Heart of
NEWSLETTER
Sharing our work with you – work that wouldn’t be possible without your supporT
WHAT’S INSIDE
A Word from the Chair
Community Roundup
Exercise your Free Will
SEPTEMBER 2016
When your world changes
Upcoming Events
Waiting for a Miracle
Although Grant Crocome never received the miracle
cure he was waiting for, he and his family did
experience a miracle of another, far reaching kind.
“
After being diagnosed with advanced
bowel cancer in 2014, Grant was
The miracle came near the very end of
convinced for the next year and a
Grant’s life, when his wife Robyn believes
half, he was going to beat and
he finally became the person he was
survive his disease. Wife Robyn
always meant to be…
cared for Grant at home, which she
found increasingly difficult as time
went on. “It was physically demanding and meant I was pretty much
housebound; I felt alone and that I was carrying all the responsibility of looking
after Grant on my shoulders.”
Friends insisted she should contact Hospice, but Grant wouldn’t contemplate
it. Out of sheer desperation Robyn did eventually made the call for help. “I was
beside myself but instantly I felt reassured & knew I wasn’t alone in this after all.”
At this stage Grant was still fiercely independent and a very private man, who
was reliant on Robyn and their children. He finally agreed to go into Hibiscus
Hospice for a week’s respite, but only in order to give Robyn the break she
needed. “He was like a schoolboy being sent off to camp – he didn’t want to go,
refused to let me pack for him and ended up taking just a few things in an
old bag!”
Grant and youngest daughter Amy
“Once he got to Hospice however, everything changed. Grant walked into
his room at the In Patient Unit (IPU) where the surroundings and the welcome he
received from the nurses made him feel right at home.”
“The IPU was ideal for him and
for me” Robyn remembers. She
spent the time in Cambridge,
her home town, which enabled
her to find herself and her inner
strength again, ready to return to
the caregiver’s role. “I realised
I’d lost track of who I was outside
of Grant’s illness – I had become
totally overtaken by it”
TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
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hospice was prior to my experience
was so limited that I imagined
a horrible, scary and sad place that
would make anyone stay away. It
translated to death - and frightful
death. Now when I think of it I think
of the joy and pleasure it was to be
gifted that environment. In-between stints of chemotherapy
and radiation treatments, Grant stayed
at the Hibiscus Hospice IPU three
times during his illness, each time
a little more ill, but Robyn says “he
loved the attention, fantastic food
and charming the nurses!”
“Hospice became like family” and
gradually, with the help of Hospice
Spiritual Coordinator Vincent Maire,
Grant began to come to terms with the
reality of his situation and accept at
his own pace, that he was dying.
With this acceptance came great
sorrow; and for a man who had
always buried his feelings deep inside,
this was hard to reconcile.
Regret set in and this is when the
miracle unfurled. After a lifetime of
being ‘staunch’, with work as his main
priority, Grant suddenly saw how he
had missed out on so much and had
for a good part of his life pushed his
loved ones away. He immediately set
about apologising and trying to make
good in the time he had left.
Each of his children and grandchildren
were given a greenstone pounamu to
honour them and remember him by.
He gave Robyn one too, which Grant
told her “symbolises a paddle in our
life and now I know you were the one
in our family doing the paddling.”
He rediscovered his long lost
love of sketching and poetry
and wrote some wonderfully
inspirational messages, which
his daughter-in-law Kirstin had
published into a book for Grant
and the family.
In Grant’s final week, which Robyn
describes as “strangely and gloriously
wonderful”, Robyn never left Grant’s
side and slept at his bedside in the
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TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
Hibiscus Hospice In Patient Unit.
One morning she awoke to find him
stroking her hair and face, while
declaring his deep love for her. Robyn
refers to this moment as ‘her greatest
gift.’ For so many years Robyn had
longed for such sensitivity from the
man she loved; such tender touch and
completely heartfelt words.
“In a place where dying is
acceptable, Grant felt free enough
to say and do so much of what he
had never been able to before.
On his last day, with the whole family
assembled around him, Grant had
been silent until suddenly, from deep
inside he proclaimed “I love you – I
love you all” and within the hour,
was gone.
Of the Hospice, Robyn says “Nowhere
have I seen such warmth, compassion
and caring – yet Grant, like so many
others, was initially fearful of going
there. I want people to know there
is absolutely nothing to fear and our
youngest daughter Amy probably
wrapped it up best when she said…
“All I can think when I think of hospice
now is thank you. When the word Hospice was first
uttered it was fear. The lack of
understanding surrounding what
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
Hospital with dad was scary. It was
noisy, cluttered, busy with ills, busy
with confusion, rushed in and out in
the times appropriate. They didn’t
know my dad and they were unable
to provide the attention that we all
desperately knew he needed. The
time in hospice created a safe haven
for us to say goodbye.
From the first respite to his last days,
the quiet, calm, presence of staff
who you knew should anything go
wrong would be there in an instant
were incredible. A wee knowing
smile in the hallways as you passed
could be enough to muster up that
extra strength you needed to make
it upstairs to make a cup of coffee
before returning to the reality of the
situation - Dad was dying.
The last few days were hard. Soul
wearyingly hard. But to be allowed
to grieve and say goodbye and
love and care in such a space as
hospice was a gift that can never
be repaid. I will always be thankful
for the privacy to work through
issues, say goodbyes, play music,
have space to breathe in the lounge
upstairs, to make a cuppa and carry
on, and ultimately to bid farewell.”
Robyn has and still is, finding
comfort in attending Hospice support
groups; the Caregivers Group during
Grant’s illness and the Stepping Out
bereavement group after his death.
“I refer to both of these groups as
‘compassionate melting pots’ because
you are meeting with other people who
are in the same situation as yourself –
and you are free to express how you
are feeling, to laugh or cry, be angry
or frustrated – there’s nothing that’s
out of bounds.”
Maybe that freedom and finding of
self is something that both Robyn
and Grant found at Hospice.
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Upcoming Events
The Noel Crawley Memorial
Jazz / Swing Concert
This very popular annual jazz/swing concert returns to the Centrestage
Theatre on Wednesday 12th October.
This year’s line-up includes jazz vocalist Jane Horder, Gypsy and Latin
Jazz band Voxnova and guitarist Sam Swindells . The legendary Ray
Woolf MC’s and performs along with all-time favourites The Mike
Walker Trio and The Orewa College Jazz Band.
$40 per person, includes pre-show canapēs and a light supper at interval.
Tickets are available now from Hibiscus Hospice 2a John Dee Crescent
Red Beach, Hospice shops in Orewa (41 Florence Ave) or Whangaparaoa
(65 Karepiro Drive) or online at www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
Book Lovers Afternoon Tea
Sunday 13th November from 2.00-5.00pm at Whangaparaoa College
auditorium. Join us to hear a group of celebrated New Zealand authors share stories,
read passages from their books, talk about their writing, or share the excitement of their
first publication.
This will be an entertaining afternoon filled with lively speakers covering a wide spectrum
of books, exciting door prizes, book sales (signed by the authors) and a sumptuous
afternoon tea.
Whether you are a fervent reader, someone who dips in and out of a book or you’re
already thinking about the perfect Christmas gifts, there will be something for everyone.
Please pop the date in your calendar now, tickets are $40 and will be on sale
from Hibiscus Hospice in October.
Second Legendary Event Results
After a successful introduction last year, the second in a series of ‘Legends’ tribute shows was well received
on Saturday 30th July at the Orewa Arts and Events Centre.
Guests enjoyed a fabulous live show, a glass of bubbles and nibbles on arrival followed by a buffet dinner
and dancing until midnight. This year themed in celebration of the Motown musical era,
the show put together by Stage 51 Entertainment included performances from The
Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and The Supremes tribute artists.
Organised this year by the Hibiscus Hospice Women’s Committee, the event
raised just under $19,000 net for Hibiscus Hospice.
We’d like to thank the organising team led by Yvonne Payne and our
sponsors, The Plaza Whangaparaoa, Faithfull Funeral Services, New World
Orewa and Whangapararaoa, Harcourts Cooper and Co; our media sponsor,
More FM 88.9 Rodney and of course Gary Brown of Stage 51 for providing the
entertainment.
We’d also like to gratefully acknowledge support received from Auckland
Council’s Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, by way of a community grant.
TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
facebook.com/hibiscushospice
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A Word from our Chairman
Bill Grieve
Potential Alliance between
Hibiscus Hospice and
Hospice North Shore
As valued supporters of our Hospice,
I wanted to let you know that we
have recently reached an agreement
in principle, to form a strategic
alliance between Hibiscus Hospice
and Hospice North Shore.
Currently an exercise involving Board
of Trustees members from each
organisation is underway, whereby
the mechanics and feasibility of such
an arrangement is being worked
through.
A combination of high population
growth, the rapid projected increase
in demand for palliative care, and the
continuing constraints on both public
and private sector funding are the
drivers for this initiative.
The overriding objective for both
Hospices is to achieve the same
or higher levels of patient and
family care at lower overall costs,
whilst maintaining the strong
connections and relationships
each has within their own local
community.
It is also important to note that
funds raised within each area will
continue to be applied in that area.
We believe such an alliance will
better position both Hospices to meet
the challenges faced by all Hospices
over the next decade and beyond.
North Shore and Hibiscus Hospices
will maintain their separate Trusts
and governance, however the
sharing of some services and a Chief
Executive are likely.
The Waitemata District Health
Board, community stakeholders,
key supporters and staff are all
being consulted during this process
and we hope to be able to make
a formal announcement within the
next 3 months. If you would like to
provide any feedback please address
this to me and send via email to:
[email protected]
In the meantime I can assure
you, our local Hospice will
continue with its own unique
identity and the team here
at Hibiscus Hospice remains
committed as always,
to providing the best
possible palliative care for
our community.
When your world changes
For many of us it’s unthinkable
that we could ever lose the ones
who are closest to us.
Hibiscus Hospice Counsellor
Barbara Deane works every day with
people who have lost a husband or
wife, parent, sibling or child; people
who are grieving.
Their world has changed
and will never be the
same again.
Most initially
experience shock
(even if the death
was anticipated) and
life feels strangely
surreal as they go
about making the
necessary arrangements.
At this stage says Barbara, “it’s
okay to feel vulnerable and actually
accepting that can bring about a
strength of its own. I ask them to
look at how they’ve coped with life’s
challenges in the past and draw on
those experiences, which helps bring
their resilience to the fore.”
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TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
“Realising that you are not going to
fall to pieces and that this is not a
permanent state is important”
All sorts of emotion including
hopelessness, anger, anxiety and
regret can be experienced at this
time, and Barbara sees
her role as “being a
container or vessel
who is able to
hold all the really
deep feelings,
emotions and
fears that
might seem
unbearable.
These are often
not shared with
loved ones because
everyone feels a need
to protect each other and remain
strong, so expressing it in the
privacy and safety of a counselling
environment is really beneficial.
Sometimes a person’s very identity
is questioned – who am I without my
wife or husband? What do I want out
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
Barbara Deane Counsellor
of my life now? Where do I go from
here?
Over time, (the period varies for each
person), the answers begin to appear
as reconnections with other people,
past times, hobbies and future plans
are made.
Bereavement counselling and
support helps people to find their
way forward without feeling judged,
advised or ‘fixed’.
“Grief is something we move
through, but bonds with the
one you’ve lost are never
broken; that person is a part of
you and you will always have
that relationship.”
facebook.com/hibiscushospice
Patient Kitchen gets a Makeover
The Hibiscus Hospice patient
kitchen has received a much
needed makeover thanks to the
generous support of several
charitable trusts.
of more than 1200 patients. During
this period our kitchen had become
tired; appliances were on their last
legs and the area was often crowded
with two cooks and volunteer helpers
competing for space. The frequent
cleaning required for infection
control had resulted in much of the
cabinetry, flooring and walls swelling
from increased moisture levels.
The makeover has upgraded the
kitchen to a commercial standard
utilising stainless steel throughout,
meaning it will be far more durable
and last longer. All benchtops,
appliances and some cabinetry have
been replaced and the overall area
increased in size to incorporate more
storage as well as designated entry
and exit doorways.
The current Hibiscus Hospice
building was completed in 2007,
with the 6-bed 24/7 In Patient Unit
(IPU) opening 18 months later in
September 2009.
At the time of construction our
kitchen facility did comply with
the necessary health regulations,
infection control, food handling and
storage requirements, however we
reached a point where a larger,
commercial grade kitchen was
required to improve durability and
meet new health and safety and food
practice standards.
The IPU has been operational for
over 6 years with total admissions
In an IPU environment patients
are often unable to eat heartily,
however the enjoyment and
comfort gained from enjoying
beautifully presented, appetising
meals becomes all the more
important. In fact mealtime is looked
forward to as a highlight of the day
and our hospitality team put a lot
of effort into making this special for
each and every patient.
The larger, upgraded kitchen is
expected to vastly improve the ability
of our paid and voluntary hospitality
team to produce personalised,
appetising meals three times a
day (or more depending on dietary
needs) for our IPU admitted patients
– and also cater for our clinics,
patient and family support groups –
providing for the next ten years
or more.
Work on the kitchen has just been
completed.Thank you to the Ralph &
Eve Seelye Trust, Lion Foundation,
Louisa & Patrick Emmett Murphy
Foundation, Pelorus Trust, Dragon
Community Trust and The Orewa
Bridge Club for making this
upgrade possible. Recent grants gratefully
received from:
• Pub Charity
• Lion Foundation
• Support for Volunteering Fund
• Ralph & Eve Seelye Trust
• Constellation Trust
• Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust
• Catholic Caring Foundation
• Auckland Council Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
• Reed Charitable Trust
• NZCT
• North Shore Presbyterian Hospital Trust
Local Company Giving Back
Econowaste is a 100% Kiwi owned
and operated waste and recycling
company that is giving back to
the community, by generously
donating 25c from every 5 pack
of rubbish bags sold within
participating supermarkets to the
North Shore, West Auckland and
Hibiscus Hospice’s. If last
year’s bag sales within these
supermarkets are anything to go
by, Econowaste estimates it will
donate upwards of $25,000 to
these Hospices by August 2017.
TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
Karl Dean, Branch Manager of
Econowaste, says the decision to
sponsor the local Hospice’s is a great
example of a local company giving
back; “As Kiwi’s we are passionate
about helping others in their time
of need, and thus are delighted to
be able to donate proceeds from
our bag sales to such a
worthy organisation.”
Look for the Econowaste stands at
New World WGP, Countdown WGP
and Silverdale.
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
Sam Bisset, Karl Dean, Ryan Heighway and
Dean Prime from Econowaste pictured
with Dyan Cann Dyan Cann from Hospice
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Exercise Your Free Will
Making a Will
allows you to make your wishes known and gives clear
instruction of what you want to happen in the event of your death. It can be a
very simple exercise yet the impact of not having one can add significantly to
the distress of a bereaved family.
At Hibiscus Hospice, one of the services we offer is helping families to get
through their bereavement, with grief counselling and support groups.
We also believe good estate planning reduces anxiety for those left behind by
protecting the family and avoiding costly legal bills.
In a campaign called “Exercise your Free Will” Hibiscus Hospice and
solicitor Nola McGowan of Vlatkovich and McGowan are making it easier
for you to set up a new Will; with just an inclusion of a gift to Hibiscus
Hospice in your Will you will be able to get drawn up free of charge, a
simple Will or amendments made to an existing one, or a Memorandum of
Wishes (in the case of a Family Trust)
Nola McGowan is a well-known and extraordinary local - not only has she left a gift in her own Will to Hibiscus
Hospice, she has acted as honarary solicitor for the Hibiscus Hospice Charitable Trust since its inception in 1992,
volunteering her time and services.
At the time of writing this article with Nola, it was the anniversary of her father’s passing which brought back many
memories for her. She says “I really encourage the community to support the ‘Exercise Your Free Will’ campaign.
If you have ever been in the position where you needed Hospice help for your own family then you will know what
a truly worthy organisation they are. For myself, when Dad was dying the Hospice was my godsend. I applaud
the Hospice, they make such a difference. I remember one night a Hospice person came to sit with Dad through
the night so I could get some sleep. Now I believe that we as a community need to make sure the future of our
Hospice is going to be protected.”
Anyone can make a Gift in Will; it is not only for the wealthy – gifts come in all shapes and sizes from a
few hundred dollars, to a specific item or a percentage of the estate after the family have been
looked after.
Allie Downing, Planned Giving Coordinator says “currently the government funds less than half of our annual
running costs; the remainder comes from our shops and fundraising activities. “People leaving a gift in Will to
Hibiscus Hospice are in fact, the ‘guardians’ of our future”
If you’d like to make sure your wishes are carried out in the event of your death and at the same time
help preserve local Hospice services then contact Allie Downing, Planned Giving Coordinator on
09 421 9180 or email [email protected] before 31st October 2016 to receive a voucher
for your Free Will.
Just like the beginning of life
when preparing for the arrival of
a baby, the end of life also
requires some careful thought
and preparation:
How will you protect your
loved
ones?
How
will you ensure your
wishes
are met?
What legacy will you leave
for generations of your family
to come?
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TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
facebook.com/hibiscushospice
Community Roundup
Tractor Trek blazes a trail
In one of the longest duration and most unusual of
fundraisers ever run for the benefit of Hospice, retired
farmer Phil Aish organised and lead a cavalcade of
vintage tractors, jeeps and trucks over 26 days, trekking
2600km from The Bluff to Cape Reinga.
When Phil’s wife Janice had to go into Hospice care for
her last days, the couple and their family were impressed
with the compassionate care and support they received,
which meant that all of Janice’s needs were met by the
staff and volunteers - so the family was able to just ‘be
there’ for Janice. Knowing that Hospice is only partially
funded by Government, Phil and
Janice set about finding some
way of repaying the kindness
and service given to them.
So the idea of a tractor trek
was born!
After 18 months of planning
and preparation, nine tractors
departed from Bluff. The
drivers involved were urged
to raise as much sponsorship
as they could beforehand and
money was also raised during
their journey.
$100,000
The Tractor Trek ended at Cape
for Hospices
Reinga and to date has raised
nationwide
over $100,000 for Hospices around
the country Phil sees the trek both as
the fulfillment of a promise to his beloved wife and her
legacy to those who cared for her. “The level of genuine
kindness, understanding and unstinting patience from
Hospice staff and volunteers never for one moment
diminished despite the unpleasantness of some of
their tasks. Janice was never
made to feel embarrassed or
uncomfortable and was always
treated as if nothing was too
much trouble. Without question,
each and every person we came
into contact with at Hospice
was exceptional and they were
equally caring of me and our
family.”
Donations can still be made
at https://givealittle.co.nz/
org/tractortrek
SMALL HOUSE raises Big Dollars
Recently, local Harcourt’s Tandem Realty offices each built a
children’s playhouse, which they auctioned for charity. Competition
among the offices was fierce and each team devoted a significant
amount of time and energy to building, decorating, marketing and
selling their wooden playhouse and other donated items.
In particular the Silverdale office ran a series of sausage sizzles,
competitions and ‘open homes’ for theirs, culminating in the auction of
the playhouse and a number of other items on July 15th, where they
raised a total of $4,865 for Hibiscus Hospice. We couldn’t be more
grateful for everything the team did to support our Hospice.
Rec
$1,4eived
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Win
TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
Tractor Trek
raises over
d aNd
raiSE
TEd
dONa
5
$4,86
Harcourts Silverdale present a cheque to Hibiscus Hospice
Thank you to everyone who voted for Hibiscus
Hospice in May’s Good in the Hood competition at Z
station Whangaparaoa - we’re thrilled that we won first
place and received $1,406 as a direct result of
your votes!
Fundraising and Marketing Manager Clare Bridle is pictured third from
the left with Z station and other participating charity representatives.
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
facebook.com/hibiscushospice
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Best in Show
ABSOLUTELY
FABULOUS
The 11th annual Hibiscus Hospice Art Exhibition
and Sale was the largest to date with over 400
works for sale or auction, more than 90 artists
exhibiting - and a record amount of $30,119
raised.
DARLING
Local women flocked to seeThe
Helping Hands for Hospice preview
screening of the new ‘Ab Fab’
movie on August 11th.
Two hundred and six seats were
sold, filling 2 theatres at Hoyts’
Hibiscus Coast Cinema. After
enjoying a glass of wine, everyone
had a fun time and a net amount
of $2,533 was raised for
Hibiscus Hospice.
Held over Queen’s Birthday weekend, the exhibition
featured a vast array of works; oils, acrylics and
watercolours on paper, canvas and board, works
on oars, zincalume and steel and ceramics, prints,
photography, glassware and jewellery.
Through the sterling work of organiser Vicki Lambert
from the Hibiscus Hospice Women’s Committee, this
exhibition is unsurpassed in the district and continues
to outdo itself year after year, building on its excellent
reputation for outstanding artwork and curation.
One of
Sharon the organise
rs
M
as you artin dressed
know w
ho…
We’d like to thank Vicki, her team and the team at
Estuary Arts Centre for their passion, commitment and
the fabulous job they do.
Thank you to the Helping Hands team and
everyone who attended!
More than Fair
d aNd
ra
i
The Orewa Book Fair run by Hibiscus Hospice in
SE
conjunction with the Orewa Rotary Satellite Group was
an outstanding success.
Hundreds of people attended the event held in July.
Thousands of books, CDs and DVDs were sold with overall
E
sales totaling $13, 765 and exceeding all expectations.
dO NaT
Hospice Communications Manager Dyan Cann says “This
phenomenal result wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of
the organising team Trish and Frank Francis-Stead, Graeme Howard and Graeme
Newton and the many other volunteers who gave their time to help with book
sorting and/or manning the Fair – all of whom we can’t thank enough."
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6
3,7
d
$1
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Please send to Hibiscus Hospice (details below)
Mailing address: PO Box 66 Whangaparaoa 0943.
2a John Dee Crescent, Red Beach, Whangaparaoa 0932
Email: [email protected]
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TELEPHONE 09 421 9180
www.hibiscushospice.org.nz
facebook.com/hibiscushospice