BUSHkids Annual Report 2015-16

FRIENDS

“In earlier times, community members travelled with children to BUSHkids Homes on the coast, fundraised, and provided valuable support and services to the children while they received medical help in the larger centres. “We have launched this year in Emerald but we have a keen committee and have a number of community projects planned for next year. “We hope to carry on the strong tradition of community involvement and support from the Emerald community. “Working together we will achieve much for BUSHkids and our community.” Friends of BUSHkids

Ian Mace (second from left) with members of the FoBkWarwick and Centre teams. (Photo by Jayden Brown /Warwick Daily News)

FoBk Emerald The inauguration of this committee on 7 June 2016 was attended by more than 30 interested community members and warm support for the work of BUSHkids’ Central Highlands team was evident. Charlie Wilson, grandson of BUSHkids founder Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and champion the BUSHkids cause as chair of the new FoBk Emerald committee. Councillor Kerry Hayes, Mayor of the Central Highlands Regional Council, came to show his support for BUSHkids and speak about social change.

Multi-Draw Raffle Catherine Dunn and the Friends of BUSHkids committee have done an incredible job obtaining great prizes and selling tickets in the local community, including raising BUSHkids’ profile by selling tickets at the Rose City Shopping Centre. School Bushies Day Marie Sullivan has played a key role in organising this event at local schools where kids are encouraged to come to school dressed as a BUSH kid to spread awareness about BUSHkids. Service Advisory Group A sub-committee of FoBk Warwick , the Service Advisory Group was established in September 2015. This group works with the local team and Clinical Services Manager to identify service gaps, advise on program implementation, service development and necessary external communication about our services. As an example, Service Advisory Group chair Dr Gus Cooper attended a community meeting in Dalveen to provide information about BUSHkids services. Group programs were also advertised in the local paper and circulated to local schools, kindergartens and day care. Support for Read and Grow FoBk Warwick played an active role in promoting and providing operational support for a successful Read and Grow workshop attended by 26 local early educators, health professionals and carers. Thank you to all FoBk members and organisations who assisted with the event! Bush Dance BUSHkids Warwick’s second Bush Dance was held at the Warwick Redbacks AFC on Friday 11 November – thanks to all involved in organising this successful event!

Cr Kerry Hayes with CharlieWilson (above) and with Carlton Meyn (L).

Emerald Golf Day Justin Scutt and his team at Enwise Electrical have once more demonstrated incredible support to fundraise for BUSHkids by hosting the BUSHkids Emerald Golf Day in 2016. Orica Mining Services raised $681 through a raffle at the CQ Recreation & Travel Expo which was donated to the Emerald Centre, and the Emerald Co-operative Society, through Justin Benjamin and Barry Brown, donated $5,000! FoBk Bundaberg The Chair of FoBk Bundaberg , Cr Judy Peters, attended BUSHkids’ annual Conference in July 2016 and has been engaging local community members and key stakeholders to be part of FoBk in Bundaberg in 2017. FoBk Dalby Liz Ryan was appointed as chair of FoBk Dalby in late 2016. Liz attended the FoBk Warwick meeting in October 2016 and is working to engage passionate people as representatives for BUSHkids Dalby. Liz has ideas for FoBk Dalby to host a number of community awareness and fundraising events in 2017.

Charlie Wilson said that “the recently initiated Friends of BUSHkids is a fabulous initiative to help involve the Queensland community in what is one of the oldest providers of health services in our great state. “‘Friends builds on the rich tradition of community support of services to rural and outback children since the Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme was started in 1935 and I am proud to be the Chair of FoBk Emerald.

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