Our People
24 September, 2025
Generous hospital donation
FOR someone who doesn’t want the spotlight, Keith Little has a way of shining brightly in his community.
Well-known locally for his involvement in Landcare, Red Cross, the racecourse reserve committee, the Australian Conservation Committee and more, Keith has again shown his commitment to giving back.
“Ararat’s been my home town,” Keith said.
After growing up in Ararat and returning to town following retirement, Keith made a significant financial donation to the East Grampians Health Service (EGHS) Building for the Future Foundation in January 2024.
“When I bought my property, they were sold in two-acre blocks, so a year after I bought the next two-acre block from a woman that owned it and I planted 600 native trees on it,” he said.
“I’ve recently sold that block, I couldn’t maintain everything, my ride on mower packed it in. I’ve got no use for money, you know, I’ve got the house and I can pay for food, so I gave the block to the hospital,” said Keith.
With the hope of improving local services, Keith has already seen his contribution benefit his community.
“I’ve specified it’s for training people who want to improve their qualifications. It’s people development that I’m interested in. The CEO I think he does a terrific job and I prefer to help something local.”
The donation will be administered by the foundation, with a $15,000 scholarship awarded annually to an EGHS staff member to further their education and skills.
The scholarship is named in memory of Keith’s two nephews, Ray and Wayne Ord, and will be known as the Ord Family Scholarship.
EGHS chief executive Nick Bush expressed his gratitude.
“East Grampians Health Service is very grateful to Keith Little for his significant donation to the hospital,” Mr Bush said.
“Keith’s generosity, in memory of his two nephews Ray and Wayne Ord, ensures health service staff are able to undertake further study in specialised fields, which benefits patients, residents and consumers, and in the long term, the wider community.”
Keith Little may not seek recognition, but his actions continue to make a lasting impact on the community he has always called home.
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