Christmas Update (December 2021)
Giving Day
We launched our first-ever Giving Day on 14 October, a 12-hour digital fundraising appeal to raise funds for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Region public hospitals. Each year Mackay Hospital Foundation funds priority needs of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Projects include funding vital medical equipment, services to support patients, plus funding research and nursing scholarships.
Giving Day started with a breakfast in the courtyard of Mackay Base Hospital for our Building Healthy Futures participants and corporate supporters.
Our very ambitious target for our first Giving Day was to raise $100,000 between 8 am and 8 pm. Thanks to our very generous Matched Donors – Anglo American, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Evolution Mining, Isaac Regional Council, and Mackay Base Hospital Auxiliary. They played a vital role in achieving our $100,000 target by donating $1 for every $1 we raised
Thanks to the team of Guardian employees for donating time and expertise by hitting the phones as soon as the clock clicked over to 8 am.
We welcomed Kacey Sanfilippo as our Giving Day ambassador. At the age of 2-years, Kacey was diagnosed with high-risk B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Kacey (along with her parents Kirsten and David's permission) generously agreed to be the face of our 2021 Giving Day.
Our Giving Day volunteers, some of whom took a day off from their regular weekday jobs to help as volunteers, played a pivotal role throughout the day.
At the end of the 12-hours, at 8 pm on the evening of 14 October, our total fundraising figure on Giving Day was $118,644. Over the next couple of days, the tally reached $120,016.
Queensland Health employees did us proud by reaching out to their contacts to raise funds throughout their networks. Organisations such as Byrnes Good Food, Anything Environmental, and Mackay Leisure Centre fundraised throughout October in support of Mackay Hospital Foundation and Giving Day.
We owe immense gratitude to our Matched Donors and every person and organisation who donated to this initiative.
Whenever we embark on a new fundraising initiative, there's always a period of angst and uncertainty about a new venture. Your support humbles us! Thank you to everyone involved and to those who donated.
Halloween Movie Night
On Friday, 29 October, the ghouls, and ghosts made an appearance at the Harvey Norman Bedding-sponsored double movie feature of "Hocus Pocus" and the iconic movie "Rocky Horror Picture Show."
The event was attended by approximately 450 people who watched the movies on the big screen at Meadowlands Amphitheatre while enjoying a meal from the Eat Street food vendors. Kids were also treated to popcorn and glow-in-the-dark products.
Thanks to 4MK for using their van to transport our marquees, banners, and everything else to set up for the evening and to Star 101.9 FM for promoting the movies and for coming along on the night.
Poppy's Pizzas donated all remaining pizzas to Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department staff as an added treat. The team was most grateful to Poppy's for feeding them.
Harvey Norman Bedding has sponsored both movie features in 2021. We look forward to next year's outdoor cinema events scheduled for June and September.
"Get It Done Training" Pioneer Valley Fun Run
This event is in its second year and has been organised by Kay Nyenuh from Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre.
The 2021 "Get It Done Training" Pioneer Valley Fun Run is the most successful event since Kay began fundraising for Mackay Hospital Foundation in 2018.
205 participants took part – almost double the number of last year's event, and a total of $20,874 was raised.
Thanks to our many sponsors for this event, including:
Get It Done Training
Mackay City Auto Group
Dental Care Xtra
Payne Print
MyCow Accommodation
Paget welding
One-Stop medical
SBB Partners
Move & Play Paediatric Therapy
Direct Chemist Outlet
Inspec Industries
Ray White Mackay City
Mackay Safety (Pool Inspections)
Downunder Group Solutions
Ace Mechanical
Dowdens Group
Many prizes and in-kind support contributed to this event which made it successful.
Thank you to all sponsors, donors, and participants for making this an incredible event with a fantastic outcome.
Our next Muscle Garden organised event is the Regional Insurance Brokers Boot Camp on Sunday 6 February. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities available to support this event, so we'd love to hear from you if this aligns with your company.
Registrations are also open for the Boot Camp at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/regional-insurance-brokers-charity-boot-camp-tickets-225777956947.
Melbourne Cup Day
A lovely Melbourne Cup luncheon and auction was held at Mantra Mackay on Tuesday, 2 November. Paul Warry, General Manager of Mantra at Mackay Harbour, hosted the event. The day's highlight was the auction of four-ball gowns designed and made in Melbourne.
Proceeds of the Melbourne Cup event were donated to Mackay Hospital Foundation. The MHF team judged the winners of the fashions while enjoying a delicious lunch and spectacular views.
Sadly, none of the MHF team came away as winners of the cup sweeps, but everyone had a lovely day regardless of the wins (or losses).
Building Healthy Futures turns ‘One’
Our Building Healthy Futures program turned 'one' in November. We thank all participants for their support over the past 12 months.
Funding from this program has been utilised to provide:
- An annual midwifery bursary
- Improvements to the outdoor area for Ward G2
- A Neuromove for CHATS (Equipment for Allied Health)
- Refurbishments in Day Surgery's Gowned area – re-paint, installation of a TV and plants
- The purchase and installation of an outdoor life-sized chess board for rehabilitation patients
- Activity packs for children
- Plus so much more…….
Suppose you haven't already received correspondence from Mackay Hospital Foundation. In that case, renewal information will be sent to you around the anniversary of your joining date.
We hope you will continue to support our local hospitals through your Building Health Futures commitment and help us to promote healthy lifestyles and futures for everyone.
National Safe Work Month
October was National Safe Work Month. The security team hosted displays throughout the hospital at Mackay Base Hospital.
The exhibit highlighted the importance of safety throughout the hospital and created awareness of safety issues.
Having lovely treats from Bushman's Bakery at the presentation certainly attracted the attention of those who called into the display to learn more about making the workplace (and home) safe for everyone.
BOQ commitment to sponsoring Volunteers
Mackay Hospital Foundation currently has 96 active volunteers who donate their time at Mackay, Sarina, and Clermont Hospitals and assist across many of the hospital and health services.
These volunteers are sponsored by BOQ Mackay City and generously donate their time to help others. They're celebrated throughout the year during National Volunteers Week in May. We took the opportunity to say 'Thank you at an end-of-year function attended by Melissa Green, Owner-Manager of BOQ Mackay City.
While our volunteers are recognised at these two events, they are appreciated all year-round.
All volunteer services, including the Information Desk and Gift Shop at Mackay Base Hospital, will take a break over the Festive Season. The Information desk services will finish on 17 December. The Gift Shop's final day will be 24 December before re-commencing their volunteer duties on 10 January.
We wish all of our volunteers a wonderful, relaxing break over the Christmas period.
Gift wrapping at Myer
In the September quarter newsletter, we mentioned that Mackay Hospital Foundation had been chosen as Myer Mackay's Charity of Choice.
As Christmas draws near, we'd like to remind you of the gift-wrapping service for gifts purchased at Myer, with all proceeds from the gift wrapping benefiting Mackay Hospital Foundation.
2022 Events
Attached to this newsletter is a list of corporate events scheduled for 2022. Some will be organised solely by Mackay Hospital Foundation, and some are third-party events that a third party manages, and MHF is the recipient of funds.
Mackay Hospital Foundation staff will take a break over the Festive Season from 24 December until 10 January, so our office will be closed during this time. However, emails will be monitored sporadically during this time.
Our first events for 2022 will be held in February, kicking off the year with Muscle Garden's Charity Bootcamp on 6 February, and what better way to put those New Year Resolutions to work by taking part in the Bootcamp. It will be held at Harrup Park, and registrations are now open at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/regional-insurance-brokers-charity-boot-camp-tickets-225777956947
Sponsorships are still available for this Charity Boot Camp, and we'd love to hear of your interest. For more sponsorship details, contact Leonie at Mackay Hospital Foundation Leonie.Hansen@health.qld.gov.au.
Our second event for 2022 is the BOQ Home Loan Information Session held on Wednesday, 9 February 2022, at 6 pm.
If you have a family member, friend, employee, or colleague looking at entering the home loan market, this session is not to be missed.
Rebecca Galea from BOQ will provide tips on how to maximise your opportunity of obtaining a home loan and how easy it can be.
There's no obligation, just the opportunity to share in the great Australian dream of owning your own home. This session is a MUST for anyone wishing to get into the home loan market. Places are limited, so book early. Entry is complimentary, and appetizers will be served throughout the session. Keep an eye on our event page for booking details.
Final note
2021 has been a hectic year for the four full-time Mackay Hospital Foundation staff members and our volunteers throughout our local hospitals.
For the better part of the year, we complied and navigated the COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions and still managed to hold several extraordinary events.
Our Family Fun Day was bigger than we could have hoped for; the inaugural Dinner on the Runway was a huge success. Our Giving Day outcome was sensational. All of this in addition to our Bogan Trivia evenings, Muscle Garden events, Movie nights, Drag Queen Bingo, Family Race Day, Book sales, and Bake sales……what a year it's been!
None of these events would be possible without our wonderful sponsors and donors, in-kind supporters, and our community for supporting these events for the benefit of patients and staff in our local hospitals throughout the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regions.
Your generosity cannot be underestimated. From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely wish you all a wonderful Festive Season and the very best for the New Year.
Take Care, be safe and enjoy time with family.