‘We’re Victorians too’: Mildura hits breaking point after decades of state govt neglect at Mildura Base Public Hospital

A Mildura mum’s harrowing hospital experience has added fuel to a growing revolt, as campaigners declare “We’re Victorians too” as the region’s health crisis deepens.

The situation at Mildura Base Public Hospital on Ontario Ave has locals so riled up that there are two petitions to lobby the state government for funding. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

After decades of state government neglect, anger in Mildura has reached boiling point as residents demand urgent action to rebuild the region’s public hospital, declaring: “We’re Victorians too.”

Families say the impact of an under-resourced hospital is impossible to ignore.

One Mildura parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said her eight-week-old daughter was admitted to emergency with a serious lump in her groin, only to find a bloodstained bed, no radiologist available, and a lack of urgency.

Multiple petitions are circulating in Mildura hoping to get the attention of the state government to pump some much-needed funds into the struggling Mildura Base Public Hospital. Picture: Generic

“We were told ‘we don’t have a radiologist on weekends’ and tried to say it was a milk intolerance causing the issues and that there was no lump, basically trying to make me think I was going bat s--t crazy by thinking I was seeing things,” she said.

Despite an eventual diagnosis of a hernia requiring surgery, the family waited days for a referral to Melbourne.

“It took them until Thursday to send a referral through with me hounding them every single day. We then flew to Melbourne the following Monday for the surgery,” she said.

Ali Cupper says more than 30 prominent locals have already signed on for an inaugural campaign meeting. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Two petitions have emerged, fuelling a grassroots revolt spearheaded by former state MP Ali Cupper and veteran activist Stephen Parr, co-chairs of the newly formed Build the Base campaign, and Kellie Ladewig’s ‘Fix our hospital crisis’ online petition.

Ms Cupper, who is also deputy mayor of Mildura Rural City Council, said frustration within the community was at boiling point.

The ED clock outside of the emergency department at Mildura Base Public Hospital which experienced a code yellow in May of this year. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“We’ve known for 25 years the hospital is too small for the region, and that is going to create issues with patient experience. As a Mallee kid, that makes me angry,” Ms Cupper said.

Their blunt message to the state government is clear: “We’re Victorians too.”

The community is no stranger to rallying together for the betterment of the Mildura Base Public Hospital. Picture: Supplied

The Build the Base campaign evolved from the successful Reclaim the Base push, which brought the hospital back into public hands.

The group is now mobilising influential community figures and residents, with plans to formalise as an incorporated association soon.

Campaigners say suspicions have been fuelled by the state government’s refusal to release a hospital master plan commissioned in 2021, raising concerns about ongoing delays and stonewalling.

A lot of the same faces from the Reclaim the Base movement are involved in the new Build the Base campaign. Picture: Supplied

However, the Victorian government insists it is delivering record support to Mildura.

“We know how important it is for regional communities like Mildura to have the care they need, close to home—it’s why we’ve just delivered the biggest ever investment in frontline care, with $9.3bn for hospitals right across Victoria including Mildura Base Public Hospital,” a government spokesperson said.

“We will continue to work closely with Mildura Base Public Hospital to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality care to the local community.”

The government confirmed master planning was completed to ensure that as Mildura grows, the hospital can continue to deliver the best care, but stopped short of releasing the plan, saying master plans are an internal guide and are not generally made public.

A spokesman for Health Minister Mary Anne Thomas says the Victorian government would continue to work closely with Mildura Base Public Hospital to ensure it can continue to deliver high-quality care to the local community. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

Yet, Mildura campaigners remain unconvinced, emphasising their issue is with longstanding government inaction, not hospital staff.

“We are the most isolated place in Victoria in some respects,” Mr Parr said. “That is an additional layer to the need for us to have an appropriate site for the hospital.”

More than 30 prominent community figures have already signed up for an inaugural campaign meeting, with a petition organised by Ms Cupper already surpassing 1000 signatures.

Ambulances parked outside of the ED at Mildura Base Public Hospital. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Ms Ladewig’s petition calling for urgent government investment in the hospital has so far gathered nearly 700 signatures.

“At the end of the day, I am hoping the government will see multiple petitions and understand the level of community interest,” Ms Cupper said.

To sign the Build the Base petition, residents can visit the campaign’s website to find participating businesses.

Management at Mildura Base Public Hospital declined to comment further, instead referring the Herald Sun to a media release issued last month