Community & Business
3 July, 2024
Care Pittsworth’s legacy will live on
After announcing its closure last month, Care Pittsworth volunteers and supporters gathered on Saturday at Bottlebrush Café for a ‘thank you’ afternoon tea.
Care Pittsworth formed in early 2016 as a subcommittee of the Beauaraba Living Auxiliary, after the local Cancer Council branch closed.
The group has been well known in the community for lending out various pieces of mobility equipment to the public such as electronic/transportable hospital beds,
electronic lift chairs, wheelchairs, wheelie walks, shower chairs, and more.
The group attributes its dissolution to the increases in regulatory ruling and insurance requirements needed to continue lending products to the community.
Over the years, founding members and office bearers Rhonda Harris, Angela Scott, Judy Krieg and Marcia Hanlon recruited a number of other volunteers, and have been instrumental in maintaining the group’s services to the community.
Care Pittsworth has successfully assisted in the provision of palliative care equipment for the community, shown care and support in a confidential manner to family and friends of the terminally ill, visited and supplied pamper packs and offered assistance and support to carers and patients over the years.
The group leaves behind palliative care equipment such as palliative care chairs, syringe drivers, and other equipment to the value of $54,000.
Over $7000 had been donated to Care Pittsworth’s Care Room, and over $46,000 to Beauaraba Living – all received through Care Pittsworth.
Throughout the years, the group contributed to the Palliative Care Suite in Athol (wing), which will continue to be funded and maintained by the Beauaraba Living Auxiliary for the community.
Another contribution was
the Reflection Room in Yarranlea (another wing), which was furnished and is open to the residents, families and the wider community.
Brenda Prentice from the choral group Take Note expressed her sadness at seeing the group dissolve.
Take Note hosted concerts over the years as a fundraiser for Care Pittsworth.
Carol Shipley from the Lions Club and Cassandra Thomas-Ryland from LifeFlight Rescue were in attendance on Saturday.
Beauaraba Living CEO Alex Metcalf sent an apology for his absence.
Executive Assistant of Chief Executive Officer and Director of Care Services, Kathleen Hanley, expressed a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who contributed over the years, in a small or big way.
“We thank Beauaraba Living Auxiliary Care Pittsworth for their hard work during the time of their operation,” Mrs Hanley said.
Beauaraba Living board chairman Wayne Saal was also present, and highlighted the difficulties faced in deciding to wind down the operations of Care Pittsworth.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been pushed to be more compliant,” Mr Saal said.
“The government levels that we’re up against make it very difficult if there’s a perceived risk out there with some of the work that’s been done.
“On the positive side, like Kate [Kathleen] has said, the funds raised will end up back in the Auxiliary account. Over time they’ll be used for palliative care, and whether it’s the local doctors who have a perceived need that they want to help support somebody, we’re only too willing to do, because we’re part of the community as well. That’s what Beauaraba is – it’s a community facility.
“The ladies here have been the unsung heroes.
“They’ve helped steer the ship. I thank the ladies for their efforts over the years,” Mr Saal said.
Although Care Pittsworth has officially dissolved, the legacy of its contributions will continue to benefit the community through the continuation of palliative care services.
