Plenary gala dinner at the new Footscray Hospital raises $141,000 for the Western Health Foundation

On Tuesday, 11 November, Plenary hosted a gala dinner at the new Footscray Hospital thanking those who have been a part of the journey of building the new hospital, and to raise funds for the Western Health Foundation. The event was an outstanding success, raising more than $141,000 to support the foundation’s important work. 

Held in the spacious foyer of the new hospital, with dining tables and a stage overlooking the Village Green, the dinner offered a rare opportunity to experience the new hospital precinct ahead of its opening to patients in February 2026.

The evening welcomed a distinguished group of guests, including the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Mary Ann Thomas MP, Minister for Mental Health, Ingrid Stitt MP, Member for Footscray, Katie Hall MP, Member for Laverton, Sarah Connolly MP, Member for Kororoit, Luga Grigorovitch MP, and The Honourable Steve Bracks AC, Chancellor of Victoria University.  

Speakers included Western Health CEO, Professor Russell Harrison and Chair of the Board, The Honourable Professor Jill Hennessey, New Footscray Hospital Project Chair, Plenary Health, Kelvyn Lavelle, and Paul Crowe, CEO and Director, Plenary.

Western Health Chair of the Board, The Honourable Professor Jill Hennessey, spoke to guests about the state-of-the-art technology and services featured within the new Footscray Hospital and how it will enhance healthcare for the communities of Melbourne's west.

The guest speakers, Dr Arun Sett and Dr Penny Kee, spoke to guests about Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) used to diagnose and treat very sick babies. Their inspiring presentation highlighted how the program is being used to improve health care around Australia and train clinicians locally and internationally. The equipment was provided through funds raised by the Western Health Foundation.

Plenary Health has been a valued and committed corporate partner of the Western Health Foundation for many years, helping us raise critical funds for key initiatives. Plenary Health has supported the Women+ for Western Health awards, provided the Plenary Health Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing Grants and the Plenary Health Innovation Grant.

In 2025 the winners of these awards were: 

• Women+ for Western Health – Dr Suzie Kosmider and Dr Grace Garde for STOP, a program to help women stop smoking during pregnancy
• Plenary Health Intensive Care Unit Nursing Grants - Karen Pena and Luke Surman of Sunshine ICU and Ali Alharbi and Alanah Rossi of Footscray ICU for their dedication and care to patients in ICU
• Plenary Health Innovation Grant – Jack Kain for Illicit and legal cigarettes – a comparison by chemical analysis to understand the impact of the use of illicit cigarettes on health

Western Health extends its thanks to all who donated to the Foundation and attended the event, with special appreciation to Plenary for hosting and organising the dinner. We would especially like to thank Mr Kelvyn Lavelle, Chair of Plenary Health, New Footscray Hospital for his dedication to the health and well-being of Melbourne’s West. 

Photo credits: Shannyn Higgins.