The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo will raise $100,000 over five years, to design and develop a new Rotary Rehabilitation Courtyard for the new Phillip Island Community Hospital in Cowes.
Rotary representatives met with Bass Coast Health (BCH) CEO Jan Child at the site on Monday 4 December to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
The garden will be used by patients recovering from surgery, and patients who are learning to walk safely and regain function after other serious issues such as Strokes, Falls and Fractures. All of this, under the supervision of Physiotherapists from BCH.
Rob Robertson, President of the Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary Club, said the Club was proud to partner with BCH on this valuable project.
“The garden will have gravel paths, a range of other surfaces, ramps and steps so that patients can gain confidence in tackling a variety of surfaces post their surgery or illness, and clinical staff from Bass Coast Health, along with community members, will have input into the design of the garden,” he said.
“We see this project as a major contribution that we can make for the long-term benefit of the Phillip Island and San Remo community.”
The Club has already raised $30,000 this year from the Putting on the Ritz dinner dance and will aim to raise much of the future funds from the proceeds of the Rotary Opportunity Shop at 132 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
During summer, the op shop is open from 10am-3pm Monday to Saturday, and is able to sell used electrical items due to having the services of a volunteer licensed tester.
Rotary is working with landscape design company Island Landscape and Design to create the rehabilitation courtyard.
BCH CEO Jan Child thanked the Rotary Club for their generous support of healthcare on Phillip Island.
“It’s through the amazing support that we receive from our community that we are able to provide such fantastic healthcare services to the public,” she said.
“Bass Coast Health values the Rotary Club’s passion for this project and for their drive in taking on the fundraising commitment to make this Rehabilitation Garden happen.
“This area will be such an exciting feature of the Phillip Island Health Hub and we can’t wait to see it in operation.”
For more information about the Phillip Island Community Hospital, go to: https://www.basscoasthealth.org.au/pich
Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo President Rob Robertson can be contacted on 0412 331 218.