Ainsley O’Bryan’s lived experience from three years ago underscores the significant demand for local health services in Swan Hill. Her story is a tragic but powerful reminder about this important issue. During an MRI scan, doctors discovered a tumor on her spinal cord, sparking a journey that highlighted the challenges faced by residents in accessing essential healthcare. The next closest MRI scanner is in Bendigo, two hours away. Currently, up to 70 residents take the long trip each week just to receive their scans. A community fundraising effort has now raised an impressive $2.6 million to secure an MRI machine for Swan Hill District Health, marking a significant milestone in local healthcare.
Swan Hill District Health has already made a significant commitment of $1.4 million to the purchase. Of that total, $1 million is drawn from a wonderful local bequest. The community’s extraordinary $6 million capital campaign exceeded every goal and will bring essential imaging services home. They hope to have the purchase and installation of the new MRI machine completed by mid-2026. This launch will come alongside the hospital’s $65 million redevelopment project, which is aimed at expanding its radiology services.
Community Support Drives Fundraising Success
The MRI Appeal’s success can be credited almost entirely to community participation. Paula Starrs, the organizer of the campaign, shared her motivation: “I made a few calls to the hospital and said, ‘How much money do you have, how much do you need?’ and then some friends got together over some drinks … and we formed the MRI appeal pretty much straight away.”
Starrs said she was thrilled by the depth and breadth of support from the community. “So, I think we’re all just walking around on cloud nine,” she said. She noted that donations had come from virtually every nook and cranny of Swan Hill and surrounding areas. This shows an impressive commitment from local citizens and private sector businesses. The entire district should be tremendously proud of what we’ve accomplished! Particularly since almost all of the donations originated in Swan Hill and the local, regional area despite us being a relatively small community,” she said.
Volunteer driver Dianne James transports such residents to medical appointments. She highlighted the dire importance of having a local MRI machine. In many of them, their health is worse than 100 percent,” she added. James emphasized the lessons that this new service would teach by removing financial and travel barriers for many older residents. With a local machine, work that used to take them a week can be completed in an hour. Then they can go home and rest,” she said.
Transformational Impact on Local Healthcare
The introduction of an MRI machine will substantially improve healthcare access for residents like Ainsley O’Bryan. Looking back on her experience, she noted, “If we had that MRI machine at home, I would have gotten diagnosed much sooner. O’Bryan recounted her challenges in traveling to Ballarat or Melbourne for multiple scans over five years, which often required extensive time off work and arranging childcare.
She emphasized how having local access would simplify the process significantly. “I wouldn’t have had to take days off work, I wouldn’t have had to find babysitters for my children.” O’Bryan pointed out that the costs associated with travel add up quickly. “Having to pay for petrol and accommodation … it really adds up.”
Everyone in the dance community that we spoke with expressed a sense of gratitude and relief. The new machine will enable the department to provide faster diagnoses and treatment alternatives.
Future Plans and Challenges
Though these fundraising efforts have been a success, much work still lies before us. Chloe Keogh, the interim chief executive of Swan Hill District Health, admitted their hospital needed more state government funding. This funding will allow them to appropriately outfit the new radiology department. She shared her powerful gratitude for the support from the community and how the generosity had shocked her.
Keogh reiterated that the MRI machine will improve Swan Hill’s healthcare significantly. It’s going to allow residents to get the critical imaging services they need, without leaving their community. “We’re incredibly grateful,” she said. “I’m really excited, and I’m just thankful for how fast this donation has been put together.”
Swan Hill residents have demonstrated remarkable dedication, infused with determination to improve healthcare for their community. It is a credit to this commitment that it has generated a deep sense of solidarity among the community. This ambitious initiative is a shining example of overcoming all odds, directed by the passion and collaboration of people devoted to a shared vision.
