General News
7 February, 2026
Strong case made for hospital upgrade and Headspace
FUNDING for an upgrade of Willaura Hospital and the establishment of a Headspace centre in Ararat were high on the agenda at a meeting with Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston in Willaura last week. Senator Ruston was in the region with the Member for Wannon Dan Tehan to discuss health issues and the need for federal funding.
The pair met with representatives of East Grampians Health Service, Grampians Community Health, One Red Tree and Ararat Rural City Council to discuss what many see as a pressing need for a Headspace facility in Ararat.
Headspace is a youth mental health initiative offering counselling and support to young people regarding their physical, mental and sexual health as well as alcohol and drug support.
Mr Tehan has long called for a Headspace facility in Ararat, saying other large centres in his electorate have benefitted from the service.
“I look around my community in Western Victoria, Colac, Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton. Ararat is absolutely the missing link, it’s the one that we need so we know we have those youth mental health services in place,” he said.
“We had a good discussion as a result of that I made contact with Jason Trethowan, the CEO of Headspace again and Anne Ruston met with him in Melbourne two days after the meeting and we strongly advocated again for the need for Headspace in Ararat.
“My hope is giving the compelling case, especially from One Red Tree and others, that we will hear some positive news this year,” he said.
Mr Tehan was also keen to discuss the need for funding for the redevelopment of Willaura Hospital.
The Victorian Government has already allocated $3.5 million to allow East Grampians Health Service to redevelop some of the dated rooms at Willaura Hospital.
Mr Tehan said it was important that small health facilities like Willaura don’t miss out.
“Obviously there will be a further round of Federal Government grants for aged care and we just worked through how we can make sure we can get matching dollar for dollar from the Commonwealth from what the state has agreed to put in.
“(East Grampians Health Service) has a plan as what needs to be done and it’s all drawn up and shovel ready and the community is willing and able to do its bit as well. We’ve got a very strong case to put to the Commonwealth as to why it deserves to get funding,” Mr Tehan said.
East Grampians Health Service Board Chair Cam Evans and Board Director Sybil Abbott Burmeister led the discussions.
Mr Evans said he was delighted the State Government had come on board and he is hoping the Federal Government can fund the aged care part of the redevelopment.
“We are hopeful they will match the Victorian Government contribution,” he said.
Mr Tehan told those at the meeting he would work hard with the Government to get the funds that the Willaura Hospital requires.