In 1992, cancer care in Geelong changed forever with the opening of Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre. Thirty-three years on, the centre remains pivotal in its treatment and support of patients across southwest Victoria. I think one of its greatest legacies lives in the healthcare workers who have walked beside thousands of individuals and families through their cancer journey.

Since its opening, the centre has brought together chemotherapy, radiation oncology, haematology, medical oncology, specialist clinics, allied health and clinical trials all in one location. A location that was made possible thanks to additional support from our generous community. This unique model allows patients to receive comprehensive, world-class cancer treatment close to home. But what truly defines the Andrew Love Cancer Centre is the care. The extraordinary, person-centred care delivered every day by its staff.

Generations of clinicians have left a lasting imprint on this place and the people it serves. From doctors and nurses to radiographers, wellness staff, researchers and receptionists, the team has not only delivered expert care but also unwavering compassion, dignity and support when it has mattered most.

Dr Phillip Campbell, one of Cancer Services’ longest serving and beloved oncologists, has provided decades of exceptional leadership, clinical excellence and deep empathy. His presence has been a source of reassurance for countless families. The same is true for the radiation oncology team. They deliver more than 15,000 treatments annually using advanced technology and a commitment to personalised care.

The centre’s nursing and allied health teams, many of whom have served for decades, are central to its culture of care. These are the faces patients remember long after treatment. The steady hands, the invaluable knowledge, the warm smiles, the listening ears and the fierce advocates who stand with people every step of the way.

At the heart of the centre is also a group of reception staff and volunteers who become familiar and cherished companions on each patient’s journey. They know names, stories, family members. Their kindness is quiet but powerful, and it’s part of what makes the Andrew Love Cancer Centre feel like more than a hospital. It feels like community.

The Wellness Lounge adds another dimension to this care, with support services that care for the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Through exercise, nutrition and mindfulness programs, wellness staff and volunteers walk alongside patients and carers as they navigate the complex realities of a cancer diagnosis.

This legacy of care has been made possible because of people. Clinicians of course. Healthcare workers, absolutely. But also, it is also because of the generosity of the community. Since the centre was established, philanthropy has played a crucial role in its development and continued excellence, with close to $20 million invested to date. This funding has supported everything from advanced equipment and new treatment facilities and service delivery models to patient wellbeing initiatives and research.

It is this partnership between clinicians and the community that sets the Andrew Love Cancer Centre apart. Philanthropy has given clinical teams the tools, spaces and opportunities to innovate. Clinicians give the expertise, knowledge, empathy and skill that ensures this world-class centre continues to provide personalised, world-class care, close to home.

As we mark 33 years of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, we honour the clinicians who have touched thousands of lives with their skills and kindness. We honour the community who has made the impossible possible. Their combined legacy lives in every grateful family, every moment of comfort and every extra day made possible by their care.

Here’s to 33 years of excellence, empathy and impact, and to the people who have made it all possible.

Zoe Waters
Executive Director
Barwon Health Foundation