General News
5 December, 2025
Appeal launched for interactive play panels
SOUTH West Healthcare is once again calling on the generosity of locals with its annual Christmas appeal.
The hospital is hoping this year’s appeal will raise the $16,200 needed to purchase three interactive play panels to be used by children in the Warrnambool, Portland and Camperdown Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) programs.
The panels – one of which has already been installed in the emergency department at the Warrnambool hospital – provide entertainment and a welcome distraction for youngsters during what can be highly emotive times.
“Earlier this year we purchased an interactive play panel for our emergency department paediatric waiting room at Warrnambool, and one for our Hamilton CAMHS program, and they’ve proved to be fantastic distraction therapy for children three years-old and older,” South West Healthcare’s community partnerships manager Suzan Morey said.
And according to mental health clinicians, Molly McMeel and Sangeetha Varghese, the panels are also instrumental in making some of the service’s youngest patients feel comfortable.
“These interactive panels are a great distraction for some of our youngest patients and visitors,” Ms McMeel said.
“They’re a lot of fun and really help keep children entertained and relaxed during what can be quite an anxious time for them.”
The play panels cost $5,400 each and it is hoped the Christmas appeal will meet its target; enabling the purchase of three additional panels.
To donate towards the appeal, and go in the lucky draw to win the two-seater electric buggy, simply head to galabid.com/southwesthealthcare
