News

Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) wishes to publicly clarify some of the comments made yesterday by the new Board Chair, Brad Robertson of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund (the Trust).

As a public health service, AWH is, and continues to be, subject to independent external audit by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) to ensure compliance with the Audit Act 1994 and Australian Accounting Standards. VAGO has provided an unqualified audit opinion on AWH’s financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, as reported in AWH’s most recent Annual Report.

AWH operates within a strong and well-established governance framework. This includes compliance with the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Standing Directions 2018 issued by the Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance.

AWH is subject to regular external reviews of its compliance with the Standing Directions and an annual review of its compliance with the Financial Management Act. The outcomes of these reviews are, and continue to be, formally reported to the AWH Board Finance, Audit, Infrastructure and Risk Committee.

The Albury Wodonga Health Foundation is a department of Albury Wodonga Health. It is not a separate legal entity. All donations made to AWH, including those provided by donors, philanthropists, registered foundations / trusts, and funding partners, are administered through the AWH Foundation in accordance with AWH’s governance, financial and audit requirements and are appropriately acknowledged. AWH is fully transparent in the management, reporting and acquittal of these funds. 

AWH recognises that the Trust is an independent charity that raises, manages and invests funds for cancer care in the Albury Wodonga region.  The Trust does not provide healthcare services; its sole purpose is to fund organisations like Albury Wodonga Health, that deliver cancer services.

AWH seeks funding from a range of charitable, corporate and philanthropic partners, including the Trust. Albury Wodonga Health competes for funding that the Trust raises alongside other cancer service providers, including ‘for profit’ and publicly listed companies.

Any funding received by the AWH Foundation is managed strictly in accordance with the relevant funding agreement and is subject to robust acquittal and reporting processes.

The Endobronchial Ultrasound System (EBUS) is a clear example of this governance framework in practice. Funding for this equipment was awarded following a formal application to the Trust, and a funding agreement was executed. The Trust and donor’s contributions were publicly acknowledged at the time. The project continues to be managed in line with agreed terms, AWH’s financial and reporting requirements, and the Trust’s own acquittal processes.

AWH values genuine collaboration that delivers real benefit to patients and families across the Border.

In that spirit, AWH was delighted to be advised yesterday of the Trust’s intention to enter into a multi-year agreement to continue funding our highly valued Paediatric Cancer Care Coordinator role at Albury Wodonga Health. This role plays a critical part in supporting children with cancer and their families to access specialist care closer to home, improving coordination of care and reducing the burden of travel at an already difficult time.

AWH remains committed to working constructively with community funding partners to improve cancer care and outcomes for our region, and to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, governance and accountability in the way all funds are managed and applied.