Dear Supporter

I am writing to you to address some concerns which have been raised regarding how the announced proposed amalgamation of the Wimmera Health Care Group (WHCG) with Ballarat, Stawell and Edenhope Health Services may affect the Foundation.

I provide the following information in order to clarify the position of the Foundation in light of this.

The amalgamation only affects the health care service as such and does not affect the Foundation because the Foundation is totally independent of the WHCG, which does not control the Foundation or its capital resources.

The Foundation is solely controlled by a trustee company, namely Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation Pty. Ltd., of which Penelope Manserra, Sue Frankham, Alison Butler, David Johns and myself are the current directors.

Further, the power to remove or appoint directors of the trustee company rests solely with the Foundation’s directors. Neither the WHCG nor its Board of Management have any control in this regard.

Pursuant to the Foundation’s Trust Deed, the Foundation is legally obligated to make donations only to the WHCG (Horsham and Dimboola campuses).

The Foundation is not permitted to make any donations to any other health service.

All directors are determined that the funds held by the Foundation will remain for the sole benefit of the Horsham and Dimboola campuses of the WHCG, being the purpose for which your donations were made to the Foundation.

The Foundation is extremely grateful for your significant support and financial assistance to date and trusts that this will continue post amalgamation. After all, it is your support and financial assistance that makes it possible for the Foundation to donate funds to the WHCG for the purchase of much needed medical equipment and improvement of its services.

Yours faithfully,