2010 \ Edition 2
MAKING WAVES
quarterly publication of Barwon health
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Remembering
our Anzacs
Pg 2
Meet your
Executive Team –
Tony Weaver
Pg 6
Kevin Rudd visits
Geelong Hospital
Pg 7
Gala Day set to
be bigger than
ever!
Pg 17
Message from the CEO
Firstly, I would like to thank Barwon Health for the support I
have received since commencing my appointment as CEO in
April. I have been humbled by the generosity and kindness I have
experienced from staff, patients and volunteers across all areas
of Barwon Health, and importantly the Geelong community. I
have embedded myself in the Geelong culture and lifestyle and I
can even go as far to say I am half way towards becoming a full
on Cats supporter!
The 2010-15 Strategic Plan was launched on 15 July. The
Strategic Plan has been a collaborative effort between various
areas of Barwon Health, but the core of this new direction comes
from listening to our people and what they want and need from
their health care service. These wants and needs are reflected in
the mission, values and organisational priorities of the 2010-15
Strategic Plan. The 2009/10 annual report is also well under way
with the distribution phase happening throughout August.
Before I became involved with the operational side of the health
care system I worked as a flying doctor at the Royal Flying Doctor
Service in NSW. After this period I moved to the UK for five
years where I practiced as a GP. I had always had an interest in
the operational side of the health care system while practicing
medicine. My clinical experience has helped give me a strong
sense of awareness about what the community’s expectations
are from both a care and health management perspective.
It is an exciting time at Barwon Health with changes occurring
throughout many areas of the organisation. These changes will
be unrolled in the coming months. We will be communicating
these changes through emails, staff forums, notices, internet
and social media such as Twitter. I am currently Twittering and
if you’re interested in reading what I am up to on a daily basis,
follow my tweets.
I have spent a lot of time getting to know Barwon Health, its
staff and the community it provides care for and I am pleased to
say Barwon Health is an outstanding organisation. We provide
care to a wide-spread, regional population and we do so at a
very high standard. I have had the opportunity to visit nearly all
of Barwon Health’s 21 sites and I have been impressed by the
level of passion our staff and volunteers have towards their jobs.
The McKellar Centre was particularly impressive with world-class
rehabilitation facilities.
I will be working closely with the Executive team and the
Board to ensure Barwon Health maintains a high operational
standard that is meeting the needs of the community. We will
also be looking at innovation and new strategic direction to find
solutions to areas of service Barwon Health can improve upon.
David Ashbridge
CEO
BOARD TALk
Barwon Health’s Strategic Plan for 2010-15 was launched on
15 July. The primary objectives of the Plan are to place Barwon
Health as the pre-eminent regional health service in Australia and
to improve health status in the community. It also commits us all
to modeling Barwon Health’s values in the way we relate to one
another, to patients, visitors and the organizations with which
we work. These values were developed in close consultation
with staff. Similarly, the Strategic Plan responds to the views of
the many staff involved and consulted in its development, and
of community members who have shown great interest in the
future direction of Barwon Health .
Members of the Board and Barwon Health Executive are “roadshowing” the Strategic Plan throughout Barwon Health and the
Barwon South-Western Region over July and August. They will
visit Barwon Health service sites to explain the Plan and how
it will reposition Barwon Health in the health sector and in the
community.
The Strategic Plan is an exciting new direction for Barwon Health.
It builds on the commitment, strengths and achievements of
past years but steers us towards a more comprehensive role in
improving the health of the residents of Geelong and the southwest. I look forward to its implementation with great enthusiasm
and take this opportunity to thank all those involved in its
development.
In other news, Barwon Health welcomes Ms Barbara Dennis to
the Board of Directors. Barb has had considerable experience
in the health sector as an occupational therapist working in
metropolitan and rural health facilities in UK and Australia. She
is active in business and the community in the region. We are
grateful to the Minister for Health for this appointment. Further
good news is the Minister’s reappointment of Board members Dr
Sarah Leach and Damian Gorman. We look forward to a successful
future in achieving our collective vision for Barwon Health.
The Strategic Plan sets our priorities for action over the next
five years. Its implementation will be monitored closely.
For this purpose, a new website
www.barwonhealthstrategicplan.org.au
has been established to enable all of us to access the Plan and
follow the actions being taken to implement it. This website
provides the hub for communication on the content and progress
of the Plan. Importantly, it also represents an environmentally
friendly approach to distribution of the Plan - coinciding with a
shift to decrease our carbon footprint by using less paper and
recycling throughout Barwon Health.
Owen Donald
Chair, Barwon Health
\ 01
INTRODUCING WORK WELLNESS
Work Wellness is the new umbrella for Barwon Health’s staff
health and wellbeing initiatives. Made possible through a grant
from WorkSafe, the program will help raise the profile of staff
health and wellbeing throughout the organisation as well as
encourage staff participation in activities and events.
Ongoing support for staff health will be guided by the newly
formed Staff Health Promotion Steering Group, a number of
working groups and local champions.
If you would like to volunteer as a local champion, please email
[email protected].
For more information about the program, including upcoming
events, health promotion information, links and useful contacts,
visit the Work Wellness intranet site on Wavelength.
REMEMBERING OUR ANZACS
The ANZAC spirit flowed strongly in late April as Barwon Health held
memorial services for fallen ANZACS and Veterans in the Garden of
Reflection and Remembrance at Geelong Hospital and at the McKellar
Centre.
Residents, patients and staff from both sites paid their respects in the
moving ceremonies and laid wreaths in remembrance of Australia’s
past and present soldiers.
Barwon Health CEO David Ashbridge and Chair of the Barwon Health
Board Dr Owen Donald attended the McKellar service in which a
touching tribute for the late Ted Mankelow was held.
Work Wellness photo competition
As part of the Work Wellness initiative, we’re looking
for photos to communicate health and wellbeing
messages to staff.
Submit your photos for a chance to win great
prizes. Photos will be chosen to appear on posters,
screensavers and other items.
For more information see the Work Wellness site
on Wavelength.
02 /
Ted had always been heavily involved in ANZAC services throughout
Geelong in the past and it was found fitting to remember Ted on a day
that was so important to him.
Lest We Forget.
Photo: Soldiers saluting the Australian flag while The Last Post
was played.
MAKING INFECTION
PREVENTION ROUTINE
The Intensive Care Unit and Birdsey Wing 6 are the first areas in
Geelong Hospital to have increased infection prevention methods
and ensure they are enforced each time, every time.
Both wards are now hosting signage to complement existing
hand hygiene pumps and posters located throughout both areas.
The signage, which is situated at the entrances of each ward, has
the following key messages for staff and visitors
•
•
•
Hand hygiene
Bare below the elbow
Gown up to get close
Leading Infection prevention representatives are urging staff and
visitors to use hand hygiene pumps prior to entering to a ward,
to roll up their sleeves and remove jewelry and to wear a gown
when getting close to a patient.
It is hoped the signage will increase awareness as well as
remind people of how routine infection prevention can greatly
reduce the chances of transferring infections. Evaluations of the
effectiveness of the signage will be undertaken in the coming
months.
Photo: Infection prevention signage in ICU.
FLU SHOTS
Barwon Health is hoping to increase staff flu vaccinations for
2010 from 45 per cent of staff in 2009 to 60 per cent. Barwon
Health is vaccinating staff with the combined 2010 Influenza
and Swine Flu Vaccination.
WELCOME ADDITIONS TO THE
ORTHOPEDICS UNIT
The orthopedic team at Barwon Health recently accepted two
new members to the Orthopedic Unit. Barwon Health is delighted
to welcome Orthopedic Examiners Simon Williams and Richard
Angliss to Geelong Hospital.
This is a dual appointment from the Australian Orthopedic
Association and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. It
is believed Geelong Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the
country to have two orthopedic examiners.
Their appointment as examiners in Orthopedics for the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons is a prestigious post for both of
these surgeons. Mr Williams was also appointed to the Chair of
the Board of Surgical Education and Training Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons.
Orthopedic surgeon David Bainbridge said, “the Orthopedic Unit
of Geelong Hospital is delighted with these appointments and it
continues to show how well the unit functions both locally and on
a National level.”
Barwon Health would like to wish them luck in their new
appointments at Geelong Hospital.
Photo: Orthopedic surgery is one of the highest demand areas.
In late April Barwon Health’s Director for Infectious Diseases, Dr
Eugene Athan lined up for one of the first free staff vaccinations.
Each year, absenteeism within the Victorian workforce due
to illness or injury costs over $440 million. Barwon Health
encourages the Geelong Community to get vaccinated and stay
healthy and fit this flu season.
\ 03
THE LAUNCH OF IN THE END
On March 31 Barwon Health hosted the premiere screening of the
documentary In The End at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.
In The End delves into our ‘never-say-die’ culture. The
documentary raises questions like; ‘When is technology, just to
keep someone alive, too much?’ and ‘Is this really what he/she
would want?’
Filmed in Geelong Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, In The End took
viewers on the emotional journey families experience when faced
with making life choices on the behalf of a loved one.
The director of In The End, Charlotte Roseby, has the following
message to share:
Minister for Community Services Hon Lisa Neville launched the
Auslan Video Relaying Interpreting (VRI) Service at Geelong
Hospital on Tuesday March 16.
The Auslan VRI service helps to provide patients with greater
access to quality interpreting services throughout regional
Victoria, an improved service delivery model, and better contact
with the existing interpreting service workforce.
“This film’s heart is in Geelong; we filmed the entire documentary
in the hospital and with local people in their homes. I mean it
when I say it couldn’t have been filmed at any other hospital.
Geelong Hospital has a very special feel and such wonderful,
compassionate staff. I want to thank Barwon Health for opening
its doors to us and hosting such a lovely premiere. It was a very
special night and I was so moved by the response to the film.”
The new technology allows patients and doctors to communicate
with an interpreter via a TV screen and video link.
“Special thanks to Dr Charlie Corke and ICU nurse Vicki Taylor who
featured in the film. Most of all, I really want to thank the staff of
intensive care who allowed us to film in their ward; they do such a
difficult job in a really skilled and caring way. It was a privilege to
see them go about their work. I am in awe of the job they do.”
This technology is part of the State Government $2 million
commitment made in 2007-08 to improve Auslan interpreting
services.
Photo: Film director Charlotte Roseby, Barwon Health CEO
Dr David Ashbridge and ICU Specialist Dr Charlie Corke.
04 /
LAUNCH OF INTERPRETING SERVICE
AT GEELONG HOSPITAL
In 2009, Barwon Health recorded 4075 occasions for the need
of language interpreters and 105 occasions for Auslan (Deaf)
interpreters. With the new Auslan VRI service operating, Barwon
Health can access interpreting services at a much faster rate.
Photo: Minster Neville gives the VRI service a thumbs up.
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY
Nurses from Geelong’s major health care providers including
Barwon Health, St John of God Hospital and Geelong Private
Hospital kicked off fundraising efforts in early May to support of
International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife.
BRUMBY UNVEILS PLANS
FOR NEW HOSPITAL
The purpose of the fundraiser being to collect enough money
to purchase 1000 fob watches for nurses in East Timor.
Premier John Brumby and Minister for Health Daniel Andrews
visited Alan David Lodge (ADL) in May to unveil the Government’s
plans for a new hospital in Geelong.
Executive Director of Nursing at Barwon Health Dr Lucy Cuddihy
said the collaboration of Geelong’s nurses to support the cause
showed the true spirit and generosity of its nursing fraternity.
$33.6 million was funded for the hospital which will be located in
the vacinity of Armstrong Creek and help assist in providing care
to Geelong’s growing population.
“It has been wonderful to see so many nurses and other
community groups get on board to support this cause which will
have a profound impact on the quality of nursing in East Timor,”
said Dr Cuddihy.
Chair of the Barwon Health Board Dr Owen Donald accompanied
Premier Brumby, Minister Andrews, and MP Michael Crutchfield in
unveiling the Victorian Government signage.
The original fundraising idea came as members of the Friends
of Viqueque, a region in East Timor, told of the dire situation of
nurses in the country.
Derek Challis, who represents the Friends for Viqueque
committee and Geelong Lions Club, explained that nurses in the
East Timor system are not supplied with any equipment when
they begin working with patients.
“To put this in perspective, they cannot accurately take the pulse
of a patient, which is a basic yet vital procedure.”
The Premier revealed that MP Michael Crutchfield would be
chairing the steering committee that would make important
decisions about the development of the new hospital.
Following formal proceedings, the Premier and fellow MPs were
welcomed inside for afternoon tea where they chatted with the
staff and residents of ADL.
Photo: Premier Brumby, Minister for Health Daniel Andrews,
Local MP Michael Crutchfield, and ADL Nurse Unit Manager Carol
Robinson visiting resident Bob Warburton.
“In partnership with many Geelong nurses, we saw this as an
opportunity to embrace the fundamentals of International Nurses
Day and International Day of the Midwife to support other nurses
who give the gift of life everyday,” said Mr Challis.
STAFF SHUTTLE BUS
Photo: Special Care Nurse Patrice Hall, who has visited patients
and nurses in East Timor, holds one of the fob watches.
A reminder that Volunteer Services provides a staff
shuttle bus Monday to Friday between the hours of
9:30pm to 11pm. Buses depart from the Geelong
Hospital main entrance on Bellerine street and will
take staff to their car within a 4km radius.
\ 05
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Get to know your Executive Team! Each edition will feature
a different member of the team.
Name
Dr Tony Weaver
Birthday
13th September
Job title
Executive Medical Director / Clinical Director Surgical Services /
Pain Medicine Specialist
Where were you born?
Junee, NSW
When did you join Barwon Health?
1997
What other jobs have you had?
Director of Anaesthesia, Director of Intensive Care at Preston
and Northcote Hospital and Ballarat Hospital.
Do you have any pets?
A beautiful 11 year old Golden Retriever
Most embarrassing moment
Taking photos at an important wedding with the film not
connected to the camera
Favourite TV show
Spooks
Something that most people wouldn’t know about you
Love of Baroque Classical Music
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Family, golf, music and the mighty CATS
Biggest challenge for the next 12 months
Keeping it all going!
INNOVATIVE HEART SURGERY
COMES TO REGIONAL VICTORIA
Barwon Health’s Geelong Hospital will be able to perform an
additional 40 life saving surgeries each year with the new innovative
heart surgery being performed for patients in the region.
Geelong Hospital has become the first regional hospital in the State
to start operating on patients who suffer from mitral valve disease;
a disease which puts excess pressure on the heart and can lead to
death if left untreated.
The keyhole surgery aims to reduce the risks mitral valve disease
has on sufferers but also reduce the physical and emotional trauma
patients may experience after surgery.
Barwon Health cardiac surgeon Dr. Bo Zhang said the operation was
far less traumatic for patients in comparison to open surgery and
much easier for surgeons to perform than open surgery.
“The key-hole surgery gives you a better view of the heart and the
recovery time for patients is a lot shorter and smoother.”
“The incision is only 6cm long making recovery less difficult compared
to previous surgeries in which a larger incision would need to be made
through the center of the chest and the sternum would have to be
separated,” said Dr Zhang.
Geelong’s third patient to undergo the surgery was 70-year-old
Richard Beer from Portland. Mr. Beer gave his cardiac team high praise
for their professionalism and work.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic the way they have looked after me.
Almost like being in a hotel!” said Mr. Beer.
Most patients with mitral valve disease would have traveled to
Melbourne for surgery.
Photo: Dr Zhang performing the operation at Geelong Hospital.
06 /
BLOKES DAY OUT
KEVIN RUDD COMES TO
GEELONG HOSPITAL
Patients, staff and visitors we’re surprised to see Prime Minster
Kevin Rudd touring Geelong Hospital in May. Although the visit
took most by surprise, many people were delighted to say hello
and shake hands with the Prime Minister.
The visit was part of Kevin Rudd’s National tour of hospitals and
health care services around the country.
Director of General Medicine at Barwon Health Dr Andrew Hughes
showed Mr Rudd around Geelong Hospital’s Rapid Assessment
Planning Unit (RAPU) where he greeted patients and spoke with
staff.
Mr Rudd was impressed with the RAPU ward and how it used
treatment plans and consultations to ensure patients stay at
hospital was minimal.
Mr Rudd was also impressed with the facilities at Geelong
Hospital and the efficiency of our staff. Mr Rudd told the Geelong
Advertiser that he had never seen so many volunteers working at
a hospital.
Geelong hosted its very first Blokes Day Out at Johnstone Park in
May. Men and their families came from all over Geelong to join in
the festivities.
Barwon Health were the lead agency of the event, which also
received valuable support from other organisations such as the
City of Greater Geelong, Parks Victoria, Vision Australia and many
more.
The event aimed to celebrate men and boys in Geelong by
recognising connectedness, male contributions to society and the
differrent types of blokes in our region.
The day was a great success with musician Mick Thomas drawing
a large crowd.
Barwon Health CEO Dr David Ashbridge formally opened the
event alongside Mayor John Mitchell in which they pledged their
support for the event to become an annual occurrence.
Barwon Health would like to recognise and thank the volunteers
organisations and community groups who participated in the
event, as well as all those who atteneded.
Photo: Blokes participating in traditional Filipino dance.
This is a great testament to the commitment and support Barwon
Health receives from all its volunteers.
SAVE THE DATE
Photo: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and a patient in the
RAPU ward.
Barwon Health’s 2010 staff Christmas party will be
held on Friday 10 December.
The Christmas Party will be held at Geelong’s
newest function centre, The Pier. The Pier is set to
be one of Geelong’s most popular night spots and is
conveniently located on the Geelong Waterfront.
The Pier is set to open in October.
Keep an eye out for more information!
\ 07
VOLUNTEERS
Cor HoRsten Wins 2010
Outstanding Individual
Achievement CATEGORY
Cor volunteers 33 hours per week, coordinating Barwon Health’s
McKellar Centre Woodwork Group, and has done so for the past
nine years. It is this commitment that made him winner of the
Outstanding Individual Achievement Category at the Minister for
Health Volunteer Awards in May.
“I started making a couple of things like bird seeders and
nesting boxes, which was quite successful. I probably, made
around 800 to 900 of those,” said Cor. Items were sold at $10
each, generating significant funds to provide further support to
the residents of the McKellar Centre. Shortly after Cor started
coordinating the woodwork group, he began making toys such as
trucks, planes and trains.
Every Thursday morning there is a hustle and bustle of activity in
Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre activity room. People are coming
and going and residents are actively involved in sanding and
painting. Items of timber, such as trucks, trains, houses and carts
are spread over the tables and benches.
Cor says that he finds the work very rewarding. “I get a kick out
of the fact that they all look forward to coming. It’s good to get
them out of their environment for a while, even if it is only for a
couple of hours. It’s good to see them all busy at work finishing
off the toys… they all enjoy it, and therefore I enjoy it!”
The residents and staff of McKellar Centre are very fortunate
to have Cor’s involvement and commitment. Without a doubt,
his willingness to give up so much of his time and energy has a
significant impact on the lifestyle of the residents. In addition
to Cor’s 33 hours per week for the last nine years, Cor is also a
volunteer for the Geelong Cement Retirees Museum.
Photo: Award recipient Cor Horsten with Minster for Health
Daniel Andrews.
08 /
Patient Support Volunteers:
FinalistS in the 2010 Minister for
Health Volunteer Awards
Outstanding Team Achievement Category
Barwon Health Patient Support Volunteers have supported Geelong
Hospital patients and visitors for well in excess of 40 years. The
organisation would not function at the capacity it does without this
wonderfully, motivated team.
The Patient Support Team commits to an average of 17,280
voluntary hours per year, and individually they each commit to
an average of 2,688 voluntary hours per year. The commitment
is outstanding with over 50 per cent of volunteers receiving long
service awards in excess of 20 years of service.
Patient Support Volunteers undertake errands for staff in the
hospital, these errands for staff are from department to department,
from ward to ward, at an average of 24,000 messages per year.
The team ensure that patients receive flowers and ensure that
the flower arrangements are looked after whilst the patient is in
hospital, they provide support to patients and visitors ensuring that
a kiosk trolley is available for them.
They assist with fundraising, mail outs, photocopying, they provide
directions to visitors of the hospital and backfill for Information
Desk volunteers. They assist Allied Health with equipment and aids
returns from patients, they provide companionship to patients and
visitors when required.
The Patient Support Team treat all patients, residents, staff and
other volunteers with care, compassion, dignity and respect. They
commit their time to serve the community of Geelong, the needs
of patients and staff. They are friendly, helpful and supportive
to all, gracious and more often than not, very humble about the
magnificent role they provide as a team to Barwon Health.
Volunteering IN Mental Health
Barwon Health has many volunteers contributing to the running
of the organisation. Volunteers are stationed in most areas
ranging between wards within the hospital to rehabilitation and
community.
Some volunteers elect to work in specific fields, those fields may
include: administration, library, companionship, support services,
child minding, fundraising, palliative care, bereavement care,
kiosk, and mental health.
Supporting our volunteers
This quarter’s “Supporting Our Volunteers Award” and Certificate
of Appreciation has been awarded to Kevin Kendall, Clinical Nurse
Consultant: Infection Prevention, for his outstanding support to our
volunteers and the Volunteer Service. Kevin has provided ongoing
support to orientating new volunteers into their roles. Kevin’s ability
to engage, inform and entertain a group is reflected in the fantastic
feedback Volunteer Services receives.
Two volunteers working in the mental health services team are
Caroline and Jane. Both have very different stories but both find
their time well spent helping those in need.
Photo: Kevin Kendall
Caroline is a university student who has studied many aspects
of psychology including psychopathology and thus various
mental illnesses. Volunteering has opened Caroline’s eyes to
the reality of mental health in Geelong. Caroline volunteered
with other organisations prior to Barwon Health, but did not find
it encouraging until her time with Barwon Health, where she
received proper training.
Volunteering opportunities for
our diverse populations
Jane volunteers in mental health due to a passion stemming from
her sons death. Her son’s depression led him to commit suicide at
a young age and the ordeal affected Jane and her family deeply.
After a year of grieving, Jane felt compelled to help others where
possible. Providing others with someone to talk to led Jane to
Barwon Health.
Caroline found her personal perspective of mental illness rather
more interesting than the knowledge her textbooks passed on.
For Jane, the ability to help someone through a rough situation
was what changed volunteering from a job to a hobby.
An enthusiastic and highly motivated group of people have recently
participated in culturally tailored orientation sessions to become
our new volunteer recruits within Barwon Health. This group of
volunteers are originally from Burma and have spent a considerable
time in refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border. Some members
of this community have spent 20 or more years in refugee camps,
and younger members have been born and raised in these camps.
The group consists of Karen/Karenni people who have been forced
from their homes and villages by the military junta, which controls
Burma. Some have only been in Australia a short time while others
have been residents in Geelong for 2-3 years. We extend a very warm
welcome to this group of new volunteers and look forward to sharing
a rewarding partnership.
\ 09
BARWON HEALTH
FOUNDATION NEWS
Army of volunteers ready
for a big appeal weekend
As the temperature drops in the lead up to Winter, an army of
Geelong Hospital volunteers are once again warming up for a
big Queen’s Birthday weekend. Volunteers will be out in force to
raise money for the third Annual Geelong Hospital Appeal Giving
Weekend on Saturday 12th of June.
The Geelong community is urged to look out for the generous
volunteers, kindly donating their time for this vital cause. Groups
will be out in force on local highways along with most major
shopping centres around town collecting donations and selling
appeal merchandise.
In 2009-10 The Geelong Hospital Appeal will raise funds to
support the Redevelopment of the Children’s Ward.
Barwon Health Foundation Executive Director Gavin Seidel is
hoping that the appeal will strike a chord with the Geelong
community.
“Many families in the region have a connection with the Geelong
Hospital Children’s Ward. This is an opportunity for people within
our region to give to a local cause and a local service that most
people within our community will come to rely on at one stage or
another,” Mr Seidel says.
“We hope that people will dig deep and help us make the third
Geelong Hospital Appeal a big success.”
Celebrity Doc helps launch the
2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal at
‘Louie’s Launch’
Celebrity ‘Doc’ Dr Peter Larkins returned to where his career began,
to help launch the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal to raise funds for
the re-development of the Geelong Hospital Children’s Ward.
The 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal was officially launched on
Wednesday 17th February by the Barwon Health Foundation
with ‘Louie’s Launch’ at the Gordon Gallery where Dr Peter Larkins
appeared as guest speaker.
Best known for his appearances on both Triple M radio and Channel
Nine’s the Footy Show and Sunday Footy Show, not many people
realise that “The Doc” began both his life and his medical career at
the Geelong Hospital and has also been part of the Geelong Football
Club’s medical team. This connection makes the re-development of
the children’s ward at Geelong Hospital a cause close to his heart,
“As a born and bred Geelong boy I am honoured to be able to
support the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal. I am passionate about
children’s health and am very pleased to assist in promoting this
effort to improve facilities for the Childrens Ward here.”
The appeal runs annually each year and encourages the local
community to dig deep and give generously to raise funds for the
vital services provided by Barwon Health which provides essential
healthcare to more than 450,000 people in Geelong and South
Western Victoria.
In 2009-10 The Geelong Hospital Appeal will raise funds to support
the Redevelopment of the Children’s Ward. ‘Louie’s Launch’ also
launched the face of the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal, young
Louie Hehir.
10 /
Photo: Dr Peter Larkins speaks at Louie’s Launch.
Cats brighten the lives of
local patients
Whilst the Cats players are well-known for their actions on the
field, it is their off-field activities at the Geelong Hospital and
Andrew Love Cancer Centre that have recently helped brighten
the day of patients both young and old.
As part of the monthly visit schedule, Cats stars David Wojcinski
and Trent West dropped in to the Children’s Ward and Andrew
Love Cancer Centre to surprise some of the patients. Patients
were able to mingle with the players and pose for photos making
their time in hospital a little brighter.
Local patients were also treated to some on-field action with
tickets to see the first clash of the season between the Cats and
the Bombers at the MCG. Children’s Ward patients were kindly
provided with tickets to the much anticipated kick off to 2010.
The Barwon Health Foundation would like to thank the Geelong
Football Club for their generous support.
Photo: Cats players David Wojcinski and Trent West with patient
Melia Bartholomeusz at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
Food with a twist from the
region’s best – World Longest
Lunch raises $40,000
Oriental delights added a unique twist to this year’s World’s
Longest Lunch, as 250 diners journeyed to Asia in a celebration
of regional food and wine to raise over $40,000! The highly
anticipated annual event is part of the Melbourne Food and Wine
Festival, with the 2010 proceeds going toward the redevelopment
of the Children’s Ward at the Geelong Hospital.
Some of the region’s most brilliant chefs gathered to create unique
dishes inspired by this year’s ‘Oriental’ theme, all set in Geelong’s
spectacular Botanic Gardens on Friday 12th March.
Guests indulged themselves in a sensational four-course meal,
before bidding for chefs in the notorious Take Home Chefs Auction,
where diners battled to secure unique culinary experiences.
Simon Parrott, head chef at Fisherman’s Pier, participated in the
event for his seventh year. The acclaimed chef said guests were
treated to an indulgent Oriental experience.
“The chefs took the Oriental theme on board and once more
stepped up to delight guests. We always put our hearts and souls
into the event, and hope to raise as much money as possible,” said
Mr Parrott.
Chefs included Simon Yarham from 2Faces Restaurant, Justin
Green from Empire Grill Restaurant, Leonie Mills from Jack and
Jill’s, Simon Parrott from Fisherman’s Pier, Chris Little from Barwon
Heads Hotel, Hernando Callejas from Black Bull Tapas Bar &
Restaurant, Matt Dempsey from Diggers Arms and Cory Hyde from
The Telegraph Hotel.
\ 11
EVENTS
CALENDAR
Bronte’s Ball
A Hopping Great Day Out – Our
Women Our Children Volunteers
Easter Egg Hunt $15,000 raised
The Our Women Our Children Volunteers hosted the fourth
annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, attracting a crowd
of hundreds to the Bellarine Estate Winery. The event was the
biggest event to date with over 350 car loads making their way
to the winery for a great day out. Families enjoyed their picnics
and were entertained with stalls, music, rides, craft activities and
of course the Easter Egg Hunt.
There was also a visit from the Easter Bunny who hopped in
to see the families and help with the hunt. The day was a
wonderful success with over $15,000 raised for the Children’s
Ward at the Geelong Hospital. Thank you to the wonderful Our
Women Our Children Volunteers for organising another fantastic
event!
Saturday 2nd October 2010
KD Stewart Building, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds
On Saturday 2nd October a committee of dedicated volunteers will
once again present ‘Bronte’s Ball’ which raises funds for the treatment
of children with cancer at the Geelong Hospital Children’s Ward.
In 2009 the event raised almost $33,000 for the new Oncology
Treatment room at the Children’s Ward at the Geelong Hospital. This
room will provide treatment to young cancer patients, enabling these
children to have some of their treatment in Geelong in a comfortable
atmosphere on the Children’s Ward.
Ocean Grove’s little Bronte Russell has experienced the trauma
associated with cancer treatment, after being diagnosed with
Neuroblastoma in January 2006 as a 2 year old.
Regular trips to Melbourne meant that her treatment caused a large
amount of stress to the family.
But thanks to the Geelong Hospital and Andrew Love Cancer Centre,
Bronte didn’t need to travel to Melbourne for the majority of her follow
up treatment. Long trips to the Royal Children’s Hospital would mean
more traffic and time constraints resulting in greater stress levels for
her parents when this emotional energy needed to be conserved for
looking after their daughter.
Understanding the importance of minimizing stress and trauma on
paediatric patients and their families, Bronte’s family have lent their
support to the Geelong Hospital Appeal by launching the inaugural
“Bronte’s Ball “ to continue to raise funds for the Oncology room at the
Geelong Hospital Children’s Ward.
Photo: Bronte Russell and family.
12 /
Catwalk for Cancer - Top
Designers set to dazzle at
Catwalk for Cancer
G-Force Gala Day set to be bigger
and better than ever!
Sunday 10th October 2010
Top Australian Designers will again descend on Geelong on
Sunday 10th October 2010, raising money for Barwon Health’s
Andrew Love Cancer Centre and Cancer Services. Catwalk for
Cancer is a chance to view outstanding men’s and women’s
Spring collections from acclaimed designers such as Anna
Campbell and Nana Judy, plus win a great prize in the ‘Fashions
on the Field’ event, open to all guests.
Young Designers will also compete for fantastic prizes and work
experience with established labels. The competition was fierce in
2009, with incredible outfits on display receiving much acclaim
from guests and members of the fashion industry.
Come along for a sneak peek at what’s big in 2010 fashion,
select your racing outfit, socialise with friends, win prizes and
mingle with celebrity guests, models and designers in a day of
fashion and fun while supporting a wonderful local cause!
The Gala tradition is once again set to bring fun and entertainment
to the streets of Geelong to raise funds for the Geelong Hospital
Appeal.
The 2010 G-Force Gala Day will celebrate the iconic parade’s 94th
year on Saturday 20th November and will feature a visual feast of
fun, floats and festivities. Spectators at the Family Fun Day and
parade will be treated to amazing stage performances including the
‘Dora the Explorer Sing a long Adventures’ and the green and gooey
‘SpongeBob Squarepants Slime Time Live Stage Show’ plus much
more family entertainment.
Like any true carnival there will be thrilling rides, showbags and lots
of delectables to feast on from the many food and market stalls.
For enquiries contact 5260 3355.
Seats are on sale in September, and tickets are $45ea, inclusive
of finger food, drink cards plus gift bags for the first 200 ticket
holders.
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www.barwonhealth.org.au
Barwon Health Locations
Geelong Hospital
Bellerine Street, Geelong T 5226 7111
Corio Community Health Centre
Gellibrand Street, Corio T 5273 3800
Belmont Community Health Centre
1-17 Reynolds Road, Belmont T 5260 3778
Torquay Community Health Centre
100 Surfcoast Highway, Torquay T 5260 3900
McKellar Centre
45-95 Ballarat Road, North Geelong T 5279 2222
Newcomb Community Health Centre
104-108 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb T 5260 3333
Belmont Community Rehabilitation Centre
120 Settlement Road, Belmont T 5260 3290
Anglesea Community Health Centre
McMillan Street, Anglesea T 5260 3901
Please note: this is not a complete listing of Barwon Health sites.