A successful grant application by Star Of the East Masonic Lodge, Omeo, to Freemasons Foundation Victoria has resulted in a grant totalling $51,000 to support the Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre for the construction of a two bay garage, for housing the Tambo Valley Ambulance when Ambulance Community Officers from Swifts Creek are rostered on duty.
The new garage, located at the SCBNC, will also securely store the Bush Nurse vehicle.
All foundations, construction, erection and electrical fit out etc are expected to be carried out by local businesses in Swifts Creek and Omeo.
The SCBNC Committee of Management extended their gratitude to the Star Of The East Lodge and Freemasons Foundation Victoria for this very generous grant which will allow this project to come to fruition.
At a Ceremony, held at the Bairnsdale Masonic Centre, Freemasons Victoria's Grand Master, Don Reynolds accompanied by Freemasons Foundation Director, Myles King presented the cheque to Swifts Creek Bush Nurse, Sue Carroll, SCBNC Committee Member, Robyn Sandy and Senior Swifts Creek ACO, Stephen O'Brien. The Master of Star of the East Lodge, Stephen Richards and Omeo Lodge members, Kevin Law, Peter Sandy and Steve Pearman were also present.
During the presentation MWBro Reynolds and VWBro King were sincerely thanked for their generous support and assured that the time saved by the ACO's, when responding to an emergency call out, could mean the difference between life and death when the ambulance is garaged locally.
The support for the local ACO's (community members - not fulltime Ambulance Officers) and the Bush Nurse Centre as vital aspects of the health and well being for those in isolated communities was acknowledged.
