Elli’s fund kicks off to a super start
T
he Warracknabeal community showed overwhelming support for a new Elli Martha Fund, buying more than 300 pairs of socks and making donations during a fund launch at Warracknabeal Kindergarten.
The official launch also included the unveiling of a memorial water fountain. Teacher Mick Williamson built the fountain with the support of Nadine Jenkinson as part of the fund. The fund honours the memory of five-year-old Warracknabeal student Elli Butuyuyu, who died from an aggressive brain tumour in August last year. Elli’s father Dr Franklin Butuyuyu and mother Hanna wanted to start the fund to help cover costs for families from the region with sick children, who needed to travel a distances and pay for accommodation.
Fund supporters sold specially designed ‘Elli socks’ for $10 a pair. The brightly coloured socks feature a butterfly, which signifies one of Elli’s favourite animals. Fund organiser Angie Cox said support at the launch was amazing. “I knew people would get behind the fund but I was amazed at the size of the support and the generosity of the community,” she said. “It’s just the ideal start, although we have already sold out of some sock sizes,” she said. Dr Butuyuyu, during his speech at the launch, thanked the community for supporting the fund. He was particularly grateful to a committee that helped the Butuyuyus start the fund and produce the socks. He also thanked Warracknabeal kindergarten management and Rural Northwest Health managers and board.
CHERISHED MEMORIES: The Butuyuyu family, from left, Hanna, Samuel, Dr Franklin and Noah inspect the memorial water fountain during the Elli Martha Fund launch at Warracknabeal Kindergarten. Samuel is wearing Elli socks.
Adventures in the Grampians Grampians Tourism has launched at 2015 spring campaign to attract visitors to the mountain ranges and surrounding districts. The organisation presented the My Grampians Adventure campaign, offering a range of itineraries on a new Visit Grampians website. The itinerary is based on a My Grampians Adventure theme, encouraging visitors to explore the region using an adventure experience. Grampians Tourism chief executive Will Flamsteed said My Grampians Adventure was about exploring a sense of adventure while recognising that adventure meant something different to everyone, “An adventure to one person can be a thrill-seeking experi-
ence such as abseiling, hiking or rock-climbing and yet to someone else it can mean a new food and wine experience or a weekend of yoga,” he said. “My Grampians Adventure incorporates all the exciting adventure experiences visitors can expect from our unique region in spring.” Visitors can include Space to Breathe, Grampians Peaks Trail, No Limits, Escape and Culture, Bring the Kids, Wildlife Encounters, Recharge and Rejuvenate, Nature Inspires Art, Indulge and On the Menu. Travel writer, television presenter and former Miss Australia Caroline ‘MissAdventure’ Pemberton has joined Grampians Tourism as ambassador for the next 12 months. Partnering with out-
door-clothing brand Icebreaker Merino My Grampians Adventure is running a competition where participants can create their own Grampians adventure itinerary from the adventure experiences on the Visit Grampians website. Participants can add their own accommodation and activity elements. To go in the draw to win a weekly prize from Icebreaker Merino and the major prize of an iPhone 6 Plus, entrants must create and share their Grampians adventure on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram during spring using hashtags #grampians and #IBLayerMe and tag @icebreakernz.
“Following Ellie’s departure to be with Christ, we realise this collection and whatever we could raise should be used to create a fund for assistance to families in this region who need to access medical care,” Dr Butuyuyu said. “A fund from us as a community to show that someone cares and we’ve got each other, and as a lasting memory to the happy vibrant social loving child Elli was. “The Elli Martha fund is now a community-driven charity. “It is a social fund with trustees that include our family, a community member, each of Warracknabeal’s primary school principals, and RNH representatives including the chief executive, administration worker, social worker and a board member. They will be responsible for allocating money. For transparency, the account is controlled by the hospital’s finance department.”
FIVE-DAY forecast
Dr Butuyuyu said the help offered to families – although not exhaustive – would forever be a reminder to all as a community that they care about each other. “This will include and not be limited to fuel vouchers, grocery vouchers and payment for accommodation with no minimum or maximum amount per family,” he said. “That will be based on the available money and the professional judgment of the social worker, counsellor, cancer-resource nurse, school principals and family need at the time of application. The maternal child health nurse will also be involved.” Anyone aware of any family needing to use the Elli Martha fund can contact the fund via email at ellimartha@rnh.net. au. People can also order socks or make donations to the fund by emailing ellimartha@rnh. net.au.
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Fashion parade to celebrate 90 years Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a spring fashion parade and finger food lunch on Tuesday. Patrons will pay $20 to attend the event, which will be at 10am at Horsham’s Lutheran Church Hall.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Horsham’s Kouture by Kaz and Katies will supply fashions for the parade. Tickets are available only from Horsham Undercover next to Horsham Post Office. People seeking more information can call Helen Hounsell on 0432 218 262.
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