Charity cattle raise health funds

Rod Newnham donated two steers and a heifer to Euroa Health. The trio was auctioned as Lot 1 — the steers selling for $2200 and the heifer for $1390. Photo by Daneka Hill

Farmers rolled up their sleeves and donated to Euroa Health the best way they know how — with livestock.

Cattle producers were met by Euroa Health representatives as they entered the annual End of Financial Year Sale in Euroa on Wednesday, June 1.

Euroa Health was raising funds to go towards the purchase of two vital pieces of equipment — an Efficia monitor and a new patient trolley.

The Efficia monitor will support Euroa Health staff to monitor all patients more efficiently as well as enabling staff to provide Ambulance Victoria and other treating specialists with additional vital patient information that would be captured in real time.

The new patient trolley would also give hospital staff the ability to move a patient around the entire facility and care for patients on an ergonomic trolley designed to ensure both staff and patient safety.

Euroa Health chief executive Sherree Hunter said the monitor and bed were worth $18,000 in total.

“That’s a lot for Euroa Health to have to find in a really tight fiscal period and that’s coming off the back of COVID-19, which has been different for all health services,” Ms Hunter said.

Euroa’s Rod Newnham’s three beasts were the first lot of the sale to be auctioned off for charity.

“It’s a good cause and my wife Kerry (Newnham) used to be on the (hospital) board,” Mr Newnham said.

David and Naomi Welton donated the value of one heifer from their pen. Photo by Daneka Hill

Ruffy farmers David and Naomi Welton donated an Angus heifer from their sale.

“We’ve got 29 heifers here today and we’re donating the value of one heifer (to Euroa Health),” Mr Welton said.

“It’s a good cause to support. I’m getting up there and I’d like to have this sort of care close to home.”

So far, Euroa Health has raised about $22,620 with funds being accepted until June 15.