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Madeleine McNeil

The region&nbsp;celebrated a huge milestone this week when the South West Regional Cancer Centre opened on Saturday.  The event was the culmination of seven&nbsp;and-a-half years of campaigning by Warrnambool resident Vicki Jellie and the Peter’s Project Foundation for a state-of-the-art facility&nbsp;for cancer patients in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia,&nbsp;after losing her husband, Peter to cancer. Epworth Healthcare will manage&nbsp;the centre and its radiotherapy services on behalf of the state of Victoria.  South West Healthcare provides the chemotherapy services and South West Oncology delivers patient care and cancer services.  The Peter’s Project Community Support Centre is&nbsp;a non-clinical&nbsp;space for families to access,&nbsp;providing&nbsp;cooking and computer facilities and support services. RELATED:  Dream becomes reality RELATED: Centre puts us on the map RELATED: First patient feels fortunate for service RELATED: Car means one less worry RELATED: Cancer centre opens RELATED: Patients’ right to choose RELATED:&nbsp;Respite and support in room

Shane Timms, Vicki Jellie and Colin McKenna, outside the Warrnambool Meat Barn, in December 2008, where a gold coin donation sausage sizzle was held with proceeds to go towards cancer support. It was one of the first of hundreds of events to raise money for a south-west cancer care centre.

Vicki Jellie looking at a photo of her late husband Peter Jellie, in April 2010, who died of cancer. Fundraising for improved cancer care services began in March 2009.

CrossFit trainer Clinton Thomas with 10 people who lost weight and raised money for Peter's Project in September 2010. Picture: ROB GUNSTONE


Peter's Project's Vicki Jellie, St John of God Hospital CEO Dr Glyn Palmer, Glenys Phillpot, Alan Simpson, SJOG nursing director Leanne McPherson, South West Healthcare palliative care director Eric Fairbank, oncologist Terri Hayes, Midfield Meat's Colin McKenna and accountant Michael Beks show their support for a cancer centre in April 2010. 

Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu, and MP Denis Napthine at South West Healthcare after Mr Baillieu announced a commitment to fund radiotherapy facilities, in October 2010, if the Liberals won the November state election Picture: ROB GUNSTONE


Vicki Jellie in November 2011 with a copy of The Standard appealing to Federal Health  Miniser Nicola Roxon to support a south-west integrated cancer care centre.

Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie with palliative care director Dr Eric Fairbank announcing medical scholarships to Melissa King, Pauline McCaul and Dr Emma Greenwood in February 2012. 

Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, member for Wannon Dan Tehan, and MP Denis Napthine were left disappointed after Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek stated there was no money in the Commonwealth budget for the project in January 2013.

Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie and Victorian premier Denis Napthine celebrate a state budget funding announcement of $10million for a radiotherapy facility in Warrnambool in May 2013.

Warrnambool Peter's Project supporters celebrate a $10million state government funding announcement for south-west radiotherapy service in May 2013.


The community fundraising campaign - Peter's Project office opens in the National Australia Bank building in July 2013. Pictured Telstra Store manager Danielle Hickman, NAB Warrnambool manager Scott Coverdale, South West Healthcare IT specialist Corey Grapentin and Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie. The businesses helped establish the office inside the NAB branch, where the public could donate or learn more about the cause. 

Premier Denis Napthine and Shadow Health Minister Peter Dutton with Wannon MP Dan Tehan and mayor Michael Neoh with Peter's Project founder Vicki Jellie and committee members in August, 2013. Minister Dutton made a $10million pledge to the cancer centre if the federal Coalition was elected in September.


Callaghan Motors donated a car to Peter's Project. Pictured Steve Callaghan and his team with Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie in August 2013.


Local philanthropic trusts donated $1million to Peter's Project in October 2013. Pictured is Bill Phillpot, Margaret Lucas, Don Aitken, Sue Henry, James Tait, Vicki Jellie, and Vern Robson. Picture: ROB GUNSTONE


Peter's Project Vicki Jellie with Lyndoch Living's  Anne Gibbs, Lil Romey, Scolie Simpson and Nancy Torney who are made rugs to donate to the charity in August 2013.

Moyne Health Services donated $100,000 to Peter's Project in October 2013. Pictured is Laurence Gleeson, Jim Madden, Koroit Health Services chairman Brian Trotter,Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, Lorraine Mielnik, Nathalie Davis and Lorraine Crellin. 

Peter's Project Target $5 million reached. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, Devondale Murray Goulburn managing director Gary Helou, Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie and Member for Wannon Dan Tehan in April 2014.

Peter's Project's Vicki Jellie packs up the group's office at National Australia Bank Warrnambool, with volunteers Kylie Gaston and Jose Farrar in May 2014, after the $5million fundraising target was reached in only nine months. 


Peter's Project's Vicki Jellie with Woodford Primary School student Olivia Dalton, 12, and Woolsthorpe Primary School student Sophie Lemke at the Student Leaders Congress Night of Celebration in July 2014.


Peter's Project Punters' Club, donated money to Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie. Pictured Tim Auld, Sue Cassidy, Colin McKenna, Martin Kavanagh, Damian Gleeson, John Clements, Marcus Norton, Tim Lewis, Bruce Ludeman and Peter Headen in September 2014.

South West Healthcare CEO John Krygger, Premier Denis Napthine, Peter's Project' s Vicki Jellie and SWH board chairman John Maher, after the announcement of the successful tender for the south-west radiotherapy centre in September 2014. Picture: ROB GUNSTONE

Bryan and Petersen's Peter Koeing and Andrew Austen with Peter's Project's Vicki Jellie  at the Peter's Project Charity House which was auctioned on March 28, 2015. St Joseph's Church donated the land, Bryan and Petersen managed the project and trades and services were provided free or at a reduced rate. Auction proceeds were donated to Peter's Project.


Peter's Project Foundation directors Glenys Phillpot, Vicki Jellie and Vern Robson hand over a $5million cheque to Epworth Healthcare director of commissioning Paul Fenton as the South West Regional Cancer Centre building starts to take shape in July 2015.


Peter's Project directors Vicki Jellie and Vern Robson at the South West Regional Cancer Centre site in July 2015.

South West Healthcare CEO John Krygger, Activ Concrete Formwork carpenter Lachlan McKinnon, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan and Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie at the site of the new centre in August 2015.

Epworth Healthcare director of commissioning Paul Fenton, Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, Southwest Health Care CEO John Kryger, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, and Peter's Project director Vern Robson at the almost completed South West Regional Cancer Centre in Warrnambool in June 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone

Outside the South West Regional Cancer Centre prior to its official opening. Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, Epworth Healthcare's Liam Jukes, Peter's Project director Glenys Phillpot, South West Healthcare Director of Nursing Julianne Clift, and Peter's Project director Vern Robson in July 2016

Former Victorian premier Denis Napthine and Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie celebrate the opening of the South West Regional Cancer Centre in July 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone

Peter's Project founder and director Vicki Jellie with daughters Erin and Sarah Jellie, at the opening of the new South West Regional Cancer Centre in July 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone

There wasn't a dry eye, as Vicki Jellie remembered her husband Peter, whose cancer battle inspired the drive for a south west radiotherapy facility, at the official opening of the South West Regional Cancer Centre in July 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone

Epworth Healthcare director of commissioning Paul Fenton, Peter's Project director Vicki Jellie, and former Victorian premier Denis Napthine unveil a plaque at the cancer centre's official opening in July 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone

Warrnambool's Catherine Richards is the first radiotherapy patient to be treated at the  South West Regional Cancer Centre in July 2016. Picture: Rob Gunstone



The region&nbsp;celebrated a huge milestone this week when the South West Regional Cancer Centre opened on Saturday.

The event was the culmination of seven&nbsp;and-a-half years of campaigning by Warrnambool resident Vicki Jellie and the Peter’s Project Foundation for a state-of-the-art facility&nbsp;for cancer patients in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia,&nbsp;after losing her husband, Peter to cancer.

Epworth Healthcare will manage&nbsp;the centre and its radiotherapy services on behalf of the state of Victoria.

South West Healthcare provides the chemotherapy services and South West Oncology delivers patient care and cancer services.

The Peter’s Project Community Support Centre is&nbsp;a non-clinical&nbsp;space for families to access,&nbsp;providing&nbsp;cooking and computer facilities and support services.

RELATED:  <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4028411/dream-becomes-reality-video/">Dream becomes reality</a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4027811/centre-puts-us-on-the-map/">Centre puts us on the map</a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4027488/first-patient-feels-fortunate-for-service/">First patient feels fortunate for service</a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4028937/car-means-one-less-worry/">Car means one less worry</a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4034509/cancer-centre-opens-photos/">Cancer centre opens</a>

RELATED: <a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4032856/patients-right-to-choose/">Patients’ right to choose</a>

RELATED:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/4036491/respite-and-support-in-room/">Respite and support in room</a>

A selection of images from the Peter's Project campaign for improved cancer care services

Peter’s Project milestones| gallery

Peter's Project: from humble beginnings to the opening of the South West Regional Cancer Centre

A selection of images from the Peter's Project campaign for improved cancer care services

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Madeleine McNeil

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