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Royal visit

Two of our Warwick team, Occupational Therapist Helen O’Connell and Psychologist Rebecca Wright, had some very special encounters, as Helen writes:

“On Easter Saturday, Rebecca and I were afforded the ‘once- in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to attend the Royal Reception for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in South Bank. In addition to formally meeting the future King of England (introduced by Her Excellency, the Governor), we met Premier Campbell Newman, and Dame Quentin Bryce (who was aware of our organisation and commented on such ‘good, important work that we do’).

“On Easter Monday, I completed my first ABC radio interview with ABC’s David Illife (just after the 9am news). The 10 minute interview unfortunately focused more on the details of the royal function, however I managed to squeeze in the BUSHkids name at every opportunity!”

A photo of the Warwick attendees at the event and comments from Rebecca appeared in the Warwick Daily News and Warwick Daily News online, in addition to brief sightings on Channel 7 news and on the live coverage of the event.

TROHPIQ

Proceeds from the annual TROHPIQ (Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland) ‘Bowties and Beauties’ Charity Gala Ball, held on Friday 15 August at the Toowong Rowing Club were once again very kindly given to BUSHkids. A donation of $2,000 was presented to our Chairman and General Manager who attended on the night.

Southern Downs Realty BBQ and sausage sizzle

Southern Downs Realty in Warwick held a fundraiser on Saturday 30 August to support the BUSHkids Centre, which was attended by more than 300 people. On top of bacon-and-egg-rolls, hamburgers and snags, the guests enjoyed ice-creams, helium balloons, and having faces painted and hair coloured (we just knew Emerald had started something!). Many of the local businesses made donations, totalling more than $2,700.

Property Manager Karen Collins said she hoped the sausage sizzle would raise more awareness for the organisation: “To be honest I wouldn’t have known about BUSHkids if I didn’t need them, so today is about making people aware of the organisation. For every person who has heard about BUSHkids, there are probably three people who haven’t. I really think it’s a great community service.”

Getting knitted

The ‘Love Wraps’ group has donated more than 150 hand knitted blankets to BUSHkids during 2013-14, which were given to children and families in Warwick, Inglewood and Dalby.

Love Wraps Co-ordinator Robyn Carmichael was thrilled to get thank-you letters from the children and families in Warwick.

Robyn has a personal connection to BUSHkids from past involvement with “BUSH Children’s” in her childhood town in central-western Queensland.

The Love Wraps knitters have been operating from Ashgrove in Brisbane for over seven years, meeting monthly in the Uniting Church hall. The group depends on donations of wool to carry out their craft that brings joy and colour to people who receive these beautiful blankets. Many home knitters also contribute their skills.

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More than ‘sporting royalty’ at the BCEC, although Helen and Rebecca met Australian Netball captain Laura Geitz as well!