Gifts in Wills & In Memoriam

One of the most significant gifts we have received was a house in Central Ballarat. Home to a long-term Ballarat resident, the house was left as a gift in a will to (then) Ballarat Health Services. Through the generosity of many local Ballarat businesses, the house was renovated and prepared for auction at no cost to the health service. 

The result of the auction was above market expectations, and all funds raised are now being used as a cornerstone donation for the redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital. 

Sarah Masters, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, highlighted what the auction means for patient care in Ballarat.

“It was a wonderful day for us; knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds of the sale went towards supporting patient care in our community was quite overwhelming. As Ballarat continues to grow year-on-year, this is reflected in the demand for health services. We are humbled and grateful to have received such a significant contribution.”

For the new owners, Alina and Ardian, realising the sale of the house would help the local health service was a bonus.

“We were delighted when we realised that the proceeds of the auction would be going to the hospital,” said Alina. “It completely aligns with our belief that investments should be sustainable and help others, rather than just being about making money. Knowing the proceeds would be going to the hospital made the house purchase very attractive.”

This gift of a simple house is now a legacy. It forms the cornerstone of our work in building a foundation of exceptional public healthcare for our community. 

Breast cancer research: Edna Veitch Bequest
Breast cancer treatment: Shirley and Jim Richards Bequest

Edna Daisy Hope Veitch was born in Smokeytown, outside of Creswick, and was the daughter of farmers. She died when she was 100 years old. For 21 years she worked at the Queen Elizabeth Home of Ballarat Health Services. In her will, she left a residual gift specifically for cancer research.

Ballarat Health Services (now Grampians Health Ballarat) was determined to maximise the reach and benefit of this generous gift and created the BHS Cancer Research Grants Scheme. This scheme ultimately funded three cancer research projects.

One of these projects, in research led by Dr Ruth Bollard, examined the detection and biopsy of breast lesions using SentiMag device (Magseed). These lesions are often too small to be felt or located using traditional methods, and is a much less invasive procedure. The successful results of Dr Bollard’s research trial led to the purchase of a Magseed using a generous bequest from the Estate of Jim and Shirley Richards (managed by BJT Legal).

Ballarat Health Services were the first in regional Victoria to use this device.

“Jim and Shirley both wanted funds to come into Ballarat, to be used for Ballarat purposes. They both received good care and attention through medical areas in Ballarat and were keen to make sure it came back for appropriate uses within the cancer and research areas. I know they would be delighted that their bequest is being put to such great use.” Andrew Byrne, BJT Legal