Helen Mayo House is a space in Adelaide for parents to access mental health support after the birth of their child.

In partnership with the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation Arts in Health program and SA Health’s Helen Mayo House, families were invited to collaborate with two artists to create their own unique lullaby for their child, as well as contribute to the creation of a bespoke Helen Mayo House lullaby – a gift to all families now and into the future.

What is the Lullaby Project?

Carlie and Eli during their time taking part in a Lullaby Project Australia program.

Emily Gann from Connecting the Dots Music founded the first ever Lullaby Project in Australia in 2019 through an international partnership with Carnegie Hall.

The Lullaby Project is designed for new parents to collaborate with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies.

These songs help strengthen parent to child connection, enhance maternal and paternal health and wellbeing, build strong community support networks for parents, support the emotional, social and cognitive development of children and empower families with personal and community agency.

Emily says, “With every note, and with every word, we connect. We connect with our inner self, our children, our family, and our community. As we do so, we listen, we share stories, we celebrate life, and we invite people’s voices to be heard and valued. Through lullaby, we all move a step closer to creating a kinder, closer, and more understanding world.”

Emily explains that the Lullaby Project plays a different role than Music Therapy, with the focus being supporting parents to discover their own creativity, and to use that to build deep connections with their baby and family through the gift of a personal lullaby.

“It’s an incredibly empowering project for someone who is facing health challenges,” she says.

“Utilising a strength-based approach, we celebrate each participant’s uniqueness and innate artistry.

“I think that can be a really transformative thing for people to suddenly be heard and listened to as an artist. It’s that feeling of, ‘I’ve achieved this. This is a gift to my child. This is something that I I’ve done now, and I never thought I could.’

“There’s also a strong connection that forms between the mothers who take part when coming together for a non-clinical purpose and sharing experiences and stories in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Thanks to donations made to the WCH Foundation, we were able to help fund the recording of these lullabies in a professional recording studio for parents from Helen Mayo House.

Eli’s Lullaby

Carlie and Brad with their incredible baby boy, Eli.

Carlie is one of the parents who have taken part in a Lullaby Project Australia program, creating a lullaby for her baby boy, Eli.

“I was fortunate enough to be involved in the Lullaby Project with incredible musicians,” Carlie says.

At two weeks old, her son, Eli was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, which means “smooth brain”. It is a rare brain malformation characterised by the absence of normal folds in the brain.

“It’s an incredibly special experience … but it was also very hard, seeing parents with their babies of a similar age. With Eli’s condition, our situation hit home in a different way.”

“Once I got in the flow though, it was really beautiful to be there and create a song for my incredible baby boy with his incredible spirit.”

“I’m so proud of Emily for bringing this project to us to access in Adelaide. It took much passion, time, energy, love and expertise to deliver this precious project.”

Carlie named Eli’s lullaby, ‘Be You’, with this message to him:

“Love, joy and grief live in us with a depth, fury and grace we could never have imagined. We don’t know how long you will be with us, you will never talk to us, but you communicate plenty … in your unique way. We love you and delight in you, in each precious breath and new experience as we explore life together.”

Listen to ‘Be You’ and the many other beautiful lullabies from the project here.

In 2022, the WCH Foundation Arts in Health program is excited to continue its collaboration with the Lullaby Project to offer their creative experiences to more parents and babies supported by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.

Lullaby Project Australia is an initiative of Connecting the Dots in Music established through an international partnership with Carnegie Hall and supported by the Government of SA.

Renmark mum, Belinda Morrison, went camping with her husband Tim, son Liam (11) and twins Brodie and Will (3) on the Anzac Day weekend last year. The holiday took a dramatic turn when Will tripped and fell hands first into a smouldering campfire pit.

“From that moment in time, everything is a blur for the next 24 to 48 hours,” Belinda says.

“We were lucky we weren’t too far out of town and the ambulance got to us quickly. Doctors were waiting at our local emergency department for us and then we were on a plane to Adelaide. We arrived at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital late at night, with a plastic surgeon waiting for us.”

Will had surgery the next morning to clean up his hands and remove the dead skin.

Will in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital after his accident.

Challenge 21 fundraiser

“Over the next two weeks, he had several more procedures to clean and assess his hands. He ended up needing partial-thickness graphs on his right hand,” Belinda explains.

“Since then, we have been coming back to the Hospital for the Burns and Scar clinics and Will had to have another operation for full-thickness graphs.”

So grateful to the team in the Burns Unit, the family, who owns the Renmark Baker’s Delight, wanted to give back in some way and decided to get their store involved in Challenge 21 – our annual community fundraising event.

The Morrison’s arranged a fundraising day where all proceeds from the store went to their Challenge 21 page – raising over $7,000! This was then dollar matched by the Gillespie Family Foundation, bringing their fundraising total to over $14,000!

Renmark Baker’s Delight’s Challenge 21 fundraiser.

Campfire safety education campaign

These proceeds have now gone towards a burns first aid and campfire safety education campaign for Indigenous communities, facilitated by the WCHN Burns Service

The Burns Service at the WCH provides inpatient and outpatient treatment for children from birth to 16 years. They treat around 150 inpatients and 450 outpatients each year from SA, NT and western parts of NSW and Victoria.

Burns Advanced Nurse Consultant, Linda Quinn, and Dr Jake Willet are leading this campaign, their aim to reduce the burden of burn injuries on Indigenous children and their families.

Jake says, “There are marked inequalities in healthcare provision between Indigenous and non-Indigenous burns patients.”

“Our data shows that Indigenous patients have much longer journeys and significant delays to reach tertiary centres, delaying the initiation of specialist management and worsening the prognosis.”

“This equates to Indigenous patients needing skin grafts over three times as frequently as non-Indigenous patients. Their admissions are then more than twice the duration, as they’re requiring more invasive intervention which has a significant sociocultural burden.”

The campaign will focus on three main areas: prevention, first aid and intervention.

“We really believe that good first aid at the site of the burn, initiated in a timely manner, is key.”

“Part of the focus will also be on ways to avoid these injuries, and then just really trying to hit home that if you get these burn injuries, go and see your local health care worker, Indigenous worker or nurse and get care escalated.”

The campaign will consist of Indigenous media company, Pintubi Anmatjere Warlpiri, creating an informational video to distribute across media platforms for remote communities. It will use their voice, guided by information from the WCHN Burns Service, to create something that is culturally meaningful.

Linda explains that this campaign is so important because campfire burns are a serious injury in children and require extensive treatment.

“These deep burns require skin grafting, and often in areas of the body that are highly functional areas, like hands from kids falling into fires, or feet from walking through coals that they don’t quite realise haven’t been put out properly,” she says.

“If the scars left from these injuries don’t grow with the child, they can require ongoing care. It’s not just something that we fix and say ‘goodbye’, many kids require ongoing scar reconstructive surgery as they grow.”

Liam, Brodie and Will looking adorable in their Challenge 21 beanies!

Gratitude and giving back

The Morrison family are so happy to be able to help prevent other families from going through this experience.

Belinda says, “To be able to play a small part in the prevention of campfire related burns is something we hold close to our hearts.”

“The work that the Burns Unit does is beyond incredible. What was an extremely scary time for us was made easier by the care and compassion we received. Linda Quinn, Jake Willet and the entire burns team have been beyond amazing. “

“No words can express how grateful we are.”

If you’re interested in fundraising in your community, please contact our Community Fundraising Manager.

The WCH Foundation’s inaugural Challenge 21 was a massive success! Over 400 challengers pushed themselves out of their comfort zone from September 20 to October 10 and raised over $221,000 for families cared for by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network!

The breadth of creativity from challengers was amazing to see, with participants challenging themselves to everything from baking 21 goodies, learning 21 songs, reading 21 books, walking 21km, exercising for 21 days, kicking 21 goals, performing 21 gigs to giving up chocolate for 21 days!

We were continually inspired by the stories of our Challengers! We heard from people currently being cared for by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, those who had survived illnesses or injuries thanks to the Hospital, those whose family members had been cared for and those who had sadly lost loved ones and were completing their challenges in their honour.

Here are just a few of the inspirational stories from Challenge 21:

The Roberts Family

The Roberts family presenting the WCH Foundation with the funds raised by Team Cycle 4 Sam during Challenge 21!

Challenge 21 is inspired by the Roberts family who have been raising funds for the WCH Foundation for 15 years in memory of their son, Sam Roberts, who would have celebrated his 21st birthday this year.

The Roberts family rallied over 120 members for ‘Team Cycle 4 Sam’ who collectively raised over $130,000!

They all took on their own big challenges, with Lucy riding 21 laps of Victoria Park Racecourse on a tandem bike with her cousin, Charlie completing a full marathon and Michelle and Marty riding 210km on a single day!

“I’m so proud of my family and all Challenge 21 participants who completed challenges in memory of Sam,” Marty said.

“Regarding Team Cycle 4 Sam, we are so thrilled with the commitment and creativity of the participants and are in awe of the money raised to support paediatric palliative care at the WCH.”

“Epic was one way to describe it. Sam was looking after us,” Michelle added.

Matt

Matt Martin with his sons, Hudson (left) and Bailey (middle) and Matt’s Challenge 21 tattoo!

Matt’s youngest son, Hudson, and their family friend, Sophie, are both cared for by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Matt decided to take on a challenge to give back to all the amazing staff who have cared for them.

Matt raised an amazing $12,000!

He took on various challenges over the 21 days (allowing his donors to choose these) starting with no junk food, then seven nights of camping, and ended with getting a Challenge 21 tattoo!

“It has been harder than I thought,” Matt said.

“This challenge has completely changed my outlook on so many things.”

Samuel

Samuel taking on his ultramarathon!

Samuel was just six months old when he was diagnosed with cancer, but after the brilliant care he received is now a happy and healthy 25-year-old!

Samuel said, “Thankfully, I was too young to remember anything that I went through in this traumatic time but for many other kids this is not the case. Many kids have to go through some unimaginable circumstances and pain through what should be some of their most joyful times in life.”

To thank hospital staff for all the care he received as a child and support kids going through what he went through, he took on Challenge 21 and ran a 56km Ultramarathon!

“I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing challenge,” Sam said.

“Thank you to everyone that helped reached my fundraising goal, it brought me such joy seeing that number go up every day knowing where it’s all going!”

Sara

Sara loving her cycling challenge!

Nurse Practitioner, Sara Fleming, is the Clinical Care Director of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s Paediatric Palliative Care Service and cared for Sam Roberts during his time at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Sara challenged herself to undergo 21km rides with 21 friends in 21 days, in honour of Sam and all the children she has cared for over the years.

“I had a wonderful time!” Sara said.

“I was out there on the pedals with the joy of spring, carrying thoughts of wonderful, inspiring families and the purpose of this fundraiser to make a difference!”

Oskar

Oskar post-surgery with his mum and Oskar with his favourite hobby, his mountain bike.

Oskar is 14 years old and just recently was diagnosed with a brain tumour requiring surgery.

“Luckily the tumour was benign, and surgery went well. I had a few setbacks, requiring a second operation. I was quite anxious, but with help from hospital staff, family and friends, I’m feeling much better today,” Oskar said.

Although Oskar is going through a tough time himself right now, he was being incredibly generous, brave and selfless by raising money for other kids like him through Challenge 21! His challenge was to not ride his mountain bike for 21 days.

“I am an outdoors person and really love riding my mountain bike. Not being able to do it for a while was a really big challenge for me!” he said.

Oskar’s mum, Kristin, also feels a close connection to Challenge 21, having cared for Sam Roberts during her time as a nurse at the WCH. Kristin, Oskar and their family saw Challenge 21 as a way to thank the Hospital for all they do.

“We are so extremely grateful for the excellent care we received from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me to support other sick kids and their families going through challenging times.”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our Challenge 21 participants and donors, as well as our media partners Fresh 92.7 and Channel 10, for making the first year such a success.

To learn more about the impact of your support, click here.

The WCH Foundation is proud to be funding a project to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable babies and their families in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Having a baby in NICU and SCBU can be a very scary and distressing time for families, and this project recognises the importance of Parent and Family-Centred Care (PFCC). The aim is to develop and improve family connections and resilience during NICU and SCBU stays and to facilitate a confident, safe and seamless transition home.

Part of this project includes the placement of a PFCC Representative with lived experience to support families on their Hospital journey, by embedding their feedback into tailoring service delivery.

PFCC Representative

Baby Abdul Ahad being fed in NICU.

Eight years ago, Sharon Sand’s daughter suffered a spinal cord injury after jumping into their family pool and spent over eight months in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Since then, Sharon has been involved in the WCH community, giving her time to provide support to other families who are on similar journeys through her lived experience.

Now, she has taken on the exciting new role of PFCC Representative in NICU and SCBU.

Super Shaz

Sharon provides comfort to parents like Nazish and her new baby, Abdul Ahad.

Sharon, or Shaz as she is affectionately known by the families in the Hospital nurseries, is there to embed families’ experiences into the service.

“When I introduce myself to the staff, I tell them, ‘I’m not here to dib dob or to disagree with your job, I’m here to support you and to get you the recognition you deserve’,” Sharon says.

“I ask families things like, do the staff talk to you in layman’s terms so you understand? Do you feel safe? And so far, I’ve received sensational feedback.”

The families are showing great interest in providing Sharon feedback on their experiences, something that has been hard to capture in the past.

“I tell them that they can hit me with anything they want to know that they don’t feel that they can ask or don’t feel comfortable asking.”

“If I don’t know about it, I will endeavour to find out.”

Megan, Jess and Rylee

Megan and Jess admiring their beautiful newborn Rylee.

Megan and Jess’ baby, Rylee, was born via emergency C section at 28 weeks and 6 days, weighing in at a tiny 858 grams. She was cared for in NICU and then SCBU.

“Having a premature baby wasn’t the ideal start to parenthood, but in terms of how things have gone, it’s been so helpful to have Shaz,” Megan says.

“You can feel a bit isolated in here, so having her support is great,” Jess says.

“Sharon’s a great talker, she’ll come past and have a chat and it’s nice to know someone is there for us.”

Nazish, Farhan and Abdul Ahad

Farhan and Nazish holding their adorable baby, Abdul Ahad

Nazish and Farhan’s baby boy, Abdul Ahad, was born at 35 weeks and 3 days via elective C section. They had been trying for nine years, including IUI and IVF, and now have had their first child naturally who has been cared for in NICU, SCBU, and Rose Ward.

Although they are over the moon to have him here now, they say that being in hospital can be a daunting experience.

Having Sharon to talk to has opened their eyes to the support and facilities available to them at the Hospital.

“The other day, Sharon told me about the Sacred Space in the Hospital. Now I go every day for my prayer, which is fantastic. Everything is there for my needs,” Farhan says.

“The only thing missing is not knowing that there are things there, which is why we like having Sharon,” Nazish says.

“It’s just easier. She’s so easily reachable.”

Creating positive experiences

Megan and Jess say Sharon has been a great support during their time at the Hospital with Rylee.

With the consumer feedback she is collecting, Sharon is hoping to keep a positive and supportive environment at the Hospital for all families coming through.

This role is a ‘proof of concept’ as the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) Consumer Engagement Team evaluate the potential role of PFCC Representatives into the future.

Mother Nazish holding baby Abdul Ahad

To learn more about the amazing projects happening throughout WCHN funded by the WCH Foundation, click here.

Looking after families is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we were so proud to have hosted our first Community Wills Day.

Kindly supported by Finlaysons Lawyers, members of our community came together to get a legally valid Will written, ensuring their loved ones are taken care of, as well as helping a cause close to their heart.

Peace of mind for families

Venita Coutts, one of the attendees, is a regular visitor to the Hospital with her son Ezekiel. She told us:

“My husband and I have been putting off writing our Will. We are so focused on looking after our son, Ezekiel, sometimes we forget about looking after ourselves. We love supporting the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation and as soon as I saw the Wills Day I knew I had to make a booking. By getting our Will written we can have peace of mind knowing that he will be ok if something happens to us.”

Venita and Ezekiel.

Finlaysons’ support

Staff from Finlaysons Lawyers gave back to the Hospital community by contributing their time for free. Nikki Owen, Partner at Finlaysons, said:

“Finlaysons are extremely proud to be supporting South Australian families and giving more people in our community the opportunity to make a Will. It is wonderful to know that everyone who attended today is not only doing something important to look after their own loved ones, but also making a difference to the Hospital community through their support of the WCH Foundation.” 

The Finalysons’ team who generously donated their time on the day.

A successful event

Over $3,000 was raised on the day which will provide immediate support to sick kids and their families being cared for at our Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Additionally, many of the attendees also made the generous decision to include a gift in their Will to make sure that future generations are taken care of as well.

Fern Cargill, WCH Foundation Bequest Manager, shared, “We are so grateful to the people who supported our Community Wills Day, and especially those who have made the important decision to leave a gift in their Will to look after future generations as well taking care of their own loved ones.”

If you’d like to learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, visit wchfoundation.org.au/bequests or contact our Bequests and Research Manager for more information.

‘Mirdilyayanthi’ is the Kaurna word for ‘to shine bright’ – a perfect name for the WCH Foundation’s latest exhibition featuring five amazing Adelaide-based artists whose work is shining incredibly brightly from the walls of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital!

Grace Bennett, Elizabeth Yanyi Close, Shane Kooka, Thomas Readett and Jackie Saunders are all currently exhibiting in Mirdilyayanthi. This exhibition, presented by the WCH Foundation’s Arts in Health program, is part of the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi festival – an opportunity to experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in all its diversity.

Each of these five artists started making art at a young age and they share a keen drive to keep learning and mastering their craft from mentors, peers and through their family stories. They say art helps them to express these stories and connect with their Aboriginal heritage.

Many of them have also spent time them at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital as children and are keen to give back by sharing their work with the young people cared for by the hospital now.

Grace Bennett

Grace Bennett in front of her work, ‘Country’.

19-year-old Ngadjuri artist Grace Bennett keeps her strength and creativity through her connection to the land and culture.

“I often yarn with my family about their experiences and stories they share, as well as talking about my painting ideas and incorporating my own stories into my artworks. I use it as fuel,” she says.

Grace’s paintings within this exhibition have been inspired by the first painting she ever created and her journey learning about her culture and heritage. This includes her personal connection to stars, representing how they can guide us in a positive direction through the night sky.

Jackie Saunders

Jackie Saunders and her work, ‘Before the Sun Rises’ (detail).

Jackie Saunders is a Kaurna, Kokatha, Ngarrindjeri and Wirangu artist represented by Tutti Arts. She describes herself as “the daughter of a saltwater woman and a desert-dwelling man”.

Jackie’s work draws on her strong sense of family and culture. It reflects her connections to both the human and natural world; exploring different weathers and the shape and movement of land, light and water.

“I’ve got my own style. It’s colourful. It comes from the heart. My mum and my dad live on through me,” she says.

Elizabeth Yanyi Close

Elizabeth Yanyi Close and her work, ‘Let The Shadows Fall Behind You’.

In this exhibition, Elizabeth Yanyi Close, an Anangu woman from the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, explores the concept of ‘wealth’ and challenges the notion that the landscape is only the sum of its parts.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people view country not as something to exploit, but rather something profound and immeasurable, something ancient and invaluable, something that shines far brighter than any precious metal,” she says.

Shane Kooka

Shane Kooka and his work, #2 Central Meeting Place (detail).

Shane Kooka is a proud Wulli Wulli and Guwa descendant from Queensland and a long-time advocate for supporting young Aboriginal people.

Shane spent time in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital as a 12-year-old and remembers his mother by his side, teaching him their family stories while watching her make small dot paintings.

Shane’s desire is for his artworks to provide hope for young patients.

“As an Aboriginal, we need to keep going – there is no finish line,” he says.

Thomas Readett

Thomas Readett and his work, ‘Hold Onto Hope’.

Ngarrindjeri and Arrente artist Thomas Readett reflects on the wider world through themes of love, loss, and grief.

For this exhibition, Thomas reflects on past trauma and the act of rebuilding as he searches for the light.

“Making art for me is compulsory to the way I live. It is a therapy to help me work through things and keeps me staying strong,” he says.

Inspiring the next generation

These influential artists are breaking ground in their fields and creating positive pathways for themselves and others.

Presented in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s Blue Heart Gallery, it is hoped that this exhibition inspires young patients on their Hospital journey.

Elizabeth’s message to the next generation is, “Keep pushing, speaking, advocating, creating – we are the sum of our stories and we need to keep sharing them with the world.”

Jackie adds, “If you put your mind to it, then you can achieve anything.”

Mirdilyayanthi is on show until 31 January 2022. For more information about the exhibition, click here. The Mirdilyaynthi Exhibition has been supported by the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art.

*Please note: Due to COVID-19 there are visitor restrictions in the Hospital. To remain updated on this information, visit their website. www.wch.sa.gov.au.

On Charlotte Winkless’ first visit to our Laklinyeri Beach House, she was freshly discharged from a 118-day Hospital stint. The second time around though, she couldn’t have had more fun being up and about exploring the Victor Harbor area!

3-year-old Charlotte was born premature but grew into a happy and healthy baby with no complications, until just after her first birthday.

Her parents, Daniel and Simone, recall, “At around 13 months old she developed a cold and we noticed that she was having to work a little bit with her breathing.”

Charlotte was admitted to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s (WCH) Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and her health continued to deteriorate quickly. Her lungs weren’t functioning properly and she developed pneumococcus, a bacterial infection, and also suffered a cardiac arrest whilst being placed on a ventilator. Charlotte developed multiple leaks in her lungs, requiring chest drains and was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for specialist ECMO (life support) treatment.

After dropping everything to head to Melbourne, and a few days into their stay, Simone and Daniel received a call no parents want to hear.

“I was in the shower and Simone came in with the surgeon on the phone saying, ‘We need verbal consent to take her into surgery now or she’s going to die,’” Daniel said.

Charlotte had surgery earlier that day to try and ease pressure on her failing lungs but had excessive internal bleeding which needed to be resolved. Unfortunately, she had also developed a blood clot as a result of being on ECMO at the same time, which had broken off the circuit and caused a large stroke.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Charlotte has recovered amazingly, but the impact of having a stroke at such a young age has left her with right side hemiplegia (paralysis) and a cerebral palsy diagnosis, creating life-long effects on her health.

Then vs now: Charlotte looking back at her time in Hospital.

Charlotte’s first visit to the Beach House

Two months after Charlotte came home from hospital, in January 2020, the Winkless family came to stay at our Laklinyeri Beach House after being referred by the WCH’s Complex Care Team.

Individual and corporate donations made to the WCH Foundation fund stays at the Beach House for families with children who have complex needs or are in palliative care, as well as bereaved families.

“It was nice just to finally all be together to enjoy each other’s company and relax,” Simone said.

“We could take our mind off of everything that had happened.”

Charlotte’s brother Sam’s drawing of the Beach House from 2020.

Sam and Charlotte’s drawing of the Beach House from 2021.

Back to the Beach House

Charlotte is still under the care of multiple teams at the WCH and has been working hard on her rehab, going to appointments most days of the week to see occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists, as well as other specialists.

She is now up walking, talking (cubby houses are her favourite topic of conversation) and playing!

The Winkless family were invited back to the Beach House in July 2021, and although it was a familiar destination, it was a completely different getaway this time around with Charlotte’s newfound abilities.

“It was so much more special this time,” Simone said.

“Charlotte actually got to enjoy herself.

“She got to go in the cubby house and play and it was her favourite place. She’d still be there now if we’d let her!”

“It was more enjoyable for us as well,” Daniel added.

“It was sort of like a weight off to be able to sit back and enjoy it.”

Hanging out in Charlotte’s favourite place!

Making memories

The family filled their trip to the brim and used all the activity vouchers on offer to families who stay at the Beach House, including a ride on the Cockle Train, visit to the wildlife park, photography session, massages, and a trip to the cinema!

“I think it’s all the little moments that add up to make a beautiful memory,” Simone said.

“Like Charlotte learning how to walk over the bridge in the garden to the cubby and put her little head out and play shops.

“For other families, it’s something so simple, but it’s a big deal for Charlotte.”

“It might seem like little things to most people, but to be able to take time away from rehab and appointments and specialists to just enjoy time with family and friends is so amazing,” Daniel added.

“We’ve been unlucky with what’s happened to Charlotte, but it’s been so nice to see all these wonderful organisations thinking of us and making things that little bit easier.”

Sam and Charlotte making memories at the Beach House.

Our community’s support

We would like to thank Bendigo Bank who has recently partnered with the WCH Foundation to help fund stays at the Beach House for families like the Winkless family.

The wonderful team at Bendigo Bank have generously sponsored four families to stay at the Beach House this year, gifting them the opportunity to rest, recuperate and spend quality time together.

“We would just like to thank everyone who supports the Beach House because it makes such a difference to families who’ve gone through a hard time,” Simone said.

“We can’t thank you all enough.”

If you, too, would like to help support family stays at our Laklinyeri Beach House, click here. 

At a time when vaccines are a huge topic of conversation, researchers at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital are breaking ground with a vaccine that is hoped to prevent two diseases for teens across the Northern Territory, especially in remote communities.

The Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to support ‘B Part of It NT’, a project led by the University of Adelaide’s Professor Helen Marshall, who was recently awarded the title of SA Australian of the Year for her amazing work. The project is looking into the effectiveness of the Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine in preventing Men B disease and gonorrhea.

SA Australian of the Year 2022, Professor Helen Marshall.

Men B and gonorrhea in the NT

In Australia, the rates of gonorrhea are not only highest in the NT, but the group that has the highest rates of gonorrhea are 15 to 19-year-olds. That’s also the age group with the highest risk of meningococcal disease, apart from infants.

Prof Marshall and her team are rolling out the Men B vaccine in the NT with the aim of vaccinating 5,000 14 to 19-year-olds through schools and remote communities.

Prof Marshall said, “The program will determine if one vaccine can protect young people against two serious infectious diseases that primarily affect young people.”

“Both diseases can cause massive long-term health burdens for patients and communities. Death, loss of limbs or brain damage can occur in Meningococcal sufferers, while infertility and blindness in newborns can result from untreated gonorrhea.”

B Part of It NT infographic.

The study’s impact

Prof Marshall said this vaccine will have a significant impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, especially those living in remote communities, who are most at risk for both diseases.

“The Meningococcal B vaccine is currently free only in South Australia and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies from six weeks, with a catch-up program for children up to two years of age. This is because Aboriginal infants have six times the increased risk of meningococcal disease compared to non-Indigenous infants.”

“The vaccine is expensive and meningococcal cases are not common, so the vaccine has not been considered cost-effective for a national program. However, if you add into the mix prevention of gonorrhea, and prevention of two diseases with the one vaccine, the cost-effectiveness of the meningococcal B vaccine in a national vaccine program looks more promising.”

Prof Marshall said this vaccine will have a significant impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island young people.

Outcomes

The final phase of the project would combine the results from the NT with a successful study previously completed in SA to provide a robust, definitive answer to an internationally important issue.

Prof Marshall hopes this project will have a significant impact on young people worldwide.

“The ultimate outcome from the program would see the Meningococcal B vaccine provided for those at highest risk of both diseases as an ongoing program,” she said.

“As there are 106 million cases of gonorrhea every year globally, these results are not only important for Australia but also for the world.”

B Part of It NT at Titjikala Health Centre.

Individual and corporate support

The WCH Foundation’s support of this project was made possible thanks to individual and corporate donations from partners in SA and the NT.

Funds raised through the sale of Coles ‘Mum’s Sause’ pasta and pizza sauces in the NT, as part of the Curing Homesickness initiative, will ensure young people living in 30 remote and very remote communities throughout the NT will have access to the study and vaccine.

*Images courtesy of Be Part of It NT and Callie Rose Communications.

Our 2021 Super Dad competition has ended and, as usual, we were absolutely overwhelmed by the nominations we received for the amazing dads in our community!

So many of these dads have gone above and beyond for their families and their stories are truly inspiring.

It was incredibly hard to narrow down the nominations from partners, siblings, kids and friends but we are delighted to announce that our Super Dad winner for 2021 is Wayne, with Matthew and Neti as our two finalists!

All three Super Dads have received a Presidential Hamper thanks to our friends at Charlesworth Nuts.

Meet Wayne, nominated by his wife, Teena.

“Wayne is definitely a Super Dad with six children.

We have a daughter with cancer who was diagnosed 14 months ago, and we also have an 18-year-old with dementia.

It’s been a really tough year with our youngest in hospital 22 weeks out of 52, leaving my husband to deal with our other five children at home including the one with dementia who needs full-time care.

Juggling appointments and our family business which he also has had to run solo, having trips from Woodcroft to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital most days as well as fitting his work and appointments in too. He’s been so tired but keeps going, especially when four times in last 14 months we were told we could lose our daughter.

He is the rock who keeps us all going with his calm, quiet demeanour. We just couldn’t have got through this last year without this wonderful man.”

Meet Matthew, nominated by his wife, Brooke.

“Matthew is father to our two girls, Hannah (6) and Sophie (4).

In 2019, Sophie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma and underwent nearly 18 months of gruelling treatment. Matt continued working his fulltime job in science, helped care for his two girls and stayed up late most nights researching the latest advances in Neuroblastoma research.

Three months after completing treatment, Sophie relapsed with a tumour on her brain and ran out of curative treatment options in Australia. Once again Matt was up late every night doing research.

After contacting doctors in the US and Europe, it was decided that we would go to Barcelona for lifesaving cancer treatment. Sophie had brain surgery, chemo, and radiation in Australia and while I supported her through the majority of her treatments, Matt continued to work fulltime and stay up late organising all the details to get her to Spain.

In March this year our family of four flew out to Spain for Sophie’s cancer treatment and with Matt’s support we navigated all the challenges that a foreign country and the COVID-19 pandemic brings.

Matt is an amazing father and his love of his family and his passion for a cure for Sophie is what drives him every day. Most fathers say that they would go to the ends of the earth for their kids, but I feel like Matt has done that and that is why he’s a super dad.”

Meet Neti, nominated by his wife, Jill.

“Neti is an amazing and loving father to five grandchildren.

Our daughter, a single parent with five children aged nine to 19, died from a brain tumour last year so Neti became a parent again in his mid-seventies.

He took all the children into our home and helps them with schoolwork, goes with them to basketball, netball, tennis, scouts, and music lessons. He helps with the cooking, shopping, washing, and cleaning but most of all he provides love for our busy family. One special time has been at the WCH with the youngest who shattered his elbow on a skateboard days before his mum’s terminal illness.

Neti is a wonderful Dad. He gives himself to others, especially children and young people.”

We wish all the amazing dads in our community a very happy Father’s Day! Our families are so lucky to have you in their lives. 

Super Dad is proudly supported by Charlesworth Nuts.

For many South Australians, the Blackeby family name is synonymous with much-loved lollies from our younger years – humbugs, liquorice allsorts, fish lollies and peanut brittle to name just a few. But few people in our community realise that while William Edward Blackeby may have been the face of Blackeby’s Lolly Shop, he had a sweeter side that was kept very much under wraps.

William Edward Blackeby, known as Bill, was born in 1909. He followed in his father’s footsteps by entering the confectionary business. The family had a stall in Adelaide’s Central Market – which today still sells Blackeby sweets and is considered one of the oldest traders in the Market. Their stall was the very first to have a cash register and as a young boy, Bill would operate the register on Friday nights after school to the amusement of customers.

Bill formally joined the family business in 1925 and continued to work hard, expanding the business and adding to the lines of lollies and sweets manufactured. He married his wife Eileen and they went on to have 6 children. It was during this time that Bill began to support causes that were close to his heart.

Bill Blackeby’s generosity

His children remember their father as a very humble and generous man. They shared:

“As far as we know, our father regularly supported at least 27 charities in addition to giving donations to churches, schools and individuals in need. Most of his donations were given anonymously.”

Blackebys’ famous fish lollies.

One such recipient was the then Adelaide Children’s Hospital with which Bill had a long-standing association after two of his children were cared for there. His giving dates back to at least 1953. For a time it is believed his name was recorded in the Hospital’s Rose Ward in recognition of his philanthropy.

Each and every year, Bill continued his loyal support of the Hospital and other charitable organisations. Eventually, he decided it was time to pass the baton onto his children. They told us:

“One day in 1981 when we children were together, our father said that he had helped us during our lives. As we were all reasonably well off, he intended to set up a Trust to give money to charities. As a Christian, he had a heart for people – especially for children, the disadvantaged and those experiencing difficulties.”

Bill used his personal savings to set up the EB Charitable Trust with funds to be used solely for charitable giving.  After Bill passed away in 1997, his children became responsible for carrying out his wishes. This included continuing to distribute the funds to charity.

“We have been blessed to enable dad’s legacy to continue to help others,” they shared.

Blackeby’s Sweets Depot in the Central Market Arcade. (Supplied: City of Adelaide)

Supporting the Beach House

The EB Charitable Trust had a maximum term of 40 years. So this year, per its terms, it had to be dissolved. Upon its closing, the Blackeby family made a final donation from the Trust of $100,000. This was in support of the WCH Foundation Laklinyeri Beach House. The Beach House provides a medically-equipped holiday space for families with children in palliative or complex care at the WCH.

“Victor Harbor was our parent’s holiday venue every January when dad took his two weeks off from work. We know that he would be thrilled to know that this is where this donation has been directed.”

If you’d like to learn more about leaving a gift for future generations in your Will, click here or contact Fern Cargill, Bequests and Research Manager, on (08) 8464 7900.