Page 1355 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
night raised funds for the new Ronald McDonald House which is being established in Canberra.
Almost two million Australians have been helped, or know somebody who has been helped, by Ronald McDonald House’s charities. The Ronald McDonald House program has provided a home away from home for over 75,000 seriously ill children and their families. This ball was just one of the many fundraising opportunities that allow families to be helped by the charity.
Childhood illnesses can have a devastating effect on families. On top of all the fear and uncertainty there comes the practicalities of managing the family when a child is in hospital, often for extended periods of time. In big countries such as Australia specialist care may be a long way away from home. Many families simply cannot afford to stay in hotels while their children receive treatment.
We certainly had a poignant example from a father on the night who told us the assistance he received. Ronald McDonald houses are the cornerstone program of Ronald McDonald House charities and are a home away from home for families with seriously ill children undergoing treatment. The houses provide a low cost home away from home that give families somewhere more comfortable to stay than a hospital waiting room.
The house that is being established in Canberra will be located on the second level in the new women’s and children’s hospital at the Canberra Hospital. It will encompass 11 guest rooms with en suites, communal kitchen, a lounge, dining rooms, a playroom and laundry facilities. Funds raised on the night will ensure that the new house offers families a home away from home where they can stay together as a unit during what is an incredibly tough time.
The night would not have been a success without the very generous sponsors who contributed to a fantastic number of high quality auction items that are simply too numerous to mention. However, one that does need mention is the very generous donation of an Audi A5 valued at $100,000 by the Audi Centre Canberra.
The entertainment on the night was without parallel. It was fantastic and culminated with an 80s cover band that I admit Fleur and I were dancing away to—and I noticed that Vicki and Lyle were out there as well along with many other notable Canberrans—until late into the night. My wife, Fleur, described it as the best ball she has been to, and I had to agree.
I would like to congratulate all who were involved, including the ball committee, which was made up of Ben Stockbridge, the ball president; Emma Stockbridge, the ball secretary; Mal Cleelman, the ball treasurer; and also Con Kourpanidis, Hani Sidaros, Craig Coleman, Ivan Slavich, Richard Rolfe, Eoghan O’Byrne, Narelle Casey, Belinda Hedley, and Marnie Bellbowen. The subcommittee members were Karen Byron, Belinda Chamberlain, Fiona Coleman, Alex Galland, Belinda Hedley, Jacqui Larkham, Heidi McCullough, Karen Sarris and Sue Service.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video