February 2022 Edition

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2022!  

It’s fair to say that the start of 2022 hasn’t quite been what we were all expecting. However, we remain optimistic and our team is very excited to roll out all of the exciting things we have planned in 2022. We hope that lockdowns are a thing of the past and we can follow through with our events and fundraising campaigns, as well as connect in person with our wonderful Wyndham community. Our people are our most precious resource and nothing compares to chatting face to face, and working side by side as we achieve great things together.

Which leads me to my update about the exciting developments happening around connecting with local businesses to create meaningful partnerships in 2022.  I’ve been busy meeting many amazing business leaders that share the Foundation’s passion to ensure good health for all by supporting patient care in the public health system in the City of Wyndham. It’s been wonderful to speak with like-minded people and work out ways we can align and create a positive impact for Wyndham. It’s very clear in the media that health care can use all the support it can get, and we are committed to doing everything we can to make sure our community’s health is protected.

I would also like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support towards the Foundation – through donations, sponsorship, volunteering and gifts in kind – all that we do, we do with you and for you and together we are truly making a difference.   

We have a wonderful community and I am here for anyone that needs support. If anyone needs to reach out, or wants to find out how they can help the Foundation please contact us on 03 8714 6498 or hello@whf.org.au.

Stay safe and healthy, and take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Kind regards,

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Welcome to our new Board members

The Foundation was thrilled with the response to our call-out for candidates to apply for the available positions to join our Board of Directors in October.  Before introducing our new members, we would like to bid a fond farewell and express our deepest thanks to our outgoing Directors, Nicole Whiting and Nicole Ali.  Their contributions and enthusiasm were instrumental to our success, and we will miss them and everything they brought to the both the Board and the Foundation.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Directors to the Foundation. They are a powerhouse selection of individuals that have relevant connections to our community. Their multicultural backgrounds are an accurate reflection of Wyndham, affording them a personal understanding and connection with our community, and their professions and personal strengths will lend expertise specific to the Foundation’s needs.  We are excited to share the benefits of our alliance with you all and would like to warmly welcome and introduce the following new Directors:

Renay Ahmed – Renay is a third-generation family member of LT’s Egg Farm and Wyndham Cache café located in Werribee South, and the Events & Catering Manager at Wyndham Cache. Renay’s personal connections to Wyndham run deep and she is passionate about engaging and networking with her community.  Renay has volunteered on many occasions for Werribee Hospital Foundation and is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships with various community stakeholders. We are confident that Renay’s strong understanding of Wyndham places her in an excellent position to make significant and valid contributions to our Board.

Sahana Ramesh – Sahana is the current Councillor for Wyndham City Council, representing the Harrison Ward. In 2018 she founded the first company in India to manufacture Lithium-Ion batteries and provides consultancy on systems technology marketing and branding.  Sahana enjoys intellectual challenges and is a passionate advocate for the environment, sustainable living and diversity and inclusivity in the community.  Sahana’s role as Councillor gives her a privileged insight into the needs of our community, and a platform to champion their cause. We are fortunate to have Sahana’s professional expertise and links, as well as her dedication to advocating for Wyndham.

Dr Amireh Fakhouri – Dr Amireh is a GP at Palmers Medical Centre in Truganina, specialising in children’s and women’s health.  As a doctor and mother of young children, Amireh truly understands the importance of high-quality health care and is passionate about ensuring good health for all.  Her role as a GP gives her direct insight into the health needs of our community and we look forward to the meaningful contributions Amireh will make to the Foundation.

Deborah Dickinson – Deborah is a life coach and founder of Deborah Dickinson Coaching. She is also the current Chair of Werribee Business & Tourism Association, and President of Kulture Hive, an organisation that creates programs and activities in culturally diverse communities to foster cohesion and connection. Deborah is passionate about connecting with and understanding people. Making meaningful and important relationships to ensure the greater good of the community is central to Deborah’s success and her personal growth. We are fortunate to have a person that has dedicated themselves to the wellbeing of Wyndham and can effectively communicate and connect with a diverse range of backgrounds.

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‘Gift of Care’  ~ Appeal Update

Our 2021 “Gift of Care” Appeal was a huge success, thanks to the generosity of people like you in our community.  The focus of the appeal was based on providing items to improve the patient care experience for those needing a hospital stay. Improvements to amenities and resources can make a world of difference and we wanted to support this often over-looked aspect in health care. 

With the generosity of your donations we were able to raise $7,000 and have used this to supply the Werribee Mercy Hospital with: 

12 Touch Control Lamps with USB charger  – Palliative Patient Care 

12 Portable Radios and Bluetooth speakers  – Palliative Patient Care 

2 Baby Scales with carry bag  – Maternity & Special Care Nursery Patient Care 

2 Ride-on ambulances with remote control and siren – Paediatric Patient Care 

2 Portable Oxygen Saturation Monitors – Emergency Department Patient Care 

Thank you to everyone who supported this important campaign.  As items are delivered we will share the stories so that you can see the hands-on impact your generosity really makes. 

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Christmas Toy Drive bringing happiness on Christmas Day

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It’s no secret that no one wants to be in hospital on Christmas day, especially children! 

In December the Foundation ran its second Toy Drive with great success. We were gifted so many wonderful items that our office looked like a toy store.  

Above are just some of the children that were on the hospital wards over the Christmas period that received gifts.    

Thank you to everyone who donated gifts to our Christmas Toy Drive. The children on the wards were excited to open their presents, and we are grateful for the opportunity to do anything we can to bring a smile to their faces.  

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Mental Health, its not just a catch phrase

One of the reasons we enjoy what we do is because we are given the opportunity to meet the most incredible people from our community.  

Local mum and son Sarah and Jason (image above) teamed up to take on our 5KOK challenge in October, and ended up raising the most money out of all participants – an impressive $900!  The 5KOK was organised by Werribee Hospital Foundation to raise money for Wyndham’s mental health services and this was a cause close to Sarah’s heart. 

Sarah has battled with mental health issues since she was a young child and recently suffered through a particularly dark period which resulted in her making an attempt on her life. Sarah is thankfully in a better place right now, and to show her gratitude for the exceptional mental health care she received chose to support our 5KOK with her son.   

You can read Sarah and Jason’s touching story via this link: https://bit.ly/3o2zdF9  

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Thank you for your Thyme!
Volunteers morning tea

We had so much fun at our morning tea that was held in December to thank our amazing volunteers for their support in 2021. Wyndham Cache was our beautiful venue, and we all enjoyed the delicious spread. Our friends at All Green Nursery & Garden generously donated our volunteer gifts – a pot of thyme to thank everyone for selflessly giving us their time.  

We are incredibly grateful for our wonderful volunteers. They are vital to making our vision come to life, and we love connecting with community while working towards our common goal to support our local public health services.  

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Volunteers We Need You!

Do you want 2022 to be a year that sees you making a positive impact on your community? These turbulent past couple of years have shown how important connecting with others truly is. We can gain so much personally by helping people and showing kindness and generosity, no matter how small the act may seem. 

Our team is looking for volunteers to help us support our local health care services. Wyndham is growing at a fast rate and needs all the help it can get to provide quality health care for our community. The Foundation has so many exciting events and fundraisers planned for 2022, and that means all hands on deck will be needed to make them a success! 

We have many roles to suit everyone’s schedule and skill set. For example: 

– Single day event help 
– Helping out in the office 
– Booksales & BBQ’s 
– Knitting goods for the maternity ward… and so much more 

There are many ways you can help, as a one-off or ongoing. We appreciate any time you can spare, and you can rest assured that you will have lots of fun working alongside our fabulous team! For more information please contact hello@whf.org.au. 

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