Last-minute donations have helped keep the doors of a palliative care facility open in regional Queensland after fierce community outcry.
The Fraser Coast Hospice, a free end-of-life care facility, announced last month it would enter voluntary administration on June 10.
Board chairperson Ross Zelow said on Wednesday the decision was reversed after the facility received “generous” donations totalling $360,000 from two corporations in Hervey Bay.
The Hervey Bay Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank last week made a $240,000 commitment over two years and a second private donation of $120,000 was announced by the board on Tuesday.
Ross Zelow says donations saved the hospice from entering voluntary administration. (Supplied: Fraser Coast Hospice)
“I don’t think I can express how valuable it has been, receiving massive overwhelming support from the community,” Mr Zelow said.
But he warned the hospice was “not out of the woods yet”.
“We will… [have] open arms to people or businesses who want to come on board so we can look at creative ways to obtain a viable future for the facility,” Mr Zelow said.
The six-bed residential hospice, located about 300 kilometres north of Brisbane, is the only facility of its kind in the region providing free end-of-life care for residents but it needs $60,000 per month, or $720,000 annually to cover operational costs.
The Fraser Coast Hospice has narrowly avoided voluntary administration. (ABC Wide Bay: Olivia Nunes-Malek)
‘Fantastic news’
Hervey Bay resident Mikaela Dreger was concerned about the hospice’s potential closure after her mother, Victoria, died of breast cancer in January last year.
She said the centre’s homely environment and caring staff made a stressful experience “a little bit more relaxing”.
“We could just kind of be present with her … we could have more time being her daughters, rather than her carers, in that time of life.”
Mikaela Dreger (right) says the service allowed her to spend more time with her mum. (Supplied: Jessica Gunn Photography)
Ms Dreger said she was excited to learn the “necessary service” would survive.
“We are all going to die some day and I think, in that vulnerable time of your life, it’s a service that is really important for family members to have access to,” she said.
Hamish Thompson from Tasmania said the announcement was “fantastic news” for the Fraser Coast community.
“What’s really clear is how passionate people feel about it … it’s a demonstration of how important the hospice is,” he said.
Mr Thompson’s late mother, Lorna, was referred to the facility earlier this year after she received a terminal lung cancer diagnosis.
While the numerous pledges to save the facility were “super great”, Mr Thompson said more needed to be done.
Hamish Thompson (right) hopes more prospective donors step in to ensure the hospice’s long-term survival.
“The key thing now is about politicians or high-net-worth individuals coming to the aid of the hospice,” he said.
“Hopefully, it’s a marriage of the two that will keep sustainable funding coming for years to come.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the council would meet with the hospice board to discuss ways to secure vital funding.
“We have seen this outpouring of support for the hospice, which is really, really good,” Cr Seymour said.
George Seymour will meet with the board about funding endeavours. (ABC Wide Bay: Olivia Nunes-Malek)
“[But] they’ve got a big job to do and the council will be supporting them in any way we can.”
According to Mr Zelow, about 20 employees will be able to retain their positions.
The board is working to secure additional funding from prospective donors in the corporate and philanthropic sectors.
