Sharpie’s Charity Challenge 20 March 2010
Sharpie’s Charity Challenge was started in 2005 raising $1,500 and has grown every year since then. They are crazy challenges every year and last year Josh completed a modified half ironman (3km/80km/10km) in under 5
hours. The funds he raised bought an ECG unit for Ward 5 at the Alfred. Sharpie’s Charity Challenges has now raised over $30,000 in 5 years and will be supporting HeartKids this year.
This year Josh will be hiking Mount Kosciuszko to the peak (TWICE) in one day. You can see all his previous challenges at http://www.sharpiescharitychallenge.com.au Sharpie’s Charity Challenge has also now become an official foundation which Josh is very proud of making it Sharpie’s Charity Challenge Foundation (SCCF). Josh and his wife Elissa have a connection with HeartKids as their daughter Zahara who was born in December 2009 has “Tetralogy of Fallot” and requires surgery in the first half of this year.
You can donate at
http://www.sharpiescharitychallenge.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=5
The event will take place on Saturday the 20th of March 2010 at Charlottes Pass (Mount Kosciuszko).
Branch network/coffee mornings
To enable families to offer support to each other in their local community, HeartKids Victoria has established a number of branches within Victoria and Tasmania. Each branch has a co-ordinator who is happy to receive a call from you. Where possible, the co-ordinator may arrange regular coffee mornings and other support events. If a branch does not exist near your home, please contact the Support Administration Coordinator, Lynette, by phoning (03) 9333 1586 or email . She will keep your details and advise you when a local branch is formed in your area.
Why join a local branch?
- share information and experiences
- support each other
- know that you are not alone
- allow your child to grow up with other heart kids
- establish friendships with other HeartKid families
Some of our coffee mornings organised by our branches are held in play centres. The entry is free as HeartKids pays for your child and siblings to attend. Food and drinks are at your cost. Other coffee mornings are held in member’s homes or at parks.
For contact details for our local co-ordinators and for branch news, please select a branch below or click here for a summary : BRANCH_CONTACT_DETAILS_AND_NEWS_-_2010.pdf
Some of our coordinators have some news to share about their branches : –
- ALBURY/WODONGA Albury-Wodonga.news.pdf
- BALLARAT Ballarat_news.doc
- BENDIGO bendigonews.doc
- GOULBURN VALLEY Goulburn_Valley_Branch_News.pdf
- HOBART Hobart_News.pdf
- LAUNCESTON Launceston_Branch_News.pdf
- MORNINGTON PENINSULA Mornington_Peninsula_Branch_News.pdf
- TULLAMARINE Tullamarine_Branch_News.pdf
- WANTIRNA Wantirna_Branch_News.pdf
Livewire
KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS, CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION OR DISABILITY CONNECTED
Livewire Members (members.livewire.org.au) is a free, safe and fun online community for young people, aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
Livewire is an initiative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, developed to provide a safe and supportive online space where young people can hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express themselves and know that they are not alone.
Livewire has just launched Livewire Siblings
Please check out the document below for full details.
Run for the Kids 14 March 2010
There are two courses to choose from:
14.6km course Event Start time is 9.00am
The long course incorporates all of the unique features that have made it a landmark event and gives participants access to normally off-limit roads. The race starts at Kings Domain in Alexandra Avenue, right next to the Alexandra Gardens, heads over Swan Street Bridge, into Batman Avenue and through the Domain Tunnel. Coming off Bolte Bridge with its million dollar views, runners travel back into the city via Dockland along Waterfront Promenade and New Quay Promenade, a new feature of the course. Runners then turn right onto Harbour Esplanade where Channel 7 staff will be waiting at a drink station with entertainment and a special give-away item. Runners then turn left into Collins Street, right Spencer Street and cross the river again, turn left into Yarra Promenade with Crown Entertainment Complex on one side and the Yarra on the other, then down St Kilda Road via Flinders Street, past the Arts Centre and finishing in Linlithgow Avenue.
5.2km course Event Start time is 8.45am
The short course starts in Alexandra Avenue, does a circuit of the Yarra River via Birrarung Marr and Federation Square, and then down St Kilda Road, along Birdwood Avenue and u-turns back to the finish in Linlithgow Avenue.
For further details check the Run for the Kids website http://www.runforthekids.com.au
To enter please go to http://www.runforthekids.com.au/r4k/entrants01.asp and select HeartKids Victoria as your team. We will organise a meeting spot closer to the event.
Christmas party 2009
What an enjoyable day!! A visit to see the zoo animals, lovely weather, relaxing picnic lunch, icecreams, caricature drawings, magic show, games with Roar the Lion and the Roar team, raffle prizes and time spent with other HeartKid families. It was lovely to see some children dressed up in animal costume.
We would really like to thank all the people and businesses who have contributed to the success of our Christmas party.
Please view the list of thank you’s and extra photos – Newsletter_photos_and_thankyou_list.pdf
HeartKids Victoria Newsletters
Latest Edition:
Summer 2009 HKVicVolume_19-3.pdf.pdf
- Christmas Celebrations
- Ambassador Program Grows
- Celebrations, News and Events
Previous Editions:
Spring 2009 HKVicVolume19-2.pdf
- Seven New Ambassadors
- Celebrations, Events and Fundraisers
Winter 2009 HKVicVolume19-1.pdf
- Glenn Archer & David Hobson – First Ambassadors for HeartKids
- Cuppa For Kids – Fun and fundraising in July and August
Autumn 2009 HKVicVolume18-4.pdf
- Teen Camp 2009 – Heart kids from around Australia meet for a weekend together
- ‘Stick On A Smile’ – Macadamia joins in with the HeartKids Awareness campaign
Summer 2008-2009 HKVicVolume18-3.pdf
- Team Melbourne – Mega Sports Clinic promotes healthy active lifestyle
- FunFlight 2008 – Scenic joy flights, big smiles for all
Spring 2008 HKVicVolume18-2.pdf
- Royal Children’s Hospital opens Parent Precinct in Cardiac Ward
- Cuppa For HeartKids – Raising Awareness, Raising Funds
Winter 2008 HKVicVolume18-1.pdf
- Run Melbourne – ‘Do some good for yourself while you do good for others’
- Nelson Alexander – Big-hearted Real Estate Agents
Autumn 2008 HKVicVolume17-4.pdf
- Run For The Kids – Funds raised this year to assist children with heart conditions
- VECCI Charity Golf Day – HeartKids to benefit as VECCI’s Charity of Choice
Summer 2007/2008 HKVicVolume17-3.pdf
- Zippa Campaign – HeartKids Zippa Awareness Campaign being held now in the month of February
- VECCI Partnership – Launch of the new partnership featuring HeartKids as The Victoria Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) Charity of Choice
Teen newsletter HeartBeatsSummer2007-08.pdf
Childrens Magic Show 25 October 2009
The Melbourne Markets Lions Club hosted its 17th Annual “World Festival Of Magic”. HeartKid members were given tickets to this event and were able to enjoy the show.
Comments from families included :
“The show was great we really enjoyed it. Thanks to HeartKids and to the Lions Club for a wonderful experience”
“The boys had a fantastic time at the magic show yesterday. It was lovely to go out and see something as a family. My sons loved the scary bit at the start and the magician appearing in the tube. We tried to work out how they did some of the tricks but to no avail!”
Heart Conditions - Detailed information for parents
HeartKids is pleased to offer this new online resource for people wishing to know more about various heart conditions. The site includes details on tests, procedures and operations along with details on health and nutrition, exercise, schooling and adult congenital heart issues.
Heart Conditions – detailed information for parents
20 Days of Giving
As part of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation 20 Days of Giving campaign, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, in conjunction with 3AW, gave away $5,000 every weekday in July to grass roots human-focused charities nominated by listeners. HeartKids Victoria was thrilled to be the first recipients of this campaign and would like to thank those who took the time to nominate us for this wonderful campaign.
Myuna Farm Day - November 2009
HeartKid families enjoyed a fun day out at Myuna Farm on Sunday 1st November 2009, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Sunbury.
Families enjoyed a free sausage sizzle lunch, train rides & pony rides and enjoyed visiting the farm animals. Children had their faces painted with beautiful and creative designs and were delighted to have a sculptured balloon made for them by the “Pass a Parcel” team. Families were also treated to the magic tricks of Marco the Magician who generously volunteered his services.
Thanks to Myuna Farm staff and City of Casey for allowing us to hold our event at Myuna Farm and to the generous Kiwanis Club of Sunbury. Some photos appear below. There are more to come soon.
Heart kid Zeke wins Canon Creative for a Cause Competition
We are thrilled to announce that Zeke’s photo won the competition!
Scott Reinke President of HeartKids Victoria said “This is very exciting news for HeartKids Victoria; it will make such a difference to the work we are able to provide this year. Thank you to everyone who lent their support by voting for Jo’s photo; it’s just more proof that each person can make a difference. Zeke is a gorgeous boy, it is a very special photo and encapsulates so much about our special children. We will be displaying the winning photo on 7West.”
Join Livewire and you could win an iPod Touch
Livewire (livewire.org.au) is a free, safe and fun online community designed especially for young people aged over 10 and under 21 living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
Livewire is an initiative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, developed to provide a safe and supportive online space where you can hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express yourself and know that you are not alone.
At Livewire, you can:
- Chat online and meet people your age from all over Australia
- Check out the latest games
- Enter competitions and win great prizes
- Create a blog about yourself or stuff you are interested in
- Keep up with the latest news, reviews and interviews.
To become a member of Livewire today:
- Go to http://www.livewire.org.au and click on the “Join Now” button; or
- Contact the Livewire Support Team on (02) 8425 5971
Membership is free and if you join Livewire by August 28, 2009 you will go in the draw to WIN an iPod touch
Box Hill Train Day - Saturday 24th October 2009
Thanks to The Kiwanis Club of Whitehorse and to the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society, HeartKid families were treated to a free fun day out at Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway, Corner of Elgar and Belmore Roads, Box Hill North on Saturday 24th October 2009. The fun began with a sausage sizzle lunch at 12.30pm in the park, followed by an hour and a half of fun riding the miniature trains. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to chat and catch up with other HeartKid families. The weather was absolutely beautiful – we couldn’t have asked for a better day. There were smiles on the faces of the children and adults as the miniature train wound through the lovely gardens at the Railway.
Thank you to Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society for the use of the trains and to The Kiwanis Club of Whitehorse for offering the barbecue lunch and for coordinating the day.. HeartKids really appreciates their generosity.
Box Hill Train Day - Saturday 24th October 2009
Thanks to Kiwanis of Whitehorse and to the Box Hill Miniature Railway Society, HeartKid families were treated to a free fun day out at Box Hill Miniature Railway, Corner of Elgar and Belmore Roads, Box Hill North on Saturday 24th October 2009. The fun began with a sausage sizzle lunch at 12.30pm in the park, followed by an hour and a half of fun riding the miniature trains. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to chat and catch up with other HeartKid families. The weather was absolutely lovely – we couldn’t have asked for a better day. There were smiles on the faces of the children and adults as the miniature train whipped through the lovely gardens at the Railway.
Photo gallery coming soon.
Thank you to Box Hill Miniature Railway Society for the use of the trains and to Kiwanis of Whitehorse for offering the barbecue lunch and for coordinating the day. HeartKids really appreciates their generosity.
Candlebark Farm family camp - Friday 18th September - Sunday 20th September 2009
HeartKid families were treated to a very enjoyable weekend at Candlebark Farm, Healesville when they attended a family camp on the weekend of Friday 18th September to Sunday 20th September 2009.
The families enjoyed activities such as Super Swooper, Low Ropes course, Rock climbing, table tennis and pre-school children’s activites. On the Saturday night, our parents were able to have dinner out at the Grand Hotel in Healesville, while their children were minded and entertained back at camp.
A fun weekend for all!
Many thanks to Division 6 Kiwanis, who generously sponsored and coordinated the camp. Special thanks to our Kiwanis and HeartKids volunteers at the camp – Brian, Bruce, Ed, Jane, Michael, Shirley, Cameron, Philip, Natasha, Kathy, Kim, Warren , Steve and Margaret.
Thanks to those families who sent us photos. A special thanks to Tim Vine from Kiwanis, who took a number of the photos.
Please view our photo gallery …..Candlebark_farm_2009_photos.pdf
HeartKids inspire Mt Kilimanjaro Climb
She’s done it! After months of intensive training and fundraising, Cathy Cruse has conquered Africa’s highest peak, 5891 metre Mt Kilimanjaro and here are the photos to prove it! Cathy raised more
than $36,000 to be shared between HeartKids and Sri Lanka’s Foundation of Goodness, which is working to help the people of that country rise out of poverty.
Cathy, who with her husband David and business partner Gary Willetts owns the Knox Tavern, was inspired to tackle the climb in support of HeartKids by Gary’s granddaughter, Kiana Stanley,
who was born with multiple heart defects.
It took five days for Cathy to reach the summit, and another two days to get back down the mountain and, while it was a tough climb – particularly the final summit assault which started at midnight and took more than seven hours – Cathy says it is nothing compared with the challenges heart kids face every day of their lives.
Shepparton Picnic Day - Sunday 21st March 2010
HeartKids families, friends and extended family are invited to another day out at KidsTown Shepparton, on Sunday 21st March, 2010, commencing at 10am. The day will be co-ordinated by Division 7 Kiwanis and Cheryl Alexander, our Goulburn Valley HeartKids co-ordinator. Families will be treated to a scumptious barbecue lunch, face painting, jumping castle, train rides and use of the Kids Town play equipment. Please bring your own picnic rug and chairs.
To register for the day, please contact Cheryl on (03) 5852 4005 or email
See photos from last year :-
Deniliquin camp : 12th March - 14th March 2010
HeartKid families will soon be invited to have a relaxing time away at Four Post Camp, Deniliquin courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Deniliquin again this year, on the weekend of 12th March to 14th March 2010. Families will be pampered for the weekend, receiving free accommodation, access to the camp facilities, meals provided by Kiwanis, as well as a night out at the RSL Club in Deniliquin, while the Kiwanis members look after their children. Families will enjoy facilities such as rock climbing, fishing, swimming and mini golf. Thank you so much to the members of the Kiwanis Club of Deniliquin for offering our members such an enjoyable weekend away. Further details will be in the next newsletter – Summer edition.
Photos from last year : –
deniliquin_camp_photo_gallery.pdf
Watershed Wines Special Offer
Watershed Wines from the Margaret River, are generously donating to HeartKids for every case of wine purchased as listed on the order form.
Includes FREE delivery!
It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up and support HeartKids at the same time.
wine_order_form1.pdf
Newsletter Spring 2008 HKVicVolume18-2.pdf
- Royal Children’s Hospital opens Parent Precinct in Cardiac Ward
- Cuppa For HeartKids – Raising Awareness, Raising Funds
2009 HeartKids Teen Camp
The 2009 HeartKids Teen Camp was recently held over the Australia Day long weekend at the Campaspe Downs Camp in Kyneton Victoria. The camp was a great success with plans already underway for the 2010 camp. This camp is a very special opportunity for teens affected by CHD to enjoy the company of others who have shared similar life journeys. To see these Teens interact, support and encourage each other was a sight to behold. Below is just a small sample of the many photos taken of the camp.
2009 HeartKids Teen Camp
Biggest User Group of RCH have concerns with New Hospital Plans
Issues raised in today’s The Age and on programs such as Jon Faine on ABC 774, regarding the level of patient care at the current and proposed RCH, mirror the concerns of the biggest user group of the RCH – children with heart disease.
Media Release 7 March 2008
Little Hearts A Focus this Valentine’s Day
All around Australia, people are thinking about Valentine’s Day on February 14 …. but for HeartKids it’s ‘Zippa Day’, a chance to celebrate a different kind of ‘affair of the heart’.
Media Release 14 February 2008
Children Give HeartKids a Hand at Christmas
This time last year, 18 month old Eli was in hospital recovering from surgery to implant a permanent pacemaker. This Sunday, 16 December, Eli will be celebrating with more than 230 other children at the HeartKids Christmas Party.
HeartKids Enjoy New RCH Ward
A visit to hospital is never much fun, but children with cardiac conditions now have a much brighter, more spacious ward to call home when they visit the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Every day six babies are born in Victoria with heart disease …….
Media Release May 2007
Surgery cancellations at RCH
It was reported in The Age newspaper on Monday 14th April, as well as on radio and television that day, an escalating problem with the cancellations of surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). We have found that normally there are about 7 surgeries cancelled each week (about 340-360 pa). However this year it is running at 16 cancellations per week (about 190), and for the first two weeks of April it was already at 30 cancellations.
The 30 surgeries that have been cancelled are due to shortage of open ICU beds. The RCH claim that this is due to a shortage of trained nurses. This statement was supported by the Premier on the day.
HeartKids knows that cancellation of surgery causes distress to children and families, and the huge difficulty in re-scheduling your life to work around rescheduled operations (especially for country families and the increasing number of interstate families that come to the RCH). HeartKids also has concerns about the medical impact of these cancellations.
As a result of this level of surgery cancellations, HeartKids has written to the State Government Ministers, State Opposition, Department of Human Services and the RCH.
HeartKids will be working on this matter actively. We believe this is an important matter for meeting today’s requirements, but also is a serious issue in relation to the new RCH.
We encourage Heartkids families to prepare themselves for the fact that they may be facing surgery cancellations, and possibly many times. If you find yourself in this position, please don’t hesitate to contact us for any assistance or advice we may be able to provide. Additionally, we recommend that members that do find themselves in this position write to their local State Member as well as the following Ministers:
Hon John Brumby, Premier, Level 1, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Hon Daniel Andrews, Minister for Health, Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Maxine Morand, Minister for Children & Early Childhood Development, Level 1, 2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Mr Ted Baillieu, Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Parliament House, Spring Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Helen Shardey, Shadow Health Minister, Suite 1/193 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North VIC 3161
Wendy Lovell, Shadow Minister Children & Early Childhood Development, 138 Welsford Street, Shepparton VIC 3630
If you would like to add your support to this issue, we encourage you to write to these Ministers.
Manchester Unity announced as Primary Foundation sponsor
At the AGM Dr O’Reilly announced that HeartKids had been selected as its sole recipient of its philanthropic support for the next 5 years. Dr O’Reilly said HeartKids had been selected because of the significant need to address children’s heart disease.
This launch was followed by another at the Grand Conference of the Manchester Unity Friendly Societies. This conference which included Oddfellow Lodges from around the country warmly received news of the partnership with many of them expressing a desire to also assist HeartKids with its work. Whilst the majority of this money will be directed to support Research, some will also be allocated to the various State Groups to support their Family Support Coordinator positions.
Pictured is Manchester Unity CEO John Brogden, HKA CEO Neil McWhannell, Daniel and Karen Sherlock and Dr Bill O’Reilly.
Neil McWhannell and Dr Bill O’Reilly
Karen Sherlock giving her moving address on how the Manchester Unity donation will help HeartKids children and families whilst Daniel waits patiently for the cheque!
St Jude Medical supporting HeartKids
The donation by St Jude Medical has come about through a pledge to make a financial donation for every Heart Valve implanted in Australian hospitals for the past three months. This donation will assist HeartKids Australia to build capacity, fund research and raise awareness for their plight. Along with awareness, the donation will be used to fund a number of exciting research projects. These projects include:
• Working on the Genetic Causes of Childhood Heart Disease.
• Minimising risks associated with Open Heart Surgery.
• Assisting in Rural and Remote areas where there is a disproportionate number of children with Heart Disease, often resulting from Rheumatic fever.
The 3 month project has been so successful St Jude has announced a further 3 months of operation of the most generous offer.
HeartKids CEO Neil McWhannell with St Jude CEO Geoff Stevens