Recent Articles
A Collective Legacy for the North
There is something deeply moving about the way strangers, often unknowingly, come together to build something that will outlast them. That’s the story behind the new Barwon Health dental facility in Norlane, which opened just over a year ago, funded by the State Government, Barwon Health and the Barwon Health Foundation. It is a story of generosity, foresight, and the profound impact collective giving can have on a community.
Celebrating 33 years of remarkable care:...
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.
An amazing legacy born from unimaginable...
In the shockwave that followed the 2002 Bali bombings, Geelong parents Graeme and Raye Lee were forced to deal with an unthinkable loss. Their sons Aaron (33) and Justin (31) and daughter-in-law Stacey Lee (30, nee Thornburgh) were among the 202 people killed. In the heavy silence that followed, the Lees resolved that their children’s names would move forward tethered to hope, not horror.
The Power of a Legacy: Why More Locals A...
There’s something deeply reassuring about knowing your final act can shape the future of your community. Across Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula, more and more people are quietly making the decision to leave a gift in their will to charity - helping ensure the care, services and opportunities they valued in life continue for generations to come.
Brian's Legacy: Turning the Tide Against...
When Brian Macafee walked into a doctor's appointment in 2015, he never imagined that life would change so suddenly. A towering figure at 6'3", Brian was a man known for his strength, humour and love for family. After a lifetime of hard work and global adventures collecting antiques for his Geelong business, he was looking forward to retirement with his wife Heather, surrounded by children and grandchildren.
A life saved twice and the power of givi...
By the time Kathryn Johns turned 40, she had survived two heart attacks. It’s a confronting reality, especially for someone who had no major health issues, lived an active life, working as a nurse and a mother of two young children.
A Legacy of Care: Celebrating Six Years ...
On 28 May, we mark a meaningful milestone for our region: the sixth anniversary of a most significant redevelopment the Andrew Love Cancer Centre. This is more than a date on the calendar. It is a celebration of community vision, generosity, and a commitment to delivering world-class cancer care close to home.
The Gift That Keeps Giving: How the McKe...
When sisters Ernestine and Catharine McKellar gifted their family’s Bell Park estate to the people of Geelong in 1944, they did so to honour the legacy of their late mother, Grace McKellar, who had passed away just months earlier.
Celebrating International Nurses Day - A...
Each year on May 12, we mark International Nurses Day -an opportunity to reflect on the essential role nurses play in the health and wellbeing of our community. At Barwon Health, just under 4,000 nurses contribute their expertise across hospital wards, clinics, aged care, palliative care, community health and community nursing. Their work underpins every part of the healthcare system -supporting patients through complex medical journeys, from the beginning of life to its end.
Celebrating the Professionalism and Care...
At Barwon Health, every birth is a story of care, expertise, and compassion - led by midwives whose professionalism is the heart and soul of our maternity services. This International Midwives Day, on May 5, we celebrate the exceptional midwives of Barwon Health: skilled clinicians, tireless advocates, and trusted guides for thousands of families across our region.
Cancer After Care Group Geelong – a 47...
As Cancer After Care Group Geelong celebrates its 47th birthday this April, we are reminded of the incredible legacy this collective has built in our community - from humble beginnings in 1978, to multimillion dollar impact in 2024. Cancer After Care Group’s story began when a small group of devoted individuals set out to support cancer patients in Geelong by carpooling to Melbourne for cancer treatment.
A Legacy of Local Generosity for Our Chi...
There is something special about a community that comes together to create a lasting impact for its most vulnerable members. Bendigo Bank House, home of the McKellar Kids Rehabilitation Service, stands as a powerful testament to the generosity of local people supporting local kids. More than just bricks and mortar, this facility represents hope, healing, and the spirit of philanthropy in our region.
A collective legacy: How our community u...
Once again, our community has come together to create meaningful change, proving that when people unite for an important cause, the impact is truly profound. Four local community groups have created a legacy more impactful than any one of them could have predicted.
An Enduring Legacy Beyond Life
I have always admired those whose names adorn hospital wings, health facilities, and commemorative plaques spread across the walls, gardens, and spaces of our health service. I often think about the lives these individuals lived - their experiences, families, careers, and what motivated them to create an enduring legacy beyond their natural life.
The Quiet Gift That Built a Hospital
In the gold-dusted haze of 1840s Victoria, as sheep grazed and settlers toiled on the frontier, a humble shepherd named Tim Malloy made a quiet decision that would help change the course of healthcare across Greater Geelong forever.
