Epworth HealthCare has given The Salvation Army a helping hand, building a new place of workshop in Box Hill.
Epworth Eastern Executive General Manager, Kerry May will join The Salvation Army Box Hill Major Brian Saunders in a formal ribbon cutting event for the local congregation and City of Whitehorse community at 10.30am today.
The new church building is the result of the Box Hill Health and Education Precinct Initiative, a landmark agreement between community partners Epworth Eastern, The Salvation Army Box Hill and Box Hill Institute.
Under the agreement Epworth Eastern acquired the former Salvation Army Box Hill site next to the hospital.
In return Epworth Eastern built the Salvos' new place of worship in Whitehorse Road. In a serendipitous twist of fate, the new facility is located at almost the exact location of Victoria's first Salvation Army Corp which was established in Box Hill in 1891.
The three-way deal saw Box Hill Institute provide land for The Salvation Army's new facility, while being able to expand its nursing school next to Epworth Eastern.
Ms May said the opening of the new facilities for The Salvation Army Box Hill was a wonderful day for the organisation and an opportunity to celebrate the innovative partnership.
"Epworth and The Salvation Army Box Hill have a long history of working closely together as community partners," Ms May said.
"Initially forged through our proximity as neighbours, but very quickly as time passed, a result of our shared organisational values and ambitions."
Epworth Eastern has pledged ongoing support for The Salvation Army.
"Supporting critical community relief programs provided by The Salvation Army has always been a source of pride for Epworth and for Epworth staff," Ms May said.
"A wonderful example is how Epworth Eastern supports The Salvation Army's Annual Christmas Appeal, where staff each year donate gifts and non-perishable items for those less fortunate.
A staged opening of the Epworth Eastern redevelopment will begin this year, delivering more beds, operating theatres, emergency services and consulting suites to serve Melbourne's fast-growing eastern and south-eastern suburbs.
This was a COVID-safe event and physical distancing was adhered to throughout, apart from a few seconds to take this picture.
