Family tradition of health care fundraising continues

It’s back to the future for St John of God Bendigo Hospital’s Anna Hill, who is continuing the family tradition of raising funds for excellence in health care.

Anna is the granddaughter of Frank K. Hill, a respected Bendigo businessman and gifts chairman of the Mount Alvernia Hospital building appeal who set out to raise $2 million in 1968.

Her grandmother, Bon Hill, was the first president of the Ladies Auxiliary and led the hospital’s fundraising efforts for 20 years.

Anna is driven to serve the community in the same way as her grandparents to help ensure state-of-the-art high quality care.

She is leading the campaign to raise $2 million for a da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which will transform surgery in the Bendigo and Loddon Mallee regions.

Anna, who is the hospital’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, was born at Mount Alvernia Hospital (now St John of God Bendigo Hospital) along with her two older brothers, Francis and William.

“I’m proud of the family tradition and feel it’s an honour and a privilege to follow in the footsteps of my philanthropic grandparents,” Anna said.

“The da Vinci Xi is a breakthrough in surgical technology that will enable high precision cancer surgery for patients in Bendigo and the Central Victorian region without the need to travel to Melbourne."

“Every dollar that is donated will enable us to innovate and improve our community’s care.”

Anna’s grandfather’s initial fundraising target of $2 million in 1968 would be equivalent to $17.6 million today, according to the Reserve Bank’s inflation calculator.

“He described the amount required from the community as ‘relatively small’ and that remains true for our current fundraiser,” Anna said.

“The same vision to provide the best possible medical care for our community also continues today."

“As my grandfather said 56 years ago, ‘we cannot and must not let them down’.”

The da Vinci Xi will enhance St John of God Bendigo Hospital’s capabilities for prostate surgery, colorectal surgery, thoracic surgery, and renal and gynaecological surgical procedures.

Donations can be made online at sjogfoundation.org.au/donate-bendigo or by calling the St John of God Foundation on 1800 281 288.

Anna is committed to the not-for-profit sector and to serving the community. She is the Partnerships Director for the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and since 2017 she has run an annual fundraiser for Foodbank Victoria to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the state.

This year, Anna has been selected as a judge for the 2024 Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Business Excellence Awards where she will adjudicate three categories that are closest to her heart: Health and Care Award, Not for Profit Award and the Regional Women’s Business Award.

Contact: Anna Hill, Director of Marketing and Business Development
E: [email protected]
M: 0488 197 546