Bendigo’s only locally owned newspaper
ISSUE NO. 604 – Friday, April 17, 2009
All set for the stage MATT BRAY, pictured, is in character for his role in the Bendigo Theatre Company’s latest venture All Shook Up. The 18 year old is involved with the production as a first step to being a singer. “I really like doing singing, going up on stage, showing ‘em what I’ve got,” he said. Matt is playing one of the lead roles, Dennis. “Apparently he’s a real nerdy kind of guy, wanting to become a dentist. Certainly a different role for me. But it’s going good,” Matt said. Shake, rattle and roll – Page 27
FUNDING BLOW Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN. More photos at www.bendigophotos.com
Hospital budget cash may head to Box Hill By ANTHONY RADFORD
18 days to go
BENDIGO has been dealt a blow in its attempts to gain substantial funding in next month’s state budget for a redevelopment of the Bendigo hospital. With about $750 million needed to redevelop the hospital, Bendigo’s biggest rival,
the Box Hill hospital, looks set to walk away with the bulk of health capital funding from the May 5 budget. Despite expectations the government will only commit more planning money for Bendigo in the May 5 budget, there are calls for up to $100 million to be allocated to Bendigo to allow site
works to begin. That would allow for almost immediate redevelopment works to begin if a larger amount of funding was allocated in the 2010-11 budget. Box Hill hospital’s redevelopment story is similar to Bendigo. A new masterplan was
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produced in 2003, however no substantial funding as been announced, despite a series of state government commitments. Like Bendigo, the government went to the 2006 election with a commitment to building a new Box Hill hospital. n Continued Page 5
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holding VISITS
Roadworks plan raises a row – page 6
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