Open letter urges budget support for Anam Cara

ANAM Cara Geelong has garnered the backing of more than 50 of Geelong’s most respected business, philanthropic and community figures in its attempt to secure $3.5 million in funding towards the facility.

Situated on Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, Anam Cara delivers specialist palliative care around the clock – from flexible Living Well Day Program sessions to Outpatient Consultations, through to inpatient admissions where family, friends and pets are welcome.

Anam Cara has written an open letter to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, asking her to allocate $3.5 million in the coming 2025-26 State Budget toward public palliative care beds and day program support at the facility.

The open letter states all Geelong Labor MPs have supported the $3.5 million request since 2022 but Anam Cara had been “rejected in four successive Victorian budgets”, and urges the Premier to “prioritise a tour of the Anam Cara Geelong facility as soon as possible”.

Signatories to the letter include Bisinella Developments chief executive officer Richard Bisinella, Shirley Costa, Elaine Costa, Committee for Geelong CEO Michael Johnson, Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeremy Crawford, APCO co-director Robert Anderson, Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe, Barry Fagg from Fagg Brothers Pty Ltd and Skills Base CEO Nick Stanley.

“Geelong built this hospital from the ground up to serve its own community,” Anam Cara board chair Diana Taylor said.

“Now we’re asking the Victorian Government to do its part by investing in this vital service – relieving pressure on the wider health system.”

Anam Cara CEO Vanessa McColl said the facility’s staff witnessed the relief every day from families knowing their loved ones had 24/7 access to compassionate, person-centred care in a home-like setting.

“Securing this funding will expand choice, strengthen collaboration with other health services, and ensure better outcomes and timely support for Geelong families.”

To read the open letter and the full list of signatories, head to achg.org.au/open-letter-to-the-premier