meaningful impact on those in our care.
In just two years, we have contributed over $200,000 in essential equipment across various facilities. This includes renovations to the Giovanni Chapel and new equipment for the Palliative Care ward at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane, bariatric seating and support for multiple wards at Northside, and critical care tools such as a blanket warmer and vein finder at Toowoomba. St Vincent’s Care facilities have also benefited, with new seating, a dementia storyboard table, and music therapy support implemented across several locations.
One of our most significant initiatives has been the Elizabeth Fraser Education Scholarships, which have provided 47 opportunities for staff to enhance their professional skills. These scholarships have supported attendance at conferences, further education, and specialised training in areas such as diabetes care, maternity support, and dementia treatment, all of which directly enhance the quality of care provided to patients and residents.
For all our early success, it truly takes a community, and I would like to thank my fellow Board members Sr Clare Nolan rsc, Anne Cross AM, and Kate Simpson for their unwavering dedication and sage advice. We also honour the work of former Board member Dr Jackie Huggins AM, whose contributions have been invaluable to our cause. Our deep gratitude goes to our CEOs, Lincoln Hopper, Oli Steele, and Kathryn McKeefry, whose support has been instrumental. Special thanks to Janifer Willis, Prue Densley, and Jenny Foxton, as well as our committed Foundation staff, Greg Potent and Anri Herholdt. Your commitment and determination are inspiring—and with your continued passion, we can look forward to even greater achievements together. Thank you for all you do to advance our mission to continue the great work of the Sisters of Charity.
But most importantly we extend our deepest gratitude to our 788 supporters whose generous donations, fundraising efforts, and planned bequests have made this progress possible. As we approach the milestone of raising over $1,000,000 in 2025, we remain focussed on meeting the evolving needs of our hospitals and care facilities. With continued community support, we can ensure that St Vincent’s will provide better and fairer care, always.
Dr Michael E. Drew Board Chair St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland
One of our most impactful initiatives has been the Elizabeth Fraser Education Scholarships, named in honour of Mrs. Elizabeth Fraser. Over the past two years, these scholarships have funded 47 opportunities for our staff to enhance their skills and improve patient and resident care.
Technology in Aged Care
Technology is a critical component of our world today. From communication to manufacturing and most importantly in healthcare, it continues to make an enormous impact on our lives. St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland supports our Aged Care residents in their pursuit of new technology to help improve their daily lives.
Our aged care residents enjoy video games just as much as the kids! Thanks to the fundraising efforts of St Laurence’s College during their 2023 Walkathon, our Kangaroo Point home received a dementia storyboard—an interactive game console designed to stimulate the minds of residents with dementia. During the year, students returned with their Principal, Mr. Ben Lowrie, to join residents in playing games on the console, and everyone had a fantastic time. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from St Laurence’s College and the positive impact it has on the wellbeing of our residents!
Thanks to the generous support from Carina Leagues Club, St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland has enabled the purchase of Virtual Reality (VR) equipment for our residents at St Vincent’s Care Carina. This funding has opened the door to immersive VR experiences, allowing residents to virtually explore new and distant places or revisit familiar locations. These virtual activities have greatly enhanced their cognitive and emotional well-being, fostering social engagement, relaxation, and mental stimulation. By reducing isolation, VR is contributing to a better quality of life for our residents. We are deeply grateful to Carina Leagues Club for help in making this transformative opportunity possible.
St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland | Second Year Review
Community Events
Elsie’s Gift
Peter and Caitlin Berghofer were grateful for the empathetic care they received from St Vincent’s Hospital in Toowoomba following the passing of their beloved “Little Kooka”, Elsie May and wished to give back as a way of saying thank you for helping them in the midst of their immense loss. With the assistance of St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland, a fundraiser to ensure Elsie’s legacy is preserved was created. More than $18,000 has been raised towards the St Vincent’s Maternity Ward for staff to continually provide the level of care that Peter and Caitlin experienced and to help other families in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs who must endure the heartbreak of stillbirth or neonatal death.
Songs & Scones
St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s Palliative Care team focuses on enhancing the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses, providing compassionate, holistic care both at home and in the hospital. In October 2023, counsellor Jennifer Tucker, from the Palliative Patient and Family Support Team, organised a “Songs & Scones” High Tea to raise funds for the team. Held at a historic venue on the Brisbane River, the event attracted 65 attendees who enjoyed Jennifer’s musical talents and a talk on palliative care. Thanks to raffle donations and community support, over $5,000 was raised. Events like this not only raise funds but also build awareness for St Vincent’s important work.
Going Pink on the Greens
In October 2023, Club Chermside hosted their annual Pink Day, raising an impressive $16,265 for the McGrath Foundation and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside. The event, filled with laughter and a sea of pink on the bowling greens, exceeded its fundraising goal, highlighting the significant contributions community clubs make to local causes. Venue Manager Melanie Jennings thanked everyone involved, from organisers to donors, and encouraged future participation. If your community club is interested in hosting a fundraising event for St Vincent’s Hospitals or aged care facilities, please reach out for support.
ST VINCENT’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL BRISBANE
• Renovations of the Giovanni Chapel
• Reclining chairs for the Palliative Care ward
• A new hospital bed
• A new patient trolley
ST VINCENT’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL NORTHSIDE
• Bariatric reclining chair
• Assorted walking aids
• Support for the Oncology Ward, Cardiac Ward, and ICU
ST VINCENT’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL TOOWOOMBA
• Blanket warmer
• Vein finder
ST VINCENT’S CARE
• New seating at SVC Carseldine
• Dementia storyboard table for SVC Kangaroo Point
• Support for a Virtual Reality program at SVC Carina
• A piano for music therapy at SVC Boondall
• Bingo prizes at SVC Bronte
Patricia Colbran
QUEENSLAND SILVER SUPPORTER:
Lawrence Di Bartolo
Kevin Heenan
Anthony Coyne & Maureen Evans & Families
Case McCaul
David & Eileen Cilento
Anton Brown
Lynette Davis
Richard Lamprecht
Marguerite Ryan AM
Jennifer Tucker
Patricia Zale and Deb Wark
Chermside Bowls Club
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside Cardiac Ward
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside Volunteers
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba Cancer Care Committee
ESTATES & TRUSTS:
The Klavikoski Perpetual Charitable Trust
Betty Hammerton Trust
Queensland Gives
Perpetual Philanthropic Service
THE ESTATE OF THE LATE:
Estate of the late Elizabeth Fraser
Estate of the late Margaret Baker-Genovesi
Estate of the late Julie Thomas
Estate of the late Jessie Deery
Estate of the late Norma June Walker
Estate of late Marie Alice Cruice
Estate of the late Madeleine Mary Therese Ansford
Estate of late Joan Atkinson
Estate of the late Marion Norma Shaw
To discuss ways you can help support the work of St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland and continue our mission of care and compassion into the future, please contact our Foundation Manager, Gregory Potent to discuss.
Mobile: 0479 187 610
Email: gregory.potent@svha.org.au
Gregory Potent Foundation Manager
St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland
