March Quarter 2023 Update
End of 2022
With Christmas now a distant memory and the first quarter of 2023 already behind us, I’m sure most of you are well-entrenched in your plans for 2023.
Our last newsletter was distributed in early December so to bring you up to speed with what happened in the last three weeks of December 2022, here’s a brief update:
Our MHF office looked like a toy store with all the amazing toy donations we received prior to Christmas. The Sons of the Southern Cross conducted their annual toy drive, Harrup Park Country Club made their annual toy donation, St Brendan’s Catholic School generously donated toys and books and Catherine McAuley College presented us with books.
One particular donation from The Sons of the Southern Cross motorcycle club had a slight accident due a close encounter with a hot muffler resulting in a burnt nose so he’s been affectionately nick-named ‘Bernie’.
Christmas Gift Wrapping also kept MHF staff and our band of volunteers busy in the lead up to Christmas. Our appreciation must go to Mt Pleasant Centre and Myer for hosting us during December and to every person who called in to have their Christmas Gifts wrapped…..Thank you!
Dancing with Heart
Dancing with Heart was the first of four major events for Mackay Hospital Foundation in 2023. The evening was held at the MECC on 31st March and it didn’t disappoint.
Eight dancing participants including: Michelle Cross (Elders Insurance), Alex Finlayson (Harvey Norman Bedding), Bing Guo (Bing’s Nomiya), Tegan Jones (Dysart Hospital), Renae Kunst (Community Rugby League), Paul Manttan (Mackay West State School), Kay Nyenuh (Muscle Garden) and Cathy Sullivan (Mt Pleasant Centre) showed us their moves and grooved their way through the competition. Just over 200 people attended the event which saw Cathy Sullivan take away the coveted mirror ball trophy with her rendition of Madonna’s ‘Vogue’, the People’s Choice award went to Renae Kunst for her dance to the song ‘Run the World’ by Beyonce and Alex Finlayson from Harvey Norman Bedding Mackay was acknowledged as the highest-fundraiser at the event.
Dolly Louw from Fame Talent School very generously donated her time and expertise to choreograph the dances for each participant which shone through on the evening. Judges included Geoff O’Connor (SBB Partners), Maree Sturdy (Treadwell Tyre Service) and Sammie Mitchell (Gardian Group).
Gold Sponsor Pentacon also funded auction items on the evening, along with CJ Smith Homes. MASS Concreting also generously supported Dancing with Heart as a sponsor, Daly Bay as the raffle sponsor and Moorvale Earthmoving was the trophy sponsor.
This was the first event of its kind organised by Mackay Hospital Foundation and if the inaugural event is any indication, it will likely be a regular event on our calendar going forward. Thank you to Fiona from Coffee & Hops for the fantastic photos & videos.
Regional Insurance Brokers Chairty Boot Camp
After a hiatus in 2022 due to COVID restrictions, the Muscle Garden–organised Regional Insurance Brokers Charity Boot Camp took place at Harrup Park on Sunday 5th February.
Over 100 participants star-jumped, burpee’d, lunged and sweat to the sound of pumping music on a beautiful but hot, Sunday morning.
Prizes were generously donated by numerous Mackay businesses and sponsors included Regional Insurance Brokers, Ausgroup, Get Real Workwear & Safety, and Debbie’s Seafood, who contributed towards a very successful boot camp which raised over $7,000 for our local hospitals.
Harrup Park Country Club once again supported the event, with attendees having an opportunity to grab a coffee after the event.
Flagon & Dragon
It’s an event held biennially and is attended by well-known supporting business people within Mackay and surrounding areas.
The Flagon & Dragon event in 2022 raised over $210,000 for local charities with Mackay Hospital Foundation receiving a whopping $81,034. These funds are being used to purchase a Mindray Ultrasound Machine and a Giraffe Omnibed Carestation which will benefit our young patients in the Children and Adolescent Unit (CAU) at Mackay Base Hospital.
The equipment will enable families to remain in Mackay for treatment when they would otherwise need to access this equipment in major hospitals, uprooting their family and moving away from their close support network in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.
Providing equipment for paediatric patients and children is a primary focus for the Flagon & Dragon Club. Mackay Hospital Foundation, the staff in CAU, and especially our patients and their families are extremely grateful to the Flagon & Dragon Club for their ongoing support.
Isaac Region
While in Moranbah recently, Kristi Algate (GM, MHF) had an opportunity to catch up with Director of Nursing, Mel Hornery, to discuss the ‘wish list’ of equipment for Moranbah Hospital.
Donations from the Isaac Region during last year’s Giving Day amounted to just over $50,000 with all of these funds earmarked for hospitals within the Isaac Region.
We look forward to working with Moranbah, Dysart and Clermont Hospitals to purchase equipment which will improve health outcomes for patients throughout these locations.
Giving Day thanks to Anglo American, Isaac Regional Council and Moranbah Workers Club as Matched Donors in the Isaac Region; Whitsunday Regional Council in the Whitsunday Region and Mackay Base Hospital Auxiliary in the Mackay Region.
In-kind Support
Mackay Hospital Foundation relies on community support in order to fund medical equipment and projects in hospitals throughout the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Regions.
Financial support through donations and sponsorships is always welcome but in-kind support is also extremely beneficial to us.
We have received incredible in-kind support in the past but one recent contribution from Mackay Outdoor Power Centre is a mobility scooter which will help to support our local hospitals when it’s auctioned later in the year.
Sign of the Times
Paradise Outdoor Australia has once again thrown their support behind Mackay Hospital Foundation.
New static billboards featuring Mackay Hospital Foundation can be seen on the Bruce Highway just south of Bowen as you’re heading north and also on the Peak Downs Highway, east of Nebo heading towards Mackay.
Keep an eye out for our digital billboards on the corner of Victoria and Sydney Streets, and on Mackay-Bucasia Road at Mt Pleasant on your way into Mackay.
Thank you POA for supporting our local hospitals and also to Bright Light Marketing for your exceptional design skills.
Know someone who has community spirit?
There’s no better feeling or accomplishment than knowing you’re helping someone in need. As a Mackay Hospital Foundation volunteer, you’ll experience just that.
With opportunities available at hospitals in Mackay, Sarina, Dysart and Clermont some of the roles include assisting in the Children and Adolescent Unit, Oncology, Outpatients and Gift Shop in Mackay; Aged Care assistance in Clermont; Gardening duties in Dysart and opportunities in Sarina.
Contact Mackay Hospital Foundation on 4885 5915 for more information or go to www.mackayhospitalfoundation.com.au to complete an ‘Expression of Interest’ form.
Thank you BHP BMA
In early 2021, BHP/BMA provided Mackay Hospital Foundation with funding to create a Therapeutic Play Space at the Children and Adolescent Health Unit at Mackay Base Hospital plus implement a Cultural Garden and refurbish the Patient Lounge/Family Room at Dysart Hospital.
Due to COVID restrictions causing many delays, we were very proud to welcome representatives from BHP/BMA to the official opening of the Therapeutic Play Space on 12th December 2022 and the Dysart Projects were officially launched on 24th February 2023.
The Therapeutic Play Space provides a non-clinical area where young patients and their families can forget about treatments for a while and enjoy the outdoor space.
This area and the indoor Australiana-themed mural funded by Autocorner Mackay are wonderful additions to the Children and Adolescent Unit which will enhance the experience of hospital admissions for our young patients.
The Dysart Family Room now boasts the comforts of home with the renovation completed in December last year. For patients and families, they have access to comfortable chairs, books and games and the convenience of a coffee machine, microwave and fridge while enjoying a friendly, relaxing ambience.
Save the Dates
5 May is International Day of the Midwife and on 12 May Mackay Hospital Foundation in partnership with Mackay Hospital and Health Service will celebrate International Nurses Day.
12-21 May is National Volunteer Week when we recognise and acknowledge our wonderful volunteers who so generously donate their time to brighten the days of patients and visitors to our hospitals.
2 June Join us for the BOQ Mackay City Charity Golf Day in support of Mackay Hospital Foundation and Mackay Community Foundation. This is a charity golf day like no other so dust off your clubs and contact Rebecca Galea at BOQ Mackay City on 0407 641 503 for more information. Numbers on the Lucky Number Board can also be purchased from Rebecca if you’d like the opportunity to win up to $2,500 in cash.
4 June Family Fun Day returns with an action-packed agenda for every member of the family. The event will once again be presented by Gardian Group and while sponsors are still committing to this event, we can confirm Daly Bay, BMA, Mount Pleasant Centre, S.H. Tait & Co and Wilmar are once again on board.
Footy legend Sam Thaiday has been sponsored by Daly Bay and will be attending the event to throw a footy around with the kids and chat with the attendees. In addition to jumping castles and mechanical rides, Tchundal Malar Aboriginal Dance Troupe will entertain, Sensory Circus will be there along with face painting, Sand Wizard, a Tae Kwon Do exhibition, live music and Mad Animal Addition. And keep an eye out for Bluey, Chase from Paw Patrol, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jess from Toy Story at this year’s Family Fun Day presented by Gardian.
11 August is Cinema Under the Stars at the Amphitheatre, Mackay Botanical Gardens. Harvey Norman Bedding Mackay will once again be the presenting partner and this year, BMA will join them as a major sponsor of all Cinema Under the Stars events including one in Sarina on 16 September.
8 September is locked in for our next Dinner on the Runway. Already, organisers at Ibis Mackay are well-advanced in their plans for this year’s event which will see increased bar access and more tickets available. Keep an eye on our Mackay Hospital Foundation Facebook page for the release date of tickets.
12 October will be our biggest fundraising event for the year with Giving Day taking place over a 12-hour period.
29 October is an early start in the Pioneer Valley with the Get It Done Training Pioneer Valley Fun Run organised by Muscle Garden. This event is a must-attend for all enthusiastic runners regardless of your level of fitness.