Community
31 October, 2025
Appeal target in sight
SOUTH West Healthcare’s fundraising campaign to purchase an additional two probes for its prostate cancer detector equipment has taken another step forward this week thanks to a generous local donation.
Members of the Koroit & District Angling Club this week presented the hospital with a giant cheque for just over $1500.
The money will take the $86,305 appeal to within $15,000 of its target – bringing the purchase of the two much-needed probes a step closer.
“We’re confident we will reach our target in the coming weeks and we are extremely gratefully for this donation from the angling club,” South West Healthcare’s community partnerships manager, Suzan Morey, said.
Presenting the cheque on Tuesday, angling club president Angela McNaughton said members were delighted to be able to contribute towards the purchase of the probes.
“Last year we donated to the breast cancer foundation and this year we were all keen to donate towards this much-needed equipment for prostate cancer detection,” Angela said.
“There’s a growing demand of local men needing a prostate biopsy so we felt this was a very worthy cause to donate to.”
Angela’s father, Bernie Bishop, himself contributed $500 after spending almost 40 sessions at the prostate clinic between November last year and mid-January.
“The staff over there (at the cancer centre) are just wonderful; I could not speak more highly of them,” Bernie said.
“This donation is just a small token of my appreciation and gratitude. My sessions were only about 10 minutes long each time but they always made me feel comfortable and looked after me very well.
“We are truly blessed to have this centre, its resources and this hospital in our local community.”
According to the healthcare’s deputy director of nursing (surgical services) Eby Eapen Mathew, having two new probes will allow staff to perform more procedures on allocated theatre days.
“While we don’t have a urologist list every day, it will be wonderful to have this additional equipment,” he said.
“We’re extremely grateful to both the angling club and to Bernie (Bishop) for their generosity.
“This donation is a big win for our team here at South West Healthcare but also a blessing for men right across the south west district.”
Prostate cancer nurse practitioner Nikki Payne echoed Eby’s sentiments, saying having two additional probes would greatly assist the team at SWH.
“Donations such as this (from the angling club) are a tremendous help and very much appreciated,” she said.
“Men living in regional or rural areas of Australia have approximately 24 per cent higher rate of dying from prostate cancer than their urban counterparts because they don’t want to travel for treatment.”
Data has also shown that prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in Australian men, behind lung cancer.
“In this region alone, 102 new cases of prostate cancer are detected each year with a median age at diagnosis of 69.”
The team at South West Healthcare are keen to dispel the myth that checking for prostate cancer is an invasive procedure.
“It is as simple as a blood test,” Niki said.
“Our message to men in this region is a simple but loud one – talk to your GP and get checked. Get the blood test. The earlier the detection the greater the chance of a better outcome.”
