GV Health Foundation

27/05/2026

The GV Health Foundation is enormously grateful to the GV Health Extended Care Auxiliary for their generous $17,000 donation, funding a brand-new portable exercise bike for the Mary Coram Unit.

The Mary Coram Unit provides vital inpatient rehabilitation, geriatric, and palliative care. This long-awaited addition can be easily moved, and its versatility allows physiotherapy staff to provide tailored rehabilitation directly to patients to rebuild their strength and confidence.

Dedicated auxiliary members have supported both Goulburn Valley Health's Mary Coram Unit and Grutzner House for many decades, fundraising through fashion parades, sing-alongs, plant sales, and garden parties. This gift is the latest in a long history of contributions that help GV Health deliver high-quality care.

Foundation staff recently invited Auxiliary members to see the bike in action, allowing GV Health staff to share feedback and offer thanks for the group's ongoing support.

To all our Extended Care Auxiliary members: thank you for your dedication over so many years. Your support enhances the care GV Health provides, and we are truly grateful for the heart and history you bring to our health service.

27/05/2026

Toni Mackin, the face behind Romeo’s Kitchen, has turned her passion for preserves and baking into an incredible $1,200 gift for Goulburn Valley Health's oncology unit! ❤️

Inspired by the "fantastic" care she has received over her five-year cancer journey, Toni wanted to give back to the team that has supported her and provide care that is close to home.

From selling her signature jams and surplus eggs to her craft group, to baking an unbelievable 1,500 pieces of cake for The Olde Creamery Dahlia Open Day in Nathalia, Toni's efforts are greatly appreciated.

"Toni is one patient who has gone above and beyond, combining her passion for cooking with various fundraising efforts. We are incredibly grateful for her support," says GV Health Foundation director Amy De Paola.

Thank you to Toni for your generosity and for supporting our medical staff who care for our community every day.

Picture: Toni is with Jamie and Gareth from The Olde Creamery where she ran one of her fundraising efforts.

23/05/2026

As we wrap up Volunteer Week, the GV Health Foundation would like to give a huge shout out to Paul Archer, one of our most dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

For the past 17 years, Paul has supported Goulburn Valley Health through his battery recycling initiative, turning unwanted lead-based vehicle batteries into vital funding for our Child and Adolescent Unit. Known across the GV as the “Battery Man”, Paul has raised an incredible $880,000 to date, directly helping provide essential equipment, therapeutic spaces, and programs that improve care and outcomes for young patients and their families.

Paul was recently nominated for the Greater Shepparton City Council Volunteer Awards. While he may have missed out on the win, the award ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all those who volunteer in support of our community.

Paul’s goal is to raise $1 million! Community members wanting to contribute can drop off their disused lead-based vehicle batteries to Natrad, 20 Campbell Street, Shepparton. If you would like to learn more or assist with the initiative, please contact Paul on 0457 000 423.

Thank you, Paul. All volunteers are amazing, but you definitely take it to the next level, you are an absolute legend.

Pictured: GV Health Foundation Chair, Stephen Merrylees, GV Health Foundation Director, Amy De Paola, Paul Archer and Tim Cannon, GV Health Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

19/04/2026

Sometimes the simple ideas have a big impact 📚

The GV Health Foundation has partnered with 123Read2Me to bring free children’s books into Goulburn Valley Health, helping families connect through reading.

Each month, 1,000 pre-loved books are delivered and stocked into trolleys at the Foundation office and paediatric outpatient clinic. Patients, visitors and staff are all invited to take a book home, at no cost.

The program was designed to make time in hospital a little easier for children, offering a way to pass the time and, importantly, take a story home to enjoy beyond their visit. However, the first delivery has been a big hit, not just with children, but with parents, grandparents and staff. The act of selecting a book or 2 has sparked shared moments, familiar favourites being rediscovered, and a genuine buzz around reading and sharing stories.

Pictured are Hope and her sister Octavia who stocked up on books while visiting a family member at GV Health recently.

The GVH Foundation thanks the wonderful volunteers and their supporters at 123Read2Me for all their work in providing their amazing program.

Keep an eye out for the book trolleys on your next visit 📖

26/02/2026

The Rotary Club of Shepparton Central have been long standing supporters of the GV Health Foundation, providing nursing scholarships at Goulburn Valley Health. A big thanks goes to Rob Kelly, Phil Squire and all the Rotarians for the power of work they put into delivering this awesome event.

22/02/2026

The GV Health Foundation extends our sincere thanks to Soroptimist International of Shepparton Inc for their generous $5,000 donation raised through this year’s Valentine’s Lunch.

These funds will directly support a postgraduate nurse at Goulburn Valley Health, helping to strengthening specialist skills within our region and investing in the future of local healthcare.

The Foundation is deeply grateful to the Soroptimist members for their leadership, generosity and commitment to improving outcomes for women and girls, and to everyone who attended and contributed on the day.

Initiatives like this directly strengthen the capability of our healthcare workforce, helping to ensure our community continues to receive high-quality care, close to home.

Pictured L-R is GV Health Foundation's Director, Amy De Paola and Chair, Stephen Merrylees with Shepparton Soroptimist President Katrina Mooney

19/02/2026

A wonderful turn out at the recent Blue Ribbon Foundation - Greater Shepparton branch meeting. The committee has just set up their page so be sure to follow and share to stay up-to-date with the activities planned.

For those who missed the meeting but would like to assist in some way email: [email protected]

Thanks so much to all that attended the Blue Ribbon Shepparton Branch meeting last night. Lots of new faces which was fantastic and we had 15 in attendance.
Also lucky to have Blue Ribbon CEO Vedran Drakulic OAM in attendance as well.

16/02/2026

The Greater Shepparton Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation will be holding their second meeting for 2026 this Wednesday, Feb 18 and welcomes new volunteers to attend the meeting to help continue its important work.

Since 1988, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has raised funds in honor of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Funds raised by the local Shepparton Branch have primarily been donated to Goulburn Valley Health, helping to deliver practical improvements across emergency, short-stay and isolation services, strengthening care for patients when it matters most.

The Shepparton branch has a proud history but now needs new volunteers to carry on this great work. The commitment is flexible, and involvement can take many forms, from helping at events to supporting planning and coordination.

If you’re interested in getting involved join us at the next meeting:

📅 Wednesday 18
🕖 7.00pm
📍 The Sanctuary Church, 4 Treacy Street, Mooroopna

We encourage community members to attend, learn more, or share this post with others who may be interested.

28/01/2026

The GV Health Foundation congratulates the many community members recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours. We are particularly proud to acknowledge those whose contributions, through philanthropy, leadership and service, have directly strengthened Goulburn Valley Health and improved outcomes for patients and families across our region.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Peter Copulos, named Citizen of the Year for Shepparton and Greater Shepparton, and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, in recognition of his longstanding philanthropic giving. Peter’s generosity has supported many, including health services at GV Health, strengthening care close to home and delivering lasting benefit for patients, families and clinicians.

We also acknowledge Dr Joseph Tam, recipient of a Member of the Order of Australia, for significant service to paediatric medicine and rural health. Through his clinical leadership and commitment to regional healthcare, Dr Tam has played an important role in delivering high-quality care at GV Health, ensuring children and families in our region can access specialist services locally.

We are equally proud to recognize Shepparton's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committee who were awarded Community Event of the Year. Now in its 15th year, the Biggest Blokes Lunch committee has enabled dedicated prostate nurses to be employed at GV Health, improving access to care, driving education and supporting men throughout their cancer journey.

This year’s recipients demonstrate the various pathways individuals and groups can give back to the communities they live in. Whether through funding services, delivering care, advocating for early detection, or bringing the community together, each awardee has tapped into their strengths to make a meaningful contribution to our region. As a Foundation, we are deeply grateful to those who chose to make a difference to the communities they live in. We are also enormously grateful that they have chosen GV Health to be the beneficiary of their actions.

To Peter Copulos, Dr Joseph Tam and the BEBL Committee the Foundation congratulates you on being a deserving recipient of this year’s awards and we thank you for your leadership and the positive impact you have had both at GV Health and in our community.

24/01/2026

A great article highlighting a community to be proud of. 🩷👏

MCBI Learning and Development is an award winning workforce development specialist provider in Australia.