors: Victorian Government (Regional Health Infrastructure Fund 2018-19) $145,808, King Beard Project (Craig “Fred” King) $11,857, Balmoral Opportunity Shop $4616.
• Key deliverables: redesign of front entrance to improve patient flow and upgrades to address identified risks to the safety of staff.
Landscaping project (completed September 2021)
• Financial contributors: Coleraine Community Bendigo Bank $20,000, Community donations $668.
• Key deliverables: safer pedestrian access to the front entrance and a garden space to create outdoor program opportunities and provide a meeting space that meets COVIDSafe recommended guidelines.
Information Technology upgrade project (completed May 2022)
• Financial contributors: Victorian Government (Regional Health Infrastructure Fund 2020-21) $40,062, Don and Jill Cant $18,500, Community donations $1200
• Key deliverables: Key upgrades to information and communications technology equipment to meet increased demands and build capacity.
Floor covering renewal project (completed August 2022)
• Financial contributor: Victorian Government (Regional Health Infrastructure Fund 2021-22) $92,787.
• Key deliverables: To bring all floor surfaces in line with best practice, using alternate floor surfaces to improve patient flow.
