AN INAUGURAL ball in July to raise money for Peter's Project has almost sold out, both pleasing and surprising organisers.

The Waves Gala Ball 2012 committee has been busy planning the event for the past 18 months and, through word of mouth and people's support for a great cause, only a handful of tables remain.

Committee representative Bernie Price said the black tie event came about after members of the committee wanted to help raise money for Peter's Project, the campaign to build an integrated cancer care centre in Warrnambool.

"Hamilton have Top of the Town (charity ball) and Portland have the Make a Wish (ball) and we thought, why not have something for Peter's Project?

"So we approached a few people in the know and got together, had a meeting and decided we could make it work," Mrs Price said.

"Nothing else touches or affects as many people in the south-west as cancer does," she said.

Mrs Price said the name Waves reflected Warrnambool's coastal location, and the waves of emotions that patients and their families experienced on a cancer journey.

She said the ball was something different, giving people a chance to get dressed up and support a worthwhile cause.

The Warrnambool City Council has generously allowed the group to hold the gala ball on Saturday, July 14, in the marquees on the Civic Green, after the Fun4Kids Festival.

"We want it to be a success and ongoing and make it a regular event," Mrs Price said.

Tickets are $85. and include a three-course meal, live entertainment by Melbourne cover band Popcorn and a fund-raising auction. Drinks will be at bar prices. Mrs Price said there were limited seats available and to contact her on 0438 105 272 to book.

A deputation including founder Vicki Jellie will head to Canberra within months to meet with Health Minister Tanya Plibersek and opposition counterpart Peter Dutton.

Their move comes after the state government followed through on its $5 million pledge for a cancer-care centre to be built at Warrnambool Base Hospital.

Mrs Jellie said although the $5 million was appreciated, the group needed an extra $30 million from the federal government in order to get the project off the ground.

She called on Ms Plibersek and Labor as well as Mr Dutton and the Coalition to make a firm commitment to contribute the $30 million to the cause.

Peter’s Project members also plan to meet key independents Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott in order to press their point towards Canberra’s decisionmakers.

The announcement comes after Regional Cities Minister Denis Napthine turned up the heat on the federal government, calling on Ms Plibersek to consider the south-west’s case for cancer care.

Mrs Jellie said neither Labor nor the Coalition at a federal level had committed funding towards south-west cancer services.

She said both sides of politics needed to get on board to ensure that south-west cancer patients were treated for life-threatening illnesses in their own backyard instead of travelling hundreds of kilometres each week.

“We are going to Canberra and our main objective is secure funding commitments from both sides,” Mrs Jellie said.

“We want to meet with both the Federal Health Minister and the shadow health minister and hopefully secure a commitment from one or both.

“Supporting us with words is not enough, we need the money behind us to ensure the centre becomes a reality.”

Fellow Peter’s Project member Glenys Phillpot said it was vital the group secured bipartisan agreement on federal funding for a cancer-care centre.

She said committee members were keen to meet with Ms Plibersek and Mr Dutton to personally put forward the south-west’s case for radiotherapy and related services. “Peter’s Project has always been an activist group, not a fund-raising group,” Mrs Phillpot said.

“Every dollar has been voluntarily committed by the community to the point where we have now raised $500,000.

“Bearing that in mind, every donation made represents a vote for this project.”

The state government commitment will be rolled out over the next two financial years with $200,000 expected to be spent in 2012-13 and the remaining $4.8 million pencilled in for 2013-14.

Neither Ms Plibersek nor her predecessor Nicola Roxon have met with Peter’s Project committee members since the group formed.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and opposition treasurer Joe Hockey have met with Mrs Jellie during the past two years to discuss the group’s intentions.

A cash commitment has not been offered by either side.

CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating last night after the state government committed $5 million to start the construction of a south-west cancer care centre.

Treasurer Kim Wells will honour a 2010 election pledge for the centre in Warrnambool when he hands down the budget this afternoon.

A joint submission from Peter’s Project, South West Healthcare and St John of God Hospital sealed the deal which was leaked to The Standard late yesterday.

The centre will be built at the Warrnambool Base Hospital as part of the next stage of its major redevelopment.

Last night Peter’s Project founder Vicki Jellie said she hoped the funding would allow for South West Healthcare to develop drawings and a business plan.

“We’ve always had hope,” Ms Jellie said.

“We’re very grateful but we need roughly $35 million. I know they’ve committed this and that does give us hope.

“Hopefully this will allow the hospital to do schematic drawings and a business plan.”

Peter’s Project committee member and former Warrnambool mayor Glenys Phillpot said the funding was a brilliant start but South West Healthcare needed to be allowed to continue the next stage of planning.

“Five million dollars will get you the front door,” she said.

“We need the state government to unfreeze South West Healthcare, complete the next stage of planning and make a realistic budget bid next year.

“This is certainly a brilliant start. The community has been very clear. More than half a million dollars has been donated and every dollar has been a vote for this project.”

South West Healthcare chief ececutive officer John Krygger said the announcement provided the hospital with confidence.

“It’s a wonderful outcome and a momentous step on this journey,” he said. “This is sufficient funding for the next stage of development.

“We would expect quite quickly to have detailed architectural planning to then implement the model of care that will enable safe and effective radiotherapy.”

Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine said the funding was the start of what was needed to deliver a cancer centre for the south-west.

“This re-affirms the genuine commitment to make it happen,” he said. “We’re looking to work further with the federal government, South West Healthcare and St John of God. There may be the need for more state government money, we don’t shy away from that.

“Vicki Jellie and her team have done a fantastic job and this is a significant step forward.”