One of Wishlist’s longest supporters has answered the call to sponsor a room in the charity’s most eagerly awaited project in their 24-year history.
Local builder Tony Bryan, from Ausmar Homes, has been supporting Wishlist for more than 10 years and knows just how important access to medical equipment is after his own daughter required lifesaving surgery at just six weeks old.
Living in Ballarat at the time, Mr Bryan recalled the fear he and wife Jackie had of handing over their first-born, Carly, to the surgeon.
“At about six weeks old she started having kidney infections and issues. I had to take her to the surgery. To hand over your six-week-old, first child you’ve ever had, to a doctor in the surgery was heartbreaking,” Mr Bryan said.
“I remember thinking if you haven’t got the best equipment in the world, we are all in deep strife here. They operated on her and repaired her kidney. She went in a couple of months later to have a second operation and that fixed her. She is now perfectly healthy and 24 years old.”
Mr Bryan through Ausmar Homes is continuing his unwavering support of Wishlist by donating $25,000 towards one of 18 rooms in the four-level Wishlist Centre – an Australian-first facility being built opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to benefit patients and families.
Ausmar Homes will also drive the fit-out of the 18 rooms inside Wishlist Centre through the 2022 ‘The House The Coast Built’ project kicking off in March.
Mr Bryan is calling on local tradies to chip in to help with tiling, painting, carpentry skills and flooring to ensure Wishlist Centre can open in July. Interested parties can log onto wishlist.org.au and submit their details.
Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said since 2011, Ausmar Homes have delivered three ‘The House the Coast Built’ projects, two of which were auctioned off to fund the charity’s ‘wish list’ items.
“The first house in 2011 helped purchase ophthalmology equipment for Caloundra Health Service. This equipment has changed the lives of thousands of locals and they have enjoyed access to state-of-the-art treatment right here on the Coast without the inconvenience of travelling to Brisbane,” Ms Rowe said.
“In 2016, $262,692 from a second house helped establish the local Clown Doctor service and continue music and pet therapy in the Children’s Ward, as well as staff education and medical equipment.
“In 2020, Ausmar built a custom six-bedroom “home away from home” in Birtinya to provide emergency hospital accommodation to families needing to be close to their loved ones.”
Mr Bryan said he had an interest in what Wishlist were doing purely because of his family’s experience when Carly was a newborn.
“We were wanting to be involved in a local charity that lightened the load financially and emotionally for families experiencing a health crisis. Every single cent that Wishlist raise, I always know it is going to the best possible cause,” he added.
“For Ausmar Homes it was an easy decision to offer the $25,000 donation, and I know Wishlist is still looking for more local businesses to jump onboard and be part of the legacy.”
Wishlist Centre will be the nation’s first facility to offer affordable patient accommodation, primary healthcare and complementary therapies under one roof.
Be part of the legacy by donating a Virtual Brick or become a Room Donor. In doing so, you’ll be acknowledged forever within Wishlist Centre. Find out more at wishlist.org.au.
