Bendigo Bank House opens doors

BARWON Health’s McKellar Kids’ Rehab Centre, now named Bendigo Bank House, has officially opened and will support hundreds of young people and their families recovering from injury, surgery, or living with disabilities.

The $3.6 million paediatric facility is funded by Barwon Health Foundation’s Kids Appeal which includes more than 2,000 community donors.

“Once again, the generosity of Greater Geelong has shone through,” Barwon Health Foundation CEO Dan Simmonds said.

“The Barwon Health Foundation is grateful to every single person who made a donation, purchased an auction item, attended an event, or put a coin in a tin in support of the Kids Appeal since it began in 2017 – this wouldn’t have been possible without collective community support.”

The new centre will provide state government funded specialist rehabilitation services for newborns and young people aged up to 25, catering to those with traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, strokes, or people in need of treatment after cancer or living with cerebral palsy.

The facility is named Bendigo Bank House to recognise the fundraising efforts by the bank and its $600,000 contribution.

Corangamite Financial Services, who own and run Bendigo Bank branches in Anglesea, Lorne, and Winchelsea, injected $50,000 worth of contributions.

Local Anglesea News and Lotto owner and Corangamite Financial Services board member Paul Nigro was in attendance for the official opening and said he was taken aback by the level of interest from senior medical staff and community leaders in the new facility.

“It was a wonderful feeling to be able to contribute to this vital first-class facility” Mr Nigro said.

“Our board consistently supports local community organisations, and we see this as another way to ensure quality health services are available to any of our customer base who find themselves in need of top-level care.

“This facility provides cutting edge medical care and will provide enormous benefit for all of the Geelong region.

“It really was a warm and comforting feeling to know that our customer support has allowed us to financially support a project of this type and size.”

The local Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea Community branches were recognised with two separate plaques for their contribution along with other supporters inside Bendigo Bank House.

North Geelong’s McKellar Centre is situated at 45-95 Ballarat Road.