Top of the Town commended by fundraising institute
4 February 2008
The Top of the Town Charity Ball – Reflections, has received a commendation from the Fundraising Institute of Australia.
At the Victorian FIA fundraising awards presentation, the ball to raise funds for Western District Health Service received a Highly Commended award, behind the Whitelion Bail Out Ball, which raised $250,000 for young people involved in the Youth Justice System or at risk of involvement.
The commendation was significant, according to Community Liaison Manager Deb Howcroft, as the FIA gave out only three commendations from the nine award categories.
The FIA acknowledged the remarkable success of the Ball held on the banks of Lake Hamilton in October last year, and its importance to raise the spirit of a rural community which had faced a drought.
The award also recognised the work of the volunteers, from the community committee to all the community members who ensured the outstanding results of the Charity event.
WDHS Chief Executive Officer Mr Jim Fletcher, said that final figures from the Ball had resulted in the exceptional tally of $182,000, which will bring enormous benefits to the community through the purchase of important theatre equipment for Hamilton Base Hospital.
The Top of the Town funds have enabled the health service to purchase a new steriliser and steriliser heat-sealer, an operating microscope and a bronchoscope.
Mr Fletcher said that the funds have assisted WDHS retain its status as Victoria’s leading rural health care service, and will benefit the 7,000 acute care patients and more than 30,000 outpatients who are treated each year at WDHS.
ABOVE: Western District Health Service Community Liaison manager Deb Howcroft, with the Highly Commended Award presented by the Fundraising Institute of Australia for the Top of the Town Charity Ball.