General News
6 March, 2026
Lions back mammography push
AN incredible community based campaign to fund a mammography unit at Ararat Hospital has moved substantially closer with a generous $20,000 donation last week from Ararat Lions.
The local Lions Club met up with members of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat last week to present a cheque of $20,000 towards the purchase cost.
The Foundation has set itself an ambitious target to raise $250,000 towards the purchase of the vital equipment, which will cost in total $296,000. Additional funds will be provided by East Grampians Health Service.
Mammography is a specialised breast x-ray imaging technique used for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Ararat Branch president Dianne Radford said it was an incredible gesture.
“For the Ararat branch, this is the biggest project ever undertaken. $250,000 sounds daunting but it’s very exciting at the same time.
“Nearly everyone knows someone or has a relation who has been affected by cancer in some way.
“This donation from Lions is just incredible and I cannot thank them enough,” Mrs Radford said.
Lions Club President Peter McNeil said his members were delighted to support such a worthy cause.
“It gives the Lions Club of Ararat great pleasure presenting this cheque here today,” he said.
Since the Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was formed 23 years ago, the organisation has donated more than $1.2 million to East Grampians Health Service.
“To Peter and to all the team at Lions, thank you so very much. Every dollar we raise is not easy but you know, like us, our community is what makes it all happen,” Mrs Radford said.
“We’ve already got $55,000 ready to go with the project so this donation is a great boost,” she said.
Having a mammography unit at EGHS will enable the health service to offer an additional service to Ararat and surrounding areas by improving access to the national free screening program, BreastScreen, which can identify early signs of breast cancer in asymptomatic people.
It will also allow EGHS to perform diagnostic mammograms referred by GPs and specialists, reducing the need for patients to travel elsewhere for these important examinations.
It is estimated that EGHS could screen approximately 700 clients through BreastScreen each year and having a local service will reduce the need for long-distance travel, with Ballarat currently the closest service.
It will support women who may delay or skip the free screening service due to transport, time or finance barriers.
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