Elsie’s Retreat Project: Golf day raises $20K for palliative care unit
More than 100 people dug out their golf clubs and helped raise a massive amount for the new Central Coast palliative care unit. The end result is unbelievable.
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A fundraising golf day in Wyong has managed to raise a whopping $20,000 for the Central Coast’s new palliative care unit.
ClubsNSW Central Coast Region hosted the event at Wyong Golf Club on May 7 with all proceeds donated to the Elsie’s Retreat Project, which opened at Gosford Hospital in April.
Around 114 people teed off early in the morning with the event including several fundraising events across the day.
The Ettalong Diggers team won the event.
Elsie’s Retreat Project’s Oana McBride said the event was “incredible”.
“The generosity is so appreciated,” she said.
Ms McBride said the funds will be used towards equipment and education for nurses within the Central Coast Local Health District to assist with palliative care, both in hospital and in-home care situations.
“I was truly gobsmacked when the total raised was revealed,” she said.
“The funds have come at a critical time for us to enable us to move forward with the next phase for Elsie’s Retreat Project.”
Chair of Clubs NSW Central Coast Region committee Phil Walker said: “It’s encouraging to see this level of support from our local clubs towards such an excellent local facility".
"I applaud all those involved and those who contributed towards such a fantastic result.”
Sponsors included Wyong Leagues Club, North Construction, Gosford RSL, Ettalong Diggers, Sharp DS Central Coast, Lion, CUB and Vintage House Wines.
EARLIER
Thank you Elsie: First palliative care unit opens
On April 14, 2021
It’s all started with a “pushy” registered nurse who had a dream.
In her final days, Elsie Green had a vision of a dedicated palliative care unit on the Central Coast where people could die with dignity – a place that would have a homelike feel and allow families to be together.
When Mrs Green died, she passed her dream onto Oana McBride and the campaign for Elsie’s Project, also known as Elsie’s Retreat, was launched through The Lions Club of Wyoming/East Gosford Centennial.
On Wednesday, the Elsie’s Project unit was officially opened in the former maternity unit of Gosford Hospital with the help of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
It is a 10 bed unit, with room for expansion, featuring a family lounge area, children’s room, outside deck and “cuddle beds” which are big enough for the whole family.
Ms McBride fought back tears as she expressed how happy the Elsie’s Project team are to see the unit open after eight years of campaigning.
“What a dream,” she said. “Elsie was a pushy registered nurse that had a few months to live and she made me promise to make this happen. She was so passionate about palliative care and would be so very proud that it has actually happened.”
Ms McBride paid tribute to the Elsie’s Project team of Margaret Pearce, Peter Hurley and Judy Maudsley and said the unit at Gosford Hospital, with a team of 20 staff, was the best scenario.
“It’s near everything, it’s a safe place and Gosford Hospital is just wonderful,” she said.
“The cuddle beds allow family members to stay the night and be with their family members. This unit has a different feel to a general ward.
“This will change the lives of so many people and also the narrative of palliative care. We will make palliative care a term that isn’t scary, but natural and a part of life.”
Ms Berejiklian, who wore an orange scarf previously given to her by the Elsie's Project team, described them as a phenomenal organisation.
“The dream became a vision became a reality,” she said.
“It’s important residents know they have a choice … they don’t have to stress and worry about end of life care.”
Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said in his six years serving the community he hasn’t had a prouder moment than seeing this facility delivered.
He described the Elsie’s Project team as the “orange army” and praised them for their patience, tenacity and passion.
“The dream of a palliative care unit has become a reality thanks to the years of campaigning and fundraising by the orange army of Elsie’s Retreat volunteers as well as support from local businesses, the Central Coast Local Health District and the NSW Government,” Mr Crouch said.
“For the first time ever people have a choice in how their palliative care needs are met. This facility has exceeded my expectations.”
The Elsie’s Retreat campaign has been ongoing for eight years, however the team has never given up hope.
The campaigned gained momentum in late 2018 when terminally ill Woy Woy midwife Anna Edgell called for people to support the campaign just days before she died.
The 38-year-old mum spread the message that palliative care was worth fighting for … and worth dying for.
The community has already supported the unit with quilts donated by local artists, artwork donated Ken Duncan Gallery and pot plants by Mitre 10 Kincumber. The Erina Heights Garden Club is also pitching in to assemble a garden wall for the facility.
The State Government has committed $3 million in recurrent funding for 20 additional full-time equivalent staff to work in the unit which has undergone a $400,000 transformation.
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