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.
Malloy lived a modest life on a station near Steiglitz, north-west of Geelong. Known for his quiet, honest nature, he was respected but largely unknown beyond the paddocks he roamed. When he tragically died in 1849 after a black snake bite, it was discovered that this solitary shepherd had made a remarkable gesture: he had left his estate - his cottage in Britannia Street, Geelong, and his savings of £50 - to help establish a public hospital in Geelong.
At the time, there was no hospital in the region. Healthcare was scarce, and a dedicated facility was still being debated by town leaders. Yet Malloy saw the need and responded, becoming the first person to make a bequest for a hospital in Geelong, before it even existed in bricks and mortar.
In an era when formal medical facilities were virtually non-existent, it was an extraordinary act of foresight and compassion.
Within a few years, thanks to early donors like Malloy and tireless community fundraisers (including Reverend Andrew Love, whose name is now honoured at our region’s Cancer Centre), the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum opened in 1852. The upper floor became the city’s first hospital ward and the lower level sheltered the elderly and needy.
From those beginnings, what is now known as University Hospital Geelong, has grown into one of Victoria’s largest and most important regional health services.
Malloy never lived to see the hospital completed, or the thousands upon thousands of lives it would touch. Yet his legacy endures.
Today, Barwon Health Foundation honours his memory through the Malloy Society, recognising those who include a gift in their Will to support regional healthcare. Like Tim Malloy, these individuals aren’t all necessarily wealthy or well-known. They are people who care deeply about their community and want to leave it stronger, healthier, and more compassionate. They are forever remembered for doing so.
A bequest, no matter the size, is a powerful way to ensure future generations receive the care they need. It can fund cancer research, support sick children, or provide cutting-edge medical equipment. It’s an enduring gift of hope, just as Malloy’s was.
Legacy giving isn’t about how much you have. It’s about what you value.
It’s about turning the final chapter of your story into a prologue for someone else’s. Whether you're a business owner, a retiree, a parent - or like Tim Malloy - a quiet worker with a generous heart, a bequest can help shape the future of care in Geelong.
Tim Malloy’s story reminds us that extraordinary impact can come from the most unassuming places. One man. One gift. One hospital, built on community kindness.
Zoe Waters
Executive Director
Barwon Health Foundation
