ROSEBUD RSL Women’s Auxiliary Club held its annual Ladies Day gala and raised over $20,000 to go towards a new CT scanner for Rosebud Hospital.
On 5 November, over 170 people came together at Rosebud RSL to enjoy lunch, races, and raise money through raffles and a silent auction.
Colleen Bowden, president of Rosebud Women’s Auxiliary, said the club is volunteer-run and extremely community-oriented.
“Especially with the RSL, because most of us are affiliated in some way or another with veterans,” said Bowden.
She said the club wanted the funds raised to go towards a cause that would benefit the community.
“In this community, most of the veterans live down here on the Mornington Peninsula, and they all use Rosebud Hospital,” said Bowden.
“They’re in dire need of this $2m CT scanner, and once we knew that Bendigo Bank was matching dollar for dollar, it was a done deal.”
The funds raised will contribute to the Big Picture Appeal, which was launched by Save Rosebud Hospital and Community Bank Southern Peninsula (“Fundraiser for new CT scanner at Rosebud Hospital”, The News, 08/10/26).
A total of $2m is needed for the new machine.
Community Bank Southern Peninsula is matching up to $250,000 in donations for the new CT scanner.
Bronwyn Braden, Community Fundraising Coordinator for Bayside Health Peninsula, thanked the auxiliary club and its members for their ongoing commitment to helping others in the community.
“You do it with the motto of ‘We also serve’, and you’re a shining example of what community service really looks like,” said Braden.
“They go about their work very quietly, and they’re making an enormous difference in our community. They’ve donated over $17,000 to Rosebud Hospital in the last 10 years.”
Braden said what makes the fundraising for the CT scanner so special is that ten years ago, the community raised the money for Rosebud Hospital’s current CT scanner.
“Every scan that’s been performed in the last decade at Rosebud Hospital has been possible because local people like you cared enough to support us,” said Braden.
“Now, ten years later, we have the opportunity to do it again.”
Jane Roberts, a general manager at Peninsula Care Group, said last year, 23,647 patients presented to Rosebud Emergency Department.
“On those patients, 6,147 CT scans were ordered and completed,” said Roberts.
“That means nearly one in every four patients who’s going to Rosebud Emergency is going to end up with a CT scan, and this is why we really need to upgrade the current one.”
Roberts said the money raised is not simply for the new CT scanner.
“We are investing in faster diagnoses, we’re investing in better patient outcomes, we’re investing in greater access to healthcare, and we are ensuring that our children, parents, and grandparents can continue to access world-class healthcare, close to home, right here on the southern peninsula,” said Roberts.
Bowden said the event was a huge success and was grateful to all attendees and sponsors who helped make the event possible.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 November 2026
