In loving memory of their beautiful baby boy, Orlando, parents Taylor (pictured with daughter Amelia) and Shae have turned unimaginable heartbreak into a touching act of kindness by bringing joy to children at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).

Orlando was just five weeks old when he tragically passed away on Father’s Day, September 4, 2022, due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). To honour his memory, Taylor and Shae took on a 30-day challenge, walking 5 kilometres every day.

In less than two weeks, they hit their $1,000 goal and by the end of the 30 days, they’d doubled it, raising over $2,000 and walking more than 200 kilometres.

The WCH holds a special place in their hearts as it’s where they spent their final moments with Orlando. They remember the staff with deep gratitude, describing them as “absolutely lovely,” and sharing they wanted to give back in Orlando’s memory to help other children and families who need it most.

With the funds they raised, Shae and Taylor purchased toys and donated them to the WCH Foundation. For the couple, this gesture carries a deep and personal meaning. “We never got to buy our son any toys or gifts, or celebrate any birthdays or Christmases with him” Taylor said.

Reflecting on their fundraising efforts, Taylor shared how much the kindness of others has meant to them. “The support we received from the community and both friends and family has been very heartwarming!” he said.

Through their love and determination, Orlando’s legacy now lives on in every smile their gift creates, bringing moments of joy and comfort to children and families at the hospital.

As part of the celebrated Tarnanthi program at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation (WCH Foundation) Arts in Health program, in collaboration with the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Art Centre Collective, proudly presents Tjunguringanyi – Coming Together.

Currently featuring at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) till January 29 2026, this extraordinary exhibition transforms the hospital into a vibrant space of cultural connection and storytelling, offering patients, families, and staff an inspiring and inclusive experience. 

Tjunguringanyi exhibits the talents of six First Nations women artists: Nyunmiti Burton, Yaritji Heffernan, Megan Lyons, Sandra Pumani, Margaret Richards, and Leshaye Swan. Through their paintings and ceramics, these women share their lived experiences, wisdom, and knowledge, exploring themes of wellness, family, and the importance of fostering strong, healthy communities. The exhibition reflects the strength and unity of women supporting one another across generations and geographies, from remote communities to urban settings. 

The exhibition is presented at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, known in Kaurna language as Ngankiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli – a place of health and care for women, children, and young people. This setting underscores the role of art in creating culturally safe and inclusive healthcare environments. 

Sandra Pumani, a Yankunytjatjara , artist, and Chairperson of the APY Art Centre Collective, emphasises the importance of bridging cultural gaps in healthcare.

“We have to come together and walk the two worlds; this is my world here and yours here – bringing that together and making it happen. If I don’t know your culture and you don’t know my culture, we are lost… there’s a gap,” she explains.  

Tjunguringanyi is more than an art exhibition; it is a celebration of cultural resilience, storytelling, and the strength of Aboriginal women. It offers a platform for these artists, mothers, grandmothers, and aunties to share their stories, educate, and inspire the hospital community. Through their works, they’re building bridges between cultures, fostering understanding and unity. 

This remarkable exhibition is made possible through the dedication of the APY Art Centre Collective, the WCH Foundation Arts in Health program, and the AGSA Tarnanthi program. Special thanks go to Sandra Pumani for her wisdom and guidance, as well as to the artists and collaborators who have brought Tjunguringanyi to life. 

Together, we are reminded of the power of art to heal, connect, and inspire.

All artworks for sale. For more information or to purchase a piece, visit here.

On Thursday October 16, we had the privilege of gathering with our valued donors, partners and supporters at the Playford Hotel for our Impact Event, celebrating the remarkable difference our community has made over the past year. 

We were honoured to be joined by special guests Chris Picton MP, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Tung Ngo MLC, Member of the South Australian Legislative Council, and Rebecca Graham, CEO of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN). Their presence underscored the shared commitment to advancing children’s healthcare across South Australia.

Throughout the evening, we celebrated the wide-reaching impact of donor generosity. With almost 200,000 children attending the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) each year, this support touches every corner, from vital family support services and new facilities to the therapeutic benefits of our Arts in Health program.

“The philanthropic community, brought together by the Foundation, is an integral part of the search for the solutions that will positively transform children’s healthcare and the hospital experience for families,” shared Verity Gobbett, CEO of the WCH Foundation.

We reflected on the profound impact of programs that support families throughout their healthcare journey, with Janine Herbert sharing her son Jonah’s story and how the gift of spending time together at the WCH Foundation’s Laklinyeri Beach House has been life-changing. 

Another highlight of the evening was the engaging panel discussion featuring Professor Michael Stark, Head of Neonatal Services at the WCH; Jodie Beck, founder of the Loving Lucy Mae Fund who has raised more than $20,000 in honour of daughter Lucy for the WCH Foundation; Andrew Bills, CEO of SA Power Networks; and Kirstie Morgan, Head of Unit for Neurodevelopmental Physiotherapy at the WCH. Their insights highlighted the importance of community and innovation in shaping the future of healthcare.  

We were also proud to recognise our 2025 Bloom Research Grant recipients, with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing presenting awards to the researchers shaping the future of children’s health in the areas of rare diseases and youth mental health.

“This past year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, many personally connected to the Women’s and Children’s, we have been able to inject more than $5m into the network as we strive for healthcare without limits for every patient and family,” said Verity Gobbett.

Together, we’re reimagining what’s possible, ensuring the best care for families today while driving discovery and delivering healthcare without limits for the families of tomorrow.

To learn about the impact we’re creating, view our Impact Report.

On Wednesday, October 8th, we celebrated Play Therapy Day, highlighting our Play Therapists and the positive impact play has on children and families at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).

Play is so much more than arts & crafts: it’s essential for supporting emotional wellbeing, reducing anxiety, and allowing children to process their hospital experience. Through play, young patients build resilience, express feelings, and regain a sense of control.

This year’s Play Therapy Day featured a variety of activities, each offering unique benefits for patients and their families.

• Playdough: Provides comforting sensory engagement and a calming outlet for children navigating hospital life.
• Badge Making: Encourages self-expression and creativity by creating custom badges.
• Decorating Hospital Buddies: Allows patients to explore and share emotions in an alternative way.
• Window Mural: Builds a sense of community to work towards a common goal, with patients, families and staff invited to join in.
• Keyrings and Jellyfish Bracelets: A peaceful, mindful activity encouraging focus, relaxation, and creativity.
• Giant Connect 4:  Nurtures problem-solving skills, quick thinking, and most importantly a sense of fun!
• Medical Play: Reduces the anxiety of hospital procedures through discovery, practice and play.

We were also joined by BIG W staff, who generously gave their time to help with the day’s activities and share in the fun. BIG W has long supported Play Therapy through their fundraising efforts, and their hands-on involvement made this year’s celebration even more special.

Thank you to our dedicated Play Therapy team and everyone who made Play Therapy Day such a meaningful experience!

The WCH Foundation is proud to support Play Therapy at the WCH. Learn more about Play Therapy here.

A hospital visit can be daunting at any age, but for children, the unfamiliar sights and sounds of medical procedures can be overwhelming.

Eight-year-old Cody, who has complex medical conditions and lives with Autism and vision impairment, knows the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) well. Yet, after many visits and numerous procedures, facing something new still brings him distress and anxiety. 

This is an experience shared by many families whose children face complex medical journeys. Thanks to community-driven ideas and support, there’s a new project making a real difference: child-focused videos designed to help kids like Cody prepare for medical tests.  

Cody’s mum, Melissa, has seen firsthand the challenges her son faces before a new procedure. “He has a lot of questions in the lead up to a new procedure, like ‘What does the room and equipment look like?’ But with only written information about procedures, it is difficult to answer him,” she shares. 

Sometimes, Cody’s anxiety can be so intense it puts the procedure’s success at risk. As a consumer advocate at the WCH, Melissa suggested creating videos filmed from a child’s perspective. Visualising the experience, she believed, would give Cody a sense of predictability and reduce his worries. 

“The video helps Cody to create a mental image of the procedure and familiarise himself with what will happen, which then reduces his anxiety and gives him some predictability,” Melissa says. 

Emma Evans, Speech Pathologist at WCH, took this idea and with the support of the WCH Foundation, developed a video to prepare children for a ‘swallow study’. Swallow studies, which help identify issues with swallowing that put a child at risk of choking or aspiration, can be stressful as they involve eating and drinking foods mixed with a bitter-tasting contrast while being x-rayed. 

Emma’s video walks children through every step; introducing the room, the equipment, and explaining what will happen. By making the unknown familiar, the video gives children and their families a sense of control and calms anxiety. 

Feedback from parents has been resoundingly positive. The mum of Ali, who recently viewed the video with her child, said,

“It was very helpful! It’s nice and quick which is great for children, and will be helpful for children who don’t already have experiences of what it’s like being in those kind of spaces to help them know what to expect.”

When children and parents know what to expect, the stress around hospital procedures is eased and the likelihood of successful outcomes rises.  

This project highlights the value of consumer-driven ideas and strong community partnership. From a mum’s insight to a specialist’s commitment and the Foundation’s support, it demonstrates how we can work together to improve hospital experiences. 

Your support brings consumer-driven ideas to life and helps every child feel prepared, understood, and safe.  

View the Fluoroscopic Swallow Study Video here:

Just over a month ago, three-year-old Clive’s life changed in an instant. After contracting influenza B with no initial symptoms, he deteriorated rapidly. In the span of half an hour, Clive began having seizures and by the time he had arrived at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, he had lost consciousness.

Within 36 hours, Clive was diagnosed with Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy, a rare and severe inflammation of the brain. He couldn’t walk, talk, or sit up, and spent nearly a week in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“When Clive first woke up, he couldn’t communicate or sit up,” says his mum, Monique. “He was just lying on his side in his bed.”

But slowly, progress came. Over the following weeks, Clive began crawling and now in the last week he has been running around and chatting again.

For Monique, it’s been nothing short of incredible. “We didn’t think Clive would ever walk or talk again. To see him now, smiling and running, it’s huge.”

One of the biggest surprises in Clive’s recovery has been the role of the Dog Therapy program.

“Clive loves the therapy dogs. Every week he looks at the roster and asks me, ‘How many sleeps until my dog comes?’” Monique says with a smile. “The moment they walk in, his whole face lights up. He’ll play games, hide treats, and start walking around without even realising he’s doing therapy. It changes everything.”

The Dog Therapy program at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital has been running since 2016, sponsored by the WCH Foundation and delivered in partnership with Delta Therapy Dogs. Beyond cuddles and smiles, research shows animal assisted therapy reduces stress and anxiety, improves communication, boosts mental health, and can even speed up recovery times.

With over 100 sessions delivered each year across Paediatric Rehabilitation, Newland Ward, and Mallee Ward, the program has become a vital part of care at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

For families like Monique’s, the benefits are impossible to measure.

“Some days it would take me half an hour just to get Clive out of his pram,” she says. “But if he knows the dogs are coming, he’s straight up.”

Today, Clive’s recovery continues with intensive rehab, but the joy on his face is proof of just how far he’s come. “There’s hope now,” Monique says.

What began as a three-year pilot funded by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital (WCH) Foundation has now secured ongoing support from the South Australian Government, following the program’s remarkable success.

The Cocoon Program, established in 2023 through funding from the WCH Foundation, provides a dedicated clinic for babies under 12 months. More than just general healthcare, Cocoon offers wraparound support that meets the emotional, physical, and mental health needs of infants during their crucial first year. By bringing together multiple aspects of care in one place, the program streamlines treatment and ensures babies receive the support they need, when they need it most. 

From inception to April 2025, the Cocoon Program has supported 132 infants, with families describing the service as ‘life-changing.’ The program was also recently honoured with major accolades, including the Outstanding Service Award at the 2025 South Australian Child Protection and Family Support Awards, and the Out of Hospital Strategies and Care Award at the 2025 WCHN Excellence Awards. 

A program made possible through generosity

Cocoon’s success was only possible thanks to the generosity of its early supporters. 

Hospitals United for Sick Kids played a crucial role in launching the program, raising initial funds through community fundraising in partnership with Coles. 

Peter Kittle Toyota embodied the spirit of a community-minded business, providing significant support for Cocoon until it was adopted by SA Health. 

The WCH Foundation is proud to partner with companies like these, bringing together innovative clinicians and visionary philanthropists to create the greatest impact for children in our community. 

To learn more about the Cocoon Program, please visit here.

The Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to be part of a landmark fundraising initiative that will change lives across South Australia. 

On Saturday 1 November 2025, a brand-new home will go under the hammer, with 100% of the final sale price donated to The Advertiser Foundation’s SA Kids Appeal. 

As one of six children’s charities to benefit, the WCH Foundation will direct funds raised from the auction to the Family Support Program, which provides critical and immediate assistance to families experiencing financial hardship due to their child’s hospitalisation or ill health.

Proudly donated by Villawood Properties and Weeks Homes, The Good Home is a beautifully designed and fully furnished, Japandi-style, two-storey residence set within the thriving Oakden Rise community. With three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and thoughtfully crafted open-plan living, it’s more than just a home it’s a chance to make a difference. 

The Good Home Auction is the first major initiative of the SA Kids Appeal, offering buyers a rare opportunity to bid with heart and live with purpose.

The Good Home has sold for an incredible $973,000!

We’re so proud to be one of six South Australian charities supported through The Advertiser Foundation’s Kids Appeal who will share in the proceeds of this home.

For the WCH Foundation, this contribution will help around 160 families in our community who are experiencing financial hardship while their child is in hospital providing things like fuel, accommodation, and groceries when families need it most.

When Kate was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband Tom never imagined the journey that lay ahead. Their daughter Grace was a happy, thriving toddler, and they eagerly awaited the arrival of their baby boy, James.

But routine scans soon raised concern. James’ head was measuring small, and by 35 weeks, his growth had dropped below the measurable range. When James was born, his head circumference was just 29cm. He was immediately diagnosed with Microcephaly, a condition where the brain and skull are significantly smaller than normal. 

What did this mean for his future? Would he walk? Would he talk? Would he live a healthy life? For weeks, Tom and Kate endured a blur of tests and uncertainty until genetic testing revealed James had ASPM-related primary microcephaly (MCPH5), an incredibly rare disorder with only 200 documented cases worldwide. 

Kate explains,

“It felt like we lost the future we had dreamed of. The one where our family lived a healthy, happy life.” 

Despite the grief and uncertainty, there were glimmers of hope. An MRI showed James’ brain had developed normally, though much smaller than average, giving the family hope for a less severe form of the disorder. Now two years old, James is a happy little boy, adored by his big sister Grace, with a future full of love and possibility.

Throughout this journey, the Paediatric and Reproductive Genetics Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital have been a constant source of support. “They’re not just medical professionals; they’re people who genuinely care about our family’s future,” Kate said. 

Wanting to give back, Tom set himself the ambitious goal of running an ultra-marathon to raise funds for the Genetics Unit. With overwhelming support from their community, Tom and Kate raised an incredible $20,000 in just 10 days. 

Thanks to their generosity, the Genetics Unit’s newly expanded consulting space is now equipped with specialist tools, including height and arm span measures, and scales for babies, children, and adults. While simple in appearance, this equipment is vital, enabling clinicians to deliver more accurate monitoring, better care, and greater peace of mind for families facing rare genetic conditions. Funds raised are also helping to create a genetics counselling space, designed with homely décor to provide comfort and support for families during what can be challenging conversations.

For Tom and Kate, this fundraiser was about more than equipment. It was about making sure the team who stood beside them had everything they needed to continue their vital work.  

On behalf of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rieger family for their courage, generosity, and commitment to creating brighter futures for South Australian families. 

If you’d like to support families like the Riegers, you can donate here.

The brand-new playground at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital is officially open and families are already making joyful memories in this inclusive and purpose-built space.

Children at the opening celebration explored the playground’s exciting new features, including interactive sensory panels, balance and strength building apparatus, and inclusive play structures such as a wheelchair accessible carousel. Thoughtfully designed with every child in mind, the playground supports the physical, developmental and therapeutic needs of patients and families. 

Adding to the fun on opening day, a face painter and balloon artist delighted children throughout the celebration, creating a festive atmosphere full of laughter and smiles. 

Whether climbing, laughing, or exploring, the opening day highlighted the vital role this playground will play for families at the Hospital. Children undergoing treatment and their siblings have a space to play, recover, and feel like kids again. Parents and carers have a spot to rest, connect, and enjoy small but powerful moments of relief during what can be long and challenging days. 

The redevelopment was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, supporters, and community partners.  

The WCH Foundation is proud to support projects like this, which enhance the patient experience and support the emotional and social wellbeing of children and their families.

See the opening day and full photo gallery below!

Thank you to our supporters! 

This playground was made possible by the generosity of our community.  

Special thanks to SA Power Networks and the Enerven Employee Foundation, who launched the campaign by pledging to match the first $20,000 raised. We’re also grateful to AHT Electrical, the Australian Football League, and Foodland & the Good 4 Locals Foundation for their support, along with every donor who contributed to making this project a reality.