2016 RCH Auxiliaries Annual Report

TH E ROYA L C HIL D R EN ’S HOS P ITAL

A N N UA L R EP O RT 201 5 /201 6

Meet Heath Jessica Bower’s uneventful pregnancy left her and husband Cameron unprepared for baby Heath’s alarming arrival.

Born at 36 weeks, Heath was blue, barely breathing and paralysed on the right side. X-rays confirmed that his “lungs were not good.” Within an hour the Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) team were on hand ready to transport Heath to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

“We were in complete shock and overwhelmed by all of it,” said the Bowers. “Heath was taken away after a very short cuddle and placed in a humidicrib. We were really anxious and scared.

It was a difficult introduction to parenthood.”

When Jessica and Cameron arrived at the RCH, Heath had been admitted to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and was on a ventilator. Five days in, doctors tried to take him off the ventilator, but his lungs couldn’t handle it. It took 13 minutes of CPR and two shots of adrenaline to stabilise him. A little survivor, Heath bounced back and was successfully taken off the ventilator three weeks later.

During this period Heath was formally diagnosed with Goldenhar Syndrome, a rare congenital condition that disrupted his in utero development. Heath was also diagnosed with hearing problems and Dextrocardia, meaning his heart isn’t in the correct spot. With weak craniofacial muscles, Heath was also unable to eat orally. In his first year, he had 135 hospital appointments.

“It was such a busy and stressful time. Navigating Heath’s medical issues and the coordination of 12 RCH teams was emotionally and physically draining. Our plans to return to work were no longer an option and the RCH became our second home.”

At the end of his first year, Heath had regained strength and movement on his right side. Just after his second birthday, Heath progressed from sign language to saying his first proper words. Two months ago, four-year-old Heath reached a major milestone when he began eating orally. For the first time in his life, he’s no longer relying on a tube into his stomach to eat.

Heath recently enjoyed another historic moment when he became a patient of the RCH Complex Care Service. This service brings a whole of hospital approach to supporting patients with complex cases. The needs of a patient and their family are better managed through a more coordinated approach, which lessens the impact of their illness.

“Complex Care is the most amazing program and the team are just remarkable. They have saved us emergency visits, outpatient appointments and even one surgery. They’ve allowed us to get on with supporting Heath to achieve during these formative years. We couldn’t be more thankful for them, or more proud of Heath’s achievements.”

The Bower’s are also proud to support the RCH Auxiliaries, as Heath’s great-grandmother, Lorna Beale, was an Auxiliary member for more than 32 years.

“Lorna was an active member of Templestowe Auxiliary, earning a Life Governorship for her support of the hospital. Heath’s grandmother is thrilled that her grandson is supporting the RCH Auxiliaries, an organisation so close to her mother’s heart,” said Jessica.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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Vision We are one team, working towards one goal – making sick kids better.

Mission To raise funds to assist the hospital in advancing the care of sick children, thus improving quality of life.

Values We show integrity in all our interactions, being moral, ethical, honest, transparent and trustworthy.

We display humility, being modest, not self-important; confidence in dealing with others.

We show gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of our donors and our colleagues.

We are compassionate, showing empathy in our dealings with each individual.

We are inclusive and respectful. We show loyalty and understanding.

The results of these values translates into action. We are known for delivery on our commitments.

Contents

Please note this annual report is for the period March 2015 - February 2016.

LEADERSHIP Auxiliaries Executive Committee President RCH Auxiliaries Chief Executive Officer, RCH Foundation Chief Executive Officer, RCH RCH Auxiliaries Manager Our Patrons 2015 AGM Minutes 2016 Results

AUXILIARIES’ STORIES 03 04 05 06 06 07 08 14

IMPACT Patient and Family Centred Care 18 Leadership, Education and Training 20 Equipment and Technology 23 Research 24 Supporting the greatest need 26

Good Friday Appeal Emergency Media Wall Inverloch Auxiliaries Out and About Made by Us Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon

28 30 31 32 34

AUXILIARIES’ REPORTS

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AWARDS Madge Tate Award 50 Long Service Awards 52 Vale 53 Living Treasures 54

CONTENTS

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Barb Nicoll

Sue Hunt

Denise Mudie

Michelle Rule Robyn Anderson

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Auxiliaries Executive Committee PATRON OF AUXILIARIES

Louise Gourlay OAM

Louise Gourlay joined The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in 1982 as a member of the Board of Management. Louise was President of Auxiliaries from 1985 until 1994, becoming Patron of Auxiliaries in 1998. Louise received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1999.

PRESIDENT

Robyn Anderson - CasKids Auxiliary Robyn Anderson is a founding member of CasKids Auxiliary which began in 1967 and has been a member of the Auxiliaries Executive Committee (AEC) for 10 years. Robyn was honoured with the Madge Tate Service Award in 2012. She is also a Living Treasure and a Honorary Life Governor of the RCH.

VICE PRESIDENT

Barb Nicoll - Templestowe Auxiliary Barb Nicoll was co-opted in April to the AEC and is proud to take on the role of Vice President. Working in education for over 30 years, Barb has always been dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for children.

After retirement, she became a member of Templestowe Auxiliary and has enjoyed the friendship and purpose of being part of an Auxiliary.

SECRETARY

Denise Mudie - CasKids Auxiliary Denise Mudie was introduced to the Auxiliaries more than 30 years ago by current President Robyn Anderson and has been a valuable member of CasKids Auxiliary since. Denise brings an understanding of Auxiliaries’ history and how it has grown over time. Denise is a Living Treasure.

Janice Memery - Broadmeadows Auxiliary Janice Memery is the President of Broadmeadows Auxiliary, of which she has been a member for 34 years. Janice’s long history of supporting the RCH was honoured with a Living Treasures Award. Janice also fundraises to support children and families affected by poverty in Cambodia.

Julie Vlassis-Cooke - American Women’s Association Julie Vlassis Cooke moved to Australia in 2013, serving for two years as Vice President with the American Women’s Association. Julie has a wealth of volunteer experience with major non-profit organisations and is passionate about supporting the hospital through RCH Auxiliaries.

Rhonda Robins - Heart Throb Auxiliary - until April 2016 Rhonda Robins was a founding member and former President of Heart Throb Auxiliary, formed in 1994 to raise funds and support children with chronic heart disease. Rhonda was the parent of a child who was an RCH patient and cared deeply for both the Auxiliaries and the hospital itself. Rhonda was the recipient of the Madge Tate Award in 2010.

Betsy Laudati - American Women’s Association - until December 2015 Betsy moved to Australia in 2014 and whilst in Australia served as the Chair for the American Women’s Association’s Angel Network and Welcome Committee.

Betsy’s professional background is in corporate administration and her skills and experience include program management, budget oversight, corporate training, event coordination and human resource administration.

Jenny Holmes - Parkville Auxiliary - until February 2016 Jenny Holmes became involved with the RCH when she began volunteering in the Emergency Department. She learned about the RCH Auxiliaries from her neighbours in Parkville, and has been a dedicated member of Parkville Auxiliary for five years.

EX-OFFICIO

Sue Hunt - Chief Executive Officer

TREASURER EX-OFFICIO

Andrew Long - Business Manager

LEADERSHIP

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Message from the President It’s been an absolute pleasure being the President of Auxiliaries, I have enjoyed this role more than I can say.

When I reflect on my last three years as President, I am reminded of something Salman Rushdie quoted from his book, The Moor’s Last Sigh. “In the end, all that is left of us is the stories.”

I am also grateful to Peter Yates AM, RCH Foundation Chairman, and the RCH Foundation Board of Directors who always follow the progress of Auxiliaries with great interest and enthusiasm.

The RCH Auxiliaries are the beating heart and soul of the hospital, and it is the stories that have kept evolving throughout our 94 years. They have given us the rich history we are so proud of today.

Thank you also to Sue Hunt, RCH Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Long, Business Manager, and the Auxiliaries Office and Gift Shop teams for their continued support, enthusiasm and expertise.

There are now approximately 60 Auxiliaries operating, with more than 1,000 members. I am always blown away by your passion for fundraising and for the hospital. This cause is bigger than us all, and brings with it a sense of happiness and fulfillment that is hard to describe.

Children are our future and we are making a difference to their quality of life - and what a privilege this is.

Sadly, this will be my last report as I am stepping down as President. Thank you all for your support over the past three and a half years. I have enjoyed this role more than I can say.

Thank you to all of the wonderful Auxiliary volunteers who worked so hard throughout the year. Without you we could never have raised an incredible $1,472,198.

I also extend my sincere thanks to the Auxiliaries Executive Committee for their dedication, hard work and enthusiasm.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Professor Christine Kilpatrick, RCH Chief Executive Officer, The Honorable Rob Knowles AO, RCH Chairman, and the RCH Board of Directors for their ongoing interest and support.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

I am continually inspired and humbled by your love and care for others. It has been a privilege to be your President.

Robyn Anderson President RCH Auxiliaries

Message from the CEO Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support of the hospital. I look forward to continuing to work together to change the future of children’s health.

Each year I admire the dedication and heartfelt contribution Auxiliaries make to the RCH, and I would like to congratulate each and every member on another wonderful year of fundraising. Your commitment and support of our patients and their families is inspirational, and admired on campus and throughout the community.

As you read through this publication, your fundraising efforts have made a real difference to the lives of many children. They have helped us attract the best medical minds, conduct ground-breaking research, invest in the latest technology and support patient centred care programs.

Throughout this last year you have all generously given your time and expertise, from manning stalls on the pods in Main Street, to creating homemade goods to be sold, hosting fundraisers in your local communities and volunteering at numerous events, including the Dog Lovers Show and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. So much effort goes into making these events a fundraising success and we admire your commitment, creativity and hard work. On behalf of the entire team at the RCH Foundation, the patients and their families who have received great care due to your generosity, thank you.

This year the Good Friday Appeal (GFA) celebrated 85 years of giving and it was wonderful to have so many Auxiliaries supporting the GFA Kids Day Out. This year’s Appeal was a resounding success, topped off by the official Auxiliary cheque handover at the Telethon,

presented by Robyn Anderson and this year’s Madge Tate Award winner, Gwen Bromley. Your collective fundraising efforts raised an incredible $1,472,198 for the hospital, something you should all feel incredibly proud of.

Another highlight from this past year has been seeing you all at the RCH Foundation office and using the Fundraising Resource Centre (FRC). The FRC is dedicated to your hard work and is a space for you, and all fundraisers, to gather, collaborate and support one another. I look forward to continuing to see you utilising the FRC to support your fundraising efforts.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and sincerely thank outgoing president, Robyn Anderson.

Robyn has led the Auxiliaries with great passion and dedication, being a wonderful ambassador for all that you do.

From all of us at the RCH Foundation, thank you for your unwavering commitment and support of the hospital. I look forward to continuing to work together to change the future of children’s health.

Sue Hunt Sue Hunt Chief Executive Officer RCH Foundation LEADERSHIP

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PROFESSOR CHRISTINE KILPATRICK CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

MICHELLE RULE RCH AUXILIARIES MANAGER THE ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Each and every day our team is privileged to work closely with passionate Auxiliary members as they focus We strive to deliver great care to all who come through their attention on raising funds to assist the hospital our doors, but also to have an impact beyond the four in advancing the care of sick children. Many incredible walls of the hospital. projects and pieces of equipment have been funded this past year as a direct result of this unwavering Each time we provide care to a child and their family we are committed to getting the very best result we can, and commitment. At the Good Friday Appeal we watched our programs supported by philanthropy are one way we with pride as President of Auxiliaries Robyn Anderson and Gwen Bromley, Madge Tate Service Award recipient, are able to do more. handed over a cheque for $1,472,198. Many stalls, Our reach and impact would not be as great if it weren’t markets, high teas, raffles and special events occurred for our supportive community, including our dedicated in order to raise such a staggering amount.

RCH Auxiliaries.

I commenced my role as Auxiliaries Manager in Throughout 2015-16 the RCH has continued to improve the second half of last year. I would like to take this and expand its services, in the face of ever increasing opportunity to thank all the members of the AEC for demand, building on our commitment to deliver great their willingness to share their knowledge and to all the care, every day, to the patients and families who come incredible Auxiliary members who have welcomed me to us for specialist care. into this unique and special community. I have really enjoyed learning how the various Auxiliaries were With the money raised by our supporters, we have been created and I have particularly loved presenting some able to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, offer our significant long service badges. staff training and education opportunities that they might not otherwise have access to and fund research In the past year our Auxiliaries have participated in many projects that not only change the lives of children in our activities including the Dog Lover’s Show, the Melbourne care, but the lives of children all around the world. We International Flower and Garden Show and the Good have also been able to implement an Electronic Medical Friday Appeal Kids Day Out. The Dame Elisabeth Record that harnesses the power of digital technology to Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship luncheon transform healthcare for our patients and their families was also a great highlight. and further cements our reputation as a global leader I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of the in paediatrics. It is one of the many projects funded Auxiliaries team which includes Laurel-Leigh Lawson and this year through the extraordinary generosity of the Lucia Di Maio in the office, and Maille Halloran, Angela Victorian community.

Blatancic and past team members Bridie O’Donnell and My sincerest thanks to the Auxiliaries and their Veraneeka Jasinski in the Gift Shop. The team truly is the supporters across the state. engine room that provides the back up support for our hard working Auxiliaries.

Thank you.

Congratulations and deepest thanks to all our Auxiliaries, you truly are extraordinary fundraisers with hearts of gold.

At The Royal Children’s Hospital, we strive to be great.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Our Patrons

LOUISE GOURLAY OAM

JANET CALVERT-JONES AO

For well over 30 years Louise Gourlay OAM has been actively involved with the RCH. She is highly regarded amongst her peers for her passion, energy and support - always focussed on improving the health of our sickest and most vulnerable children.

The youngest child of Sir Keith and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, Janet Calvert-Jones AO follows the family tradition, established by both of her parents, of being involved in business as well as philanthropy.

A MESSAGE FROM LOUISE After another strenuous and successful year I congratulate you all – you can be proud of your financial achievements, and always bear in mind how important you are as the ‘human face of the hospital in the community’.

Your selflessness and voluntary hard work are the living proof of your passion for the hospital and therefore, clearly contribute to its ‘soul’.

In this rapidly changing world, I like to think that we as Auxiliary members are the continuity with all the past, peaceful traditions, that have made this hospital the wonderful place of excellence it is. With your help and strength, we can maintain the high standards of medicine, and the love and care that our troubled community so desperately needs.

Keep up the good work, and please continue to enjoy your involvement.

Following the birth of one of her four children, James, who suffered from impaired hearing, Janet co-founded the Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing, and served as its Chairman from 1973 to 1995. The council established Taralye, an early intervention centre for hearing impaired children in Blackburn, Victoria.

In 1989, Mrs Calvert-Jones became Chairman of The Herald and Weekly Times Limited, the same company her father ran from 1929-1952. She has been a board member of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the State Library of Victoria Foundation. She is currently Chairman of the Tapestry Foundation of Australia.

In recognition of her contribution to the media and her charitable work, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1998, and was subsequently awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006.

Mrs Calvert-Jones continues the legacy of her mother in becoming Patron of the Dame Elisabeth Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon which raises funds for a scholarship awarded each year to one of the extraordinary nurses at the RCH.

LEADERSHIP

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Minutes from the 2015 AGM PRESENT Louise Gourlay OAM Patron of Auxiliaries Sue Hunt Chief Executive Officer, RCH Foundation Peter Yates AM Chairman, RCH Foundation

The 93rd Auxiliaries Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 1 August in the Ella Latham Theatre, RCH, commencing at 10.05 am.

lead the hard-working, dedicated Auxiliary members who strive to make a difference through their fundraising efforts.

Master of Ceremonies, Dr Sharon Kinney called the meeting to order at 10.05 am.

Robyn went on to say that in preparing her report she found herself thinking about volunteering - the personal, community and economic benefits of volunteering.

Dr Sharon Kinney explained she was deputising for Professor Fiona Newall who was unable to attend because of illness. Dr Kinney introduced herself Davina Johnson OAM and said she had been a nurse at the Former President of Auxiliaries RCH for 29 years and had worked Emoke Bakacs Deputy Director, Good Friday Appeal in the intensive care area and as a teacher and researcher. Sharon said Catherine Fox she was deeply grateful to Auxiliaries Recipient of the 2014 Dame Elisabeth for providing funding - especially Murdoch Nursing Development Pelican Auxiliary who had provided Scholarship another scholarship to further her Dr Sharon Kinney studies. Sharon said she had been Recipient of the 2011 Dame Elisabeth the recipient of the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship and MC Scholarship which had allowed her 84 Auxiliary members and the to network with colleagues around Auxiliaries Executive Committee. the world.

Carole Lowen Former President of Auxiliaries

APOLOGIES Hon Rob Knowles AO Chairman, RCH Professor Christine Kilpatrick Chief Executive Officer, RCH Professor Kathryn North AM Director, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Janet Calvert-Jones AO Patron, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mrs Robyn Anderson, President of Auxiliaries, began her report by acknowledging the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people and paid respect to their elders, past and present, and the elders from other communities who may have been present.

Robyn went on to say there was much to be proud of through the years to be where we are today and that over the last 12 months, the RCH Auxiliaries had committed $1,711,725.27 towards purchasing equipment, supporting research, funding specialist programs in support of patient and family centered care and funding leadership and education initiatives. Funding patterns had changed whereby several Auxiliaries had pooled their money so that they could fund very large projects.

Robyn also said Auxiliary members are grateful for the friendships made through years of fundraising, the acknowledgement and appreciation from the RCH Foundation, the RCH Board along with medical staff.

Peter McDougall Executive Director, Medical Services and Clinical Governance, CMO

Before concluding her report Robyn read a poem entitled I’ll Show You a Robyn warmly welcomed everyone to Volunteer. the Ella Latham Theatre to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of Auxiliaries Robyn thanked Quetzal Rodrigues and to reflect on achievements and for the beautiful music he provided successes over the past year. before the AGM started and Betsy

Anne Randall Director, Good Friday Appeal

Mrs Anderson said she was proud to be the President of Auxiliaries and

Lewis Martin RCH Foundation Board

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Dr Kinney introduced the President of Auxiliaries, Mrs Robyn Anderson.

Mrs Anderson reflected that Mary Guthrie, who established the Auxiliary movement, would be thrilled at the development over 93 years of Auxiliaries into the fantastic Auxiliaries of today.

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Laudati presented Quetzal with a small gift.

Dr Kinney commented the warmth that Auxiliaries exude is noticeable around the RCH. Mrs Anderson introduced Louise Gourlay OAM and said the role of Patron of Auxiliaries is a highly prestigious one which has only been held by three people - Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE (deceased); Dame Patricia McKinnon DBE (deceased) and now Louise Gourlay OAM who has held the position since 1998.

PATRON’S REPORT Mrs Gourlay, OAM, said it was nostalgic to be back to where we used to be - a formal AGM followed by seminars from a variety of medicos.

Mrs Gourlay welcomed everyone and said how thrilled she was to see so many supporters on such a cold day - it was a test of their loyalty and devotion to the cause!

Mrs Gourlay acknowledged the wonderful contribution made by the previous Patrons.

Louise said being the Patron of Auxiliaries was the most important thing she had ever done and hoped everyone present felt the same way. She said Auxiliary people were passionate and caring of spirit and got a lot out of what they did. She also said Auxiliaries were the public face, life and soul of the RCH and staff felt better for having Auxiliary members around.

Louise commented that in recent times Auxiliaries had completed a big circle - life had changed and the Auxiliaries Executive Committee was now a sub-committee of the RCH

Foundation Board. Auxiliaries needed to become more commercial and had adopted a more corporate approach.

Louise invited Auxiliary members to consider becoming involved with the AEC which was rewarding, interesting, exciting and a stimulating part of the Auxiliary scene.

Louise read a poem by Mahatma Gandhi - The Things that will Destroy Us.

Mrs Gourlay thanked Rhonda and Betsy for agreeing to hold office as general members of the Auxiliaries Executive Committee for the next three years.

After thanking Mrs Anderson and Mrs Gourlay, Dr Kinney introduced Mr Peter Yates AM, Chairman, The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and invited him to speak.

With the above thoughts of the poem REPORT FROM THE in mind, Louise welcomed everyone CHAIRMAN, RCH to the 93rd AGM and said it was FOUNDATION good to be back in the RCH. She encouraged everyone to go out and Mr Peter Yates AM, started his tell their friends they had enjoyed report by thanking everyone for the day. attending. Mr Yates thanked Auxiliaries for the wonderful cheque Mrs Anderson asked that the handed over at the Good Friday Minutes of the 92nd Annual Appeal for $1,495,031 which was a General meeting be confirmed: significant contribution to the money received by the RCH Foundation.

Proposed by Mrs Anne Peter-Budge Seconded by Margaret Plowright Mrs Anderson moved that the Auxiliaries Annual Report for 2014 be adopted.

Seconded by Mrs Phyl Brown Mrs Anderson asked that the Coordinator’s Report for 2014 be accepted.

Moved by Ms Pauline Froggatt Seconded by Mrs Beryl Hale Mrs Louise Gourlay moved that the election of office bearers for 2015 be accepted:

• Rhonda Robins

Heart Throb Auxiliary

• Betsy Laudati

American Women’s Association

Seconded by Mrs Jill Harrison

Peter said he wanted to pick up on the theme of volunteering. Mr Yates said he was Chair of the Foundation Board and a member of the Grants Committee which was responsible for the distribution of funds donated.

In all 25 projects, (many life changing), worth $1.3m had been funded by Auxiliaries in the following categories:

• • • •

Leadership and education Technology and equipment Research Patient and family centred care

Mr Yates said it could never have been envisaged the impact Auxiliaries would make on the RCH when Auxiliaries started in 1922.

It was because a dedicated group of women had decided to support the hospital that Melbourne has one of the four greatest paediatric hospitals LEADERSHIP

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in the world. Auxiliary members were ambassadors and incredible spokespeople for the RCH and the efforts and energy of Auxiliaries make it possible. On behalf of Rob Knowles (who was unable to attend) Mr Yates thanked everyone enormously.

Mr Yates reflected that over the last year there have been many wonderful moments with lots of fundraising activities including the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon where Professor Fiona Stanley had been the guest speaker. He also noted the Fundraising Resource Centre which was dedicated to the Auxiliaries had been opened earlier in the year.

In closing, Mr Yates remarked that the collective efforts of Auxiliaries were changing the future of children’s health and on behalf of the patients and their families thanked everyone for their dedication, compassion and commitment.

GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL

Emoke thanked Robyn Anderson for doing such an amazing job of keeping Auxiliaries together and energized. She thanked everyone for their passion, energy and wonderful contribution.

MADGE TATE SERVICE AWARD Mrs Robyn Anderson said it was her privilege to present the Madge Tate Service Award. She spoke of the history of the award before making the presentation to Gwen Bromley.

Gwen accepted the award and said that she felt very honoured to be the recipient; she enjoys the involvement and support from the Geelong team and is honoured to be able to help in some small way.

Mrs Anderson read out the citation and Rhonda Robins presented Gwen with flowers and a certificate.

Mrs Emoke Bakacs, Deputy Director, Good Friday Appeal

Dr Kinney also congratulated Gwen on her award.

Mrs Emoke Bakacs began by saying how thrilled she was to attend the AGM and how disappointed Anne Randall (Director of the GFA) was at not being able to attend. Mrs Bakacs was grateful to have the opportunity to thank Auxiliaries for all their hard work and said it was a credit to the age group of retired people who were more successful as they have the experience and contacts.

VOTE OF THANKS

Emoke spoke about a Herald Sun photographer, Alex Coppel, who had been given the four week assignment to take photographs at the RCH for the Good Friday Appeal. Alex said it had been the best assignment he had ever had. A selection of Alex’s photographs was shown.

Emoke spoke of the GFA’s media partners - Channel 7 and the Herald 10

Sun - and shared a video compiled

by Gordon Bennett that showed the wide variety of activities held on Good Friday for the GFA.

Mrs Betsy Laudati gave a vote of thanks to all Auxiliary members mentioning the market days and bake days, the increased activity in the gift shop, the new Auxiliaries that have been established as well as the 60 current Auxiliaries and 1,000 Auxiliary members.

She thanked everyone for their passion, support and care and said she was proud to be an Auxiliary member making a difference at the RCH. There was a short break.

Dr Kinney introduced Ms Catherine Fox, winner of the 2015 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship, a neonatal

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

nurse practitioner and a member of the Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) team.

2015 DAME ELISABETH MURDOCH NURSING DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNER Catherine Fox began her talk by saying that she was the only neonatal nurse practitioner in Australia and she was very appreciative of the work of Auxiliaries.

Catherine went on to say that the role of PIPER was to provide advice and emergency transport to pregnant women, newborn babies and children. PIPER used road ambulances, air ambulance Victoria, Learjet service and helicopters to retrieve sick babies from around the state of Victoria, interstate and sometimes overseas. Catherine said she had participated in 200 emergency retrievals.

Before joining PIPER, Catherine had been a nurse practitioner in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and had transferred to the nurse practitioner role when it was created within PIPER in 2014.

Catherine spoke of how the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship had allowed her to review her role and audit its success over the last 12 months, network with overseas colleagues and look at the development and sustainability of the role in the future.

Catherine spoke of a particular patient, Henry, who was born seemingly healthily at a bayside hospital. However, Henry became critically ill and required the services of PIPER to transfer him to the RCH for specialist cardiac surgery which was performed within three hours at the RCH from the time of the callout.

Henry survived and is now thriving.

Catherine said how she loved working at the RCH; being a part of the PIPER team and is very grateful for the scholarship.

Catherine was thanked by Betsy Laudati who presented her with flowers.

LIVING TREASURE AWARD

Ms Hunt acknowledged Craig Wright and said it was lovely that he was able to be present at the AGM. She said that Craig had done a great job as Auxiliaries Coordinator and he had unfortunately had to leave suddenly for family reasons.

Sue also acknowledged the presence of the Patron, the President, Past Presidents and past Auxiliaries Coordinator, Sue Manson, and said it was lovely to see the continuation and tradition of the role of Auxiliaries.

Mrs Anderson acknowledged Norma Wangman and Dot Cridge who had been presented with their Living Sue introduced the new Auxiliaries Treasure Awards at a function in July. Coordinator, Michelle Rule, who will Robyn then presented Ruth Murray start duties shortly. with a Living Treasure Award.

Sue thanked the members of the AEC and the office bearers for LONG SERVICE AWARDS providing leadership and guidance Mrs Anderson announced that when and said a lot of work had been done on governance issues as well attending the Footscray/Yarraville as reaching out to the membership Juniors Auxiliary AGM the week during the year. before, she had discovered five members were to receive their 55 year service awards. Robyn decided it was such a significant award that they would be made at the AGM. She asked:

• • • • •

Margaret Howell Margaret Plowright Margaret McPherson Margaret Day

Sue congratulated everyone on the amount raised and reminded everyone of the Auxiliary motto: One team working towards one goal, making sick kids better.

LOUISE HASTIE PRESIDENT, WAVERLEY AUXILIARY

which had changed as society had changed and concluded by mentioning the fun and fellowship enjoyed by the Waverley Auxiliary members.

RHONDA ROBINS PRESIDENT, HEART THROB AUXILIARY Ms Robins spoke of her experience as the mother of son, Marcus, born with four major heart defects.

She told us that without the RCH, Marcus would not be alive today.

Although she was initially told there was nothing that could be done for Marcus he underwent several heart operations, suffered a stroke and finally had a heart transplant. Today Marcus is 23 years post-transplant, 38 years old, married and father to two children!

Rhonda said she was inspired to give back to the hospital, and when the parents of chronically ill cardiac children who attended camps run by the Cardiac Unit were told the camps could no longer be funded, the Heart Throb Auxiliary was established to raise the money and run the camps.

Camps have been running for 21 years now.

Children attending the camp have chronic heart disease, have had Mrs Hastie said the members of to come forward and receive their a heart transplant, or are on the the Waverley Auxiliary supported 55 year badges presented by Denise waiting list and have a limited life the RCH as a way of thanking the Mudie. Mrs Anderson informed the expectancy. The camps are held no hospital for the treatment and meeting that the mothers of three more than two hours’ drive from the care given to their children and of the recipients had also received RCH. Children are referred from all grandchildren. She said being an 50 year badges when they had been Auxiliary member enriched their lives over Australia and siblings can attend Auxiliary members. although parents are not allowed. Ten and it was satisfying to volunteer nurses and four doctors volunteer their time. Louise said Waverley their time and there are eight junior REPORT FROM THE CEO, Auxiliary supported the Mother Goose program, an early intervention leaders who act as mentors. Kids are RCH FOUNDATION able to share their experiences with program for children 0 - 6 years the only ones who understand. It is a old with disabilities. Waverley also Ms Sue Hunt said it was a great good opportunity for staff to interact pleasure to be at the Auxiliaries AGM supported “webinars” a modern with kids without any medical and congratulated Gwen Bromley on communication vehicle for parents procedures being performed. winning the Madge Tate Award. Sue and RCH staff via the internet. also congratulated the winners of Rhonda concluded by saying that Louise spoke of the various the Living Treasures Awards and the being in an Auxiliary allows everyone fundraising activities Waverley Long Service Awards. to make a difference directly and Auxiliary has held over the years Shirley Jenkins

LEADERSHIP

11

indirectly in the lives of children treated in the RCH and there are children alive today, and who will be in the future, due to the work of Auxiliaries.

MARGARET ASH PRESIDENT, SMILEY AUXILIARY Margaret sang a most entertaining song about Smiley Auxiliary - the stalls it holds at the RCH, the different merchandise they sell on their stalls and other locations they have held stalls. The Auxiliary has been raising funds for 10 years and supports Music Therapy.

MARIE LEE PRESIDENT, WRAPPED IN LOVE AUXILIARY

Marie explained the Auxiliary visits all the wards (except the short stay wards) at the RCH each month distributing 200 quilts to the children. The quilts are a gift to the child. Families are very appreciative and are amazed that someone they don’t know would make a beautiful quilt for their child. Marie then told the story of the impact receiving a quilt had on Jasper.

Mrs Robyn Anderson endorsed Sue Hunt’s comments regarding the RCH Foundation staff and also thanked Dr Sharon Kinney for giving up her Saturday morning to be a wonderful MC. Rhonda Robins presented Sharon with flowers.

Marie said all quilts to be distributed are registered and eventually matched by age and sex to a child in the RCH. All fabrics, thread and time was donated, and since November 2013 the Auxiliary had distributed 3,800 cot sized quilts with a value of $650,000.

Finally Robyn thanked her husband, Stewart, for being so supportive - being her driver and never complaining.

Marie finished by saying “the Quilts were made with love”.

Sue Hunt thanked all the speakers for the stories about their respective Marie spoke about the Wrapped Auxiliaries. Sue also thanked the in Love Auxiliary, an Auxiliary that Auxiliary Staff - Laurel-Leigh, Lucia, does not raise money but provides Amanda, Bridie and Monique and beautiful quilts instead. The Auxiliary the RCH Foundation staff who also is part of Victorian Quilters which is support Auxiliaries in different ways. a state wide organisation.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Robyn also thanked Rhonda Robins for the flowers she so beautifully arranged for the guests.

Robyn invited Louise Gourlay to close the meeting.

Louise said what a wonderful morning it had been with wonderful stories from the Auxiliaries about their work. She said we desperately needed younger, enthusiastic people to follow us. There was a lot of love and friendship in the room which will keep Auxliaries going.

The meeting closed at 12.40 pm.

I m age: Madge Tate reci pi ent Gwen B rom l ey w i t h Robyn Anders on , Gwen ’s daug hters and g randdaug hter.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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2015/2016 Results

This year the RCH Auxiliaries raised $1,472,198 for the hospital, as declared at the 2016 RCH Good Friday Appeal.

ABC Auxiliary

$1,059 Hidden Treasures Auxiliary

Absent Friends Auxiliary

$13,098 Inverloch Diabetic Unit Auxiliary

$2,890

American Women’s Association

$20,852 Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

$21,133

aRCHers Auxiliary

$336 Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

$36,604

BEADS Auxiliary

$3,098 Leukaemia Auxiliary @ RCH (LARCH)

$19,690

Beyond Sight Auxiliary

$1,920 Let the Children Play Auxiliary

$6,091

Brimbank Torch Auxiliary

$13,097 Lifetime 4 CF Kids Auxiliary

$590

Broadmeadows Auxiliary

$19,297 Melbourne Sinfonia Auxiliary

$154

Cancer Crusaders Auxiliary

$88,594 Mish Mish Auxiliary

$751

$270,246 Mum’s Kids Auxiliary

$485

Cancer In Kids Auxiliary (CIKA) Caring Friends of CF Auxiliary

$14,014 Neonate Mates Auxiliary

Caroline Auxiliary

$9,902 Oesophageal Atresia Research Auxiliary (OARA) $1,847

$9,303

CasKids Auxiliary

$40,742 Pankina Auxiliary

$6,424

Caulfield Auxiliary

$2,244 Parkville Auxiliary

$63,208

Charity Works For Kids Auxiliary

$2,161 Pelican Auxiliary

Charli’s Angels Auxiliary

$5,257 Prembubs Auxiliary

Children’s Flyers Fun Auxiliary

$351 Roxburgh Park Auxiliary

$231 $11,492 $32,864

Chip In Auxiliary

$830 Smiley Auxiliary

$22,033

Comfort for Kids Auxiliary

$572 South Western Auxiliary

$35,938

Courage for Kids Auxiliary

$3,909 Southern Rainbows Auxiliary

CPR - Cardiac Paediatric Research Auxiliary

$10,573 Special Kids EBC Auxiliary

Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Luncheon

$189,063 St Kilda Auxiliary $61, 398 StroKidz Auxiliary

Dirty Hands Happy Hearts Auxiliary

$1,101 Templestowe Auxiliary

Do-Bees Auxiliary

$6,830 The Children’s Brain Tumour Association

Ezy Breathing Auxiliary

$488 Trailblazers Auxiliary

$5,790 $36,507 $13,016 $1,528 $72,698 $4,347 $9,055

Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary

$15,807 VivaRCH Auxiliary

$4,098

Geelong Auxiliary

$54,277 Wangaratta Auxiliary

$9,892

Haemophilia Auxiliary (HAUX)

$2,099 Waverley Auxiliary

Have a Heart Auxiliary

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$1,226

$88 Werribee Ladies For Kids Auxiliary

$40,731 $36,205

Hawthorn Auxiliary

$54,980 Willy Seagulls Auxiliary

Heart Throb Auxiliary

$25,283 Yellow Ribbon Kids Auxiliary

$3,960

Heart To Heart Auxiliary

$25,413 Young Set Auxiliary

$1,288

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

$1,510

”This

cause is bigger than all of us. It is the reason you get up in the morning.

Children are our future and we are in a position to make a difference to their quality of life.”

- Robyn Anderson, President of the RCH Auxiliaries

Join the RCH Auxiliaries today and become part of ‘one team working towards one goal – making sick kids better.’ auxiliaries.office@rch.org.au | 03 9345 5037

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.

- JACKIE ROBINSON

Please note this annual report is for the period March 2015 - February 2016. We are changing the way we are reporting grants to be inline with the Good Friday Appeal year and the tally we report on the day. You may notice there is some overlap with this report and last year’s report.

Patient and Family Centred Care

Improving Discharge Effectiveness Through Occupational Therapy Telehealth Home Visits.

Funded by Parkville Auxiliary - $20,895 RCH Telehealth (a tool for online video consultations) is a great way for clinicians to deliver great care to patients outside of hospital visits. Thanks to Parkville Auxiliary, Occupational Therapy is now incorporating Telehealth into their practice.

Following an injury or surgery, patients may perform certain activities differently than before. To be discharged, a patient’s functional needs are assessed by an Occupational Therapist (OT), who prescribes the necessary equipment and strategies to increase safety and independence in activities. For the OT to do this, it is important they have a good understanding of the patient’s home environment.

Traditionally, this has been done by OTs asking questions about the home environment at the bedside, and if this information is not sufficient then going out to a patient’s home (OT home visit). Despite their obvious benefits, OT home visits can be challenging.

“Completing OT home visits can be difficult, due to their time-consuming nature, and they mean the OT is not available on the ward to see other patients. This impacts the number of patients we can see,” says Joy Goubran, Occupational Therapy Manager.

Home visits are also difficult to coordinate for rural patients. In some cases, a local OT can be sourced, but again this process is time-consuming and disrupts continuity of care with the same OT. Telehealth is solving this problem. Through the successful Parkville Auxiliary-funded pilot program, OTs used Telehealth to conduct 10 OT home

assessments. Not only was this an easier option for OTs, patients and families, it also provided highly accurate results.

“The study found that 90 per cent of OTs felt completing a Telehealth home assessment increased their confidence in equipment prescription. It also eliminated any potential “guesswork” from trying to prescribe equipment based on a parent’s report of the home environment. 80 per cent of parents felt a Telehealth home assessment was helpful in preparing for their child’s discharge. 70 per cent of the patients in the pilot lived more than 50 kilometres from the hospital, and Telehealth offered a practical way for the OT to assess their home without having to source a local OT,” says Joy. The pilot project was so successful that Telehealth is now part of their regular practice. The findings from the pilot project will also be presented at the Occupational Therapy Australia 2016 VIC/TAS Conference (which this year has a theme of ‘Innovation and Inspiration’) because it marks a major change in traditional Occupational Therapy practice.

The Occupational Therapy team don’t hesitate to mention Parkville Auxiliary as a major contributor to their success.

“Parkville Auxiliary really support what we do and understand how Occupational Therapy helps patients.

Our department has a real appreciation for where our funding comes from, that it’s this special group of supporters we’ve gotten to know so well. They value us and we have a lot of respect for them.”

Our department has a real appreciation for where our funding comes from, that it’s this special group of supporters we’ve gotten to know so well. They value us and we have a lot of respect for them.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Im ag e : O ccu p a t ional The rap i s t, S te p h Davey w h o wo r ks w it h the te l e he al th sys te m re g u la r ly to a ssis t p ati e nts and the i r fam i l i e s .

COMMITMENTS MADE Music Therapy Program for Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Departments Knox Sherbrooke Auxiliary RCH Speech Pathology Development of Written Resources Parkville Auxiliary Music Therapy Program for Kelpie (Adolescent Ward) 2015/16 Smiley Auxiliary

Music Therapy Program for Kelpie (Adolescent Ward) 2016/17 CasKids Auxiliary Social Work Samaritan Fund LARCH Social Work Liver Transplant Fund Yellow Ribbon Auxiliary Clinical Trials Coordinator for the Solid Tumour Program CIKA

Effectiveness Trial in Feeding Difficulties of a New Infant Feeding System CasKids Auxiliary Parent-Child Mother Goose Program Waverley Auxiliary Social Work - Tasmanian Patient Family Airfares The Children’s Flyers Fund Auxiliary ChIP In Auxiliary Advocacy Goody Bags ChIP In Auxiliary

Following Children’s Growth & Nutrition During Cancer Treatment LARCH Improving Clexane Therapy for Patients and Families: Education and Engagement Parkville Auxiliary Improving Discharge Effectiveness Through OT Telehealth Home Visits Parkville Auxiliary

I M PA C T

19

Leadership, Education and Training Developmental Medicine Training Coordinator.

Funded by Kooyong and Waverley Auxiliaries - $99,703 over two years.

When it comes to caring for children with disabilities, the RCH Developmental Medicine team know that families play a big role. However, parents often have no prior knowledge of their child’s condition and often need to become experts in a short space of time. Thanks to support from Waverley and Kooyong Auxiliaries, Marijke Mitchell, Developmental Medicine Training Coordinator, is making a big difference by ensuring that children with disabilities and their families are provided with easily accessible, evidence-based health information.

To bridge the substantial knowledge and skills gap affecting parents of children with a disability, Marijke developed a unique training program to deliver important information. Previously, the program hosted regular evening seminars to support parents through their learning process and provide the information they needed to better understand and care for their child.

While these seminars were highly informative, attendance gradually declined. Parents found it difficult to make the time or arrange child care in order to be there. To overcome this obstacle, Marijke launched new training sessions via webinars.

“The webinars have been hugely successful,” said Marijke. “We’ve seen a 700 per cent increase in attendance and an 80 per cent increase in visitors to our training and education webpage. Webinars allow both parents to attend, from the comfort of their home, without the need for child care. Also, parents can view webinar recordings via our website at a time that suits them.”

By decreasing the time and care burden of in-person seminars, parental engagement has greatly increased.

Parents often suggest the topics they would like covered in webinars, tailoring them to the RCH community.

Recent webinars have discussed how to manage sleeping, muscle tightness and continence issues

in children with physical disabilities, as well as handling challenging behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder.

“These webinars provide important information to help parents understand and manage their child’s condition.

Through them, we’re also reassuring parents that they are caring for their child in the best way possible.”

In addition to developing the parent training webinars, Marijke also coordinates training sessions and webinars for RCH staff and health and education professionals in the community. As children with disabilities require care from various areas of the hospital like speech pathology, physiotherapy, and orthopaedics, as well as numerous community based service providers, it’s important that clinicians working in this field stay informed. These sessions help clinical staff stay at the forefront of developmental medicine by providing the latest research and evidence-based practice.

Encouraged by the positive feedback, Marijke is continuing with webinar-based training and will soon trial information-sharing podcasts. These online learning tools will help to build the library of resources, which are accessible via the Developmental Medicine website.

These resources are so popular that the department now has “1000 subscribers on the mailing list, with our emails being opened in more than 25 countries.”

This innovative, cost-effective and family-friendly care is possible thanks to Auxiliary support.

“Thank you to Waverley and Kooyong Auxiliaries for believing in us and supporting our vision. We couldn’t do this work without you. Your support enables us to lead the way in Australia in the provision of paediatric, disability focussed, web based training for parents and carers.”

Thank you to Waverley and Kooyong Auxiliaries for believing in us and supporting our vision.

We couldn’t do this work without you.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Im ag e : M a r ijke M i tc he l l , D eve lo p e me n ta l M e d i c i ne Trai ni ng Co o rd in a to r, in a trai ni ng s e s s i on.

COMMITMENTS MADE Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship 2015 & 2016 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon

Developmental Medicine Training Coordinator Waverley Auxiliary Mosaic Mural Wangaratta Auxiliary

Developmental Medicine Training Coordinator (year two) Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Clinical Research Fellows in Respiratory Medicine Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary

I M PA C T

21

I m age: Mark H ochm ann, Seni or Technol og i s t w i t h an Oes ophageal Pacem aker

When we need an Oesophageal Pacemaker, it’s because a child is in critical condition. It’s an important part of the critical care we provide because we have to be prepared for everything.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Equipment and Technology Oesophageal Pacemakers for PICU. Funded by Courage 4 Kids Auxiliary - $18,720.

Caring for critically ill infants, children and young people from Victoria and across the country, the RCH Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is an exceptional place.

Highly-trained staff and cutting-edge technology are essential to saving lives. As is philanthropy.

“Every piece of equipment in PICU that makes it remarkable, that makes it the place you want your child to go when they need intensive care, has been funded through philanthropy,” says Mark Hochmann, Senior Technologist.

One such piece of equipment is the Oesophageal Pacemaker. Supported by Courage 4 Kids Auxiliary, this equipment plays an important role in life-saving care for patients with cardiac pacing issues.

When a heart isn’t beating regularly, intervention is needed to ensure it maintains the right speed or rhythm. Patients going into cardiac arrest are treated with defibrillators to kick-start their hearts. Patients with ongoing heart rhythm problems are hooked up to pacemakers via wires embedded into their heart wall.

Patients without such wires who need emergency pacing require an Oesophageal Pacemaker.

Similar to a nasogastric tube, Oesophageal Pacemaker wires are placed through the mouth towards the stomach, so electrodes rest against the oesophageal wall behind the heart. The Oesophageal Pacemaker wire

connects to a handheld pacemaker with which doctors can adjust the rate and duration of each pacing burst, as well as alter the amplitude or amount of electrical current used, tailoring it to the patient’s needs.

Though a rather simple piece of equipment, it’s still a life-saver. Small and handy, Oesophageal Pacemakers can be implemented in a hurry, without the need for x-rays to confirm the wire is in place. Its small size also means it can easily travel with a patient to surgery before a more permanent means of pacing can be implanted. Oesophageal Pacemakers are also used when a patient needs short-term pacing while blood chemistry or electrolyte levels are stabilised.

“When we need an Oesophageal Pacemaker, it’s because a child is in critical condition. It’s an important part of the critical care we provide because we have to be prepared for everything. We have to ensure there’s a plan A, B, C and all the way to Z if we need it.”

The technology supported by philanthropy on PICU allows the RCH to provide this comprehensive level of care. It also puts anxious families at ease.

“It’s a great source of comfort for families to see that it’s people like them, not just government funding, supporting the health of their child. It’s very reassuring to know there are kind people out there doing what they can to help.”

COMMITMENTS MADE Interactive MediaWall Emergency Department CasKids Auxiliary Portable Sound Proof Booth Caroline Auxiliary Oesophageal Pacemakers for PICU Courage 4 Kids Auxiliary

Gatehouse Centre Sensory Toy Boxes Melbourne Sinfonia Auxiliary

Gatehouse Centre Sandplay Therapy Melbourne Sinfonia Auxiliary

CF Physiotherapy Equipment Caring Friends of Cystic Fibrosis Auxiliary

Ultrasound Equipment for Medical Imaging Templestowe Auxiliary

Equipment to support genetic sequencing and storage of cancer tissue samples Lion’s Club via CIKA

Improving Central Line Care - Education for Nurses Templestowe Auxiliary

Treatment trolley Cockatoo Unit Caroline Auxiliary

I M PA C T

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Research

Establishment of a Translational Research Centre in Paediatric Solid Tumours.

Funded by Cancer in Kids Auxiliary (CIKA) - $520,000 over three years.

The care of children with cancer has become increasingly complex in part because of recent and exciting advances in medical research. These advances are increasing our understanding of the genetic variations and underlying biology of childhood cancer. However, this research relies on the availability of tissue samples. Paediatric tumours are rare and obtaining quality tumour tissue for research is often problematic. Globally many researchers are limited in studying paediatric cancers due to lack of access to high quality tissue samples for study.

The Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) Tissue Bank provides these samples. The third paediatric tissue bank in Australia, it collects solid tumour, blood and bone marrow samples from oncology patients for further research and study. The CCC Tissue Bank was established in 2014 thanks to the support of Cancer in Kids Auxiliary (CIKA), which continues to fund its everyday operations. Funds to process bone marrow and blood samples from children with leukaemia are provided by the Leukaemia Auxiliary @ RCH (LARCH).

“I don’t consider it a job,” says Louise Ludlow, CCC Tissue Bank Coordinator. “It’s an honour and a privilege to contribute in this way. We wouldn’t have a tissue bank without CIKA’s support and without these biological samples, there’s limited research into childhood cancers.

The ultimate aim is to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for children with these conditions.”

Understanding the importance their contribution plays in advancing cancer care, every patient family that is approached has willingly donated samples.

The process of obtaining samples for research is rigorous. Applications are scientifically assessed by an oversight committee consisting of scientists, surgeons, pathologists, haematologists, as well as the clinical trials and legal teams.

“Samples are preserved with the utmost care and dignity for future clinical and research purposes. Over 50 staff including consultants, surgeons, haematologists,

oncologists, specialist pathologists, researchers and research enablers work together as part of the team.

CIKA’s support has recently allowed us to build a seven person roster of on-call scientists ready to receive and process tumour material after hours, on weekends and public holidays. Together we are committed to improving the survival rate and long term health outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer.”

In addition to the processing of samples for clinical trials, the CCC Tissue Bank also prepares clinical samples for further molecular testing as standard of care. Louise also generates cell lines from tumour samples. Cell lines create a continuous supply of materials and reduce the need to collect further samples. Certain cell lines can only grow for a limited period, while others grow infinitely, essentially becoming ‘immortal’. These cell lines are used to test new therapies prior to clinical trials, as well as research into the molecular pathways of cancer. Childhood cancer is distinct from adult cancer and researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning childhood cancer development.

Thanks to CIKA and fellow-funders LARCH, the CCC Tissue Bank has also participated in important research projects outside of the Melbourne Children’s campus.

So far, it has supported eight translational research projects and five clinical trials. This has assisted with research conducted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and the Kid’s Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital.

“The Tissue Bank is an invaluable resource which allows us to collaborate in adequately powered international studies through sample and knowledge sharing, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of cutting edge paediatric cancer research.”

Together we are committed to improving the survival rate and long term health outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Im ag e : Lo u ise Lud l ow, CCC Ti s s ue B ank Co o rd in a to r, p roce s s i ng ti s s ue s am p l e s a t h e r sta t io n in the M urdoc h C hi l dre ns Re se a rch In st it u te

COMMITMENTS MADE Health Services Research Study: Satellite Pharmacy Services Caroline Auxiliary Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary Pankina Auxiliary Roxburgh Park Auxiliary South Western Auxiliary Templestowe Auxiliary

Diabetes Complication Screening Nurse Inverloch Diabetic Unit Auxiliary

The Victorian Prader-Willi Register and Associated Research Do-Bees Auxiliary

Establishment of a Translational Research Centre in Paediatric Solid Tumours CIKA

Brain Tumour Clinical Trials Program Children’s Cancer Centre Cancer Crusaders

Enhancing specimen collection for Tissue Bank CIKA and LARCH Fluoxetine in Children and Adolescents with Autism Werribee Ladies for Kids Auxiliary Funding Excellence in Research (Thrombosis) Templestowe Auxiliary

I M PA C T

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Supporting the greatest need A message from the Grants Team.

Thanks to your ongoing support, we are building a brighter future for our sickest and most vulnerable children.

The past year has been an incredible one for the RCH Auxiliaries. You have supported more than 35 projects totalling just over $1,450,000.

Thanks to your tireless fundraising, many RCH departments have begun or continued important projects centred around research, equipment and technology, leadership, education and training, and great patient care. Examples of the wide reach of your funding support include; Music Therapy (Kelpie and Cockatoo wards), Children’s Cancer Centre, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Emergency, Developmental Medicine, Social Work, Early Learning, Respiratory Medicine, Cockatoo ward, Occupational Therapy, Gatehouse Centre, Nursing Education, Speech Pathology and the Centre for Community Child Health.

With Dorani Lacey joining us as Grants Officer, we have placed a greater emphasis on Acquittals in the 2015-16 year. Acquittals are a way for grant applicants to report on the progress of their project, detailing any outcomes, as well as the impact of funding support. Acquittals are an important part of the granting process and ensure that we can report back to you, our supporters, on where your money goes and how it’s changing the future of children’s health.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Improving the acquittal process has also helped us strengthen our relationships across the campus.

By inviting grant applicants to tell us about their work, we’ve gained a greater understanding of their expertise.

In turn, they’ve gained a greater respect for the important role philanthropy plays in their work.

“The RCH Auxiliaries should be proud of their support of Music Therapy,” said Beth Dun, Manager of Music Therapy. “Your passion has helped build this program to an international standard and we couldn’t continue to grow without your legacy of support.”

The RCH is a great hospital, leading the way to improve children’s health in Australia and across the globe. The RCH Foundation supports the hospital in its ambition to change the future of children’s health through philanthropy. You make this possible.

Thanks to your ongoing support, we are building a brighter future for our sickest and most vulnerable children. It’s an honour to work alongside you and ensure your fundraising dollars support the best initiatives possible.

Rachael Hurley and Dorani Lacey RCH Foundation Grants Team

We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.

- BILL RICHARDSON

Good Friday Appeal

Throughout the year Auxiliaries are raising funds for the RCH in the lead up to Good Friday.

The Good Friday Appeal magic started in the early hours of the morning. Before the sun was up, radio and television crews set up for a big day, ready to interview patients and their families. At the same time, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) crew were preparing for a blockbuster Kids Day Out. Scaffolding was erected, cables connected, entertainment and activities set up and volunteers, television and radio personalities, and some of our favourite characters walked through the doors ready to put smiles on many faces.

At the hospital, 3AW and NOVA radio began their breakfast shows on Main Street, while Sunrise broadcasted live from Sugar Glider ward. RCH patient families shared their inspiring stories with Victorians, highlighting the importance of supporting the Good Friday Appeal. Soon after, the Channel 7 telethon kicked-off at the hospital and our patients on the wards enjoyed visits from celebrities and their favourite sports stars. On Main Street, Cancer Crusaders set up their Good Friday stall, getting to know the many families visiting the hospital that day.

By this time, Kids Day Out at MCEC was in full swing, with a roller-skating rink, laser skirmish, Auskick, cooking classes, rides and more. While some walked the plank with pirates on the Polly Woodside, under the weather teddies stopped by the Teddy Bear Hospital for a quick doctor’s consult or a bandage to heal sprained paws.

Over 15 Auxiliaries came together to host the Kids Day Out stall, the biggest event on the Auxiliaries calendar.

Cheerful kids got their faces painted, transforming into elaborate creatures, or took part in the lucky dip, where

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

everyone was a winner. Sports fans tried their luck at the fishing game, in hopes of catching a toy fish and winning a prize. Parents and kids in need of pampering put their feet up while friendly volunteers painted their nails.

Everyone’s favourite Auxiliaries goodies were on sale, with gorgeous knitwear, handmade crafts, jams and baked goods available.

Everyone worked together for one goal: raising money to help sick kids, and they shared a good laugh together along the way.

Back at the RCH, activities wrapped up with Channel 7 finishing its hospital broadcast with a final wave from patients and staff. The hospital’s donation stand in Main Street recorded over $36,000 in donations, a new record.

Then, the most-anticipated part of the day arrived — the Good Friday Appeal Night Show. Headlined by X Factor Australia winners Cyrus and Samantha Jade, the event featured performances by country singer Adam Brand, comedy trio Tripod and was hosted by your favourite Sunrise, Home and Away, and My Kitchen Rules stars. The RCH Auxiliaries also proudly presented their incredible contribution of $1,472,198.

As the clock struck midnight we learnt that the Good Friday Appeal had raised a record-breaking $17,445,624.38. For 85 years, the RCH Auxiliaries have embraced the Good Friday Appeal and made a major contribution to this incredible fundraising total.

Thanks to your ongoing generosity and support, the RCH has become a great hospital leading the way and an integral part of the fabric of Victoria. Thank you.

ANNE RANDALL DIRECTOR GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL Thank you to all of the Auxiliaries for your support in making the 2016 Good Friday Appeal such an overwhelming success. Together you raised an incredible $1,472,198!

When you look at the astounding figures, more than $308 million dollars raised over 85 years, it is clear there is something special about the Good Friday Appeal.

For many of you the Good Friday Appeal is more than just a fundraiser, it’s a chance to get together, forge friendships, support each other and make a difference to a cause that is close to all our hearts – the health and wellbeing of our children.

We are so lucky to live in a community where everyone understands the importance of having a world class hospital so that our kids get the best possible care. This is a hospital like no other and this is due to the commitment of the community who knows it makes a difference by supporting the hospital in vital equipment, education, research and family centred care.

In our 85th year, we raised an amazing $17,445,624.38. I want to take the opportunity to thank the Auxiliaries throughout country Victoria, Geelong and Metropolitan Melbourne who so generously donate their time, talent and funds to make the Good Friday Appeal what it is – the people’s charity.

AUX I L I A R I E S STO R I E S

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Emergency Media Wall Supported by CasKids Auxiliary.

Children have an amazing ability to find fun and play in any situation. Even during an emergency trip to the hospital, play can make the difference between a traumatic experience and a manageable one. Thanks to CasKids Auxiliary, there’s a brand new bit of play in the RCH Emergency Department.

A high-tech touch-screen computer with a variety of games and puzzles to enjoy, the new Interactive Media Wall is a modern solution to patient distraction in a busy hospital. The Emergency Department sees a staggering 84,000 children per year, many of who remain active during their visit and are accompanied by well siblings.

Keeping these children entertained improves the patient experience and lightens the load for parents, who can be torn between comforting their sick child and keeping other siblings occupied.

Dr Ed Oakley, Chief of Critical Care has nothing but praise for CasKids and the new Interactive Media Wall.

“Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the CasKids Auxiliary, the Interactive Media Wall is a much-needed distraction for patients and siblings in the waiting room.

It will allow entertainment for these children making

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the waiting period more comfortable for them, and their parents and carers. This addition allows the RCH to provide an environment that is more patient and family focussed.”

Fundraising for the Interactive Media Wall was a labour of love for CasKids Auxiliary. Saving up their fundraising dollars over a four year period, the group wanted to support a project as exciting as the new hospital. When Dr Oakley and Dr Amanda Stock shared their idea for an Interactive Media Wall in the Emergency Department, the ladies of CasKids unanimously agreed to fund it. In December 2015, they attended its unveiling and enjoyed a wonderful celebration for this very welcome addition to the Emergency Department.

CasKids member Robyn Anderson still smiles when she thinks of the event.

“As we watched the children play on the interactive screen it made all those hours of fundraising, all the effort and all the time, fade away into nothingness because it suddenly felt so right.”

Inverloch

Auxiliaries making a difference across the state.

When Kerrie and Ross Beauglehall arrived at the RCH with their daughter Carla, the doctors were ready and waiting for them.

Kerrie remembers, “Our GP sent us for blood tests to confirm Carla’s diabetes and then arranged for us to go straight to the RCH. When we arrived the doctors were already waiting for us. Carla was admitted for a week and, as much as we were devastated by her diagnosis, the staff were just wonderful.”

During that week, the Beauglehall’s were amazed at the care their family received. They began discussing how to repay the hospital for their support and the idea of having a fundraiser came up. “We knew that giving back would help us cope with Carla’s diagnosis.”

Five months later, the Beauglehall’s formed Inverloch Diabetic Unit Auxiliary and held their first fundraiser.

It raised $7,000 for RCH Endocrinology and Diabetes, funding the establishment of the Diabetes Complication Screening Program. The program monitors, manages and prevents complications related to diabetes such as loss of vision or kidney damage.

“Kerrie came to us, asking how she could help,” said Professor George Werther, RCH Paediatric Endocrinologist.

“We explained there was more we could do to monitor and prevent diabetes complications in children and that we wanted to establish a screening program.

Like the dynamo she is, Kerrie got behind the idea and has supported this invaluable program ever since.”

Knowing that the Diabetes Complication Screening Program received no other funding other than what they raised, the Beauglehall’s were keen to increase their fundraising. They established the Inverloch Diabetes Ball in 1996 and have held one almost every year since. The Beauglehall’s know the difference their support makes, and Inverloch residents continue to attend the sell-out event.

“Our last ball raised $50,000 on the night. We only do one fundraiser a year, but it’s a big one that gets the whole community involved.”

Kerrie and Ross missed two years of fundraising while they supported Carla following the birth of her premature, but healthy little boys. This year, they’re back better than ever. Their 18th ball will be held on 8 October 2016 and has been sold out since March.

“It’s wonderful that after nearly 20 years the community is still supporting us. The same people have been attending since the beginning and they continue to encourage new people to attend. It’s a thrill that our event is already sold out.”

Over the years, Inverloch has also supported RCH diabetes patients in other ways. They held a book drive to donate new reading and colouring books to RCH diabetes educators. Not only were these books a spot of fun for patients in between appointments, they were a big hit with siblings, giving them something to do during hospital visits.

Inverloch Auxiliary also recorded a Christmas album, which continues to sell 12 years on.

“We worked with a local band and RCH patients and families. We got 30 RCH diabetes patients into the old Ella Latham Auditorium and recorded traditional and original Christmas songs. The best part was the smiles on their faces.”

Thanks to Inverloch Auxiliary’s ongoing and successful fundraising, the Diabetes Complication Screening Program has grown to see over 450 children every year.

Over the years, the program has successfully reduced diabetes complications in RCH patients from 20-30 per cent to less than 1 per cent “A cure for diabetes is a long way away, but if we can stop one child from going blind or losing a limb, we’re happy.”

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Auxiliaries Out and About Throughout the year Auxiliaries engage with their local communities to fundraise for the RCH.

CUPPA FOR KIDS Cuppa for Kids is a staple of the RCH Auxiliaries social calendar and remains a fantastic way to fundraise.

Broadmeadows Auxiliary’s most recent high tea was attended by 80 ladies who enjoyed homemade treats presented on tiered cake stands and endless cups of tea and coffee, all hand served from teapots. It was a wonderful chance for those treasured bone china teacups to come out of hiding! Every attendee received a small gift and was entered to win one of 40 raffle prizes. Guests were also treated to a talk on the history of the Good Friday Appeal. The event raised over $3,500 for the hospital.

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CasKids Auxiliary hosted 100 guests at their Cuppa for Kids for an afternoon of beautiful entrees and sweets. One lucky winner received a spot prize of handmade chocolates by Chocolatier, and others had a chance to bid on silent auction items or enter any of the three raffles. A display of beautiful knitted tea cosies was also featured for those keen to take the experience home. Guest speaker Janine Evans, a Clinical Nurse Consultant in the RCH Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, spoke about her role at the hospital, as well as her charity work. CasKids raised $3,706 on the day.

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Geelong Auxiliary held their seventh high tea, attracting 183 eager guests. This popular event is a big draw for the Geelong community and has grown significantly since moving to the Barrabool Centre. Featuring beautiful touches like delicate china teapots, silverware and gorgeous rose centrepieces, this traditional high tea wowed guests. Thanks in part to a silent auction, the event raised over $5,000.

AMERICAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION HALLOWEEN AWA’s Halloween extravaganza was back in 2015, bigger and better than ever. More than 1,500 people enjoyed live music, jumping castles, donut eating, cookie decorating, scavenger hunts, trunk or treat, a costume competition and face painting. With a new location in Hampton Street, many local businesses supported the day.

It was a fantastic afternoon and a huge success.

GFA KIDS DAY OUT The 2016 Good Friday Appeal Kids Day Out was a fantastic day thanks to the many Auxiliary members who volunteered their time. Our stalls were awash with visitors enjoying the face painting, lucky dip and numerous homemade goodies. This was all topped off by the cheque presentation at the Telethon, with the Auxiliaries donating an incredible $1,472,198 to the Appeal!

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW Many Auxiliaries showcased their talents at this year’s Flower and Garden Show, selling a range of homemade goodies including knitted toys, rugs, baby shawls and tote bags. With so many years in the same location, customers look out for our Auxiliaries and are always excited to see what beautiful items are on display. This colourful event was a big success, raising more than $5,000 for the hospital.

DOG LOVERS SHOW This year’s Dog Lovers Show was another wonderful success, raising $3,050 for the RCH. Many Auxiliaries made beautiful dogthemed goodies, including cosy canine knitwear, delicious dog treats and adorable hound homewares.

There was also a gorgeous doggie quilt, which was won by a thrilled RCH staff member in the raffle.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS RESEARCH TRUST The Royal Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust is fortunate to have a dedicated group of community fundraisers like the Bowness Family hosting outstanding events to support cystic fibrosis research at the RCH. Last July, Kirsty and Stephen Bowness encouraged families across Victoria to turn on their ovens and fundraise for cystic fibrosis (CF) research with The Big Roast. Well-fed guests complimented the chef by making a donation to help children affected

by CF like Liam and Grace Bowness.

Their efforts were a success, raising $8,640 for the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust. The Big Roast will be held again in July 2016.

For the last four years, the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust has also been supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Ladies Luncheon. Hundreds of women have come together for an afternoon of fun and fundraising to celebrate ‘65 Roses’ Month and raise funds to help families living with CF and support research into a cure. Inspired by a close friend whose daughter has CF, the team behind the luncheon do the very best they can to help those affected by the condition. The 2016 event raised $18,450, bringing the total donated to over $53,000.

Important events like this aim to inspire people and support important hospital initiatives like a clinical research fellow in RCH Respiratory Medicine.

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Made by Us

The RCH Auxiliaries are a creative and talented group. The distinctive merchandise sold on the RCH stalls and in the community impresses shoppers and wins diehard customers.

These creations not only earn the highest accolades, they make RCH families happy and keep customers coming back.

PARKVILLE AUXILIARY

COURAGE 4 KIDS

Jean Cruickshank’s intricate and whimsical knitted creatures are a standout. From their quirky expressions to the overall skilfulness of Jean’s technique, these toys are a cut above. Parkville Auxiliary have been selling her toys for a year and they already have quite a following.

Says Jenny Holmes, “On market days in the hospital, a number of people turn up time and again, generally to buy, but some simply to keep in touch with her work. The toys are eyecatching and lots of people also stop just to look.”

The magic of Courage 4 Kids Auxiliary begins at home. There, Trish and Trevor grow a variety of fruits and vegetables without pesticides, and raise free-range chickens. They are known as “two people abundantly enthusiastic about gardening. They just love nurturing their garden and it shows in the beautiful food they grow,” says a family member.

Parkville also has many other members who create stunning crafts. Chris Collins makes delightful felt animals; Kay Reay is an accomplished quilter; Joan Gilchrist makes everything from door stops to hippopotami; and Jenny Alden, a community supporter, is also a quilter and knitter of considerable note.

“You can see why the rest of us look forward to market days when new goods come our way,” says Jenny.

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Naturally, the Courage 4 Kids stall is overflowing with produce fresh from the farm and homemade treats straight from Trish’s kitchen. Famous for her beetroot and tomato relishes, Trish also has delicious ginger slice and seasonal jams and a wonderful range of gluten free and vegan treats. The Courage 4 Kids team also includes Christine whoes lemon butter is divine, Liam whoes seedlings and plants make people enthusiastic about gardening and Steve who creates pickled quail eggs using eggs from his own quails.

Courage 4 Kids stalls also feature a gorgeous assortment of vintage cameras, an ode to Trevor’s love of photography, and Trish’s creative handcrafts. It’s a labour of love for Courage 4 Kids and one that’s earned them a dedicated following at the RCH.

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WRAPPED IN LOVE AUXILIARY Wrapped in Love Auxiliary works with quilters across Victoria to donate one-of-a-kind quilts to RCH patients. Every item used to make them, from thread to fabric, is donated, as is the time each quilter dedicates to their creation. Quilters put the utmost love and attention into making their donated quilts and it shows.

The final products are exquisite and Wrapped in Love’s Marie Lee sorts them according to the age and gender of the patients in the hospital.

Every month, Wrapped in Love distributes approximately 150 quilts throughout the RCH. These gorgeous keepsakes make a big impression on the patients who receive them.

A recent letter from a liver transplant patient recounted how much she treasures her quilt and that she brings it with her every time she stays at the RCH. Wrapped in love indeed!

CANCER CRUSADERS A relatively new Auxiliary, Cancer Crusaders have made a big impression in a short period of time.

Their key to success is keeping their stock fresh. The talented Cancer Crusaders team make everything from baked goods and confectionary, jams and relishes to bags and cushions, jewellery, cards and candles, as well as high-quality knitwear. They also use their connections to source special items like party supplies and stationary and toys.

“We try to do what nobody else does,” said Ruth Murray, Cancer Crusaders Treasurer. “We tailor our items by season, only offering things like knitwear during winter. We also keep important events like holidays in mind, so what we stock our stall with before Valentine’s Day is different from Mother’s Day or Christmas.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS The RCH Auxiliaries are fortunate to have dedicated community supporters who share their amazing creations to drive fundraising.

Dianne Stubbs is a master crocheter, making ingenious and wearable items like her Dachshund scarves.

These conversation pieces were a hit at the Dog Lovers Show and quickly sold out after hanging out around the necks of Auxiliary members.

Judith Thompson makes adorable stuffed toys, which are popular on the pods. These imaginative toys come in playful, brightly coloured fabrics and have intricate details, like a scotty dog’s removable collar, or a kangaroo’s little joey in its pouch.

What remains consistent amidst Cancer Crusaders ever-evolving stall is their high-level of presentation.

Items are carefully wrapped with cellophane and ribbon, and are branded with the Cancer Crusaders logo, letting customers know that all funds raised support sick kids at the hospital. This modern approach to fundraising guarantees Cancer Crusaders will be beating sales records for years to come.

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Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Donna Eade, Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) with the RCH Gender Service, is the proud recipient of the 2015 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship. She is grateful for the opportunities the $50,000 scholarship offers her to develop the clinical component of her advanced practice nursing role to produce the best outcomes for the RCH’s gender diverse and transgender patients.

“It’s an absolute privilege to receive this generous scholarship. Nurses don’t often get opportunities like this, so it is incredibly empowering to be recognised and supported in developing my nursing role”.

Chromosomes and hormones determine the sex that we are born with. For most people this aligns with one’s gender or the inherent sense of being male or female.

For someone who identifies as being transgender, the sex they were born as does not match with their gender.

This distress caused by this discrepancy is referred to as gender dysphoria. Young people who experience gender dysphoria have high rates of anxiety, depression, selfharm and even suicide.

The RCH Gender Service is the first and currently the only multidisciplinary service of its kind in Australia for gender diverse and transgender children and adolescents. As a member of the RCH nursing team for 25 years, Donna’s clinical interest and qualifications in adolescent health, sexual health and public health, make her an excellent fit for the Service.

Donna’s role as CNC with the RCH Gender Service is unique in Australia. She is the first point of contact for patients and families, and provides them with information, support and guidance. She’s keen to see what other child and adolescent transgender healthcare services are doing to produce the best outcomes for their patients.

Through the scholarship funding, Donna will attend the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) symposium in Amsterdam, where she will present a poster on Envisioning the multidisciplinary gender service in Melbourne, Australia using a program logic model.

WPATH is responsible for the recommended standards of care adhered to by the RCH Gender Service and the symposium will bring together world leaders in the area to discuss research findings and best practice. From there, Donna will visit the Adolescent Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital who are renowned for their excellence in adolescent health and the Tavistock Child and Adolescent Gender Identity Service in London. Donna will then visit

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key child and adolescent gender services in Canada and America, to identify what aspects of their models of care might translate into her role at the RCH and exchange knowledge between the services.

“Thanks to the RCH Auxiliaries, this scholarship provides me with an invaluable opportunity to see first hand what other child and adolescent transgender services are doing, and how nurses are integrated into their models. Insights gained will then inform how my clinical nursing role can best be developed into one that provides our young transgender patients with nursing care that is positive, relevant to their lives and produces excellent clinical outcomes.”

ABOUT THE LUNCHEON The 2016 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon brought the hospital and fundraising communities together to support the annual $50,000 scholarship to advance nursing excellence at the RCH. The luncheon was a wonderful celebration of current scholarship recipient Donna Eade and her accomplished predecessors. The thought-provoking talk by Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE FRCP gave great insight into how our brains work and the importance of imagination and cognitive connection on children and adults.

A heartfelt thank you to the event committee along with Baroness Greenfield, MC Dr Andrew Rochford and singer Richard Thomas. Their generous contribution to the luncheon was integral to achieving the incredible $52,000 fundraising total.

These funds will support another talented nurse to advance great care.

“At the RCH, we constantly strive to invest in our nurses, and elevate the practice of nursing, so that our team is at the forefront of paediatric care,” said Bernadette Twomey, Executive Director of Nursing Services. “With the support of fundraising, we are in a unique position to be able to offer our nurses more opportunities to develop their skills, pursue research and build professional networks outside the walls of the RCH. This makes a tremendous contribution to the quality of care we provide our patients and families, and the satisfaction our nurses can derive from their careers.”

Im ag e : D o n n a Eade , C l i ni cal N urs e Con su lta n t (CN C ) wi th the RC H G e nde r Se r v ice a n d t h e proud re c i p i e nt of the 2015 Da me Elisa b e th M urdoc h N urs i ng D eve lo p me n t S ch ol ars hi p.

It’s an absolute privilege to receive this generous scholarship. Nurses don’t often get opportunities like this, so it is incredibly empowering to be recognised and supported in developing my nursing role.

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Small acts, when multiplied by many people, can transform the world - HOWARD ZINN

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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ABSENT FRIENDS AUXILIARY

AMERICAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Founded: 2010 President: Lyn Lewis Vice President: John Lewis Junior Vice President: Cameron Lewis Treasurer: Pam Aitken

Founded: 1931 President: Paula Appelhans Secretary: Deb Welke Treasurer: Jennifer Leighty

Our little Auxiliary is very proud that we have again increased our fundraising total this year.

We are thankful to our small number of volunteers, in particular Lesley Mackie and Val Perry, who keep the revenue rolling in through their efforts on market stalls at the RCH and local shopping centres.

We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their continued support; without them we would not be able to achieve such good results: Bendigo Bank Marriott Waters, Bunnings Cranbourne, Go Get Around Tours, Cranbourne Indoor Sports Centre and Hamilton Lakeside Motel.

“Our mum, Margo Ferguson, loved being an Auxiliary member because an Auxiliary is like a large extended family, working together; helping a worthy cause; making friends and best of all, having fun. Mum also knew that the work she put in directly helped the children.”

Robert and Eric Ferguson

The American Women’s Association (AWA) and its current membership have had a festive, active and productive year! Our Board has performed a review of the past year’s activities and aggressively began our 2016 program to launch our vision: constructing sustainable partnerships to broaden our fundraising options for the next year.

During the past year, the AWA began with a truly unique American activity, which has gained popularity in Australia: the Halloween Extravaganza. Last year’s event was attended by approximately 1,000 children and families. With games, a bounce house and live music, the Halloween Extravaganza put on quite the show in the community. Even though it was an inaugural event of this scale, the returns were more than promising and encouraged us to develop a more robust event for 2016, which will be our primary annual fundraiser.

Since the Board began in January 2016, we have hit the ground running with a focus towards expanding our role in each of our Membership Communities around Melbourne. Our members wanted more involvement at the local level and the Board has concentrated its efforts not only on expat social activities, but on encouraging support for fundraising activities. We are doing this by integrating our fundraising efforts with other Auxiliaries where possible and taking our current sponsorship strategies to the next level.

By forming true partnership strategies that will expand the impact American corporations can offer, the AWA is creating sustainable partnerships at the corporate and community level. Some of our most notable partnerships include a Harley Davidson Motorcycle dealership in Melbourne and with its riding club, as well as a partnership with a local institute to offer coordination with the event management degree program. AWA’s coordination is designed to further a student’s event management degree program. It is both AWA’s and the institute’s goal to develop event planning strategies for a variety of events either with AWA or other Auxiliaries.

To actively generate more fundraising opportunities for the RCH Foundation, AWA members volunteer at the RCH Auxiliaries Shop and on the stalls to help sell items, as well as volunteer administrative assistance at the RCH Foundation office.

We are delighted with our accomplishments over the past year and excited to see what we can do in the next.

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BEADS AUXILIARY

BROADMEADOWS AUXILIARY

Founded: 2012 President: Jasmine Lai Secretary: Jo Buckle

Founded: 1967 President: Janice Memery Secretary: Lorraine Martin Treasurer: Julie Beall

BEADS Auxiliary, which stands for Beat Every Autoimmune Disease Successfully, was established over four years ago by a small group of people committed to raising awareness of autoimmune related diseases like arthritis, diabetes (Type 1) and thyroiditis.

We support the Rheumatology Department at the RCH. Our aim is to raise sufficient funds for much needed research.

Thank you to all our supporters for their generous donations in the past year. We look forward to raising more funds in the future.

BRIGHT STARTS AUXILIARY Founded: 2014 President: Louise Farley Secretary: Brianna Wright Treasurer: Adam Dooley Bright Starts is a small Auxiliary and we are just getting onto our feet, but had a huge year. We had three stalls twice a month throughout the year and also had a lady named Rebecca join us, helping raise money for our Auxiliary.

We attended the Andy’s market, selling baked goods, general stock and lucky dips. We held a raffle, with five prizes including a Leap Frog hamper, baby inspired hamper, Frozen hamper and an electronic accessories hamper. We received a $50 gift voucher for a hamper, and all our other hampers were donated goods from the hospital or our Auxiliary. The food hamper was donated

by Hamper World.

We spent approximately $81 on materials throughout the whole year and in full we raised approximately $742.

We unfortunately lost two members, but gained another two. Brianna was appointed to secretary and Krystal is an active member.

The Broadmeadows Auxiliary is approaching its 50th birthday, so we are working hard to raise money to make a wonderful contribution to the RCH in 2017.

Our committed team of people continue to work hard at our annual high teas, Wallan Markets, Bunnings Sausage Sizzles and our yearly raffle.

Our success is due to the dedication of our members and supporters. Many thanks to each and every one of you.

CANCER CRUSADERS AUXILIARY Founded: 2013 President: Janine Butterfield Secretary: Sharron Markovic Treasurer: Ruth Murray Cancer Crusaders has had a fantastic year. We had all of our usual functions which include two High Teas overlooking the tranquil waters of Sanctuary Lakes, an Oaks Day function with all the class of a race day marquee and last but not least our Dinner Dance was a huge hit with delicious food and great music to dance the night away.

Our Christmas Market Night and various other stalls at the RCH have challenged and inspired the committee to think of new, interesting and delicious items to sell. As they say variety is the spice of life.

More importantly however all these functions and stalls raised a huge amount of money for the Brain Tumour Clinical Trials Program at the Children’s Cancer Centre.

We are always on the lookout for new ideas and ways to raise money. All of the Cancer Crusader Committee are proud of what we do and have achieved so far and look forward to continuing to raise money to help “fund the fight” in children’s cancers.

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CANCER IN KIDS AUXILIARY (CIKA) Founded: 1980 President: Sandra Lehrer Vice-President: Ellen Webb Secretary: Carolyn Rule Treasurer: Stephen Halligan

CARING FRIENDS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS AUXILIARY

We had another successful year, which has been beneficial in continuing our funding for the Children’s Cancer Centre Tissue Bank after-hours collection of tumour samples and the Clinical Trials Coordinator.

Founded: 2006 President: Pat Borcich Vice-President: Yvonne Felton Secretary/Treasurer: Daryl Gunn

We’ve had strong growth in our stalls at the RCH and The Pines Shopping Centre, and we are most appreciative of the generous support that we have from many CIKA helpers throughout Victoria.

In the past year we purchased portable ward-based exercise equipment which enables cystic fibrosis patients to exercise indoors during inclement weather.

This equipment remains in the patient’s room for the duration of their hospital stay.

We have averaged one fundraiser a month. The Bendigo Luncheon was a sell-out event and our film night late last year was a hit with many. Our new Todd Woodbridgeand Peter Mitchell-headed fundraiser at Kooyong was also a great success. The Wood Days remain our premier event and over $27,000 was raised this last year. We would like to pay a special thank you to Daniel Burke for all his work with the Wood Days calendar. Each year he coordinates the donation of the printing of this which adds around $10,000 to The Wood Days fundraising total.

We continue to enjoy generous support from The Macedon Ranges Focus Group who always source new ways to raise funds and who are always supportive of CIKA events. Our appreciation to Phillip Johnson, Immediate Past District Governor of Lions District 2012 who raised over $32,000, which was applied to a new tissue storage freezer and light-cycler 480 real time PCR machine. We were able to thank Phillip and his partner Anne at our annual Lab Open Day at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. We also were most fortunate to receive a generous bequest in 2015; our thanks to Elaine and Hubert Duyvestyn for their guidance on this.

Many of the friends of CIKA continue to support us not only with goods but generous cash donations. We would also like to recognise Virginia who has been very supportive of our research in memory of her daughter Pippa and has coordinated several successful events.

We also benefited from the Robert Connor Dawes fund who assisted Hayley (who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer) in fundraising in her local area. Hayley showed tremendous courage and focus.

We would also like to pay our respects to Geoff Greenwood who died earlier this year. Geoff along with his wife Margaret were great advocates of the RCH and wonderful supporters of CIKA.

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Thank you again to the very small but strong CIKA team, as well as our wonderful family and friends who continue to be great supporters of the work we do.

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Many thanks to the wonderful friends who work tirelessly to stock our stalls.

CAROLINE AUXILIARY Founded: 1951 Convenor: Ecila Engler During the year our Auxiliary raised the majority of our funds by holding stalls at the RCH and a local shopping centre. Every Easter and Christmas we also conduct a raffle and sell tickets at two IGA supermarkets. Through these efforts we were able to make the final payment on the Satellite Pharmacy Project and purchase both a treatment trolley and a sound-proof booth.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all our members for their untiring efforts to raise funds for the benefit of the patients at the RCH.

CASKIDS AUXILIARY Founded: 1967 President: Joy Clarke Secretary: Robyn Anderson Treasurer: Nola Fairbairn and Robyn Riseley CasKids Auxiliary enjoyed another great year. Our numbers increased to 15 as we gained three new members. We are an enthusiastic group who are very good friends. We raise our funds mainly by monthly stalls at the RCH and three external stalls, plus working at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and the Dog Lover’s Show.

We continue to support disadvantaged youth as part of the Young People’s Heath Service by donating personal

toiletry items, which are distributed by the staff in the Department of Adolescent Health. We acknowledge the support of Templestowe and Geelong Auxiliaries who donate goods to us for this purpose. In 2015 we provided a grant of $48,922 for an effectiveness trial in feeding difficulties of a new infant feeding system.

A special mention needs to be made of one of our most enthusiastic and supportive members, Nola Fairbairn, who for 16 years has worked in the RCH Auxiliaries Shop each month. She also volunteers for stalls and any extra fundraising activities. We are strongly supported by Stewart Anderson and Noel Paydon in our fundraising activities, without whom we would not achieve our aims.

We are proud that in our Auxiliary we have six Life Governors of the Hospital, two Madge Tate winners and nine Living Treasures.

“Broadmeadows Auxiliary was a big part of our community.

My mum was a longstanding member and it was a real family affair. It’s been an honour to carry on that tradition for almost 35 years.”

Janice Memery CAULFIELD AUXILIARY Founded: 1932 President: Patricia Piper Secretary: Barbara McIntyre Treasurer: Jillian Drysdale Our year began with the AGM and all Office Bearers were returned for another year. We had several outings attended by most members including a mid-year luncheon meeting at Classic Residences.

In August our group visited the FRC at the RCH Foundation to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of our members, Miss Edith Sporle. We had our monthly

meeting followed by a special luncheon and, of course, cake and candles. It was a wonderful day for Edith, with RCH staff there also to celebrate and honour Edith’s days on the telephone switchboard during the 40s and 50s.

In October we again enjoyed a Retro Dress Fashion Parade in Corowa, NSW. This function was followed by a chocolate high tea courtesy of one of our members, Robyn Funston. This was a very successful function and together with other contributions from members, boosted our donation to the Good Friday Appeal.

We were saddened by the death of Mrs Jean Patience this year. Jean had been an Auxiliary member for 35 years, held the position of President on two occasions, joined the Living Treasures in 2007 and was always involved in any fundraising activities we held. We miss her cheery presence and her fabulous passionfruit sponges. Thank you, Jean.

We continue with our commitment of making and filling the calico trauma dolls for the hospital patients. Our year ended with a full complement of members at a special Christmas themed lunch at Classic Residences, in which we thanked all Office Bearers, members and friends who help and contribute all year round.

CHARLI’S ANGELS AUXILIARY Founded: 2004 President: Susan Manson Secretary: Alison Orum Treasurer: Ornella Crema Created in honour of Charlotte “Charli” Pope to help children with cancer at the RCH, Charli’s Angels Auxiliary is celebrating its tenth anniversary. After Charlotte went into remission years ago, membership for our Auxiliary declined. Thankfully Susan Pretty, Charlotte’s mum, and Alison Orum, a volunteer on the RCH cancer ward, kept the Auxiliary going during some lean years. Slowly a new group of people showed interest and today Charli’s Angels Auxiliary has reinvented itself.

A chance phone call five years ago led to an amazing relationship between Charli’s Angels Auxiliary and The Peninsula School at Mount Eliza. We are now part of The Peninsula School Christmas Market Day, which allows us to promote our Auxiliary within the local community and make some much needed funds. Our relationship with The Peninsula School has continued to grow and for the past four years we have taken delivery of approximately 50 Easter Egg Hampers, which have been donated by the children and their families. Ten hampers are set aside to raffle and the remainder are donated to the children who are in hospital on Good Friday. We are now lucky to

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count Virginia Sugars, a teacher and the Developmental Delay Coordinator at The Peninsula School, as a member of our Auxiliary.

Over the years we have developed a niche market for second hand books. These are very popular at our RCH stalls and we are grateful to the support of the Peugeot Car Club and The Peninsula School for helping us to maintain a good supply of quality books. However, we cannot rest on our laurels and are always on the lookout for new contacts willing to support our fundraising efforts.

Making high quality craft items has also been a big part of Charli’s Angels fundraises. We would like to thank Lucy Murray from Geelong Auxiliary who has been a fabulous contributor to Charli’s Angels over the past three years.

Lucy helps us stock up for our Christmas Stalls with her beautifully made Christmas and baby goods.

We have all stayed true to the cause through thick and thin. We are now in a position to make a meaningful contribution of $50,000 to a research project that’s dear to our hearts. The project aims to identify the effects of chemotherapy on the development of young children, as they progress beyond remission.

COURAGE 4 KIDS AUXILIARY Founded: 2002 President: Michelle Olinder Secretary/Treasurer: Trish Thomas We are a small group of people who use garden grown produce, hand-made delicious foods and plants to raise money for RCH. We have purchased Oesophageal Pacemakers. We would like to thank all of the people from within the RCH and externally who continue to support our fundraising endeavours.

DIRTY HANDS, HAPPY HEARTS AUXILIARY Founded: 2000 President: Julie Robinson Secretary: Jacqueline Coad Treasurer: Ken Williamson Our Auxiliary was formed to support the RCH garden program. This year we were finally able to spend our funds, which have been on hold for six years.

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

We purchased two sheds, new gardening tools, built a vegetable garden and bought and planted fruit trees, olive trees and other plants to create our Mediterranean courtyard garden outside the Kelpie ward.

We have also had tiles donated by Johnson tiles and engage many patients and families in creating mosaics in the garden.

DO-BEES AUXILIARY Founded: 2008 President: Doris Tatman Secretary: Beryl Reeves Treasurer: Peter Tatman Although semi-retired, Do-Bees Auxiliary is still everwilling to provide and accept aid offered for the work of the Department of Developmental Medicine. We now channel this aid through Waverley Auxiliary, which also supports Developmental Medicine.

Professors Reddihough and Watson are inspirational.

Dr Dinah Reddihough’s incredible achievements with Solve@RCH over the past ten years are reason to keep on giving as much support as possible. We plan and hope to continue supporting the hospital, believing Auxiliaries are the interface between the community and the RCH.

EZY BREATHING AUXILIARY Founded: 2006 President: Emma Webster Secretary: Heather Luedi Treasurer: Beat Luedi Our Auxiliary was formed to benefit children with breathing problems and, in particular, those with tracheotomies. Most of these children have severe and complex illnesses, or rare syndromes.

While sitting in hospital with her son Tyler on one of his many RCH visits, Emma saw that most trachy kids and families didn’t have the same support behind them, so she decided to form an Auxiliary with the aim to help.

Our main activity is an annual Christmas Party for trachy families and recently decanulated patients, which we hold at the hospital so inpatients can attend if they are well enough. We raise funds by holding stalls at the hospital and holding an annual trivia night. Emma also attends the Good Friday Appeal Kids Day Out running the Auxiliaries face painting area.

FOOTSCRAY/YARRAVILLE JUNIORS AUXILIARY Founded: 1960 President: Shirley Jenkins Secretary: Margaret Plowright Treasurer: Margaret Day This year we had several cinema luncheons, which we find both popular and profitable. We also attended all the market stalls held at the RCH with our pre-loved goods. Our Easter stall, where we sell Easter eggs and hot cross buns, was another busy and successful day.

We enjoy the contact we have with the hospital patients and visitors at the stalls on our monthly shop day, as well as meeting our fellow Auxiliary members at the Combined Auxiliaries Meetings and the AGM.

“It brightens my day when an Auxiliary member volunteers in the shop. Their generosity and good will is so inspiring and they’re great with the patients and families that come in.

Everyone loves to have a good chat with them, including me.”

Maille Halloran, RCH Auxiliaries Shop Retail Supervisor

GEELONG AUXILIARY Founded: 1976 President: Gwen Bromley Secretary: Jan Crockart Treasurer: Thais McCallum We are celebrating 40 wonderful years of fundraising, achieving a total of $595,050.00, which has enabled us to provide vital equipment items for the hospital over many years. This year we are planning to purchase three non-invasive ventilators for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at a cost of $90,000.

In June 2015, we visited the new Fundraising Resource Centre to hold our monthly meeting. We enjoyed a presentation by Melissa Wake, a lead researcher from the MCRI, and viewed a video on the bone scanner we funded in 2014, which gathered data from across Australia for the Child Health Checkpoint Study.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm of our dedicated members who support Combined Auxiliaries Events at the hospital, including a team who travel to represent Geelong in the RCH Auxiliaries shop, plus conduct our monthly RCH stalls. This only happens with thanks to our support network, who donate so many brilliant handcrafted items for our 14 stalls at the RCH; three annual stalls at Highton Village, plus some local markets.

We also thank the local community groups, businesses and stall customers who support our various fundraising activities. These include our annual High Tea, movie fundraisers, little Tatts, Entertainment Books and donation tins. This was our fourth year selling the Highton Rotary District Car Raffle. Once again we appreciate and thank Highton Rotary for their continued support through their annual Star Search and the Car Raffle.

Thank you also to our members for their help and support through a challenging year. In addition, my thanks to family members who give support at home, enabling members to do what they do, and at events when some additional team members are needed.

A huge thank you also to our Secretary, Jan Crockart, Thais McCallum our dedicated Treasurer and the Auxiliary Office for all of their help and support throughout the year.

AUXILIARIES REPORTS

45

HAWTHORN AUXILIARY Founded: 2013 President: Janet Hooker Secretary: Anna Duncan Treasurer: Genevieve Curtain The Hawthorn Auxiliary built on the successes of our first year by hosting our first major fundraising evening. The ‘Wish them Well’ Gala was extremely well supported by special guest speakers, sponsors and the community alike, with over 200 guests in attendance.

Our Auxiliary committed the fundraising efforts from this evening to be focussed on Developmental Medicine; a department which holds a special place in many of our member’s hearts. The most successful initiative of the evening was our “Wishing Tree” which was used to describe various areas of focus for Developmental Medicine, whilst also acting as a donation card. We are proud to have raised in excess of $41,000 that evening.

I would like to extend many thanks to our organising committee for their tireless work at ensuring the success of the night together with all of our Auxiliary members.

We look forward to again holding our Ribbon Day later in 2016. Thank you to our members for their continued efforts.

HEART TO HEART AUXILIARY Founded: 1989 President: Phyl Brown Secretary: Val Wright Treasurer: Mary Richardson We are a small group, but with great support from family and friends have had a successful year. We have raised funds by having stalls, raffles, volunteering in the RCH Auxiliaries Shop, a Cuppa for Kids event, film days and luncheons.

We also supported Heart Throb Auxiliary with a donation of $1,500 towards their camp cupcake sale.

early onset complications from Type 1 Diabetes. They are checked for optical, cardiac, kidney and vascular complications. Since the inception of the program, the rate of diabetes microvascular complications have dropped from 20-30% to less than 1% in RCH patients.

We have a wonderful community in Inverloch that get behind our fundraising every year. Tables at our October Ball have been booked out since March, so we are hopeful for another successful night raising funds for the RCH Diabetic Unit.

We would also like to pay tribute to all the other Auxiliary members at the RCH that raise much needed funds for all areas of the hospital. Congratulations to you all on your amazing volunteer work!

KNOX-SHERBROOKE AUXILIARY Founded: 1977 President: Gaye Forster Secretary: Lesley Goodall Treasurer: Lyn Elshaw We have had a very successful year with our fundraising exceeding previous totals. We continue to fund Music Therapy.

Our bus trip this year was a tour of the “new” RCH, which everyone enjoyed. Our fundraising included Cuppa for Kids, as well as stalls at the RCH, which were very successful. Our weekend stalls continue to be well patronised.

Our founding president Norma Wangman was inducted as a Living Treasure, an honour well deserved as she has served on our Auxiliary for 38 years.

We welcomed several new members and hope they enjoy themselves as well as our fundraising. Many thanks to our many supporters who assisted us throughout the year and we look forward to continuing our support of the RCH.

INVERLOCH DIABETIC UNIT AUXILIARY KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB

46

Founded: 1997 President: Kerrie Beauglehall Secretary: Ross Beauglehall

Founded: 1938 President: Marie Devereux Secretary: Caroline Hill Treasurer: Mary Hoban

After a break from fundraising to support our diabetic daughter and her children, we are in the process of planning our 18th Ball. The money raised from this night is the only funding for the Complication Screening Program for Diabetic Children at the RCH. This program sees 1,500 diabetic children who are checked for

Our fundraising efforts for the year proved very successful with a final total of $24,000. These functions include The Ladies Doubles Grass Tournament, which is held in March and is our biggest fundraiser; two Card Parties in April and September, the Christmas in July

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Luncheon and our popular Trivia Night in October.

We were very pleased to direct $79,703 to funding the position of the Developmental Medicine Training Coordinator. This role assesses the best ways to deliver information to parents/carers and professionals, with the ultimate goal of having clear descriptions of prevention and treatment for high priority care issues for children with disabilities.

At our AGM in February we invited Michelle Rule and three doctors from this program to attend, and they explained the roles they performed. It was of great interest to us. We look forward to another happy year’s fundraising for this great hospital.

“We’ve been connected to the RCH for 18 years now and it’s still so special and close to our hearts. It’s an incredibly powerful place and we continue to support it because we know we’re making a difference.”

Trish and Trevor Thomas, Courage 4 Kids Auxiliary THE MELBOURNE SINFONIA AUXILIARY Founded: 2004 President: David Halstead Secretary: Bronwyn Hewitt Treasurer: Ros Calver The Melbourne Sinfonia Auxiliary was established by musicians interested in raising funds for the RCH. Our purpose is to enjoy working together to play orchestral music to a high standard and perform concerts, the profits from which benefit the hospital.

The orchestra comprises over 50 musicians from a variety of professional and musical backgrounds. The

players commit much time to the Auxiliary, as significant rehearsal time is needed in addition to that required for the concerts themselves. We are supported by a number of non-musician volunteers who provide and manage the supper at our concerts and the box office. The orchestra performs four major concerts per year at the Methodist Ladies College in Kew. We currently support RCH Gatehouse, which provides crisis services and ongoing support to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused.

Thank you to our Musical Director, Joannes Roose, our dedicated committee, the players and volunteers for their commitment and hard work. Last but not least, a big thank you to our loyal followers who regularly attend our concerts.

PARKVILLE AUXILIARY Founded: 1946 President: Jenny Holmes Secretary: Jill Harrison Treasurer: Marilyn McInnes Traditionally we have supported RCH Psychology and Occupational Therapy, and over time have established excellent relationships with staff in these areas. This year we agreed to add a third string to our fundraising bow.

Music Therapy’s contribution to the welfare of patients has become increasingly well-recognised in recent years and we are delighted to be able to offer staff in this area our whole-hearted support.

Over the past year, we have raised funds by regularly working in the RCH Auxiliaries Shop, taking part in three markets held at the RCH, holding a cake stall at Bunnings, holding a fashion workshop hosted by The Ark Clothing Co. and in December once again selling gift boxes, including our well-known Christmas Hampers.

We like to respond positively to opportunities provided by the Auxiliary Office, taking part in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, the Good Friday Appeal and occasionally helping in the Auxiliaries Office.

We are fortunate to count very talented women who can knit, sew and embroider, bake and bottle within our membership. Other members contribute their ideas, their time and their enthusiasm in support of our various initiatives.

This year will see us celebrating Parkville Auxiliaries official 70th birthday. We can be proud of the women who preceded us as members and will celebrate their legacy with all the pomp and circumstance we can muster!

AUXILIARIES REPORTS

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ROXBURGH PARK AUXILIARY

TEMPLESTOWE AUXILIARY

Founded: 2003 President: Brenda Aisbett Secretary: Glenice Gardner Treasurer: Wendy Hancock

Founded: 1939 President: Anne Peter-Budge Secretary: Barb Nicoll Treasurer: Raelene Trotter

Over the past year we have held stalls at the RCH and our local shopping centre. We have held raffles for Mother’s Day and Christmas. We also work in the RCH Auxiliaries Shop two to three days a month. We had a very good year with fundraising, we are hoping this next year is the same.

Our members continue to tirelessly produce quality products for sale at the RCH and supplies are bolstered

by Craftpaks in Heathmont and the Wandin CWA. Our main area of fundraising is in the regular stalls at the RCH where we sell a variety of products including crafts, cakes, jams, pickles and lately terrariums.

One of our Living Treasures, Bev Paterson, passed away.

Another moved to Townsville.

At the hospital we held two cake stalls, as well as those at the Winter, Andy’s and Paddy’s Markets, which were very successful due to the fresh produce donated by our orchardist friends. Each month we supported the Auxiliaries Shop by selling their goods in Main Street and continued to collect funds from the money collection tins.

I would like to think we will continue helping the RCH and the sick children.

SMILEY AUXILIARY Founded: 2005 President: Joan Courtney Secretary/Treasurer: Margaret Ash Our stalls at the hospital this year have seen a fluctuation in sales and we’ve had some disappointing and some great days. Sandra and Rod always have a good display of jewellery, books and knick-knacks. Lyn is a whiz with the pricing gun and keeping our stalls neat.

June is a diligent worker and helps out when needed.

Sandra’s expertise with messages written on the Easter eggs is a great success each year.

Templestowe Auxiliary is proud to have funded seven projects including $50,000 for the Satellite Pharmacy, $50,000 for a medical imaging machine for the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and $25,000 for Clinical Supervision of Advanced Practice Nurses. We look forward to continuing our fundraising to help sick children get better.

We have friends who knit, crochet, sew, and donate to the Auxiliary – many thanks to them.

WANGARATTA AUXILIARY

SOUTH WESTERN AUXILIARY

Founded: 1977 President: Joan Armstrong Secretary: Leigh Southwell Treasurer: Pat Griffin

Founded: 1953 President: Janine Sheen Secretary: Judy Conn Treasurer: Leanne Bartlett We support the Satellite Pharmacy Project on the wards at the RCH. We have had a busy year, Good Friday Appeal being a highlight, and have raised over $20,000 rattling tins at three sets of traffic lights in Warrnambool. We have done two BBQs at Bunnings and a Trivia Night. We continue to provide catering for the Freemasons.

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The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show was a highlight with quality items for sale. We held a successful Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings and hosted a Cuppa for Kids afternoon. Our AGM was well attended and held in the Fundraising Resource Centre.

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

The Wangaratta Auxiliary holds monthly Hoy afternoons, we have bus trips to the Pokies twice a year, we hold numerous raffles and street stalls where we sell all our home-cooked baking, beautiful knitwear and craft items. We hold sausage sizzles, which are always a hit with the young and old. However our biggest event of the year is the annual Oxley Bush Market where we hold a stall selling jams, sauces, chutneys, cakes, slices and much more. This market coincides with the Wangaratta Jazz Festival and is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun!

The year 2014/2015 saw $17,000 allocated to the Children’s Cancer Centre for a new spectra optia apheresis system. This year we are donating $10,000 to the Early Learning Mosaic Mural, which is currently

in production. We also have approximately a further $47,000 which is currently unallocated to any specific cause, but ideas for some of these funds are in the pipeline.

The Wangaratta Auxiliary is passionate about supporting cancer kids, but we are also raising funds to support approved grants and wish list items.

WAVERLEY AUXILIARY Founded: 1967 President: Louise Hastie Secretary: Beth Trebilcock Treasurer: Kath Walker We had another fun and busy year raising funds for Developmental Medicine and the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program, which is committed to the care of children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism and other developmental delay problems. We have enjoyed a diverse group of very interesting and informative speakers.

Our funds are raised through stalls, Cuppa for Kids, games days, film luncheons, Morning Melodies, our Annual Musical Concert with the Melbourne Singers plus guest artists. In July at the RCH we ran the Autographed Football Raffle at the RCH, which raised $9,500. In October, our Fashion Parade and Luncheon at the Mulgrave Country Club was a great success, with our members modelling the clothes.

Our members supply merchandise to be sold on the stalls and we also have a wonderful group of friends who knit and sew for us. We thank them all.

Our members enjoyed our June meeting which was held at the Fundraising Resource Centre, which is a great area for Auxiliaries to meet and work.

WERRIBEE LADIES FOR KIDS AUXILIARY Founded: 2012 President: Val Wills Secretary: Alma Verity Treasurer: Mabel Cornwill Another great and fulfilling year. Our stalls have been well supported and we had another good week at our local Plaza in April. Good Friday was another successful and very happy day.

We have a lot of wonderful craft workers so a big thank you to all of them. Sick children are our main concern.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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Madge Tate Service Award Established in 1994, the Madge Tate Service Award is named after the late Madge Tate who was a member of Croydon Auxiliary from 1932 until her passing in 1992.

This prestigious award is a means of recognising an eminent Auxiliary member’s dedication and extraordinary service to the Auxiliaries.

1996

2008

Robyn Riseley CasKids Auxiliary

Irene Hubbard Prem Bubs Auxiliary

1999

Kerrie Beauglehall Inverloch Diabetic Unit Auxiliary

Mavis Pope St Kilda Auxiliary

2002

2009

Bill Gordon Heart Throb Auxiliary

Peggy Mathison Parkville Auxiliary

2003

2010

Pat Griffin Wangaratta Auxiliary Doris Read Templestowe Auxiliary

2004

Beth Trebilcock Waverley Auxiliary

2005

Olive Cooper Mordialloc/Heart to Heart Auxiliary

2006

Pat Osbourne Wangaratta Auxiliary Anne Peter-Budge Templestowe Auxiliary

2007

Sandra Lehrer CIKA

Shirley Jenkins Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary

2011

Margaret Greenwood Heart to Heart Auxiliary/ CIKA

2012

Robyn Anderson CasKids Auxiliary

2013

Phyllis Brown Heart to Heart Auxiliary

2014

Andrew Duyvestyn CIKA Christine Duyvestyn CIKA

2015

Gwen Bromley Geelong Auxiliary

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With fond memories, we acknowledge the following Auxiliary members who were recognised as Madge Tate Award recipients, and have now passed away.

1994

2000

Maude Ham Broadmeadows Auxiliary

Dol Blunt Caroline Auxiliary

1995

2001

Bette Chambers Parkville Auxiliary

Loris King Ivanhoe Auxiliary

1997

2004

Dorothy Knight Pankina Auxiliary

Joyce Keast Pankina Auxiliary

Joan Mackechnie Pankina Auxiliary

2010

1998

Phyll Unsworth Frankston Auxiliary

Rhonda Robins Heart Throb Auxiliary

GWEN BROMLEY President of Geelong Auxiliary for eight years, Gwen Bromley is known for her outstanding leadership.

With an inaugural goal to increase membership, Gwen has committed countless hours to promoting the Geelong Auxiliary. Whether she’s chatting with shoppers at a stall, asking the local paper to attend an event, or partnering with external fundraising groups, Gwen is always looking for new ways to grow the Auxiliary. Her hard work has paid off and Geelong Auxiliary now boasts more than 40 dedicated members and a large network of community supporters.

Fundraising efforts have also grown significantly under Gwen’s leadership. Geelong Auxiliary now supports the hospital through regular stalls locally and at the RCH; volunteering in the RCH Auxiliaries Shop; their annual High Tea at the Barrabool Centre; the Geelong Auxiliary Cook Book; Geelong Open Gardens; and a partnership with Highton Rotary.

Gwen’s keen eye for fundraising, passion for the hospital and remarkable leadership is an inspiration to Geelong Auxiliary and its supporters. However, it’s her thoughtfulness that engenders the most respect. Keen for members to have the opportunity to attend Auxiliaries Combined Meetings, Gwen arranges transport to make it easier for them join in. Contributions by community supporters are deeply appreciated and met with a heartfelt thank you letter, certificate of appreciation, or a personal visit.

Gwen’s exceptional contribution to Geelong Auxiliary and the RCH Auxiliaries has made an impression. In addition to the Madge Tate Service Award, Gwen has also been honoured with a Living Treasure Award.

“I am incredibly honoured, but humbled by this award,” said Gwen. “I’m passionate about helping the hospital and sick kids, but you don’t do it for the recognition.

My accomplishments are thanks to the great team at Geelong Auxiliary. It’s such a pleasure working with them.”

AWA R D S

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Long Service Awards 40 YEARS

25 YEARS

15 YEARS

5 YEARS

Beverley Baltissen CasKids Auxiliary

Maria De Poi Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Amy Yu Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Alissa Holmes South Western Auxiliary

Dawn Anderson Wangaratta Auxiliary

Mary Richardson Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Beryl Reeves Do-Bees Auxiliary

Caitlyn Holmes South Western Auxiliary

Joan Martine Waverley Auxiliary

Philda Stevens Broadmeadows Auxiliary

Edith Sporle Caulfield Auxiliary

Deb Capozzi Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

Joyce Johnson Geelong Auxiliary

Val Robinson Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Hayle Boden Broadmeadows Auxiliary

George Sheen South Western Auxiliary

Kerrie Perree Waverley Auxiliary

Valerie Wright Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Isabel Foote Wangaratta Auxiliary

Graham Sheen South Western Auxiliary

Margaret Rogers Geelong Auxiliary

Wendy Brooks Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary

Jan Cotterill Geelong Auxiliary

Janine Sheen South Western Auxiliary

20 YEARS

Joyce Curnow Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Jo Scully Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Laraine Barnes Caroline Auxiliary

June Twaddle Geelong Auxiliary

Margery Schreppel Waverley Auxiliary

Krysta Smith South Western Auxiliary

Pam Gosling Waverley Auxiliary

Linda Holmes South Western Auxiliary

Sandra Bonnici Roxburgh Park Auxiliary

Lisa Smith South Western Auxiliary

Zelam Sinden Waverley Auxiliary

Louise Walker Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

Gail Nunan Heart to Heart Auxiliary

10 YEARS

Joan Layet Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary

Betty Lancaster Caroline Auxiliary

Lyn Wheat Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary

Pat Griffin Wangaratta Auxilary

35 YEARS Lorraine Martin Broadmeadows Auxiliary Veronica Baker Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

30 YEARS Carmel Quinn Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary Denise Mudie CasKids Auxiliary Ecila Engler Caroline Auxiliary Edna Lavelle Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary Marie Devereux Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary Olive Cooper Heart to Heart Auxiliary Val Caddy Templestowe Auxiliary

Amanda Carabott Heart Throb Auxiliary Caroline Hill Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary Doris Tatman Do-Bees Auxiliary Elise Gordon Heart Throb Auxiliary

Lesley Goodall Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary Marcus Williams Heart Throb Auxiliary Margaret Perdriau Heart to Heart Auxiliary Marie Di Falco Heart Throb Auxiliary Terry Martin Broadmeadows Auxiliary

Glenice Gardner Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Jan Tucker Caroline Auxiliary June McFadzean Caulfield Auxiliary Kate Lomax Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Ken Miller Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary Lois Cameron Caroline Auxiliary Pam Hoyle Kooyong Tennis Club Auxiliary

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Margaret Houlihan Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary Maria Ottnig Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Pat Robinson South Western Auxiliary Ricky Holmes South Western Auxiliary Ryan Smith South Western Auxiliary Sandra Long Templestowe Auxiliary Sarah Roberts Templestowe Auxiliary Susan Haywood Caulfield Auxiliary

Vale This year we sadly lost some of our dearest friends and, though they are no longer with us, we treasure their memory, their legacy and their contribution to the RCH. Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Beverley Paterson Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Geoff Greenwood CIKA Jean Patience Caulfield Auxiliary Lou Strachan Heart To Heart Auxiliary Margaret White Geelong Auxiliary Margo Ferguson Pankina Auxiliary Maureen Liddle Prembubs Auxiliary Rhonda Robins Heart Throb Auxiliary Ted Tapliln CIKA Una Mullen Geelong Auxiliary Val Davis St Kilda Auxiliary

RHONDA ROBINS A determined fundraiser, Rhonda Robins made her mark on the RCH Auxiliaries.

Her long association with the hospital began 38 years ago when her son Marcus was born. With four major heart defects, he wasn’t expected to live. Marcus had five open heart operations, two pacemakers and eventually a heart transplant by the time has was 15. Thanks to great RCH care, Marcus is alive today and has two healthy children of his own.

During his time at the hospital, Marcus enjoyed two camps run by RCH Cardiology. After the second, parents were told that, without fundraising dollars, the camps couldn’t continue. For 22 years, Rhonda raised the money for the camps as President of Heart Throb Auxiliary.

“For me to be able to say thank you to the RCH is a privilege and one way I can express that is to continue the camps for other children referred by the cardiac unit,” said Rhonda.

Earning a Madge Tate Service Award for her exceptional efforts, Rhonda was well known for going above and beyond to support the RCH Auxiliaries. Her considerable floral design skills were employed for prestigious events like the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon and the Auxiliaries Annual General Meeting.

She will be sorely missed.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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Living Treasures We are extremely proud to honour our living treasures. These are Auxiliary members who have devoted themselves to our common goal and made an exceptional contribution. The Living Treasures are the embodiment of the highly respected and valued institution that is Auxiliaries and their presence ensures that our future is bright.

A Aggie Coyle Southern Rainbows Auxiliary Alison Orum Charli’s Angels Auxiliary Alma Verity Werribee Ladies for Kids Auxiliary Andrew Duyvestyn CIKA Anne McGeary Trailblazers Auxiliary Anne Peter-Budge Templestowe Auxiliary Annette Antolino CPR Auxiliary Ann Rathbone LARCH Audrey Stewart Waverley Auxiliary

Betty Lane American Women’s Association Betty McConville Pankina Auxiliary Betty West LARCH Beverley Baltissen CasKids Auxiliary Bev Gosbell LARCH Bev Hume Heart to Heart Auxiliary Bev Noonan Parkville Auxiliary Bev Patterson Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Bill Gordon Heart Throb Auxiliary

B

Bohdan Panasewycz Let The Children Play Auxiliary

Barbara Bourke South Western Auxiliary

Brenda Aisbett Roxburgh Park Auxiliary

Barbara Dickinson American Women’s Association

Brian Mallon Former RCH Foundation Executive Director

Caroline Hill Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Doris Fraser American Women’s Association

Carolyn Appelbe American Women’s Association

Doris Read Templestowe Auxiliary

Cheryl Kline LARCH Christine Boulter LARCH Christine Duyvestyn CIKA Christine McRae LARCH

D Dani Tabone Broadmeadows Auxiliary Dawn Anderson Wangaratta Auxiliary

Dorothy Cridge St Kilda Auxiliary

E

Elizabeth Royce Pelican Auxiliary

Debbie Kimberley American Women’s Association

Elizabeth Wilson Waverley Auxiliary

Diana Fletcher Black Rock Auxiliary

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Doug Rathbone LARCH

Davina Johnson OAM Former President

Carmel Quinn Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Beth Trebilcock Waverley Auxiliary

Dorothy Timmerman Waverley Auxiliary

Edna Wallis Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

Bernadette (Bernie) Dawson CIKA

Carole Lowen OAM Former President

Dorothy Sizeland Waverley Auxiliary

David Webb CIKA

C

Beryl Reeves Do-Bees Auxiliary

Dorothy Boyle Geelong Auxiliary

Edna Lavelle Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Denise Mudie CasKids Auxiliary

Carol Blight LARCH

Doris Tatman Do-Bees Auxiliary

Dawn Bredin Waverley Auxiliary

Barbara Love LARCH

Beryl Logie Pankina Auxiliary

54

Betsy Van Eyk Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

Di Humphreys Archers Auxiliary Doreen Bellenger ABC Auxiliary Dorothy Muir Southern Rainbows Auxiliary

Ellen Bryant St Kilda Auxiliary Ellen Webb CIKA

F

I

Faye Love CIKA

Irene Hubbard Prem Bubs Auxiliary

G

Isabel Foote Wangaratta Auxiliary

Gael Holliday Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Isobel Wilson Willy Seagulls Auxiliary

Graeme Clark OARA

J

Graeme Love LARCH

Jan Regester Willy Seagulls Auxiliary

Graham Blight LARCH

Jan Roberts CasKids Auxiliary

Gail Simpson CasKids Auxiliary

Janice Memery Broadmeadows Auxiliary

Geoff Wilson Willy Seagulls Auxiliary

Jean Patience Caulfield Auxiliary

Glenda Fraser Templestowe Auxiliary

Jenny Gordon Heart Throb Auxiliary

Glenice Gardner Roxburgh Park Auxiliary

Jillian Harrison Parkville Auxiliary

Gwen Bromley Geelong Auxiliary

Jim Dawson CIKA

H

Jo Allen Geelong Auxiliary

Hayley Dighton Let The Children Play Auxiliary Hazel Thomas LARCH Heather Beggs Pelican Auxiliary Helen Moon Waverley Auxiliary Helena Panasewycz Let The Children Play Auxiliary

Joan Armstrong Wangaratta Auxiliary

Joan Lord Black Rock Auxiliary Jocelyn Perry Toorak/South Yarra Auxiliary John Graham OARA John Hooper LARCH Joy Clarke CasKids Auxiliary Joyce Johnson Geelong Auxiliary Joyce Stephenson Geelong Auxiliary Judith Arms Pankina Auxiliary Judith McKenna Beaumaris Auxiliary Judy Conn South Western Auxiliary June Atkinson Caroline Auxiliary June Box LARCH June Hawkins Southern Rainbows Auxiliary

Joan Bradbury Pelican Auxiliary

K

Joan Carroll Southern Rainbows Auxiliary

Katherine Karakizis American Women’s Association

Joan Courtney Smiley Auxiliary

Kath Walker Waverley Auxiliary

Joan Latreille Toorak/South Yarra Auxiliary

Kaye Murphy CIKA

Joan Layet Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Keith Thomas LARCH

Kerrie Beauglehall Inverloch Diabetic Unit Auxiliary Kirrie Perree Waverley Auxiliary

L Laura Memery Broadmeadows Auxiliary Lenette Anderson Templestowe Auxiliary Lesley Cole Geelong Auxiliary Lesley Blamey Toorak/South Yarra Auxiliary Linda Lovell Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Lola Castro American Women’s Association Lottie Orgrizovic Pelican Auxiliary Louisa Edmunds Heart to Heart Auxiliary Louise Gourlay OAM Former President Lyn Brunker Templestowe Auxiliary

M Maree Anderson Pankina Auxiliary Marie Baulch LARCH Marie Devereux Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

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LIVING TREASURES CONTINUED

Margaret Ash Smiley Auxiliary Margaret Barker Pelican Auxiliary Margaret Day Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary Margaret Fisher Southern Rainbows Auxiliary Margaret Giulieri Caulfield Auxiliary Margaret Greenwood CIKA Margaret Howe Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary Margaret McPherson Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary Margaret Plowright Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary Margaret Rogers Geelong Auxiliary Margery Schreppel Waverley Auxiliary Margot Lord LARCH / Pankina Auxiliary Maria De Poi Heart to Heart Auxiliary Marion Crawford Wangaratta Auxiliary Mario Pozzuto Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary Marjorie Beaumont Geelong Auxiliary Marj Evans Pelican Auxiliary / Waverley Auxiliary Mary Richardson Heart to Heart Auxiliary Maureen Cody Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary

N Nance Black Pankina Auxiliary Natasha Tocknell Let The Children Play Auxiliary Noelene Hammond LARCH Noel Smith Heart to Heart Auxiliary Nola Fairbairn CasKids Auxiliary Norma Stanton Pelican Auxiliary Norma Wangman Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

O Olive Cooper Heart to Heart Auxiliary

P Pam Burch Heart to Heart Auxiliary Pat Griffin Wangaratta Auxiliary Pat Piper Caulfield Auxiliary Patricia Glazner Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary Patricia Osborne Waverley Auxiliary Pat Roberts Broadmeadows Auxiliary Pat Stolp Geelong Auxiliary

Tony Hubbard Prem Bubs Auxiliary

Phyl Hooper LARCH

V

Phyllis George Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Auxiliary

Val Caddy Templestowe Auxiliary

R Raelene Trotter Templestowe Auxiliary Rob Gosbell LARCH Rosalie Panasewycz Let The Children Play Auxiliary Robyn Anderson CasKids Auxiliary Robyn Riseley CasKids Auxiliary

Val Davis OAM St Kilda Auxiliary Valerie Wright Heart to Heart Auxiliary Valerie Saunderson Beaumaris Auxiliary Val Robson Heart to Heart Auxiliary Val Wills Werribee Ladies for Kids Auxiliary Vi Patten Pankina Auxiliary

Robyn Thexton CasKids Auxiliary

Lady Virginia Buchan American Women’s Association

Rod Cole OARA

W

Ron Caddy Templestowe Auxiliary Rosemary Macan United Auxiliary Rose Pozzuto Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust Auxiliary

S Sandra Lehrer CIKA Shirley Jenkins Footscray/Yarraville Juniors Auxiliary

Pauline Gray Broadmeadows Auxiliary

Shirley McGregor LARCH

Peggy Mathison Parkville Auxiliary

Steve Lehrer CIKA

RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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Phyll Hill Geelong Auxiliary

Paul Hannan VivaRCH Auxiliary

Mavis Pope St Kilda Auxiliary 56

Phyl Brown Heart to Heart Auxiliary

Susan Pretty Charli’s Angels Auxiliary

Wendy Crisp Let The Children Play Auxiliary Wendy Hancock Roxburgh Park Auxiliary Wendy O’Meara Wangaratta Auxiliary Wilma Neville Knox-Sherbrooke Auxiliary

With fond memories, we acknowledge the following Auxiliary members who were recognised as Living Treasures, and have now passed away.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE Dame Patricia MacKinnon DBE Grace Cuming OAM DSJ Betty Bengtsson Heart to Heart Auxiliary Daphne Cleghorn Waverley Auxiliary Dawn Weir Southern Rainbows Auxiliary Dol Blunt Caroline Auxiliary Doreen West Pankina Auxiliary Doris Blunt Caroline Auxiliary Dorothy Blackie Templestowe Auxiliary Dorothy Knight Pankina Auxiliary Dorothy Waters Dorothy Waters Auxiliary Dorrie Muir Southern Rainbows Auxiliary Edna Elliott Caroline Auxiliary Edna Klestadt American Women’s Association Elsie Munnerley Gwen Smith Pankina Auxiliary

Ida Geary Williamstown/Pankina Auxiliary Ivy Milgate Caroline Auxiliary Jean Diffey Caroline Auxiliary Jean Powell LARCH Joan Gainger Southern Rainbows Auxiliary

Sue Reeve Geelong Auxiliary Syd Cooper Heart to Heart Auxilary Thelma Hudson Lord Somers Auxiliary Val Thomas Broadmeadows Auxiliary Yvonne Walters Caulfield Auxiliary

Joyce Keast Pankina Auxiliary Loris King Ivanhoe Auxiliary Lynne Millar American Women’s Association Marcia Cooke Templestowe Auxiliary Margaret Hand South Western Auxiliary Margo Ferguson Pankina Auxiliary Marjorie Beaumont St Kilda Auxiliary Mary Hyland South Western Auxiliary Nanette Smart Pankina Auxiliary Olive Swift Caulfield Auxiliary Pat Windmill Geelong Auxiliary Peggy Hughes Toorak/South Yarra Auxiliary Phyl Unsworth Frankston Auxiliary Rhonda Robins Heart Throb Auxiliary Sadie Richey LARCH Shirley Ryan Heart to Heart Auxiliary

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Thanks This Auxiliaries Annual Report is a collaborative effort. Thanks to the following people whose help and expertise is invaluable.

In no particular order: Robyn Anderson, Barb Nicoll, Denise Mudie and all the members of the AEC, Louise Gourlay OAM, Bert Di Paolo, Alvin Aquino, RCH Foundation staff and Stuart Anderson of Focus Print Group.

Special thanks to the RCH staff members, families and Auxiliary members who so graciously gave their time to be interviewed.

The team Chief Executive Officer Sue Hunt sue.hunt@rch.org.au

Auxiliaries Liaison - Events Laurel-Leigh Lawson laurel-leigh.lawson@rch.org.au

Business Manager Andrew Long andrew.long@rch.org.au

Auxiliaries Administration Officer Lucia Di Maio lucia.dimaio@rch.org.au

Auxiliaries Manager Michelle Rule michelle.rule@rch.org.au

Retail Supervisor Maille Halloran and Angela Blatanic gift.shop@rch.org.au

Credits Words: Shakira Silvestri and Alicia Olive, RCH Foundation Design: Caitlin Smooker, RCH Foundation Printing: Focus Print Group Photos: RCH Foundation, RCH Education Resource Centre, GFA photos provided courtesy of the Herald Sun

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RCH AUXILIARIES ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Level 2, 48 Flemington Road Parkville VIC 3052 Administration Office Monday—Friday, 9am—5pm P. +61 3 9345 5037 F. +61 3 9345 6900 E. auxiliaries.office@rch.org.au www.rchfoundation.org.au/auxiliaries

Connect with our community of Auxiliaries, donors, patients and families online.

Subscribe to our enewsletter at rchfoundation.org.au Join the conversation on Twitter: @rch_foundation Connect with us on Facebook: facebook.com/rchmelbourne

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