Katie Rose Cottage Hospice at Doonan recently received a $1.5m grant from the federal government and, according to board chairperson, Carol Raye, “We are now confident this will take care of the waiting list we often have here.”
She told Noosa Today, “We’re thrilled with the recognition of our service and the grant will enable us to offer to the community two more palliative care rooms to the three we currently have.
“In addition to the new rooms and renovation to the garage, we will be able to add a much-needed administration office plus more storage areas. Work is due to start later this year.”
The Doonan hospice is known as — “a happy place, where sad things happen”.
It is regarded with warmth and affection by the Noosa and Sunshine Coast community as a tranquil haven where people can finish their days with dignity, peace and in a circle of love with their family and friends.
Carol said: “The new extensions and services, however, bring with them a vital need for funds to operate the extended service and we are asking the community to continue to support us.”
The hospice has launched an end of financial year appeal for donations to offset the increase in running costs which will come with the expansion.
There is no charge for this compassionate service and only about 20 per cent of the funds it needs is received from the State Government. The other 80 per cent is from local people who appreciate and admire what Katie Rose represents.
Shortly, Katie Rose will introduce a home palliative care outreach service. This will operate on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast and service people from Peregian, Coolum, Noosa and Eumundi—in fact, the whole northern end of the Sunshine Coast.
The hospice is working with Queensland Health to provide the service which, initially, will look after 10 people a day who need end of life care. The move to palliative home care is a significant undertaking as it means more nurses, supply vehicles, mobile IT and software, as well as clinical care kits that are placed in vehicles.
The logo of the hospice is the little Forget Me Not flower and it will be the theme of a gala event at Alba by Kuravita at Noosa Heads on 18 June. The event is just one of the vital fundraising activities the hospice has planned for this year— activities like fashion parades, raffles, market stalls and the like, plus the daily efforts of the many volunteers across four op shops on the Coast
Said Carol: “As we approach the end of the financial year, we are asking people to please take a moment to reflect on your year and consider supporting the continued success of Katie Rose Hospice with a tax-deductible donation. We will always need your help.”
This year Katie Rose would have been a 17-year-old Sunshine Coast young adult, enjoying her family, texting her friends and thinking with enthusiasm about the future.
Sadly, it was never to be as Katie was born “sleeping” and her name was graciously given to the first Katie Rose Cottage by her mother, a palliative care nurse, who also started it.
Her legacy lives on, however.
The new Katie Rose Cottage hospice in Doonan is now in its sixth year and considered a well-run, fully accredited and much-loved hospice.
Carol added: “The biggest credit goes to Noosa and the wider community without whom this could not have happened. Everyone should be very proud of what it has helped to achieve. Katie Rose hospice is indeed one of a kind.
“Please visit our website at katierosecottage.org.au to find out how you can volunteer, information on our upcoming events, or make a tax deductible donation.”
