Hospital foundation racks up $11.2m for sick children

The Children’s Hospital Foundation has completed a successful year that saw $11.2 million invested into direct help for sick children and young people across Queensland.

Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Lyndsey Rice (centre) says community support remains strong.

Queenslanders are a generous bunch when it comes to helping ill children.

The Children’s Hospital Foundation has completed a successful year that saw $11.2 million invested into direct assistance for sick children and young people.

The foundation’s just released annual report reveals funding for new services for children living with rare diseases, pediatric research and parental support.

An initial $400,000 was provided to establish the Queensland Children’s Hospital ACTION Centre, in collaboration with Children’s Health Queensland.

The centre will include advanced therapies and clinical trials for children living with rare diseases and complex illnesses, leading to potentially life-changing treatments.

Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Lyndsey Rice.

After a two-year hiatus, the Mary McConnel Career Boost Program was reinstated in 2023-24 to provide financial support to women in pediatric research in the pre-PHD through to early and mid-stages of their careers.

More than $2.19 million also was invested to support services and programs at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, which supported 127,350 interactions with patients and families. Programs and services included free meals, bravery beads, craft packs and Cuddle Carers.

Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Lyndsey Rice says the organisation is powered by a generous community who believe “that every child should have every chance to thrive.” “Nearly 40 years since its establishment, the foundation continues to make a significant impact for Queensland kids, investing more than $256 million in advancements in pediatric healthcare since its inception,” says Rice.

Big rigs beckon

It’s never too late to change careers, with two Darling Downs women swapping jobs in hairdressing and veterinary care to work at the New Acland Mine.

Jodi Keane-Venz, a former hairdresser and teacher, and Ella Graham, a former vet nurse, started work at the coal operations near Oakey in August.

The duo is part of a new-to-industry intake, which required no prior knowledge of the mining industry. Keane-Venz, an Oakey based hairdresser for the past 30 years jumped at the opportunity to swap the scissors of the salon to train as a machine operator at the mine.

“My husband and sons have worked in the mining industry for years, but it was never a career I considered until recently,” Keane-Venz says.

Jodi Keane-Venz has started work at New Acland Coal.

“As an operator, I now control some of the biggest machines and drive some of the largest vehicles on site. It’s very different to the hair salon. I have spent the past four decades living and working in Oakey. I’m proud of this community and the valuable role the mine plays.”

Graham traded in the stethoscope for a career as an operator, driving some of New Acland Coal’s largest vehicles, including its fleet of CAT haul trucks. “I spent three years as a vet nurse before taking on the operator role at New Acland Mine,” Graham says.

New Acland Mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer says New Hope Group received more than 1,000 expressions of interest for the new-to-industry roles.

“Jodi and Ella, along with the recent intake of new starters will play an important role in ensuring safe coal production and delivery, with trainees working both days and nights on site,” O’Dwyer says “No prior mining experience was necessary to be considered for the roles, with Jodi, Ella and their new colleagues all receiving comprehensive training.”

Originally published as Hospital foundation racks up $11.2m for sick children