In Focus: Health Care Award

Health Care — Winner: SS&A Albury 

SS&A Albury was the 2024 winner in the Health Care category for their support of the Albury Wodonga Health Paediatric Ward. 

The Club embarked on an upgrade project, ensuring that nurses and other medical staff had access to state-of-the-art equipment.

In total, the Club donated more than $131,000 which allowed upgrades to equipment, including nursery and neonatal resuscitation cots, surgical equipment, sofa beds, privacy window stencilling and a neonatal incubator. 

“We’re very pleased to be able to support the kids and give them the facilities and the equipment they need, and the nursing staff they need, to be able to provide a high level of service,” said SS&A Albury CEO Gerard Darmody.

“[The Award] is more a recognition of what it does for the community, it’s not about us as a Club, but it’s about what we can give back to the community, and help and assist people within our regional town and area, to have a better chance of great medical support.”

SS&A Albury has a long history with Albury Wodonga Health, with grants totalling $350,000 since 2019.

Health Care — Highly Commended: Barooga Sports Club

Highly Commended in this category was awarded to Barooga Sports Club for their support of the Barooga Aquatic and Recreation Centre (BARC).

The facility was built and has been operated and fully subsidised by the Club since 1991, and has been a cornerstone of community health and wellbeing for more than 30 years.

BARC features the only heated 25-metre indoor swimming pool within a one-hour drive in all directions, as well as a multi-purpose indoor court, gym, group fitness studio, creche and meeting rooms.

The Club is proud to operate such a facility which is unique to such a small town with a population of fewer than 2000 people.

“It’s pretty special and we’re really grateful to receive it,” said Sport & Leisure Manager Mel Holt after the Club was announced as the Highly Commended recipient on Thursday, 6 June.