Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien last week announced the Australian Government would fund a $1.5 million extension to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, at a morning tea at the Doonan facility, that provides palliative care to people in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
The funding will be used to construct two additional bedrooms, a quiet room, and an administration and storage area.
“This grant means that Katie Rose Cottage Hospice will be able to offer end of life care to an extra 40 people and their families each year,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It’s a very worthwhile investment for the Noosa community, for people who require palliative care.”
Mr O’Brien spoke of his association with Katie Rose Hospice and his own experience of palliative care.
“My adult life kicked off caring for a terminally ill mum when I was 15 so I understand what palliative care is about,” he said.
“I remember those tasks that had to be done and I remember when I was a kid doing that, nursing my mum at home. Someone said to me, Llew, this is tough but later on when you’re a man you’ll look in the mirror when you’re having a shave in the morning and you’ll be content with the man looking back at you. And it’s true. And I think about palliative care more generally, as a society, it applies – how we treat those people and how we care for those people at end of life speaks to who we are. It’s so important what we do.
“My journey with Katie Rose kicked off not long after I was elected in 2017 when (former chair) Carol (Raye) came to see me. We tried to get funding back then, unsuccessfully. We kept trying. Back in 2021 we had that conversation about a plan for the future, that involved this extension.
“I went to Canberra and banged on a few desks, ended up getting the money through the community development grant process. We succeeded. Then we had to make sure that that commitment was fulfilled by the next government, and we did, and I pay tribute to the current government for following through.
“I pay tribute to former Katie Rose Cottage Hospice Chair Carol Raye, current Chair Les Godwin, other Katie Rose Board members, CEO John Gabrielson, and the whole team for bringing this project forward and we all look forward to their vision becoming a reality to offer the quality care and support that the hospice is renowned for.
“Katie Rose Cottage Hospice is a treasured place of peace, tranquillity, and serenity, providing dedicated, professional, fully accredited and compassionate care, in a comfortable home environment.
“Upon entering the hospice, you know you are in a warm and welcoming place. Everyone here invests their time, skills, and energy to give personalised, respectful and supportive end of life care, including by providing direct care, cooking and cleaning, and maintaining and creating new spaces to relax in the beautiful landscaped gardens.
“This organisation wouldn’t exist without the volunteers giving of themselves. You are the true heroes, champions of what happens here. You support people in the hardest time, most difficult time with such a professional, loving service. You improve lives, change lives, change the lives of those families. turn an experience that could be one of great hardship and make it a bit easier, and I thank you.”
Mayor Clare Stewart praised the efforts of Mr O’Brien in obtaining funding and the efforts of Katie Rose staff and volunteers.
“It’s not easy to get government funding and it’s certainly not easy when you’re not in government. This 1.5 million is a huge testament to your courage, tenacity your never say never drive because so much of this is up to you,” she said.
Cr Stewart said when she glanced through the testimonials left by former guests and family members three words stood out – “love, care, compassion – these words jumped off the page – that’s what Katie Rose is very much about”.
Katie Rose Cottage was established in 2016 as a community driven, not for profit palliative care service. Since then, it has provided care to more than 300 terminally ill patients.
Work will commence shortly on the project and is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
“This investment will have a lasting impact on the lives of those facing end-of-life, as well as their families and support networks,” Mr Godwin said.
“With this government support, we can provide enhanced care, comfort, and support, ensuring that every guest receives the dignity, compassion, and respect they deserve.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank local companies Campbell Constructions, Greyspace, JFP, and our architect Phil Tait who have been working hard alongside us to help us reach this point.
“Special thanks must also go to the Warm Handshake Foundation who donated the property in 2017. Without their generosity, Katie Rose Cottage would never have come about.”
Peter and Marelyn (Mac) Williams, founders of the Warm Handshake Foundation, who donated their Doonan property to become Katie Rose Hospice, last week said they were satisfied with the hospice it had become.
“It’s been so worthwhile. It’s met our expectations. We’re very happy with it. We’ve seen it develop,” they said.
Mac said their own experiences with palliative care influenced their decision to donate their property.
Peter’s mother lived with them for 3-4 years. She had full time nursing care. The couple said when she passed away they were overseas and their son who was 13 years of age at the time was the first to find her and had to deal with the situation.
A few years later, a friend of their son was dying. So he wouldn’t alone their son along with other of his friends moved into the house so the youth wouldn’t be alone.
“We know how much care it takes to look after one person,” Mac said. “This is the first hospice in Queensland not connected to a hospital. This doesn’t have a hospital feeling,” Peter said.
Over the years the couple have been approached by family members of hospice guests who remember their experience at Katie Rose and the care and love provided and thank them. “Those feelings are still there,” Mac said.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve done,” Peter said.
The family member of a Katie Rose guest said: “This government funding is a lifeline for families like ours. It means that more people facing the end of life will have access to the exceptional care and support provided by Katie Rose Cottage Hospice. We are incredibly grateful for this investment, as it will make a profound difference to the lives of countless individuals and families in the future.”
The Hospice is a fully-accredited, not-for-profit, 24/7 palliative care service providing for those in our community facing a terminal illness.
