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.

We came together recently with our supporters, partners, and community members to celebrate an evening of connection, gratitude, and shared purpose. It was a truly inspiring event that highlighted how much we can achieve when we join forces to create brighter futures for women, children, and families.

The evening began with a poignant Welcome to Country by Uncle Tamaru. His storytelling brought depth and reflection, grounding the event in the significance of community, culture, and care as we gathered near the beautiful River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri. His words reminded us all of the power of unity and the shared values that guide our work.

A key moment in the evening was paying tribute to the extraordinary career of Jane Scotcher. With 50 years dedicated to healthcare and nearly eight years of remarkable leadership at the WCH Foundation, Jane’s contributions have been nothing short of transformative. Surrounded by those she’s worked alongside and impacted deeply, we reflected on her commitment, resilience, and the legacy she leaves behind.

We were also privileged to hear from Associate Professor Christine Dennis, Chair of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Governing Board. She spoke about the extraordinary partnership between our organisations, celebrating what we’ve achieved together and looking ahead to the potential for even greater impact. Her words reinforced the importance of collaboration in making lasting, meaningful change.

Our CEO, Verity Gobbett, shared a bold and exciting vision for the future. She spoke passionately about the initiatives we are working to bring to life—innovations and programs designed to deliver exceptional care and support for families when they need it most. Verity’s message reflected the spirit of hope and determination that’s at the heart of what we do every day.

This celebration was also an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our Board of Directors, our dedicated team, and the unwavering generosity of our donors and partners. Together, we are building a healthier, happier future for every family who turns to us for support.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, enabling us to reflect on the impact we’ve made and the endless possibilities ahead. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished as a community and look forward to continuing this meaningful work together, united in purpose and passion.

Until no family needs us.