We are incredibly proud to share that our CEO, Verity Gobbett, has been recognised among South Australia’s 40 Under 40 for 2025 by InDaily and Solstice Media.

This esteemed accolade celebrates the inspiring contributions of young leaders across the state, and Verity’s recognition is a testament to her exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision.

Verity’s leadership with the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation has been nothing short of transformational. Since joining the organisation in 2021 as Head of Mission, she has demonstrated unwavering commitment to making a real and lasting difference in the lives of women, children, and families. As a mother of two and born and bred South Australian, Verity is deeply committed to a vision for a healthier future for all South Australian children and families.

As CEO, Verity’s focus on collaboration, innovation, and compassion consistently ensures that we are delivering meaningful impact for the Women’s and Children’s Health Network and the patients and families that rely on its care.

Reflecting on being named in the 40 under 40, Verity said, “I have the privilege of leading a passionate team, who raise millions in critical funding each year, and contribute to change that improves the lives of patients and families every day. This recognition is not just about me but about our staff, our partners, and our generous supporters.”

“I see this award as a celebration of the collective efforts that bring our vision to life. It’s a testament to the strength of our community and what we can accomplish together.  Thank you for believing in our mission and working with us to make it a reality.”

Please join us in congratulating Verity on this exceptional achievement.

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation is thrilled to welcome Elspeth Hussey as an official ambassador.

Elspeth Hussey has spent years as a trusted journalist and presenter with 7NEWS Adelaide, sharing stories that have resonated deeply with South Australians. Now, she is using her voice to help support the vital work of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation (WCH Foundation), ensuring better healthcare experiences and outcomes for families.

“When I was approached by the WCH Foundation to become an ambassador, it was an easy and wholehearted yes,” Elspeth says. “I’m beyond proud to support the Foundation and the incredible work they do for families across South Australia.”

Elspeth’s connection to the WCH Foundation and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) is profoundly personal and spans generations. Her mother served as a midwife and Nurse Practitioner in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 40 years, sharing her compassion and expertise with countless families.

“I have fond memories of visiting mum at work and seeing first-hand the dedication and care of the nurses and doctors in the unit.”

More recently, Elspeth found herself in the care of the team at the WCH when she gave birth to her son, Monty, in October 2024.

“I had a very positive experience, and the care was just excellent,” she shares with heartfelt gratitude. It was this experience and the exceptional quality of care she received, that inspired her decision to join the Foundation.

Joining the WCH Foundation is not just a role for Elspeth, but a continuation of the stories and legacies she’s been part of throughout her life.

We are delighted to have Elspeth Hussey as part of the WCH Foundation community. Her passion and dedication to sharing stories that truly matter remind us of the importance of working together to achieve better health outcomes for all families.

Your support can make a meaningful difference. Whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness, you’re a vital part of creating brighter futures for children and families.

 Please join us in welcoming Elspeth to the WCH Foundation family.

Hannah’s story is one of resilience, love, and hope.

Throughout her life, Hannah and her family have been deeply connected to the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Born prematurely at just 27 weeks and 6 days, her arrival came after an incredibly challenging pregnancy. Minutes after her birth, Hannah was rushed to the NICU at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where she spent her first 100 days of life battling for every breath. During her time in intensive care, Hannah faced and overcame serious challenges, including pneumonia twice, while remaining on breathing support throughout.

For Jenni and Peter, her loving parents, the fear of losing their precious daughter before her life had truly begun was overwhelming. Yet they found strength in knowing she was receiving the best care possible, surrounded by a dedicated team fighting alongside her every step of the way.

Now 12 years old, Hannah is a shining example of courage and determination. While her childhood has been shaped by chronic lung disease, developmental challenges and the complexities of an undiagnosed genetic condition, Hannah embraces life with enthusiasm and energy. She loves school, participates in many after-school activities, and continues to explore the world around her with a bright and curious spirit. Although she regularly needs her wheelchair for support, it doesn’t slow her down.

Hannah’s connection with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital remains an integral part of her life. Jenni, along with their family and friends, have fostered a close bond with the team over the years, channelling her gratitude into giving back. Together, they’ve actively support fundraising efforts to provide vital equipment for the NICU, ensuring other families receive the same level of exceptional care that saved Hannah.

And while Hannah takes on the world, she embraces many passions including art.

This year, Hannah has channelled her creativity into a heartfelt project, becoming the artist behind our 2025 Big W Toy Sale token. Her joyful illustrations tell their own stories:

By purchasing Hannah’s token, you’ll be supporting the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation in providing critical care and resources to families just like hers.  

Visit your local Big W store and help ensure every child has the chance to thrive like Hannah.

The commitment and passion of Bridget Claire McCartan for burns nursing continues to leave a lasting mark on the field, empowering dedicated nurses to advance their expertise and deliver exceptional care.

To honour her memory and tireless dedication, the Bridget Claire McCartan (BCM) Scholarship was established by Bridget’s family to support nurses committed to burns care, offering them opportunities for professional growth and fostering excellence within the specialty.

For Round 1 of 2025, the scholarship was proudly presented to two outstanding recipients, Rochelle Claude (pictured far left) and Amy Myatt (pictured second from left). Selected for their outstanding dedication to advancing burns care, Amy and Rochelle have been awarded the opportunity to attend the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) Nursing Seminar, taking place in Hobart on May 30 – 31, 2025.

This opportunity, made possible through the BCM Scholarship, offers a valuable platform for nurses to expand their knowledge, share best practices, and further develop their expertise in burn injury management and care.

Looking ahead, the scholarship continues to pave the way for even greater opportunities. Round 2 of the 2025 BCM Scholarship will open soon, offering another chance for nurses to attend the ANZBA Annual Scientific Meeting held in Adelaide, between October 14 – 17, 2025.

Through the ongoing support provided by the Bridget Claire McCartan Scholarship, Bridget’s legacy lives on as a source of inspiration, empowerment, and excellence in the care of burns patients.

Patients and staff at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital enjoyed a truly unique experience with The Lensical as part of the 2025 DreamBIG Children’s Festival, which provided a much-needed emotional escape.

This innovative dance performance series was the result of over a year of creative development through a pioneering partnership between the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Arts in Health Program and Restless Dance Theatre (RDT), Australia’s leading creator of dance by artists with and without disability. The performances, which demonstrated how art can elevate care, took place in post surgical recovery spaces, four paediatric wards and within Hospital School.

At its core, The Lensical reimagines dance theatre for healthcare settings. Conceived and directed by choreographer Michelle Heaven, who is also a qualified Play Therapist and enhanced by a custom-designed cone-shaped lens by acclaimed designer Ben Cobham, meant the patient room was transformed into an intimate space for interaction and connection between performer and patient.

“Ben developed an apparatus that can slide over the bed for the patients, allowing them to semi-block out what else is going on and focus in like a lens,” explains Michelle.

The Lensical highlights the vital role the arts can play in healthcare. Research shows that artistic experiences can reduce stress, improve mood, and help with recovery. Dancers, Abbie Madden, Sidney Debba, Bhodi Hudson and Michael Hodyl, all with their own experiences of receiving healthcare support, were able to see directly the patient’s reactions.

“You can physically see the patients’ shoulders relax, they’re calmer, they’re smiling… it makes a real difference,” shared RDT dancer, Abbie, reflecting on the impact of these hospital visits.

The performances received glowing feedback from both patients and their families with one mum describing it as

“a little moment of transportation to another place.”

Integrating performances like these into hospital settings has benefits not just for patients but also for staff, helping to create a more positive and uplifting environment. This project also serves as a tribute to the creative visionary, Roz Hervey, whose brilliance continues to inspire. The Lensical stands as a testament to her passion and dedication, carrying forward her legacy of creativity and care.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among teens and young adults. Many feel overwhelmed by the idea of seeking support or navigating emergency departments, especially in the throes of a mental health crisis.

To address this urgent need, the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with Cops for Kids, whose unwavering support has made a profound difference in the lives of South Australian children. This year, their generosity is funding a vital project with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to create accessible, age-appropriate video resources. These videos are thoughtfully designed to provide practical guidance and compassionate reassurance to young people experiencing distress and their families, empowering them with the tools to seek help.

Cops for Kids Founder, Drew Bynoe, reflects on the importance of this work, saying “In our careers as members of SAPOL, or as parents, or family members, many of us have had our lives permanently affected by suicide. All members of Cops for Kids hope this project can help those when their need is greatest.”

These videos seek to make specialised mental health support easier to access and accept, equipping families with clear and practical guidance during an emotional crisis.

Initiatives like this demonstrate the power of community and collaboration to drive meaningful change. With organisations like Cops for Kids leading the way, we can bring hope and strength to young people and their caregivers.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cops for Kids for their continued support.

This International Nurses Day, we celebrate inspiring nurses like Janine Emsley, whose unwavering commitment continues to make a meaningful difference.

Starting her nursing career in 1962 at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH), Janine’s story is one of heartfelt dedication to patients and a legacy that continues to touch lives through her support of the Golden Hearts Bequest Society.  

For Janine, pursuing a career in nursing was a dream nurtured from childhood. “Ever since I was a little girl… I said I was going to be a nurse,” she shared. During her training, Janine earned accolades for her exceptional performance, all while navigating challenging yet impactful moments that shaped her career and transformed her approach to patient care.

Reflecting on one standout experience, she fondly recalled a patient named Peter, a quadriplegic she cared for early in her training. “One day he actually moved a toe, so exciting, and we just developed a lovely rapport,” she said. Their bond grew strong, with Peter even expressing disappointment when Janine had to move to another ward, telling his doctor, “My nurse is moving, and I want to go with her.” 

During her time at the WCH, Janine found deep fulfillment working in wards like Susanne (gastroenterology) and Duncan (burns). “I loved working in Duncan… you could see things happening with this burnt skin every day, improving and getting better,” she recalled.

Janine working in the WCH Angas Theatre in 1965.

Janine’s commitment to care extended beyond her active nursing career. Now a proud member of the Golden Hearts Bequest Society, she has chosen to leave a gift in her Will to the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation as a way of giving back to a place that means so much to her.

“I just loved working there, being with the kids, and thought this was something I could do to repay the Hospital for all that they gave me.”

Being part of the Golden Hearts Bequest Society has also been a source of joy and reflection for Janine. Though hesitant at first, she now attends events and appreciates the community it fosters. ‘Recalling a recent visit to the Foundation’s ‘Laklinyeri’ Beach House, partly funded through bequests, she shared, ‘

“I get a lot out of it, like that visit to Laklinyeri, that was just amazing.”

Janine (second from the right) at a Golden Hearts Bequest event.

Janine’s story is a testament to the lasting impact a life devoted to others can have. Her nursing career touched countless lives, and through her ongoing generosity, she continues to make a difference today.  

To find out more about leaving a gift to the WCH Foundation in your Will, visit our bequests page. 

For the second consecutive year, the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation proudly partnered with the AFL as the official charity partner for the 2025 AFL Gather Round. From 10 to 13 April, thousands of footy fans, corporate supporters, and community champions “Gathered Round their Hospital” to make a difference for children and their families.

As the official charity partner of this much anticipated event, the Foundation invited all footy goers to “Kick It For Kids.” The campaign encouraged fans to donate the equivalent of a goal ($6) in support of children and families at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. With an initial target of $20,000 or 3,000 goals, the campaign’s results far exceeded expectations.

Together, we raised over $114,000, the equivalent of 19,000 goals kicked for kids.

This achievement was made possible thanks to the generous backing of Peter Kittle Toyota, who matched donations as the Matched Giving Partner. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also contributed in a big way, pledging $1,000 for each goal scored in the Collingwood vs Sydney Swans game, adding an impressive $28,000 to the fundraising total. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, also stepped onto the field and made an incredible commitment to match every dollar donated to the “Kick It For Kids” initiative.

At the heart of the “Kick It For Kids” campaign was the Purling family, hero ambassadors who shared their deeply personal story. Both of their sons, James and Jack, were born prematurely with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT), a rare and life-threatening condition. 

For families like the Purling’s, this campaign was about more than just raising money. It was about lifting spirits and providing hope. Donations directly support initiatives that help kids leave the Hospital sooner, reuniting them with their families, backyards, and footy games. 

Thanks to the incredible community of supporters and the magic of footy, we showed once again that when we stand together, no child gets left behind.

In paediatric hospital care, Registered Music Therapists are dedicated to supporting babies, children, young people, and their families at every stage of their medical journey. Through meaningful engagement and creative expression, they use evidence-based music interventions to address hospital, health and treatment-related stressors. From singing and playing instruments to creating personalised music, it provides patients and their families with a sense of control and connection, in otherwise overwhelming situations.

At the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, music therapy has proven essential for patients at every stage of their hospital experience, from diagnosis to end-of-life care. It helps reduce stress, manage pain, and foster emotional resilience. For families like Alex’s, music therapy has become a vital source of support.

Chelsea, Alex’s music therapist, has been there every step of the way for him during his cancer treatment.

“Alex has chosen to engage both when he has felt his best and his worst, which demonstrates the power of music, the strong relationships we form with our patients and families and the trust they place in us to provide support and comfort in those difficult times.”

Alex’s mum, Belinda, credits music therapy for transforming their hospital experience.

“We’ve used music for every tough thing in hospital. The music therapist has played soothing guitar to help him sleep or relax, has played musical games to help distract him from his nausea, and has gone along with all of his crazy ideas like making TikToks which have made him so happy.”

She adds, “If we didn’t have music therapy during this time our experience would have been completely different and way worse. In the early days, the music therapist was one of the only people who could get him out of bed by using fun musical games and singing and it changed his whole outlook.”

The Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, together with Redkite, proudly supports the Music Therapy service at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, helping patients like Alex and their families when they need it most.

Recently, we had the privilege of hosting a truly special event for our Golden Hearts Bequest Society members at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation ‘Laklinyeri’ Beach House, located within the picturesque Encounter Lakes in Victor Harbor.

The Laklinyeri Beach House, partly funded through bequests, serves as a place of solace for families with children who have complex medical needs, are in palliative care, or families who are recently bereaved. Purpose-built for comfort and care, The Beach House is designed with the unique needs of each family in mind.

For many members of the Golden Hearts Bequest Society, the visit was an emotional and inspiring experience, shedding light on the true impact their support has on these families.

The morning started with a guided tour of the Beach House, followed by meaningful conversations over lunch.

A highlight of the day was the panel presentation lead by Dr. Chelsea Mauch, Head of Programs and Impact at the WCH Foundation. Chelsea was joined by Dimi Patrinos, Psychosocial Clinical Lead for Paediatric Palliative Care Services at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN), and Carolyn Groocock, Senior Art Therapist and grief and loss program facilitator. Their insights into the critical support and services provided to families was truly moving and gave our members a deeper understanding of how families are positively impacted through their support of the WCH Foundation.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our Golden Hearts Bequest Society members for their continued support.

To find out more about leaving a gift to the WCH Foundation in your Will, visit our bequest page.