The Rotary Club of Mitchell River is again hosting the annual fundraising breakfast for Gippsland Rotary Centenary House on Wednesday, April 24.
Rotary in Bairnsdale has made a long-term commitment to what has become a significant fundraiser for an amazing facility for East Gippslanders.
Over the years this event has done much to both financially support this amazing community resource and heighten our community’s awareness of what it offers the people of East Gippsland.
Rotary Centenary House is an accommodation facility for patients and their families who are undergoing treatment at the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre located a short walk away. It also provides accommodation where appropriate to families of patients of the Latrobe Regional Hospital who would otherwise need to travel unreasonably long distances to be with their loved ones.
The facility provides motel-type en suite rooms with double bed, sofa bed, room for fold-out beds and in some cases cooking facilities and eating areas.
The centre includes a community kitchen, lounge, dining room, laundry, library, children’s playroom, and a “Quiet Room” for family privacy.
There is a secure children’s play area accessible only from within the house, a barbecue and outdoor living space and a tranquil courtyard.
The facility has wheelchair access and a closed-circuit security system, also internet facilities to allow families to keep in touch.
Demand is such that a $2.4 million new wing, considerably larger than the original facility, has been recently constructed to enhance the services provided to cancer sufferers from across the region.
The development has seen an additional nine units for patients along with a new bathroom and laundry facilities, a community meeting room and outdoor areas.
Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, originally a major project to mark 100 years of the formation of Rotary clubs, was opened on September 2, 2006.
The Rotary Clubs of East Gippsland contributed to its initial cost of approximately $2 million and have continued in support of subsequent developments.
By assuming the ‘hosting’ responsibility for the Centenary House Breakfast, the Rotary Club of Mitchell River with the support of the other clubs continues the local support of such a valuable asset to our community.
Guests at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House come from all parts of East Gippsland, Wellington Shire, South Gippsland and Bass Coast.
Costs to patients’ families are kept to a minimum and the facility is largely run by Rotary volunteers.
For those living more than 100 kilometres from the hospital, their total out-of-pocket expense for staying at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House is heavily subsidised, and sometimes there is no charge if the social worker at the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre advises the patient cannot afford to pay for any accommodation.
The Rotary Club of Mitchell River has formed a valuable relationship with the St Mary’s Parish Centre, located on behind St Mary’s Church who will once again host the Gippsland Rotary Centenary House Breakfast on Wednesday, April 24.
Breakfast will be on 7.30am to 10.30am at a cost of $20 per head and will include some competition tickets (prizes donated from within the community) and all proceeds from the day go to support the operational costs of Centenary House to ensure welcome relief for those who need its services.
The Rotary Club invites all community members to attend, have breakfast and support this amazing facility.
Enquiries regarding bookings donations or gifts can be made by contacting the club.
