Public Statement

Public Statement

Brad Robertson
Chair
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund

Recent public statements by Albury Wodonga Health and the AWH Foundation have referenced the Endobronchial Ultrasound System (EBUS) as part of broader commentary on fundraising and expenditure.

For transparency, it is important to clarify the following.

The EBUS equipment, valued at approximately $313,000, was funded through the generosity of local donor Jenny Horne and approved under our Equipment Pillar of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.

The Trust independently assessed the business case submitted for this equipment, determined it aligned with our charitable purpose, and approved its purchase. The funds were raised by the AWRCC Trust Fund for the specific purpose of improving cancer services in our region. The Trust directly funded the equipment in accordance with its governance framework.

The AWRCC Trust Fund did not donate funds to the AWH Foundation for this purchase.

It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to describe equipment funded through the AWRCC Trust Fund as revenue raised by, or donations made to, the AWH Foundation.

The Trust is a separate, independent, community-owned charitable entity. Funds raised by the Trust are held separately, governed separately, and applied strictly in accordance with our four pillars to advance cancer care.

We fully support collaborative partnerships with Albury Wodonga Health to improve patient outcomes. However, transparency in how funds are described in public communications is essential to maintaining community confidence.

Community donors deserve absolute clarity about where their contributions are held, who governs them, and how they are applied.

The AWRCC Trust Fund remains committed to ensuring that every dollar raised for cancer care in our region is applied transparently, responsibly, and exclusively for that purpose.

END STATEMENT