The normally dry Eurobodalla Shire councillor lost his mother several years ago to breast cancer and has taken a personal interest in the push to bring the ward “out of the 1950s”.

Narooma couple Ron and Tralee Snape began fundraising after Mrs Snape was diagnosed several years ago, launching a grassroots campaign involving many in the community.

The group had raised more than $130,000, but was a long way from the dollars required to complete the ward.

Yesterday, in his first Budget, NSW Treasurer and Bega MP Andrew Constance delivered more than Mr Pollock had dared to hope for.

“I got a little choky,” Mr Pollock said.

 “I would not often think I have been lost for words, but when you look at the work the whole of community has put in to reach this stage, to have the government recognise this effort, and you can see you will get the end result, is a bit overwhelming.

“It will fit out the new oncology unit and we will have the most modern and appropriate facilities.

“It is just fantastic.”

A portion of the funding will also be used to complete the renal unit.

The oncology ward is now under construction, but Mr Pollock said funding was needed quickly to take advantage of economies of scale while trades people were still on site.

He thanked everyone who helped.

“The local community has more than demonstrated its willingness to pitch in,” he said.

“We have had terrific support, from big organsiations to individuals, from Andrew Constance, to everyone in Southern NSW Health.

“It is the most humbling thing I have been involved in since I moved here 30 years ago.

 “It is the busiest oncology unit in the Southern NSW Health’s area. 

“It does more treatments per week than any other unit and we are doing it in a facility that is more appropriate to the 1950s.”

Users had complained of a cramped space without enough privacy.

The new oncology ward will be housed in the “undercroft area” of the sub-acute ward, which is currently under construction and due to open in August.