01
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
ABOUT US
A Celebration of Life was created in 2002
by parents Chris and Sophie Clarke.
Their daughter, Madeleine, was born with a severe
case of Strep B and given only a 1% chance of survival
when admitted to the Neonatal Unit (NNU) at The Royal
Children’s Hospital, Melbourne (RCH). Maddie defied
the odds, thanks to the skill and dedication of the
Neonatal medical team and is now a beautiful and happy
big sister to brother James.
In honour of their gratitude to the NNU, A Celebration
of Life was created by Chris and Sophie to assist
specifically with the fundraising requirements of the
NNU and hopefully make possible the equipment,
resources and research that helps to make it one
of the premier NNU’s in Australia, if not the world.
The major fundraising event for the NNU is the Annual
Celebration of Life Gala Ball. Now in its ninth year, this
event has helped to raise thousands of life saving dollars
for the NNU.
Each year:
• Over 700 babies are transferred to the NNU by
the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS).
• Over 40% of the babies undergo major surgery.
• Over 300 babies receive artificial ventilation via
mechanical respirators.
• Most of the babies are seen by specialist doctors
from the many medical disciplines available only at
The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
• The highly complex paediatric investigative
services including MRI, CT scans, digital angiography,
fluoroscopy, endoscopy, electroencephalography, metabolic and laboratory tests, echocardiography
and cardiac catheter are not available at many
other hospitals.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
A Celebration of Life is recognised as a fundraising entity
for the NNU at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
and is coordinated by the RCH Foundation.
In the last decade there have been many achievements
in the care given to babies in the Royal Children’s
Hospital Neonatal Unit.
A Celebration of Life is more than just a namesake – it
is a statement of truth shared by the NNU team and all
those it exists to support today and in the future.
Some of the highlights are:
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER
NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
The Royal Children’s Hospital Neonatal Unit provides
highly specialised care to the sickest newborn infants
from all over Australia and the Pacific Islands.
It supports and treats a UNIQUE group of babies with
UNIQUE needs and is the only Unit of its kind that
can assist babies who require treatments not available
at other Neonatal Units in Victoria and in some
cases, Australia.
a rare form of cerebral aneurysm (an abnormality of
arteries and veins in and surrounding the brain) by
interventional radiology thus providing both survival
and favourable outcomes to many babies who in other
centres would have died.
High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is a
highly sophisticated form of artificial respiration in
which very sick babies are ventilated at breathing rates
of up to 900 breaths per minute. The Neonatal Unit was
the first Intensive Care Unit in Australia to introduce this
technology in 1992 and this was the result of a careful
and strategic research and training program. We now run
training courses for other intensive care Units around
the country.
We are the only intensive care unit in the country that
employs High Frequency Jet Ventilation. This technology
is a life saver for babies with the most severe forms of
lung disease.
Together with our colleagues at the Royal Melbourne
Hospital we have led the way in the management of
Our craniofacial surgeons have pioneered a form of
jaw lengthening operations for babies born with facial
abnormalities such as Pierre Robin Sequence.
This surgery has produced stunningly successful
outcomes and revolutionized the care of these conditions.
Together with our Neurology colleagues we are
investigating ways to improve the outcomes for the
sickest babies including those with Post
Haemorphragic Ventricular Dilation (commonly
occurring in very premature babies) and have pioneered
the use of MRI technology and bedside EEG monitoring
in a neonatal environment.
We provide the best outcomes in the country for
a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
This is where a baby is born with a large hole in the
diaphragm resulting in the intestines being present in
the chest thus compressing the lungs. The condition
requires the combined skills of neonatologists,
nurses, cardiologists and surgeons. Our outcomes
for this previously lethal condition are second to
none in the world. Survival of this condition provides
a normal life for these babies.
Our nursing staff has pioneered the management and
prevention of pain in sick babies and has led the way
in surgical wound care. The nursing staff is continuing
to provide the best care to sick infants round the clock
every day of the year.
We have recently appointed the first Professor of
Neonatal Nursing Research in Australia. Our Music
Therapist is looking at ways to improve the quality of
life on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the sick
babies. We provide a home apnea monitoring service
for babies who are at risk of and for their parents who
are worried about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Most of the advances over the years have been made
possible by the very strong commitment to research
and education by all members of the Neonatal Unit.
The best care of the sickest infants cannot occur without
the valuable achievements provided through research
and education.
ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
NEONATAL UNIT VISION
In order to maintain our mission and
achieve our vision we need to:
Funds raised are used by The Royal Children’s
Hospital Neonatal Unit to:
• Attract and retain the best medical nursing
and allied health professional staff.
1. Purchase and maintain essential and cutting edge equipment in order to provide the best possible care
for the babies.
• Establish world’s best practice medical and nursing care of sick newborn infants.
• Acquire and maintain essential and cutting
edge equipment.
The Neonatal Unit will become the benchmark of world’s
best practice for the care of the sickest newborn babies
and their families.
• Improve access to and availability of newborn intensive care beds.
ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
NEONATAL UNIT MISSION
• Improve the space and the environment in
the clinical areas.
The Neonatal Unit will improve the health
outcomes for newborn babies by:
• Improve the facilities for the families of
the babies.
• Providing the best and full range of tertiary
and quaternary specialist care for the sickest
babies in Australia and internationally.
• Improve and maintain the infrastructure and facilities for research.
• Providing undergraduate and postgraduate education in medical, nursing and allied
health disciplines.
• Initiating and conducting research to enhance the clinical care of our patients.
• Providing information, health promotion, resources, education and advocacy for the
families of our patients.
• Improve and maintain the infrastructure and facilities for education.
• Update and improve the Neonatal Unit website.
2. Improve the bed availability in the Neonatal Unit by providing and equipping additional intensive care cots.
3. Helps mantain the brand new Neonatal Unit which
provides world’s best facilities and environment for the
sickest babies and their families.
4. Support ongoing research and education in the Neonatal Unit.
03
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Dr Rod Hunt
Dr Rod Hunt
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2011, our 10th edition!
Special thanks to all those that have made a contribution
to the newsletter over the past six years, there would be no
newsletter without your stories or willingness to share your
NNU experience with our readers…your support in this
regard, is valued and appreciated.
We have got off to a flying start with a very busy January.
First and foremost I am very pleased to announce that we
RCH FOUNDATION
DONOR DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER’S REPORT
DONNA ARANYI
Happy New Year everybody!
Can you believe this is our 10th edition of NNU News?
I remember when we first started discussing the need for a
newsletter that would help to provide our current/past
patients and supporters informed about news and events
relating to the NNU...a concept…that first edition was
published back in 2006 and seems like such a long time
ago now….thank you to all those NNU families, staff,
sponsors and supporters that have made a contribution to
the NNU Newsletters over the years, without this support,
we would never have achieved ten editions! Nor would we
have ever gotten this project off the ground without the
invaluable support and sponsorship of DNA Artworks,
led by Director – Deborah Carter and her team including
Erin Newman and Dave Gautier. I have known Deb and
worked with her professionally for almost fifteen years and
she is one of the most kind-hearted and generous
individuals I know…her compassion and generosity are
inspiring qualities, as is her humility….thank you SO
MUCH Deb, Erin & Dave at DNA Artworks. Special thanks
also to Printhouse Group and Mailing Promotions for
their ongoing support with our printing and mail
distribution needs, you are all truly AWESOME supporters!
have recently appointed a Nurse Unit Manager – Ms
Jessica O’Dowd. Jessica has been on the Neonatal Unit in
various roles for more than 10 years. Her experience in
nursing education and newborn intensive care will equip
her well for her new position, and we welcome her as part
of the management team. Together we continue to work
hard on our plans for the move to the new hospital, now
scheduled for November 30th. This provides us with an
opportunity to review the way in which we provide care to
our patients and their families, and to contemplate how
best to deliver that care in a new hospital environment.
to begin. We have also purchased another BRM3 Brainz
monitor with monies donated via an online campaign
managed by the RCH Foundation – thank you team! We
are incredibly grateful to our donors who make the
purchases of these key pieces of equipment possible.
Unfortunately, as you may have heard, we are in the throes
of a pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic. This disease
can be lethal to infants under six months of age who have
not completed their immunisations. Previous vaccination
for infection with pertussis is not lifelong, and so we are
strongly encouraging all adults in contact with young
children to have a booster if they have not had one in the
last five years and they are not currently pregnant.
I will take this opportunity to remind everyone that we
will meet again on Thursday September 8th for our next
Annual A Celebration of Life Gala Ball at Crown preparations for which are already underway. In the
meantime I trust you are well, and I look forward to
working with you again in 2011 to ensure the best
outcomes for the babies in our care.
To further improve the care we provide, we are about to
embark upon a new Developmental Follow-up program,
which has been funded by the RCH Foundation, and I look
forward to reporting on the progress of this initiative
throughout the year.
With kindest regards,
Our new GE Vivid Q ultrasound machine purchased with
funds raised at last year’s A Celebration of Life Gala Ball is
about to arrive on the unit and training in its use is about
The NNU Newsletter provides an excellent insight into the
lives of those that share in a NNU experience. From our
parents, who find themselves on the unit with their baby,
to the staff that work there and our community partners
that work so hard to raise the funds that make “excellence”
possible, the NNU Newsletter is a bridge connecting all
those that members of our NNU Family. The feedback we
receive after each edition is always extremely positive with
many of our readers explaining how much they look forward
to receiving it and sharing it with their friends, families and
colleagues….this is testimony to all those that make a
contribution to the newsletter, we value and appreciate the
openness and honesty of those that write about their lives
in and long after their experiences in the NNU.
Our 10th edition is sure to provide some informative and
entertaining reading! We welcome Jessica O’Dowd’s first
contribution as our new Nurse Unit Manager;
congratulations Jess on your new appointment! You will
read about three of our amazing NNU patients – Jack
Gallacher, Chloe Sadler and Allison Whittle; catch up
on our major fundraising events including the 8th
Celebration of Life Gala Ball and Opera in the Roses and
read about two of our INCREDIBLY generous supporters
– Brooke Gibbon of Awesome Playgrounds and Kim
Muscat of Universal Steel.
Don’t miss the advertisement for The Iddly Widdly
Fiddly Poo, a fantastic children’s book created by talented
author Daniel Corcoran as a fundraising item in support of
the Elise Sneddon Foundation’s efforts to raise funds for
the NNU. I can personally vouch for the entertainment value
of this humorous and quirky read, my niece and nephews
LOVED their copies at Christmas time! Get yours today!
Fundraising continues to be a priority and this edition of
NNU News includes articles about the 2010 Annual A
Celebration of Life Gala Ball, which was held on
Thursday 16th September at the Palladium, Crown Casino.
Our event theme “A Celebration of Love” provided the
perfect environment for all advocates of the NNU to come
together and celebrate the very special people and work of
this incredible department of the RCH. Special thanks to
our NNU Gala Ball Event Committee led by Catherine
Dr Rod Hunt, FRACP, MMed, PhD
Director, Neonatal Medicine
Cervasio, Helen Reizer, Shereen Kiddle, Ian
Kirkwood, Craig Douglas, Jo Larsen, Marie Popple
and Lisa Slaughter who all worked so hard to ensure that
our event was such an fantastic success…there would be
no Gala Ball without you! Our heartfelt thanks to Matt &
Melissa Hetherington for their generosity and
participation as our official event hosts and through this
experience, we now welcome Matt and Melissa as
Ambassadors for the NNU at RCH. Don’t miss reading the
incredible speech made by NNU dad Shane Jacobson at
this year’s Gala and all other event happenings in this
edition of NNU News,
Opera in the Roses was another beautiful affair in
2010…Opera in the Roses Event Committee Chair, Judy
Hooper, has written a wonderful article about the event for
this edition of NNU News. Special thanks to Dame
Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE for her ongoing support as our
event Patron and for allowing us to conduct this
prestigious event in the grounds of her magnificent home
– Cruden Farm. Our sincere thanks to the Opera in the
Roses Event Committee led by Judy Hooper, Dermott
Tutty, Veronica Kastelan, Sandy Fitzsimmons,
Maxine Wain and Sheila Lamont-Stacey for their
tremendous efforts in helping to ensure another successful
event. More about this wonderful afternoon can be found
in this edition of NNU News.
I would also like to thank the many NNU families and
supporters that have recently contributed funds and
acknowledged the work of the NNU – special thanks to the
Bates Family, Grehan Family, Fazio Family,
Christophidis Family, Costantino-Whittle Families,
McLean Family and Real Entertainment &
Collectables…we are ever grateful and honoured to be
acknowledged in this way, thank you
so much!
I would also like to mention our good friends at
Strathmore Community Branch Bendigo Bank, who
visited the NNU prior to Christmas in 2010. Peter McKie,
Director and colleagues met with Dr Rod Hunt and Jess
O’Dowd to see firsthand what their support of two NICU
Cot Sponsorships made possible for the NNU. We are
UNIT MANAGER’S
REPORT
Jessica O'Dowd
Hi everyone,
In many ways it is hard to believe I am writing a report as the
new Nurse Unit Manager for the NNU. After working in a
temporary position to cover the role from mid October I
commenced in the permanent role on 14th February. I have
just entered my 10th year as a nurse in the NNU and have
been lucky enough to work in a variety of roles in this time.
I first started working in the NNU as part of my Graduate
Nurse Program, the NNU was on the 2nd floor back then and
I started my nursing career as an enthusiastic but timid
Save these Dates!
Please enjoy reading this super 10th edition of NNU
News – again, special thanks to all those that made a
contribution and shared their stories with us. As we head
towards Autumn and the cooler months, take care and
keep in touch.
Will's Memory Annual Dinner
Saturday 13th August 2011
Contact Michelle Ferguson willsmemory@hotmail.com
or 0407 889 584
Donna
XXX
Special thanks to Dawn Aranyi, who has been
President of the Neonate Mates Auxiliary since that
time - along with her fellow Neonate Mate Auxiliary
members, Dawn has coordinated and helped to
achieve a successful fundraising effort in support of
the NNU, which has made the purchase of much
Opera in the Roses
Monday 7th November 2011 at Cruden Farm
Contact Judy Hooper hooper.judith@gmail.com
or 0406 369 877
nurse. It was a very steep learning curve for me as I had no
neonatal experience and very little exposure to paediatrics. I
was extremely well supported and it was not long before I
started contemplating a long-term career in the NNU. I then
went on to consolidate my skills in the special care
nurseries before being given the opportunity to upskill to
NICU. I then went on to complete my Postgraduate Diploma
in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Science and eventually
became a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I have always had a
passion for education and helping the NNU achieve
excellence in the nursing care that we provide for our
patients and families. In late 2009 I was given the
opportunity to undertake a role as Clinical Nurse Educator
in the NNU which allowed me more time to focus on
supporting staff in the clinical environment. And now, here I
am in a brand new role.
As we move forward I also look forward to continuing our
work with all of wonderful supporters who work tirelessly
throughout the year to provide us with much needed funds
that contribute to us being able to provide such a high
standard of care.
I must say a big thank you to Sheri Waldron who has been
my NUM for my entire nursing career and has supported me
right through from my first day as a graduate nurse to
undertaking the NUM role. I am fortunate that Sheri is
overseeing the NNU as part of her role as Director of Acute
Operations and Hospital Performance. Her experience and
passion for NNU as well as her willingness to support us is
vital to our team as we move forward.
Whilst the NUM role is something very new to me and will
be very challenging, I am excited by the opportunity to lead
this amazing team. I feel very privileged to be leading this
team as we embark on our journey to move into the new
RCH later this year. Ever since I have worked on the NNU I
know that I have been part of a very special and unique
team. Our nursing team is very committed and passionate in
the work they do and are led by fantastic AUMs and
supported by an amazing education team.
The rest of the team includes our bedside nurses, care
managers, nurse practitioner, data nurses, midwives and
lactation consultants, all of whom contribute to making
the NNU such a special team.
Neonate Mates – great mates by name,
great mates by nature…
Established in 2005, the Neonate Mates Auxiliary is
proud to support the life changing work of the NNU
at RCH, Melbourne.
Annual Celebration of Life Gala Ball
Thursday 8th September 2011 at Crown Palladium
Contact RCH Foundation re sponsorship/donations/prizes
donna.aranyi@rch.org.au or
ellie.pateras@rch.org.au re ticketing/bookings
Till next time,
I would also like to thank Rod Hunt for all of the support he
has given me over the past few months and look forward to
working with him in the future. The relationship between
medical and nursing staff in the NNU is one of our great
strengths and something we are all very proud of. I am
grateful to all of the NNU Consultants for the support that
they have also given me and know that we will continue our
great work as a team.
Jessica
Neo
Matnate
es
X
There are so many wonderful people working hard to help
raise funds and awareness of the work of the NNU at RCH.
I am fortunate in my role at the RCH Foundation to
produce this newsletter and work alongside our many loyal
and committed supporters, who insist of helping to raise
awareness and funds for our NNU- thank you to all those
that advocate for the 600+ babies cared for by our NNU
each year, we are truly blessed to have your support.
XX
indebted to Strathmore Community Branch Bendigo Bank
for their trust and belief in our work and we look forward to
a prosperous and successful partnership in 2011 and beyond.
needed medical equipment possible. Dawn has
recently resigned from the Neonate Mates Auxiliary
and we welcome Judy Aussems in her new role as
President. We are deeply grateful to Dawn for her
efforts and on behalf of the NNU, wish her well.
Make 2011 the year you join the Neonate Mates
Auxiliary – for further information or to get involved,
please contact Judy Aussems via the RCH
Auxiliaries Office on (03) 9345 5188.
L-R: Lyn Fl
eck, Dawn
Aranyi, Judy
Aussems an
d Jane Stu
mpf.
Share YOUR story in the NNU Newsletter and help raise awareness
of the important work of the Neonatal Unit at The Royal Children’s Hospital,
any photos you’d like included. Please ensure photos
had an NNU experience inspires hope, comfort
Melbourne
If you have an inpatient story, family celebration,
fundraising event, thank you note or life after the NNU
story that you would like share with our readers, please
email these to donna.aranyi@rch.org.au along with
are high resolution JPEG or TIFF files.
and a sense of “community”.
Feedback regarding the newsletter from parents in the
NNU has been extremely positive and they tell us that
reading stories about babies and families that have
Please help us continue to support our very
special families in this way – we welcome
your contributions!
05
A CELEBRATION OF LOVE
2010 Gala Ball
Question: What makes for a successful fundraising
Gala Ball year after year? Could it be the choice of
venue; quality entertainment; THE BEST event
hosts; food and beverages offered; a standard of
service that is unsurpassed; excellence in
production; stunning event themeing creating an
ambience that lingers long after the event is over;
enticing and unique fundraising activities; THE
BEST Event Committee in town; THE BEST
supporters in town???????
Answer: ALL OF THE ABOVE!
The 9th Annual A Celebration of Life Gala Ball was
held on Thursday 16th September at Crown
Palladium. Our theme “A Celebration of Love” set the
tone for guests to enjoy all that was on offer at this
elegant and sophisticated event.
The Palladium Ballroom provided the perfect setting
yet again for this very special occasion and we are
indebted to Ann Peacock and the Crown Charity
Committee for their ongoing sponsorship and
support of this event – we feel truly blessed and
grateful to receive this support.
Event Hosts, Matt & Melissa Hetherington
welcomed guests into the Palladium Ballroom, which
had been beautifully set by our long-time supporters,
Function Accessories….each year, guests are heard
“oohing and aahing” at the beauty that Paul and his
Team create especially for our event each year.
This year, a very special place setting gift courtesy
Casella Wines was also provided to each guest –
thank you Lino! Also included, were some Hershey
Kisses which had been kindly provided by our good
friends at Costco Wholesale Australia. Special
mention also to Ian Kirkwood and his team from
Staging Connections, whose outstanding production
efforts helped to compliment our theme and also
create a warm, intimate ambiance in the Ballroom.
Guests were soon seated and enjoying their
Entrées when performer extraordinaire –
Mark Andrew – took to the stage and gave an
unforgettable performance as Austin Powers,
reminding us that love is truly all that matters, as
only Austin Powers can!
This was followed by a very special tribute made by
then RCH Foundation Executive Director – Brian
Mallon – to Sheri Waldron and Dr Peter McDougall,
who had both moved from the NNU to accept
Executive roles within the RCH. Brian spoke of Sheri
and Peter’s outstanding commitment to the patients
of the NNU and their families but also of their
“excellence” in practice and how they served as
inspirational role models for all those that had the
privilege of working alongside them. Brian then
welcomed operatic performer Amanda Brock (Allan)
to the stage to voice in celebration our thanks to
Sheri and Peter for their unbridled support and
contribution to the NNU with the song “Time to Say
Goodbye”. It was a poignant and fitting tribute to two
very special colleagues who will be dearly missed by
all in the NNU and its supporters.
Brian and Amanda’s tribute was followed by an
address by Director of the NNU, Dr Rod Hunt who
stressed to the audience the importance and value of
fundraising to the NNU. He explained how the funds
raised at the Gala Ball would make it possible for the
NNU to purchase a GE Vivid Q Ultrasound Machine “A dedicated bedside ultrasound machine will
improve patient care through improved access to
bedside imaging of the heart and brain, and will
facilitate the placement of venous lines in very tiny
babies. The acquisition of this machine will help us
to achieve our goal of provision of best care to
Victoria’s sickest infants”. You can read more of
Rod’s speech following this article.
Our Special Guest Speaker on the night was NNU dad
Shane Jacobson. Shane and his wife Justine had
spent time in the NNU with their daughter Pippa and
were so grateful afterwards that they held a very
special fundraiser to say “thank you” and to
celebrate Pippa’s 1st Birthday. Shane’s speech was
compelling and we have included it in this edition of
NNU News by special request. The feedback I
received from NNU parents and our supporters on
the night of the Gala was overwhelmingly positive,
guests were lining up to meet Shane after his
speech, he really was a wonderful representative of
what our NNU parents go through during an
experience in our NNU. Thank you so much Shane
for opening your heart and having the courage to
share your personal story with us all, we can only
hope to be more mindful and insightful as a result of
your wisdom and honesty.
It was no easy task following Shane’s presentation,
but it was my great honour to publically thank and
acknowledge all those that had sponsored a NICU
cot or made a significant donation prior to the Gala
and help us realize our dream of purchasing the new
GE Vivid Q Ultrasound Machine. Special thanks to
the following 2010-2011 NICU Cot Sponsors:
Strathmore Community Branch Bendigo Bank
(2 cots); Domain Charter Group (2 cots); Sunrise
Plastics; Hairhouse Warehouse; Warren Larsen
& Family; Access Mercantile; MILU Pty Ltd;
McKeand McCraith Family; Will’s Memory
& Crayola Australia.
The response to our call for NICU Cot Donations was
overwhelming with all cots being sponsored within
days of our invitation being sent out. The following
supporters also made a significant contribution to
the overall fundraising total on the night and we
thank them sincerely:
McCarroll Family – in memory of baby Cormac
$4,000; Elise Sneddon Foundation – in memory
of baby Elise $5,000; Universal Steel $5000;
Michael’s Supa IGA $10,000; Winslow Contructors
$20,000 and Shane & Justine Jacobson – in
celebration of Pippa’s 1st Birthday $22,000.
This was followed by a very special DVD
presentation which included images of the NNU and
in tribute to our supporters for answering the
Neonatal Unit’s fundraising call to action. The song
“The Call” by Celtic Woman accompanied the
footage and was a fitting anthem of thanks to all
those that make fundraising for the NNU, their
passion and priority. Special thanks to Rob Grant in
the Education Resource Centre at RCH for creating
this very special presentation and all those that
participated, thank you so much!
Finally, our Gala Ball Event Committee Chair –
Catherine Cervasio, thanked guests for attending
and thanked the hundreds of sponsors who had
helped to make the event possible. You can read
the names of all of those amazing individuals and
companies that contributed prizes for our raffle
and charity auction, in this edition of NNU News.
Catherine and her Event Committee – Helen Reizer,
Shereen Kiddle, Craig Douglas, Marie Popple,
Ian Kirkwood, Jo Larsen and Lisa Slaughter, had
again created a very successful Gala Ball, which
raised in excess of $135,000 for the NNU, an
outstanding result!
My special thanks also to the team of professionals
at Crown that work tirelessly to ensure the smooth
operation of our event and provide such valuable
support and guidance each year – to Carolyn
Josephson, Nichole Rowland and Rita Galea,
a HUGE THANK YOU as always!
With formalities over, guests made their final bids in
the charity auction (a highlight being the two amazing
Access Mercantile
Activate Your Mind
Adam & Nicky Simpson
Adelaide Crows Football Club
Adorn Mineral Cosmetics
Amanda Brock
Ann Peacock
Anthony Koutoufides
APCO Service Stations Pty Ltd
Arabesque Restaurant
Aromababy Natural Skincare
Artist Photographer
Awesome Playgrounds
Babyhood
Back to Sleep
Baieside Hair Body & Soul
Bally Westfield Doncaster
Bayside Modelling &
Casting Agency
Beacon Lighting South Wharf
Beaumont Tiles
Beauty Mate
Belly Art
Blitz Publications
Blush Photography
Boat House Café
Bodyography
Brad & Kylie Fraser
Brent Harvey
Brian Mallon
Brighton BMW
Brodie Young
Bronny
Bryant Family
Build-A- Bear
Camilla
Campari Australia
Canon Australia
Carbone Master Tailors
Carolyn Josephson
Casella Wines
Catherine Parker
CCLS Invetments
Channel 9 Footy Show
Chef Latif
Chris & Mel Grant
Chris Schmidt
Co-As-It Italian Language Centre
Coco Lounge
pieces of play equipment donated by Awesome
Playgrounds, some fierce & competitive bidding
ensued!) and were tempted to the dance floor by
none other than the incredibly talented Matt
Hetherington and Band for a two hour
entertainment showcase extravaganza!!! Matt’s
energy is contagious, he is a supreme showman and
judging by our guest’s participation, everyone LOVED
Matt and his fantastic band! Matt provided the
perfect end to what had been an incredible night…
thank you so much to everyone involved…the 2010
Annual A Celebration of Life Gala Ball had truly been
a “Celebration of Love”.
Donna Aranyi
Hope to see you at this year’s Gala Ball, which is
already taking shape and looks set to be another
fantastic night out in celebration of the NNU at
RCH, Melbourne.
Como Chocolates
Compound Pharmacy Como
Consolidated Travel Group
Costco Wholesale Australia
CPK Partners
Crayola Australia
Crown
Damon Family
Dan’s Plants
David Bolton
David Lindsay
David Stuckey
Decorator’s Art
Designers House Docklands
Dimattina Coffee
Dimattina Family
Divisible By Zero
Dizzy Toys
D-lux
D-Mack’s Hoop Dreams &
Basketball Clinics
DNA Artworks
Dobbin & Drum Toys
Dom Bagnato
Domain Charter Group
Drew Wood Pharmacy @ RCH
Dr Leon
Dr Rod Hunt
Earlybirds
Eeni Meeni Miini Moh
El Amuleto
Elise Sneddon Foundation
Emirates
Endless Solutions
Entanglements
ERC at RCH
Estee Lauder
Etihad Airways
Eve Bar
Fastrack Racing
Fifth Avenue Collection
Fiorelli Restaurant
Flavours of Yoga
Fox Sports
Function Accessories
Gallacher Family
Gary Ablett Junior
Gary Ablett Senior
Geelong Football Club
Genesis Fitness Club
Geoffrey’s Gifts
Gigi Williams
Grandma’s Bottom Drawer
Grant Berbner
Guest Group
Hairhouse Warehouse
Home Direct
Ishtar Wines
Jelly Belly
Jenny Daicos
Jen’s Place
Jess Silk
Johnston Jewellers
Just Because on Barrabool
Katherine Micalizzi
Kids Play Shak
Kids Rooms
Kimberley Palmer
Kings Salon
Kirby&Kirby
Kylie Fraser
L’Occitane
LA Fit
LA Nannies
Lawrence Farrugia
Learning Curve
Little Bird Blue
Louie Lee
Lydia Atwell
Maggie Beer
Mahesh Jadu
Mark Andrew
Matt & Melissa Hetherington
McCarroll Family
McKeand McCraith Family
Meals on Heels
Melanie Hercus
Mercedes Stewart
Classical Acupuncture
Michael’s Supa IGA
Michelle Davis
Milkk PR
MILU Pty Ltd
Mocha Jo’s
Moku Therapy
Mozom Jewellery
Mrs Globe Australia
My Chemist
Neonate Mates Auxiliary
Nikki Simpson
Nooshie
Nude Footwear
Olivia George Massage
Origin Energy
Palace Cinema Como
Paramedical Skin Clinic
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Penny Scallan Designs
Pet Stock Wendouree
Peter Anderson
Pia Miller
Pocket Rocket Productions
Pregnancy, Babies &
Children’s Expo
Printhouse Group
Protect a Bed
Puffing Billy Railway
Pure Spa Organics
Quiz Collection
Ralph Carr Management
Real Entertainment & Collectibles
Retravision Clayton
Retravision Ringwood
Rita Galea
Rob Grant
Robert Reitmaier
Roses Only
Sally Frenkiel
Salts of the Earth
Schwarz Wine Company
Seatonfire Chilli Chocolate
Selectrix
Sentience Personal Training
Shane & Justine Jacobson
Shane Warne Foundation
Shayne McClintock
Slim Secrets
Snugglebum
Society Restaurant
Soft Mats
Sonita Singh
Staging Connections
Stillwell BMW
Strathmore Community Branch
Bendigo Bank
Style Me Over
Sunrise Plastics
Susan Taylor
Tastings Providore
The Baby Gallery
The Coffee Club
The Stitching Horse Bootery
Tim Toft
Tony Gray
Tony Pantano
Travel Link
Universal Steel
Village Roadshow Limited
Vintage Photobooths
Vintage Princess
Vital IT
Warren Larsen
Wild Earth Wines
Will’s Memory / Ferguson Family
Wine Growers
Direct Australia
Winslow Constructors
Yapwear
Yering Station Winery
2010 COL Gala Ball Event
Committee Members:
Catherine Cervasio – Chair
Craig Douglas
Shereen Kiddle
Ian Kirkwood
Jo Larsen
Marie Popple
Helen Reizer
Lisa Slaughter
2010 COL Gala Ball
Event Volunteers:
Fiona Ballantyne
Sharon Coulston
Naida Gordon
Jeanette Huybers
Jo Huybers
Mary Kutaimi
John Mulholland
Anna Nowak
Matthew Nowak
Ellie Pateras
Lauren Stewart
If you would like to attend or support the 2011 A Celebration of Life Gala Ball, please contact donna.aranyi@rch.org.au or call (03) 9345 4510. This year’s event
will be held on Thursday 8th September at Crown Palladium. Invitations due June/July – don’t miss this year’s A Royal Celebration of Life Gala Ball!
07
DIRECTOR's SPEECH
Dr Rod Hunt - COL Gala Ball 2010
On behalf of my colleagues in the Department of
Neonatal Medicine I would like to welcome you
all to this year’s Celebration of Life Gala Ball –
A Celebration of Love.
Donna Aranyi and her RCH Foundation team have
done a magnificent job to ensure that we will all have
an enjoyable night for the benefit of our Neonatal Unit.
Those of you who joined us last year might
remember that we raised money for the purchase of
a Brainz monitor and this monitor has been in almost
continuous use, improving the care that we provide
to our patients. And there have been many patients
– our busiest year – with over 670 babies being
admitted to our unit, 250 of them having surgical
procedures and about 100 babies have been
monitored with the Brainz monitor. As many of you
know, these babies are referred to our unit because
they have conditions that need investigation or
treatment that cannot be provided anywhere else in
Victoria, and sometimes all of Australia. Many of
these infants are critically unwell when they arrive
and their care involves the expertise of many
specialists within the Royal Children’s Hospital.
This year we raise money for another piece of
equipment – an ultrasound machine dedicated for
use on the Neonatal Unit. This machine will allow us
to place lines more easily into tiny arteries and veins,
to image the brain at the bedside and to ultrasound
the heart, providing vital information about the
welfare of our patients when they are at their sickest,
without the need to move them from their cots.
I’d like to take 2 minutes to tell you about Angus –
he was born approximately one month early with a
condition called Gastroschisis. This is a condition
where the bowel sits outside of the abdomen at birth
and surgery is necessary to place the bowel back
into the abdominal cavity. Angus had a severe form
of this condition and required many surgical
procedures over what was to become a five month
stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital. In fact Angus
had at total of 22 general anaesthetics, and
Dr Liz McLeod and her surgical team performed 11
surgeries, and 11 dressing changes under full
anaesthesia. Many of these were performed on the
Neonatal Unit. Many other specialists such as the
liver team, the nutrition team and the pain team all
invested significant effort providing Angus with the
highest quality care. His medical care was coordinated by our new Deputy Director, Dr Amanda
Moody. Nearly seven months later Angus went home
with his parents Peter and Sarah - who join us
tonight - and I’d like to thank Peter and Sarah for
allowing me to share Angus’ story with you.
When I speak to the parents of the babies we care
for, one of the consistent themes is the gratitude they
express, not just for the care their children have
received, but for the facilities that are available at
RCH. They often speak of the COL Parent retreat –
an area immediately adjacent the Neonatal Unit,
where they can spend time in comfort away from the
bedside, but still in close proximity to their sick
children. Many conversations take place within the
retreat – which looks out over the park, and you
might be aware that this retreat was only possible
because of 1.3 million dollars of donated money
from Celebration of Life. This investment from your
donated money makes a real difference to the
families who have to access our services.
And so we look forward now to a new hospital,
which has sprung up next to the existing RCH and is
now really taking shape, and we are becoming
increasingly busy planning a move, which is
scheduled for late next year. My colleagues and I had
a look through what will be the new Neonatal Unit a
few weeks ago, and were impressed and excited
about the size of the new unit, and the significant
improvement in facilities that this amazing new
hospital will bring, allowing us to continue to care for
an increasing number of sick newborn infants. This
will truly be a magnificent Children’s Hospital, one of
the best in the world. We will continue to look to our
supporters through the Celebration of Life, who we
hope will continue to raise funds that can be directed
towards key pieces of equipment – allowing us to
remain at the cutting edge of clinical care and
ensuring the best outcomes for our patients.
In finishing, there are many people to thank. I would
like to thank Crown – our major event sponsor now
for 8 years, especially Ann Peacock and the Crown
Charity Committee who assist us with sponsorship
every year. Staging Connections for their sponsorship
and ongoing support – and in particular Ian
Kirkwood, one of our NNU Dad’s. DNA Artworks and
Printhouse Group for their support with our NNU
Newsletter and all event collateral, especially Deb
Carter and Erin Newman. Casella Wines for their
support with our place setting gifts – especially Lino
Blasi and Costco Wholesale Australia for their
donation of Hershey Kisses, especially Lori Ponzio.
Function accessories for assisting with our event
theming and ongoing sponsorship. Matt and Melissa
Hetherington for hosting the show, and Matt and his
band who you will be hearing from later tonight.
Mark Andrew and Amanda Brock for their
performance support. Shane and Justine Jacobson
for allowing their daughter Pippa to be a poster girl
for this year’s event. The COL Gala Ball Event
Committee led by Catherine Cervasio, Shereen
Kiddle, Jo Larsen, Helen Reizer, Marie Popple, Craig
Douglas, Ian Kirkwood and Lisa Slaughter. And
Georgie Kirby (another NNU parent) from Kirby&Kirby
luxury gifts who has kindly provided the Lucky Door
Prize and will be drawing this later this evening.
Thanks to all those that have made a contribution to
NNU fundraising over the last 12 months – and in
particular the Neonate Mate Auxiliary and the Prem
Bubs Auxiliary for their ongoing support. I’d like to
particularly thank the RCH Foundation for its
fundraising support this year – special thanks to
Brian Mallon for his contribution to NNU fundraising
in his role as Executive Director. We wish him all the
best on his retirement and will miss his smiling face
around the hospital. We welcome Sue Hunt - our
new RCH Foundation Executive Director – we look
forward to maintaining a close and fruitful
relationship with Sue and the RCH Foundation.
Finally thank you very much to those of you who
have donated prizes and services to assist with this
year’s Gala Ball – and to all of you for attending and
supporting our event.
Thank you for your attention, I wish you all a very
enjoyable evening.
08
Donor Development Manager's Speech
Donna Aranyi - COL Gala Ball 2010
Winslow Contructors and finally, Shane & Justine
Jacobson for their amazing contributions to serve
this purpose. On behalf of the 600 or more babies
that will be cared for by our Neonatal Unit and will
rely on these cots and access to the latest pieces
of cutting-edge equipment such as the Vivid I Q
Ultrasound machine – we say a very sincere
thank you.
We are truly blessed…blessed to be here tonight….
blessed to share our good fortune, kindness and
generosity with a very special cause that we have
made a conscious choice to support. I know that you
have faith in the Neonatal Unit’s ability to extend the
best care to our sickest babies because you are here
tonight. I know this is also your motivation for
supporting us through fundraising. I would like to
make special mention of those within our neonatal
fundraising community who generously donated
funds in support of the 2010-2011 Neonatal
Intensive Care Cot Program. The response we
received in the lead up to our Gala Ball tonight, was
overwhelming, will all cots being sponsored within
days of our invitation being sent out. I would like to
extend our sincerest thanks to Warren Larsen &
Family; Access Mercantile; Richard Stumpf &
Sunrise Plastics; McKeand McCraith Family; Will’s
Memory & Ferguson Family; Crayola Australia; Milu
Pty Ltd; Hairhouse Warehouse, Trish & John Cerini
of Domain Charter Group and the Strathmore
Community Branch Bendigo Bank for sponsoring
TWO cots EACH this year. A fantastic effort and one
that means all 12 cots in the NICU are now fully
sponsored till September 2011.
As we secured these sponsorships, we received
calls from some of our supporters who were
disappointed to hear that they had missed out on cot
sponsoring opportunity but whom upon hearing of
our need to raise extra funds to help make the
purchase of the new ultrasound machine possible,
didn’t hesitate to donate anyway. Special thanks to
the McCarroll Family; Kim Muscat and her Team at
Universal Steel, the Elise Sneddon Foundation;
Michael & Rose Lorenz of Michael’s Supa IGA;
600 or more babies each year treated…that is
more babies then there are people in this room
tonight. When you think of it that way, it’s pretty clear
that the Neonatal Unit’s challenge is an awesome
one. I believe these babies deserve the very BEST
of everything that is available to them – the best
medical care, the best staff, equipment and comfort
- whatever it takes to ensure they have the very best
chance at life. Their fundraising call to us is one that
requests very specific support. Theirs are voices of
hope…hope that you as their fundraising advocates,
can affect change, create new possibilities and
ultimately answer their call. We are proud, that
through the support and resources offered by the
Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, we can assist
our neonatal donors in their quest to provide
fundraising outcomes that make a real difference
- we thank you all for your contributions tonight, no
matter how small, no matter how subtle they may be.
the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation serves as a
“the bridge” - linking supporters and donors to the
various departments within the hospital, who require
fundraising support.
I would like to introduce this year’s DVD presentation
which I hope also conveys this message. You are
about to get up close and personal with the
benefactors of tonight’s special cause. I hope it
inspires you, provides encouragement, hope and
confirmation that what you have supported here
tonight, is worth it. Please enjoy “The Call”, music
by Celtic Woman.
Special thanks to Rob Grant of the Educational
Resource Centre at the RCH for his wonderful
production of this year’s DVD presentation –
thank you so much Rob.
If you have been moved by what you have just seen,
are experiencing feelings of gratitude and
appreciation or feel inspired to join with us in an
ongoing partnership of support for the neonatal unit,
then our presentation has been a positive one.
Finally, I would like to introduce Catherine Cervasio,
Chair of this year’s Gala Ball Event Committee.
Catherine is someone who I met professionally many
years ago now, but more importantly, she has
become someone that I am extremely fortunate to
also call “friend”. Catherine and the Event Committee
have demonstrated a commitment, passion and
love for our neonatal cause that is truly outstanding
- my deepest thanks to you all.
“The Call”
performed by Celtic Woman
Sometimes in this life we hear
Calling from somewhere
Sometimes it is loud and clear
Sometimes it’s so softly there
Sometimes it is in the sea
Sometimes in the sky
Sometimes it’s in you and me
Sometimes it’s a cry
Open your heart
I am calling you
Right from the very start
Your wounded heart was calling, too
Open your arms
You will find the answer
When you answer to the Call
Sometimes it is in desire
Or in the love we fear
When the call is calling us
‘Till the fear will disappear
When we have no dance to dance
The call is in the song
When we have no voice to sing
Then the call is calling strong
Open your heart
I am calling you
Right from the very start
Your wounded heart was calling, too
Open your arms
You will find the answer
When you answer to the Call
Open your heart
I am calling you
Right from the very start
Your wounded heart was calling, too
Open your arms
You will find the answer
When you answer to the Call
Open your heart, your heart
And you will find the answer
To the Call!
Thank you for answering the fundraising
call of the Neonatal Unit at the Royal
Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
09
Words from a NNU Dad…
Speech made by Shane Jacobson at the 2011 Gala Ball
My name is Shane Jacobson, I am 33 years old,
I have been married to my gorgeous wife Justine
for around 6 years. 4.5 years ago we had our 1st
child Lily followed almost 2 years to the day by
Lachlan.Why do I tell you this - because I am
probably just like many of you are or were, an
average family man carrying on with life, trying to
progress through the corporate ranks at work, beg,
borrow and steal to buy a house, then renovate
that house and have the standard two kids. As a
family, we have always tried to be sympathetic to
those that are doing it harder than we are – often
when things would not go according to plan my
first reaction was “it could always be worse.”
To me this was life.
On the 12 April, 2009, Pippa, our 3rd child was born
and life as we knew it changed.
Pippa had breathing difficulties and was rushed to
the RCH – for the medical folk here tonight, she had
a left Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. For the
non-medical folk, she would need an operation to
remove her intestine from her diaphragm, which was
compressing her lung.
gives us the textbook medical answer...”well we
won’t know until...(Melissa would become a great
friend and one of our favourite’s while we are at
RCH). Again she is speaking and I'm finding it hard to
concentrate - but then I hear Pippa could be in
hospital for up to six months! SHIT!
I heard it loud and clear but had to question it and
unfortunately, I heard it correctly. Six months, this
is serious, this is not just an operation, this is,
really serious.
Six months, how do we function as a family when we
already have two kids at home, how will I be able to
go to work... and now I think I’m in shock. Normally
I am cool, calm and collected, but now I'm finding it
hard to talk... and we still haven't even seen Pippa.
Well if I wasn't already in shock, I was about to be hit
with a truck load of it.
And then we walked into this...
We arrive at the RCH and are shown to the
Parent’s Room. We wait here while the NETS team
hand over Pippa to the RCH staff. We are told this
will take around 20 minutes. 2.5 hours later Nurse
Melissa returns and informs us Pippa had a hard
time transporting but is now stable and we can see
her. But before we do she tells us a little about
her condition.
She will need an operation, during this procedure
they will either do this or that...blah, blah, blah, no
disrespect to Nurse Melissa but by this stage I'm
finding it hard to listen and comprehend. I ask her
"but then we go home and she is all good?" Melissa
Being in a situation like this strips you back to the
core - everything you have done up to this point
means nothing, it doesn't matter, the only thing that
matters is your tiny baby, lying there, very sick and
there is nothing you can do to help.
Not only are the staff some of the most skilful in the
world, in fact for Pip's condition they have the best
success rate in the world, they are also part time
counsellors and carers for the parents. The staff are
like no other in the industry. They are empathetic,
professional caring and right up to the most senior
neonatologist there is no sense of arrogance or
belittling and they give you as much time as you
want and let you ask all the dumb questions time and
time again. I can't begin to tell you how good the
staff are and for that we are forever grateful.
So while this came as a shock to us and some of the
staff at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, and while this
was extremely stressful, it was just an operation to
fix a few issues…or so I kept telling myself.
I didn’t necessarily feel embarrassed or ashamed
about not knowing where the RCH was, but more an
overwhelming sense of guilt – we had 2 kids and
although at times it may have seemed like hard work
– to quote a 1974 rock song “You ain’t seen
nothing yet!”
I said earlier, all the material things and money didn't
matter anymore. For the next 28 days we lived at the
hospital with the doctors, the nursing staff and other
parents whom supported us and whom we
supported depending on who was having a good day
or bad day or sometimes even who was having a
good hour or bad hour.
Pip's life was in the hands of the staff and the Gods.
Whilst babies presenting with this condition at RCH
is not uncommon, our case was different in that this
condition is generally picked up during pregnancy at
the 20 week scan. If so, the baby is usually born at
the Women’s Hospital with the appropriate level staff
and the NETS team on standby to transport the baby
straight to the RCH.
As we left Cabrini in Malvern I realized I didn't even
know how to get to the RCH - we already had two
kids, but they were standard, average children,
occasional colds, bumps and scratches - that's it.
I am not a very emotional person, other than when I
was a kid I can’t ever remember crying. After sitting
with Pip for a few hours I venture out to call mum
who is at home looking after our other kids.
I try to explain this photo to her, I remember hearing
mums’s voice trembling, her first words are “Oh
shit... I don’t know what to say.” With that I start
crying uncontrollably, I couldn't talk, mum was also
crying and I had to hang up. I’m sitting on the floor in
the corridor of the hospital crying. Unquestionably,
this is the lowest emotional point of my life to date.
Remember, previous 2 kids, occasional colds,
bumps and scratches to this... I still to this day can't
explain how that felt. On reflection it was at this point
that I realized that all the money and material items in
the world meant nothing.
I have told Pippa's story, in part, to many of our
friends and family, but I still struggle to explain how
it felt.
As I've said, we already had two kids and I’m sure
like many of you, when you see a sad story on TV in
relation to kids you feel really bad. But, I have never
spoken truer words than this... even if you have kids,
you have no idea how it will feel, the feeling of
helplessness and how you feel when your own flesh
and blood is lying in front of you and there is nothing
you can do to help them. Then, add to this the fact
that they are a new born baby, they can't talk or tell
what hurts - you physically feel sick - no matter what
the condition (and there are many worse stories than
ours) you can't prepare yourself for this and you
can't fathom how it will feel - but believe me you
wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.
Pippa’s Neonatologist was Dr Peter Loughnan, a kind
and gentle man yet the ultimate professional at the
same time... and this was consistent with all the staff
we dealt with. All in their own unique way, right from
the cleaners through to the top.
So Pippa pulled through and left the hospital after 28
days.... we got off very lightly.
1 year on, we had a fundraising event for Pippa's 1st
birthday - our friends and family raised over $22,000
which, once contributed to tonight’s efforts will
hopefully buy the new Vivid I Q ultrasound machine
that Dr Rod Hunt mentioned earlier.
Donna, from the RCH Foundation, asks us why we
decided to hold a fundraising event... well they say a
picture speaks a thousand words... this is our
picture... this is Pippa at 12 months... this is what the
NNU gave us.
Thanks to the staff and the equipment available at the
RCH our baby has been given a chance at life and I'm
proud to say that she has taken that chance and
thrived. Other than the scars, you would never know
what happened to her.
How can you ever thank someone who gives your
flesh and blood life. Yes a big deal has been made
out of our fundraising event but seriously put yourself
in our shoes and I think the question becomes how
could you not do something to give back, how could
you not do something to give back to those that gave
life to your own flesh and blood.
Our story has a happy ending and makes it easy for
us to be thankful and gracious. As we learnt in the
month we spent at the children's the stories do not
always have a happy ending. I think it is really
important regardless of the outcome that parents
have something and someone they can continue to
be involved with... the Foundation gives you that...
leaving the hospital you feel guilty... you feel lucky
and extremely thankful but you an overwhelming
sense of guilt... you make some close connections
with staff and other parents and then you leave them
there. The Foundation helps provide closure to the
whole experience and for that we thank Donna and
the RCH Foundation Team.
To realise the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who
failed a grade.
I bumped into Max Walker at a cafe recently and after
having heard him speak before and knowing he had
issues with his son, I asked him for some pointers.
He said “everyone can make a difference, each in
their own special way, tell them about the present.”
To realise the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother
who gave birth to a premature baby.
So to quote a combination of Alice Morse Earle in
1902, Max Walker and the turtle from the movie
Kung Fu Panda...
To realise the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers
waiting to meet.
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account
each morning with $86,000. It carries over no
balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes
whatever part of the balance you failed to use during
the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent
of course!
Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.
Every morning it credits you with 86,000 seconds.
Each night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you
have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over
no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens
a new account for you. Each night it burns the
remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s
deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back.
There is no drawing against the “tomorrow”.
You must live in the present on today’s deposits.
Invest it so as to get the utmost health, happiness
and success! The clock is running. Make the most
of today.
To realise the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a
weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person
who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the
person who won silver at the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure
it more if you share it with someone special enough
to spend his or her precious time with you. And
remember that time waits for no one.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is
a gift.
“That’s why it’s called the present”.
Thank you to Dr Peter Loughnan and all in the NNU
for that present and we can only encourage you all to
dig deep tonight to give other parents and children
that same present.
12
Sponsor Profile
Supporting the NNU – this time it’s personal!
An excerpt from a letter received
by NNU sponsor and supporter
Kim Muscat of Universal Steel…
Thanks for your offer to share my story with readers
of the NNU Newsletter.
I am not sure if you know how I first became
involved in showing my support for the NNU at RCH
by attending the Annual A Celebration of Life (COL)
Gala Ball? Well, two years ago our nephew’s wife
gave birth to their second son “Brooklyn”, at
Werribee Mercy Hospital by Emergency C section
about 6 weeks premature.
The doctors realized that there was something wrong
and following an x-ray, discovered he had a hole in
his diaphragm and all of his organs were squashing
his lungs. He was raced over to the NNU at RCH by
the NETS team and was a very sick little boy for a
few weeks after his surgery in April 2009. He even
appeared on the Good Friday Appeal telecast in 2009.
When his mum Claudia asked if we would be
interested in attending the COL Ball that year, my
husband John and I accepted immediately and asked
our business partner Steve and his wife to attend as
well. We had a fantastic night and had already
decided that this would become an annual event for
Universal Steel.
At the 2009 COL Gala Ball hosted by Steve Bedwell
and Jane Flemming, Steve asked guests to stand in
the room if they would like to sponsor a Neonatal Cot
for 12 months at a cost of $5000 - I looked at the
boys and they immediately said “stand up Kim, let’s
sponsor one”.
It was one of the proudest moments of my life…
So, as sponsors, we had already decided that we
would sponsor another cot the following year, but as
you know you, you had already secured 10
sponsors, which was fantastic news. But we still
wanted to donate $5000 towards something just as
special and decided to make a contribution towards
the purchase of the GE Vivid Q Ultrasound Machine.
The Gala Ball was held on Thursday 15th September
and our Grandson Jacob was born the following
Monday night. Unfortunately, he was a very sick little
boy. He had Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and
was immediately placed in an incubator at The
Women's NICU. It was soon apparent that Jacob had
pneumonia as well. By the Thursday night he was
still not responding to treatment and he was then
placed on a Heart Bypass machine. Friday morning
we received the phone call that every parent dreads
to hear, that our little Jacob was not responding and
we should prepare ourselves for the worst… that our
daughter may not be taking Jacob home. To hear the
pain in our daughter’s voice and know that there was
nothing left to do but to pray, was heart wrenching
for us both as parents and as grandparents.
One of the specialist doctors from RCH NICU came
across to see Jacob and it was decided to move him
to the NNU at RCH. The plan was to place him on the
Heart and Lung bypass machine and hopefully he
will respond to treatment. It took nearly 2 hours for
the NETS team to prepare Jacob for transportation
and there was no room in the Ambulance for his
mum. Our daughter Melissa and her husband David
ran from The Women’s Hospital to RCH to meet up
with Jacob and his team of doctors. It took another
couple of hours to settle him into his new bed and
hook up all of the equipment. We still don't know
exactly what happened, but we are very grateful that
some miracle occurred and Jacob did not need to be
put back on the Bypass machine. From that day on,
Jacob started to respond to treatment and we began
to believe that Jacob might actually make it home
after all.
The staff of the NNU at RCH were amazing.
There was one nurse in particular “Lisa” whose
commitment to Jacob and our family was
immeasurable….thank you Lisa!
The irony of the whole situation was that Jacob
needed lots of x-rays/scans and I couldn't help but
think that it was ironic that we had only just
sponsored the very machine at the Gala Ball, that
Jacob had relied on for his diagnosis and future
treatment plan.
Jacob is now fighting fit and is a real blessing in our
lives… there isn't a day that goes by that I don't
thank God and the NNU team from RCH for his
wellness and good health. We had Jacob christened
a couple of weeks ago and to look at him now, you
would never know that he was such a very sick little
boy when he was born.
As a Director's wife of Universal Steel and as a proud
Sponsor of the NNU at RCH I would sincerely like to
thank the NICU for all they did to save our grandson
Jacob's life. We were very proud to sponsor and
support the NNU at RCH… and we will continue to
support for as long as we are financially able.
Donna, looking forward to coordinating our Gala Ball
table requirements with you again this year!
Yours Truly
Kim Muscat
Universal Steel
Proud Sponsor of NNU at RCH, Melbourne
The Iddly Widdly Fiddly Poo – a review posted at www.kids-bookreview.com
Yes, some books do make you laugh. Some make
you titter. Some make you smile so hard it hurts.
But this Iddly Poo - oh boy, be prepared.
You see, there's a poo in the house. It's not in the
toilet - oh no. Neither the kitchen floor. It's in the bath.
That's right - do I sense the nodding of many a
parental head right now?
But who did it? Was it mum, dad, grandad, the pet
fish? And never mind who actually did the deed...
what on earth are we going to do with it, before mum
goes quietly insane??
Author Daniel Corcoran has penned a hilarious,
totally relatable book that parents will cack
themselves over (scuse the pun) and kids will be
entranced by. I defy any child not to stamp their
foot and demand repeat reading after repeat reading
of TIWFP.
Corcoran's superb illustrations add a depth and
humour to the story that haul it out of the great-fun
genre and plummet it into the hilarious. And not
only is he a really clever guy, he's also a very
generous one...
Corcoran actually wrote and self-published this book
in support of a family friend, in memory of their baby
daughter Elise who tragically died after a forceps
delivery. The Elise Sneddon Foundation has raised
almost $100,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital in
the past five years - to be used for much needed
equipment for the Neonatal Unit.
100% of the proceeds from The Iddly Widdly Fiddly
Poo go to the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Children's
Hospital, Melbourne. Get yourself a copy, support
an amazing cause (not to mention a talented author)
and get ready to laugh.
13
Sponsor Profile
Winslow – built on integrity
Winslow Constructors visit
NNU and RCH Foundation
It was our very great pleasure to welcome Group
Director and Founder – Dino Strano and his wife
Franca, to the RCH Foundation for a very special
presentation in August 2010. As a community
partner with the Royal Children’s Hospital
Foundation, Winslow’s annual sponsorship helps
provide for the needs of very sick children who
require specialised treatments and medical care.
Winslow’s donations via the RCH Foundation are
used to help deliver medical excellence in the key
areas of technology, training and research, as well
as assisting in securing the best medical talent and
purchasing of life-saving medical equipment.
Supporting the community is an integral part of the
Winslow staff culture, and allows the company an
opportunity to give back to the community. We were
very fortunate to receive a donation of $20,000 from
Dino and Franca on behalf of the staff at Winslow,
which was presented to Sue Hunt, Executive Director
– RCH Foundation.
This outstanding donation was contributed towards
the purchase of the new GE Vivid Q Ultrasound
Machine, which was made possible with funds
raised at the 2010 A Celebration of Life Gala Ball.
We are indebted to Dino, Franca and all at Winslow
for their wonderful contribution, interest and
willingness to support the work of the RCH
Foundation and in 2010, the NNU at RCH,
specifically. Thank you to all those that made a
contribution and this fantastic donation possible!
About Winslow:
Winslow is dedicated to producing quality civil
construction works for the residential, industrial,
commercial and infrastructure sectors, whilst
maintaining the highest level of integrity at all times.
Winslow offers clients the expertise, equipment,
resources and technology required to complete even
the toughest construction project. Winslow’s
dedication to quality and excellence, coupled with its
knowledge of the intricate issues that surround the
industry, ensure that a high level of competency in
all areas of project operation and management is
achieved on every job, every time.
Further information www.winslow.com.au
14
Sponsor Profile
Mrs Brooke Gibbon – Awesome Playgrounds
In what ways have you supported the fundraising
needs of the NNU?
Would you recommend supporting the NNU to
other businesses?
Awesome Playgrounds donated a Rainbow Play
Systems unit and we also donated a cubby – there
was a great deal of competition on the night for these
items, which raised excellent funds for the NNU.
Absolutely! Give me an info pack so I can send it on
to a couple of business that I know! I know a piece
of paper alone can’t translate the message with
anywhere the impact of a personal experience,
so perhaps I will attach a picture of me having a
fantastic time in my dress at the Gala Ball! They will
have to come and see what I am talking about!
That feeling in the room!
How has your involvement and support made
you feel?
All I can say is that the feeling in that room on the
night of the Gala Ball was extraordinary… and I felt
that our contribution of prizes to the charity auction,
whilst appreciated, was not enough… we want to
do more… as a parent, I really had a sense of what
those sharing an NNU experience go through…
NNU dad Shane Jacobson, who spoke on the night,
was inspiring and helped all those present to realize
the importance of their ongoing support of this
unique and special cause…
Who is Brooke Gibbon and what makes her tick?
I am a mother of three and I co-own a play
equipment business with my husband, Jeff Gibbon.
I love that we’ve made our success out of giving
children fun and making families happy.
Tell us about Awesome Playgrounds.
Awesome Playgrounds is a family owned and run
business and we are dedicated to supplying families
with ‘Awesome’ fun! We sell a huge range of play
equipment including Rainbow Play Systems, KBT
accessories, Jumpsport and Alleyoop trampolines,
TPC cubbies, swing sets and more! If you really want
to experience the fun of Awesome Playgrounds,
the best way is to come and visit our ‘Awesome’
showroom and fun-park to test jump, swing and
slide on our huge range of products. We are located
at 97-107 Canterbury Road Kilsyth Vic PH 9095
8060 or visit www.awesomeplaygrounds.com.au –
all NNU families & supporters welcome!
Are there any major achievements you’d like
to share?
I’m really proud of the fact that my ambition has paid
off. I saw the products that I wanted to sell and I
went for it. Now we’re selling the best quality play
equipment in Australia and the range just keeps
expanding. And doing it all whilst being a wife, a
mum of three, and head cleaner!
How did you come to support the NNU and RCH?
I met one of the mothers, Jo, who is on the Event
Committee for the NNU’s Annual A Celebration of Life
Gala Ball at the Home Show in Melbourne, and she
mentioned fundraising and the upcoming event.
I was excited about the opportunity and asked her
to email me the details. Jo emailed me later that
morning and we went from there!
To finish, what’s your favourite quote?
I think it would be ‘I’ve learned that everyone wants
to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness
and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.’
Brooke Gibbon & Family
XXX
15
PATIENT PROFILES
Allison Whittle
Finding out we were pregnant with identical twins
was a huge shock to us - the pregnancy alone was
totally unexpected, so finding out it was twins just
blew us away. Getting our heads around becoming
parents for the first time, and to twins no less,
was bewildering enough, little did we know of the
journey that lay ahead of us.
Our pregnancy was a little stressful, we were already
9 weeks along when we found out, our 12 week scan
revealed a high risk for Downes Syndrome which
meant a double amniocentesis at 15 weeks. After
three of the most anxious weeks of our lives we got
the all clear from the test and thought we could relax
a little and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy.
Unfortunately this was not to be. At our 20 week
scan they picked up something wrong with one of
the twins hearts, the 24 week scan confirmed a
serious heart defect but thankfully the diagnosis of
Pulmonary Atresia was downgraded at the 27 week
scan to a Critical Pulmonary Stenosis, a thickened
and narrowed pulmonary valve which leads to
abnormally high pressure in the right ventricle and a
thickening of the right ventricular wall. This was all
really overwhelming but we decided we had to stay
positive, we were told the baby would require
surgery as soon as possible after birth and that this
would happen at the Royal Children’s Hospital, our
baby would need to be transferred to the Neonatal
Unit, I’d never even heard of a Neonatal Unit…
We really had no idea what we were in for, which
was probably for the best and I think it was probably
our naivety that saved us at times along the way.
At this point the last thing we needed was a
premature birth but that of course is exactly what
happened. At 29 weeks and 5 days I went into to
labour and our little ladies had to be born via
emergency c-section. They were just a teeny 1.3kg
each. The whole event was surreal. It was like it was
happening to someone else and I was just watching
the whole thing going on around me. And fast, the
whole thing happened so quickly, before we knew it
the girls were born, we were parents to these
beautiful babies, and then they were whisked away.
All of a sudden we had two beautiful babies, in two
different hospitals, both in Intensive Care, it just
didn’t seem right.
It is hard to remember exactly what happened over
the first few days, I couldn’t get to the RCH to see
Allison, only Gerry and our parents had been over to
see her. I spent as much time as I could with Kaitlin
at The Women’s. Thankfully Kaitlin was stable but
she still had a long way to go herself to get well.
Once discharged from The Women’s I headed
straight to see Allison at the RCH. I had no idea
what to expect when I got there, it was totally
overwhelming and our first update on Allison’s
condition was just gut wrenching, she was a very
sick little girl, they didn’t even know if they could get
her stable enough to perform the operation that she
needed to save her life. I just felt numb, I just could
not comprehend that she was not going to make it,
why would we have been blessed with two babies if
one was going to be snatched away from us? It just
didn’t seem right.
her chest, an emergency drain tube went in and the
news was grim, we were told that this kind of thing
often does not end well. But we stayed positive,
perhaps naively, but I just was not going to entertain
the idea that we had come this far and Allison was
not going to make it. It took four days but the fluid
moved off her chest, she was on blood thinners to
reduce the clot and she stabilized again, our little
fighter was not going to give up.
A week had passed and Allison was doing better, the
advice we received was to go ahead with the op, a
pulmonary valvuloplasty, they were going to blow up
a tiny little balloon inside Allison’s pulmonary valve to
allow the blood to flow properly. This was all going to
happen via catheter. Allison was the smallest baby
they had ever performed this surgery on and we
were informed of all the risks involved. We made the
decision to go ahead but it was hardest thing I have
ever done, sending our baby off to surgery, but there
was no other option, she would die if we did nothing.
I honestly felt numb, there was nothing we could do
to make this better, we had to leave our baby in the
hands of the wonderful doctors at the RCH and pray.
That day would have been the worst day of my life if
it had not been for the fact that it also turned out to
be the day that I held Kaitlin for the first time. The
girls were a week old and of course I had touched
them but not a proper hold till this day. I just cried,
so happy to be holding one of my babies and just
petrified of what my other baby was going through.
Thankfully Allison made it through the surgery,
Dr Geoffrey Lane had worked, to me what seemed to
be a miracle… he’d weaved a tiny catheter into
Allison’s tiny heart and blown up some tiny balloons
and opened up that tiny little valve that was causing
our baby so much grief. There had been some
complications but she had made it, she was alive.
Her heart had actually stopped during the op but the
beautiful Dr Peter Squires bought her back to us,
this little lady was a fighter, we were sure of that.
Allison’s recovery from the surgery was looking
promising, but unfortunately she was destined to
face another hurdle, a blood clot had formed in her
chest area and it was causing fluid to accumulate in
Allison was doing really well, she was off all
ventilation, her numbers were all good, there was
even talk of her being transferred back to The
Women’s to be reunited with her sister who was
doing a great job of growing and getting well. But
unfortunately Allison had one more set back, the
valve had started to close again, we knew this was
a possibility but we had hoped it wouldn’t happen,
surely she had gone through enough? It was tough
sending her off to surgery again but we knew she
was so much healthier and stronger this time around,
and she did great, the surgery went really well and
her recovery time was much quicker and smoother
this time around. Our little lady was not going to let
this second op hold her back!
After 8 weeks in the NNU at RCH Allison was
discharged to The Women’s and we finally had our
two girls back together, we knew we were on the
home straight now. Allison only spent a couple of
weeks at The Women’s before being discharged,
before her sister would you believe! We were
bringing our little miracle baby home. Kaitlin was
doing great but was still having some problems
maintaining her O2 saturation without cannula
oxygen. But thankfully a few weeks later she passed
her third trial off oxygen and she came home too.
Finally our family was together after a crazy 13 weeks.
16
PATIENT PROFILES
Jack Gallacher
As insane as this whole experience had been we
knew that if you have to go through anything like this
there is nowhere else in the world that you would
want to be. We are so lucky to have the amazing
staff and specialised care that the NNU provides.
They are just the most amazing bunch of people,
we will never ever forget their kindness and care,
they looked after our baby when we couldn’t and
they looked after us in more ways than they probably
know. We knew that there would never be any way
we could ever say thank you enough, so we decided
that we had to do something to give a little bit back.
And so the idea of having a fundraising event to
celebrate the girls 1st Birthday was born and Allison
& Kaitlin’s Doubly Delightful 1st Birthday Celebration
was in the making. We kind of made most of it up
along the way, we’d never organised a fundraiser
before, but with some much appreciated guidance
from Donna Aranyi at the RCH Foundation, we got
this baby off the ground. We organised a silent
auction - thanks to our many generous donors and
asked our family and friends for donations in lieu of
gifts, we were just blown away by the generosity of
everyone involved. We managed to raise just over
$5,000. I was just so proud of our family and friends
and what we had achieved and although we will be
forever indebted to the NNU we hoped this would go
some way towards helping another family in their
time of need.
Jack Gallacher
Like anyone trying for a baby, Phil and I were
ecstatic when we found out I was 7 weeks
pregnant. The first couple of appointments went
well, and so did my 12 week scan. However, at the
20 week scan, we were told that they weren’t able
to see any fluid in the baby’s stomach.
They said it could be a positional thing and to come
back after a couple of weeks. Again, they couldn’t
see any fluid so I was shipped off to the city to a
Specialist Ultrasound Centre where I was told that
my baby could possibly have a condition called
Oesophageal Atresia (aka OA), but this couldn’t be
confirmed until the baby was born. They also wanted
to do an amniocentesis to discount any
chromosomal abnormalities. Here I was – I kept
thinking “All I came here for was a scan to show
We also owe a massive debt of gratitude to The
Women’s Hospital, they did an amazing job looking
after Kaitlin and eventually Allison, and they were so
understanding and supportive of us when we were
running between two hospitals!
Lastly we also have to say a huge thank you to our
wonderful family and friends, we were so very
fortunate throughout this whole ordeal to have their
love and support, we would not have made it through
without them, they kept us strong when we needed
to be for Allison and Kaitlin.
Daniela and Gerry Whittle
everything was okay, what on earth are these people
talking about?”. What went from a seemingly normal
pregnancy, transformed into a cocktail of questions
and worries. We were shattered. I have to say that
both the Royal Women’s and Royal Children’s
Hospitals did their best to educate us on our baby’s
condition. So after being told that there was really
nothing we could do, we carried on as best we
could. We buried our heads in literature about OA and
that felt like we had some sort of control with our
situation. We were also told that our stay in hospital
could range from just 2 weeks to a possible 3
months. The latter being unimaginable to us. My
pregnancy was fantastic – apart from some extra
fluid! At 34 weeks, my waters burst. I say burst as
there was such a build up of amniotic fluid that they
did just that. I was admitted to hospital and given
some antibiotics, and also a steroid injection for the
baby’s lungs to help them develop a little quicker. I
was induced and gave birth naturally at 36 weeks.
And so enters our beautiful son Jack. He was taken
straight to the Intensive Care Ward at the Women’s to
await transport – a whole 7 minutes to the
Children’s. This couldn’t happen until he was
stabilised. In his first few hours, we nearly lost him 3
times. He needed a breathing tube and constant
suctioning. I was sitting in the labour ward alone my thoughts drifted to our antenatal classes – we
were hoping to deliver a healthy baby, breastfeed
him, spend our first night together and take him
home. After he arrived at the Children’s Hospital –
around 7 hours old, they let him rest for a while and
then on day 2, he went into surgery so that they
could determine the length of the gap and also to
insert his gastrostomy feeding tube into his tummy.
When Jack was a little over a week old, we were
finally able to hold our son – with the help of nurses
as there were so many tubes and lines to negotiate.
After a couple of weeks, they started feeding milk
into Jack’s tube, 1.7mls per hour! We were ecstatic.
They gradually increased this as he tolerated it and
ended up being on full feeds in no time. I didn’t know
it at first, but I would continue to express until Jack
was nine months old.
After this, we were told that the gap between the top
of Jack’s oesophagus and his stomach was one of
the biggest they’d seen. Not so good. This meant we
would have to wait 3 months before they would
operate to repair his oesophagus. So the long wait
began. Luckily, we had a room at Ronald McDonald
House, right across the street. (What a fantastic
place that is). Phil had to go back to work. With no
other children to look after, I was able to spend every
waking minute by Jack’s bedside. I soon learnt how
to do the suctioning that he required every 20
minutes to clear the top of his oesophagus. This
went on for 6 weeks. He didn’t seem to mind too
much when we did the suctioning, and sometimes he
even stayed asleep. Jack had a few “episodes” of
falling saturation levels and at one point he even
stopped breathing, due to him needing suctioning
more frequently that what we were doing so the
Doctors decided it would be best if we switched from
intermittent suctioning, to a Replogle tube. I wasn’t
too keen on the idea of this as it meant that my boy
would have a tube in his mouth full time, taped onto
17
PATIENT PROFILES
Jack Gallacher cont'd
see Jack, and promptly inserted 2 chest drains to try
and clear the lungs of the fluid and air that had
collected. The drip that he had in his leg had fused so
they put one in his neck, but because of the many
different medicines he was on, that fused too. So he
was rushed to theatre at 10pm on the 8th August,
where they inserted a broviac into his chest to cope
with everything he was being given.
his face. I suppose this is where I worried about the
“oral aversion” everyone had been telling me about.
Up until this point, he was sucking on his dummy,
and we were giving him tastes of breast milk, and
Nilstat. But with a tube, it would be harder to suck his
dummy, and from my point of view it was hard to
look at my baby with tape all over his face.
Beforehand, we could wrap him up in blankets and
not see any tubes. It was also quite a hassle because
all the saliva that he was spitting out would wet the
tape around his mouth holding the replogle tube in
place, and then we would have to re-tape and this
caused Jack a lot of stress. So after 2 weeks the
OA specialist nurse had an idea to try the replogle
through Jack’s nose. We agreed to try this as his
mouth would be clear again. We found this was
much easier for Jack to deal with, and we only
needed to re-tape once a week.
The hospital was really great and sent us a Play
Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Speech
Therapist and a Music Therapist. They visited and
played with us, and also gave me very useful tips on
how I could interact with Jack seeing as he couldn’t
go any further than about 2 metres from his bed. I
tried to keep myself occupied during his naps – which
involved folding plastic nappy bags and asking trivia
questions to the nurses and other parents in the room!
Three months passed, and we finally received word
that Jack was going to have his operation that we
have been longing for. After about 6 hours (by far the
longest and hardest wait of our lives), Mr Russell
Taylor had successfully taken some of Jack’s outer
stomach and used it to make his oesophagus (called
an anastomosis). This procedure is known as a
gastric repair. The next few days were just a blur,
seeing our little boy lying there hooked up to
goodness knows how many machines, tubes and
medications. He was extra puffy from the morphine.
Then on the sixth day after surgery his saturation
levels dropped to 50 – the nurse came straight over
and pushed the emergency button. I’d heard this
buzzer before for other babies and remember thinking
how awful it must be to know that sound is an
almighty cry for help. Words can’t ever describe how
that sound made me feel when I realised it had been
pushed for Jack. Doctors and nurses came from
everywhere to see what had happened to Jack. By
now, he was pretty well known in the ward as a cute,
bubbly little boy. Doctors had established that there
was a hole in the anastomosis. This had allowed fluid
and air to get into his lungs. We’d nearly lost Jack
again. We were crushed, he seemed to be recovering
so well – we knew this was a huge backward step in
the hope of us going home. Our Surgeon came to
Another couple of weeks went by and they gradually
started his feeds again. Slowly the hole in the
anastomosis was closing and things were beginning
to look up. They kept up with the Play, Music,
Speech and Occupational therapists and this helped
the days go by. When Jack was a little over 5 months
old – we were told we could actually take him out of
the Neonatal Unit for a walk. It took quite a big pram
as we had to take all the pumps with us – but we
finally managed to show Jack what sunshine and
fresh air was like. Okay, it was just outside the
hospital cafeteria, and not for very long, but it was
the first “normal” experience of having a baby.
It was late September and the day finally came when
we got to bring our baby home. He was nearly 6
months old. We were terrified! Jack was on tube
feeds every 4 – 4.5 hours. He also had a Transanastomotic tube down his nose. This made sure
that his oesophagus didn’t stricture (narrow) before
his dilatation. We did need to suction him quite
frequently and the suction and feed pump machines
became regulars along with nappies and wipes
wherever we went. There have been a few
unexpected trips into the Emergency Department as
Jack was stricturing very quickly. At that point during
November and December we were having weekly
dilatations. We were bathing him only every few days
as changing his dressing each time was a task.
We also cut holes in all his singlets! This meant that
while he had the gastrostomy tube, we could put
tape around it and safety pin it to an “anchor”.
When we changed to the mic-key, it meant that he
could have a button down singlet and we still had
access to his tube.
Then, just before Christmas, we rushed to
emergency again, we were told that Jack had
developed a nasty infection in his lungs and needed
to stay in hospital and go back on another cocktail of
medications and breathing with the help of oxygen.
We feared we might not be home for Christmas, but
Jack fought on and we got home on the 23rd
December. Everyday seemed to be a hassle with
trying to feed Jack. He didn’t want anything. We
started stretching his bottles out so that he became
hungrier before trying – sometimes nothing seemed
to work. Then, out of the blue we tried to feed him
while he was happy and playing in the bath (with
Daddy!) – and - he had a few spoons of pureed
apple. Then each day we persevered, some more
than others but over time the amounts he was
eating increased.
We had a couple of good months, our dilatations
stretched to fortnightly, and Jack was continuing to
eat. However, he still required our round the clock
attention with suctioning and still was having nothing
to drink. Then at the beginning of March he took
another turn and we were again rushed to hospital,
this time in an ambulance. The doctors said that over
time he has had mild aspirations and that has caused
part of his lung to collapse again. So, another
hospital stay with medications and oxygen. We were
in for 10 days, then about 2 weeks after we left Jack
had developed another infection in his lungs. Doctors
said this was just a nasty coincidence, but due to
Jack’s history he would be more prone to infections
and lung problems than most other babies. So Jack
soldiered on, and we were home again in no time.
We celebrated Jack’s 1st birthday not so long ago.
He is such a happy boy, and it seems no amount of
hospital visits phase him. If it weren’t for his scars
and mic-key, you’d never know the battles he’s been
through. We don’t let any of it stop us from doing the
things we want to do – I’ve found the perfect place to
hang the bottle and pump in all my friends’ houses!
So our continuing struggles are Jack’s strictures
(we are now at 3 weekly dilatations), Jack is taking
medication for reflux, and we thicken his feeds which
we find works well. Winter has been a real struggle
with Jack suffering from multiple colds – which has
him up and coughing for most of the night. Also his
drinking – or lack of to be precise! To date, the most
he’s ever had from a bottle in 24 hours is about
100mls. He still needs two full formula bottles via his
mic-key. It’s something that we just need patience
for. I think he has rejected almost every bottle and
cup there is on the market. We’ll find the right one –
and when we do………
I never knew just how hard, or how long an impact
Oesophageal Atresia would have on our lives. To the
new parents of an OA baby – it gets better. And soon
your days in the Neonatal Unit of the Royal Children’s
Hospital will be behind you. You’ll never forget. A few
thank you’s to those we won’t ever forget: Russell
Taylor – you gave our son an oesophagus. Helen
– you gave Heidi sanity, and Jack a voice (and face)
to smile at. Trish – you saved Jack when he was at
his worst.
But most importantly, our family and friends who
supported, and continue to support us and visited
while we were in hospital.
Heidi Gallacher
18
PATIENT PROFILES
Chloe Sadler-Gray
A mother's reflection...
I have three beautiful children and l know l am a
lucky person. I appreciate my children and am so
thankful that l have them, but getting to this point
has been a tough journey. My second child, Chloe
is seven years old and is entering grade two at the
local primary school. Looking at Chloe she is just
like the other children, and she is doing well at
school. She is popular and has an amazing
personality. She is very loud and talks constantly,
yet she is sensitive and very caring. My friends at
school know that Chloe has some medical issues
but few know or can understand the horror of the
first few weeks of her life and the impact this has
had on her life and
our family.
Chloe was born by planned caesarean section in a
private hospital with a wonderful medical team there
to support us. As far as we all knew Chloe was going
to be born a healthy baby as she was almost
full-term but following her birth she couldn't breath
and was subsequently hand ventilated for an hour
while the NETS ambulance came and transported her
to the Royal Children's Hospital. When l woke from
the operation l was told she may or may not live and
being in a very sedated state l just tried to take it all
in as best l could. I had a quick look at my new baby,
but she was in some kind of a transport cot with so
many tubes in her ready to be transported to the
RCH. It was touch and go all night and over the next
few weeks my husband and l tried to understand the
complexity of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and
what it meant for our daughter. We found the hospital
environment exhausting and as soon as Chloe
recovered from the surgery we left to try and get on
with our life. If only we had known that the few
weeks we had spent at the hospital would have long
lasting affects on us as parents, we would have sort
the counselling we both so desparately needed.
The staff in the neonatal unit were fantastic. They
cared for Chloe and tried to involve me in her care,
but it was difficult as she was so sick. I didn't feel as
if l had a baby as l didn't get to hold her for a week
and the child l saw in the hospital with tubes in every
part of her body, didn't look like the baby l thought l
had given birth to. The first few years with Chloe
were difficult. I cared for her and loved her, but the
initial bond was not formed and it has taken all of her
short life for us to become close. Memories of life in
the hospital haunted my husband and l, and it is only
in the last couple of years that l have come to terms
with the experience. The unrealised trauma of having
a child with a life threatening illness, the sense of
being so alone with your grief, seeing other babies in
the NNU so sick, and expressing my grief to a mother
whose baby had died stayed deep inside me. My
husband and l have both had problems dealing with
the experience, and it has placed pressure on our
relationship because we didn't realise that what we
had seen and experienced had affected us so much.
We have stuck together and now focus on turning the
negatives of our experiences into positives by
appreciating our beautiful daughter, working together
to face the challenges that are associated with
Chloe's medical history and assisting our daughter to
reach her full potential.
Our family wanted to give something back to the
RCH which was personal and which would convey to
them how much we appreciate everything they did
for our daughter Chloe. For the first few years after
Chloe was born l wanted to do something to help the
hospital but didn't know where to start. How could l
ever repay them? I wasn't up to planning a large
scale fundraiser as l have seen others do, but have
found that a stall at the local shopping centre selling
RCH auxiliary merchandise is a way that our whole
family can contribute. It has been therapeutic in
helping us recover from the trauma that we all
experienced, and as Chloe grows she is enjoying
helping organise the stalls and being involved.
I approached centre management at the local
shopping centre and explained what l wanted to do.
They have allowed me to have several stalls a year
inside the shopping centre. I order my stock through
the auxiliaries office at the RCH about a month before
the stall and they send it to my home in boxes a few
days before the stall. They also send tablecloths,
signage and a price list. I set up my own tables in the
shopping centre, make sure l have enough change
and off we go. I get a fantastic reaction from people
who love to support the hospital. We sell tote bags,
mugs, aprons, art smocks and other goods from the
RCH auxiliaries, and my mother also knits teddy
bears which l sell and they are very popular. I
advertise the stalls at the local school and always get
a lot of support. When the stalls are over l box up the
stock, bank the money into the RCH bank account
provided and take the left over stock back to the
auxilliaries office. Everyone there is so friendly and
supportive and have helped me in knowing what to
order. In our families most recent stall after the
auxilliaries office took costs etc out of my takings,
over $1000 was forwarded to the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit who we like our funds to go to.
We would like to thank all of the people who do
understand and who have been there from the start,
including the many doctors, medical professionals,
family members and friends. To those of you who
have presented challenges to us because you do not
fully understand, we hope that being involved with
our family and getting to know our gorgeous
daughter Chloe has enriched your life in some way.
When you are once again faced with making
decisions that affect a child who has a medical
condition that you are unfamiliar with, you may
endeavour to approach it with greater empathy and
seek to understand before forming an opinion. A
special thankyou to Donna Aranyi who has been a
constant source of support to our family and also to
Dr Joe Mel who has guided us in caring for Chloe.
From the moment Chloe was born he has done
everything he can to support her medically including
managing the many unusual and complex medical
conditions Chloe has presented with, always
returning my telephone calls and treating our family
with the care, respect and understanding that we
desperately needed.
Our family is now looking to the future and we feel
proud of the way we have worked through the
challenges of life with a child who has had a congenital
diaphragmatic hernia. When we were in the NNU with
Chloe a Doctor there told us that it was like our family
had been struck by lightening, but we had survived.
We are so lucky to have Chloe and she brings joy to
our family and those around her every day.
21
Ten editions
Inspiring NNU reading…
CELEBRATING OUR 10TH EDITION - March 2011
Thank you to the following individuals,
families, friends and sponsors for
their support & article contributions
since 2006:-
Edition 1 - Autumn 2006
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, COL Gala Ball
’05, Kimberley Mannix, COL Auxiliary, Littleford
Family, Underwood Family and Mezzatesta Family.
Edition 2 - Summer 2007
Edition 4 - Summer 2008
Robyn Smith, Dr John Mills, Helen Shoemark,
Danielle Kressner, Variety, Dr Peter McDougall,
Sheri Waldron, Pretty Sally Riding Ranch, COL
Auxiliary, Robert Greenberg, COL Gala Ball ’06,
Peuschel Family, Boeckman Family, Overdyk Family,
Mullan Family, McKay Family, Micallef Family,
Dr Rod Hunt, Elise Sneddon Foundation,
DNA Artworks and Aromababy.
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Warren Family,
Michael’s Supa IGA, Con Sakkas & Safeway,
COL Gala Ball ’07, Gawne Family, Danny Smith,
Will’s Memory & Michelle Ferguson, Rob & Kerryn
Sneddon, Melanie Carson, Rebecca Grieve,
Neonate Mates Auxiliary, Sportz3, Kirby Family,
Maat Family and Dr Paul Ekert.
Edition 3 - Autumn 2007
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Telstra
Foundation, Colonial First State Property
Management, Anthony Koutoufides, Sue Falzon,
Geoff & Leanne Quirk, Aromababy, Carson Family,
Rubeli Family, Hassett Family, Dr Amanda Moody,
Sally Ann Burns and Mr Russell Taylor.
Edition 5 - Autumn 2008
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Neonate Mates
Auxiliary, Paul Grixti & Sue Falzon, Stonnington
Financial Services, Nelson Alexander Real Estate
Foundation, Will’s Memory, Hameister Family,
Melbourne Tigers, Gyzen Family, Port Phillip Prison
Youth Unit, Ronalds Family, Kurzke Family,
Wyer Family, Roth Family, Funcke Family, Marum
Family, Singleton Family, Angela Power and
Narelle Miller.
Edition 6 - Summer 2009
Edition 8 - Autumn 2010
Edition 10 - Autumn 2011
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Neonate Mates
Auxiliary, Catherine Cervasio, Aromababy, COL Gala
Cocktail Party ’08, Will’s Memory, NNU RUKrafty
Group, Melbourne Tigers, Opera in the Roses ’08,
Life’s Little Treasures, Australian Graphic Design
Association, Jennine Rielly, Thomas Family, Stewart
Family, Warren Family, Edward Hooper, Helen
Shoemark, Michelle Bampfield and June Harverson.
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Rotary Club of
Rosebud, Jumping 4 Joy, Ceniti-Porter Family, Ethan
Ross, COL Gala Ball ’09, Rob & Kerryn Sneddon,
Brian Mallon, Popple Family, Israel Family, Opera in
the Roses ’09 and Babywedge.
Dr Rod Hunt, Jessica O’Dowd, COL Gala Ball ’10,
Shane Jacobson, Whittle Family, Gallacher Family,
Sadler Family, Kim Muscat - Universal Steel,
Brook Gibbon - Awesome Playgrounds, Opera in
the Roses’10, Winslow Constructors, Iddly Widdly
Fiddly Poo, Neonate Mates Auxiliary, Sophie Evans
and Janet Guerin.
Edition 7 - Autumn 2009
Dr Peter McDougall, Sheri Waldron, Lakeland Design,
Corporate Grape, Landell Designs, Charlotte Duncan
Writer’s Award 2009, Ashley’s Guitar by Stella
Tarakson, Neonate Mates & Prem Bubs Auxiliaries,
Ceniti-Porter Family, Thompson Family, Pritchard
Family, Scentiments, Michael’s Supa IGA, Sharon
Downes, Kate Graham and PRAISE Australia.
Edition 9 - Summer 2010
Dr Rod Hunt, Sheri Waldron, Neonate Mates
Auxiliary, nabGroup Credit Risk, Jacobson Family,
Stumpf Family, Sunrise Plastics, Clifford Family,
Charlotte Duncan Writer’s Award 2010, The Secret .
of My Success by Sharon Hammad, Damon Family,
Fifth Avenue Collection, Abbie Guzzi and
Celina Derose.
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23
Opera in the Roses
Cruden Farm 2010
This highly anticipated and now annual event,
“Opera in the Roses”, honours the work of the
Neonatal Unit of the Royal Children's Hospital.
The November 2010 luncheon was staged, once
again in the delightful setting of the celebrated
gardens of Cruden Farm, Langwarrin, the home of
our loved patron, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC
DBE, and for a cause that is so close to her heart.
The ambience of this setting with the marquee on
the lawn between the lake and the Rose Garden
and our wonderful young performers, highlighted a
memorable day.
Opera in the Roses was created to combine the twin
interests of a love of music and a deep commitment
to the support of the Neonatal Unit, and the inaugural
luncheon was held in 2008. The funds raised from
this event provide "excellence" by way of support
for the Neonatal Nurse Practioner role within the
Neonatal Unit. Sincere thanks and appreciation to
the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation, and in
particular Donna Aranyi, along with her Foundation
colleagues, Ellie Pateras, Lauren Stewart, Rachael
Hurley and Fiona Ballantyne, who all assisted on the
day. This year we have also welcomed Sue Hunt as
the new Executive Director of the Foundation, and
look forward to working with her in her new role.
The day began, so appropriately with chamber music
from the talented young Melbourne University
students of the Zellwood Quartet, as guests were
greeted in the beautiful garden amongst trees and
bushes laden with flowers, and sipped champagne,
courtesy of our long time event partner - Casella
Wines - in a delightful prelude to the main event of
the luncheon.
Our multi talented Dermott Tutty, in his multiple roles
as Committee Member, Accompanist, and in this
case, MC for this event, introduced my welcoming
address as Chairperson of the “Opera in the Roses”
event. I thanked the event committee members
Dermott Tutty, Maxine Wain, Sheila Lamont-Stacey,
Sandy Fitzsimmons and Veronica Kastelan who have
planned and worked throughout the past year to
ensure the success of this event. This day, however,
owes so much to our sponsors, and I thanked and
expressed our gratitude to all those who had made a
contribution to this wonderful event especially our
major event partners:-
Casella Wines, Yamaha Music Australia, Opera
Australia, DNA Artworks, Universal Music, Axia
Modern Art, Table Matters, Over the Top Marquees,
Myles Audio Visual, Orient Express Travel Group,
Roses Only, Function Accessories, Boon Roses and
all those whose names appeared in the “Thank You “
pages of the event program. None of the day’s
special offerings would have been made possible
without the hard work and efforts of so many
contributors and supporters. Sue Hunt, Executive
Director, RCH Foundation was then introduced, and
expressed a message of thanks on behalf of the
Foundation. It should be added that everyone who
has been involved in “Opera in the Roses,” in
whatever capacity, has been motivated above all,
in the cause of these tiny, fragile babies and inspired
by the skill and dedication of the doctors and nurses
in the Neonatal Unit and a wish to make some kind of
contribution to assist in their care.
Dr. Rod Hunt, Director Neonatal Medicine at RCH,
was then introduced as Special Guest Speaker, and
made a speech that seemed to touch every member
of the audience as he spoke very movingly of the
work of the Unit. My own son, Edward Hooper who
was a patient twenty-five years ago in the Neonatal
Unit, then introduced a very special DVD presentation
that introduced our guests to some of the babies
under care in the Neonatal Unit, with “Love is in the
Air” from “Strictly Ballroom” as background music.
This seemed to go straight to the hearts of the
audience, and some guests had tears in their eyes as
they watched. It was this segment in particular that
brought home the importance of this financial
support. Edward then returned onstage to announce
our new venture for this event, The Opera in the
Roses “Baby Bonus Scheme.” Special thanks to
those guests that made a further contribution, greatly
appreciated!
The luncheon, once again, was superb, and prepared
by our Head Chef, Tim Menger of Table Matters, and
complemented by our sponsor Casella Wines with
their Yellowtail selection of sophisticated wines.
Our guests were entertained by some brilliantly
talented young artists, including Phoebe Russell,
Double Bass, aged sixteen who has performed
internationally, the now famous Melba Scholarship
holder Siobhan Stagg, who performed a stunning
rendition of an exciting showpiece from Handel's
"Alcina", followed with a superb duet with Frere
Byrne. The other talented young performers were the
soloists Tim Reynolds and Brenton Spiteri, and the
young chorister from the “National Boys Choir of
Australia,” Ethan Flora.
The musical entertainment continued with the
international concert pianist Mark Gasser, whose
performance at this event was sponsored by
Yamaha. His playing has been acclaimed as
“scintillating and poetic; totally at one with his
instrument,” and guests were treated to a marvellous
performance of the “Warsaw Concerto”. Alex Budd,
Melbourne Manager for Opera Australia, spoke of the
programme of performances for the current season
and the role of Opera Australia in nurturing
outstanding young artistst. Nicole Car, the brilliant
young soprano from Opera Australia, was then
introduced and performed three items, including a
very beautiful rendition of “Summertime” from
“Porgy and Bess.”
"Thank you, Dame Elizabeth, for sharing your
beautiful Cruden Farm with us for this magical event."
Judy Hooper
Chairperson, Opera in the Roses
Contact: hooper.judith@gmail.com
The last item in the programme, most fittingly,
was Nicole Car, and “The Last Rose of Summer”
with Mark Gasser as piano accompanist.
It seems impossible to convey in words the special
and unique pleasure of this day. Perhaps an
indication is the large number of guests who already
wanted to book tables for the 2011 event. We can
now assure guests of the same delightful setting and
a firm date for “Opera in the Roses,” of Monday
7 November, 2011.
Alan Shorland
Angelface
Anthony Knight
Anthony White Tallis Foundation
ANZ Bank Volunteers
Armadale Cellars
Aromababy
Artist Photographer
Australian Institute of
Business & Technology
Axia Modern Art
Beachcomber Café at St Kilda Sea
Baths
Beauty Mate
Beleura Mornington
Ben Wrigley
Beyond Coconut Water
Boon Roses
Bose Store Cambellwell
Brenton Spiteri
Build A Bear
Cadbury
Carbone Master Tailors
Casella Wines
Catherine Cervasio
Cedel
Christopher Chronis
Coates Hire
Comme
Corporate Grape
Corporate Grape SA
Costco Wholesale Australia
Cruden Farm Staff
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Deborah Carter
Declan Hallinan
Divisible By Zero
DNA Artworks
Domo
Dori Parkin
Douglas Stewart
Dr Rod Hunt
Edit Golder
Ellie Pateras
Erin Newman
Essendon Football Club
Farmer Joe
Fashion Accessory Bureau
Fiona Ballantyne
Fleischer Cakes
Frere Byrne
Function Accessories
Genesis Fitness
Gerry and Sharon Phillips
Grange Furniture
Health Information Pharmacy
Hennie Watts
Ian Davey Beaconsfield
Jane Novembre
Jenny Stanley
Johanna Scholes
Kasbah Moroccan Imports
Larsen Family
Lauren Stewart
Lavazza
Lilly & Lolly
Lino Blasi
Little Bird Blue
Liz Pratt
Luxe
Margot Melzak
Mark Gasser
Melbourne Opera
Metropolitan Golf Club
Michael Shade
Michelle Olinder
Mim Ambrosio
Moku Therapy
Moochie Moo
Morning Star Estate
Mornington Peninsula
Patchworkers Inc
Maxs at Red Hill Estate
MOTTO
MYER
Myles Audio Visual Hire
National Boys Choir of Australia
Nicholas Selman
Nicole Car
Noelene Hammond Designs
Opera Australia
Organic Trading Company
Orient Express Travel Group
Over The Top Marquees
Paramedical Skin Clinic
Peter Casey
Pino Marmina
Portsea Hotel
Pulse Pharmacy
Pure Spa
Rachael Hurley
Ralph Carr Management
Rankins Roses
Red Balloon
RMJ Brands
RogenSi
Roses Only
Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise
Roz Zalewski
ScotchArts
Shaun McMahon
Siobhan Stagg
Slim Secrets
Table Matters
Tim Menger
Timothy Reynolds
Tipsy Toes
Toddler Tucker
Tom & Julie Manwaring
Tree Top Toy Shop
Trevor Thomas
Unilever
Universal Music
VCGR
Waterfront at Station Pier
Willett Marketing
Wood Pharmacy at RCH
Yamaha Music Australia
Yering Station Winery
Zellwood Quartet
Zetta Florence
Our deepest thanks to the
2010 Opera in the Roses
Event Committee:Judy Hooper – Chair
Dermott Tutty
Maxine Wain
Sandy Fitzsimmons
Shelia Lamont-Stacey
Veronica Kastelan
26
WORDS OF THANKS FROM THE FAMILIES OF THE NNU
Staff Profile
Sophie Evans
I started in the Neonatal Unit at the Royal
Children’s’ Hospital in 2009 as a new graduate.
I completed 9 months on the unit as my first half of
the graduate program. My second rotation was in
the Children’s Neuroscience Centre, where I was
able to consolidate the skills I had learnt and
further increase my knowledge base.
NNU Recipe Corner
Janet Guerin is one of the nurses in the NNU.
Janet spends a lot of her time outside of work
baking and cooking.
Whenever Janet is working in the NNU, there is great
excitement as doctors and nurses rush to the NNU
Tearoom to see what delights Janet has been baking.
Janet bakes an extensive range of goodies and one
of her favourites is featured here – ‘Double Chocolate
Pecan Brownies’ from Belinda Jeffries ‘Mix & Bake’.
Makes 12-14 Brownies
Ingredients
90g roasted pecans
¼ cup (35g) plain flour
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
225g dark chocolate (cut into small chunks)
2/3 cup (150g) caster sugar
180g unsalted butter (room temp)
2 x 60g eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract
120g milk chocolate (cut into small chunks)
Icing sugar for dusting
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 160C. butter a 22cm square
cake tin. Line it with a sheet of buttered foil, then line
the base with buttered baking paper. Set aside.
2. Pulse the pecans in a food processor to chop
them coarsely. Tip them into a bowl and toss them
with a couple of teaspoons of the flour. Set aside.
3. Whiz the remaining flour, baking powder and
salt in the processor until they’re just combined,
then tip them into another bowl. Add the dark
chocolate and sugar to the processer and whiz them
together until the chocolate mixture is very finely
chopped. Add the butter, eggs and vanilla extract to
Having always had an interest in neonatal nursing,
I was extremely keen to return to the Neonatal Unit.
The neonatal team are incredibly supportive, with
every member of staff contributing. The teamwork
is excellent and I find every day in this specialty
both challenging and very rewarding. I really enjoy
the focus on family centred care and find the
multi-disciplinary approach beneficial in providing
the best possible care for our patients and
their family.
I have developed a good foundation of skills as a
neonatal nurse working in the special care rooms for
the last thirteen months and I am now transitioning
into the intensive care rooms of the unit. So far, it
has been a challenging and interesting experience
and I look forward to further developing my skills as
a NICU nurse and hope to complete the post grad
course within the next few years.
the chocolate mixture and whiz them together for 1
minute, stopping to scrape down the sides once or
twice with a rubber spatula. Add the flour mixture
and pulse it in only until everything just combines
into a thick batter. Use a spatula to stir in the pecans
and milk chocolate chunks. Smooth the batter into
the prepared tin.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a wooden
toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownie
comes out with moist, but not wet, crumbs on it.
Cool the brownie in the tin on a wire rack.
Once it’s cool, pop it in the fridge to chill.
5. When you’re ready to cut it, grasp the foil and
ease the whole brownie out of the tin. Invert it onto
a flat place and gently peel away the foil and paper,
then invert it again onto a chopping board.
6. Slice the brownie into bars with a hot, dry knife.
Just before serving the bars, dust with icing sugar
to give them pretty snow tops. Layer the remaining
bars between sheets of baking paper in an airtight
container. Store them in the fridge for 10 days or
so (or freeze them for up to 4 weeks).
To all the wonderful staff, the “best of the best” of
the NNU at RCH. There are too many names to
mention but you know who you are… this includes
the Ward Clerks, Nurses, Doctors, PSA’s, the whole
team! Our experience as first time parents was
not a pleasant one however we felt we were in the
best hands. Thank you for your support &
understanding… our last day with our baby girl was
a beautiful one and one that made her departure
special and comfortable… whenever you guys are
having a bad day or feel frustrated by the challenges
that will inevitably confront you, please remember us
and know that you are respected and love for what
you do. Many thanks and best wishes to you all.
- Georgie & Matt
Thank you so much for everything that you did to
give Ryder the “best” chance at life. You are all truly
amazing… what a fantastic job you do! With love,
- Gemma & Rick
Thank you for looking after Blake back in December
2010. We appreciate it SO MUCH! He is doing really
well, thank you again.
- Ethan & Sarah
To the incredible team of the NNU at RCH, we will
never forget your dedication and compassion that
gave our Hugo a chance to thrive…we may be
running as Hugo’s Hero’s in this year’s Run for the
Kids, but to us, YOU are the real heroes.
- Liz, Matt, Lana & Hugo xxxx
“The happiest
people don’t
necessarily
have the best
of everything;
they just
make the best
of everything
they have”.
Anon