Bacchus Marsh revs up for health

Djerriwarrh Health Services staff are excited for the David Calleja Memorial Car Show. (Luke Hemer)

By Ewen McRae

Car enthusiasts and rev heads are set to take over Maddingley Park this weekend, with the David Calleja Memorial Car Show on again.
The main annual fundraiser for Djerriwarrh Health Services, the car show will see families and car clubs from across Victoria descend on Bacchus Marsh to enjoy the sights and sounds of cars, trucks and bikes from across the years.
Djerriwarrh Health chief executive Belinda Scott said it was an important event for the community and also the local health services.
“It’s the 15th year of the car show, and David Calleja was a long time supporter of the hospital here in Bacchus Marsh,” Ms Scott said.
“He passed away in 2004, and his family wanted to continue to support the hospital, so that’s how the show started. This year we’re expecting over 600 cars, trucks and bikes, so it’s set to be another big event.
“We’ve had great support from all over the community, and we’ve got vehicles from all eras for people to enjoy so it will be a great day.”
Djerriwarrh hopes to raise $100,000 from the event, with over $45,000 already raised.
Funds will go towards new equipment and resources for the hospital.

“The event gives us the money to spend on equipment that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford,” Ms Scott said.

“We’re looking at some new wheelchairs,
an ECG machine, some new patient trolleys, some portable observation machines, and some other things to cover our urgent care, medical unit, our aged care and our ambulance centres, so it’s across our whole business that will benefit from this fundraising.”

The car show will run from 7am to 4.30pm on February 2, with food trucks, market stalls, and kids entertainment on site as well.