End of an era at Edenhope
Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital is farewelling a long-term healthcare leader who has worked for the Wimmera community for more than a decade.
Board director Tony Kealy, who contributed to many of the hospital’s key projects, will retire after 12 years of service.
Board director Jo Murdoch, who has been in her position since 2018, will also stand down.
Mr Kealy said he was hesitant to join the board when he was first approached about the position many years ago, but rose to the challenge, realising the personal-growth opportunities.
“The professional development the department provides is a great opportunity for board members to learn, grow and upskill their knowledge of health services for the benefit of our own families and businesses,” he said.
“It has been an honour to serve our local community as a volunteer board member and to work with board members and executive staff to improve our community’s health outcomes.”
Mr Kealy helped drive several projects to improve Edenhope’s healthcare facilities, such as an $11-million investment into The Aged Care Redevelopment Building program.
He also helped the hospital recruit chief executives Kathy Hewitt, Emma Kealy, Anne Bates, Kevin Mills and in particular Andrew Saunders, who started at the organisation as a young cook 30 years ago.
“Most of our upgrades have been achieved without government funding, coming from bequests, fundraising and donations from others, including support from our Bendigo Bank. This is an amazing achievement,” Mr Kealy said.
“I was very proud to be the board chairperson when the government grant for a new aged-care facility was finally approved.
“I sincerely thank all the board members I have had the pleasure of working with and I wish the new board the best of luck for future endeavours.”
Board chairman Philip Sabien commended both Mr Kealy and Mrs Murdoch for their ‘significant’ commitment to the hospital and community.
“Jo has been a very enthusiastic member of the board and I thank her for her hard work, time and effort,” Mr Sabien said.
“Tony is leaving this board in a much stronger position than when he joined 12 years ago.
“Throughout his time on the board, Tony has been a part of and led the board through many significant building and infrastructure changes.
“I thank him for his guidance, support and commitment to not only myself but to all the board, executive and staff at Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital.”
The board has welcomed two new directors, Julie West and Harry Ostendorf, who both live at Edenhope.
Mr Sabien said he was looking forward to working with the new directors.
“We are grateful to have been able to secure two new directors from the local area with such broad experience, which I am sure will provide a significant contribution to our board and the community,” he said.