View - John James Foundation

August 2015
John James Village
– Foundations for patient support
Volunteer Specialist Program
– exploring new (Pacific) horizons
Peter Yorke
– remembering a Foundation pioneer
Community Health Program
– from Make-A-Wish to mental health
About the
John James
Foundation
The John James Foundation is a
not-for-profit organisation. It built what
is now the Calvary John James Hospital
in 1970 and operated it until 2006 when
the hospital business was sold to Calvary
Private Healthcare Canberra. Following
the sale of the business, the Foundation
retained ownership of all of the hospital
land and buildings which form the John
James Healthcare Campus.
The Foundation is now an independent
broad based healthcare charity providing
a range of programs and assistance to
the people of Canberra and beyond. The
Foundation is grateful for the ongoing
support of a large number of Canberra
based Medical Specialists who form the
membership base.
Our Mission
To be recognised widely as a leading
charitable healthcare organisation through
the provision of specialist medical facilities
support and services to those in need.
Contact Us
Our Patron
John James Memorial Foundation Ltd
ABN: 25 008 453 469
His Excellency General
The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
Suite 1 Level 2
Peter Yorke Building
John James Healthcare Campus
173 Strickland Crescent
DEAKIN ACT 2600
Staff
Mr Phil Greenwood (CEO)
Mr Andrew Blencowe (Project and Facilities Manager)
Mrs Stephanie Burgess (Finance Manager)
Ms Helen Carter (Program Manager)
Ms Jane Smith (Writer)
PO Box 23
DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600
Tel: 02 6281 6695
Fax: 02 6282 9973
Email: info@jjf.org.au
Web: www.jjf.org.au
Our cover: NSW/ACT Leukaemia
Foundation General Manager Chris
McMillan, John James Foundation
Chairman Professor Paul Smith and ACT
Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell at
the sod turning event to mark the start of
construction of John James Village.
From the
Chairman
Prof Paul N. Smith
Welcome to the 2015 Foundation
Newsletter.
It’s very satisfying to be able to begin my
report to you with an update of the very
real progress we have now made towards
ensuring the Foundation’s ambitious
signature project, John James Village,
becomes a reality.
The Foundation spent close to 12
months searching for a suitable
project to become the ‘flag bearer’ for
its commitment to support critical
healthcare needs in the region. The John
James Village accommodation complex
for people with blood disorders such as
leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma is
the result of that search.
The John James Foundation has now
made a $5million plus commitment
to build John James Village on land
donated by the ACT Government at
Garran.
Construction of John James Village
is now well underway after a ‘ground
breaking’ ceremony in mid-June. After
initial flood-proofing site works by the
ACT Government, the first of the 1, 2 and
3 bedroom units which comprise the
initial phase will begin to emerge. This
will be followed by common facilities for
patients and new offices for our project
partners the Leukaemia Foundation.
the June launch event about the steadily
increasing demand for her organisation’s
services as a result of the ACT
Government’s own continued investment
in local health services.
The fact that, when completed, John
James Village will help patients, their
families and carers, to get personal care
and support at such a difficult time is
something all involved can be proud of
– and I look forward to reporting around
this time next year on the official opening
of John James Village.
I also want to recognise the Canberra
construction community which has
readily provided in-kind support for
John James Village in so many different
ways – from site facilities and services to
construction materials and fittings, the
response has been heartwarming and
generous.
While much of the focus of the
Foundation has recently been on John
James Village, our other activities
have also continued. The Foundation’s
continuing investment in ward upgrades
at Calvary John James - to date the
maternity, Curtin and Aubrey Tow wards
– have assisted in ensuring the hospital
remains Canberra’s leading private
facility.
You might be interested in occasionally
driving past the Rusden St site to look at
progress. You can also keep your eye on
the Foundation’s website www.jjf.org.au
for updates.
Calvary Healthcare is currently also
considering options for further
refurbishment, as well as plans for the
next stage of a building program based
on the Healthcare Campus Master Plan
the Foundation recently finalised.
Our project partner, the Leukaemia
Foundation, has also made clear the
value John James Village will provide.
Leukaemia Foundation NSW/ACT
General Manager Chris McMillan spoke at
While it is early days, many options are
being explored to cater for the expected
increase in demand as the Hospital’s
growth continues.
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The financial position of the Foundation
continues to be sound and underpins the
high level of operational activity of the
Foundation. Increases in the Foundation’s
net assets are providing a solid base
for the facilitation of ongoing programs
and the investigation of new areas of
operation. Diversification within our
asset base has resulted in steady growth
and the resulting surplus will enable our
progress to continue.
Chris McMillan, General Manager of Leukemia Foundation
NSW/ACT, speaking at the June launch event.
These plans will all contribute to the
ongoing modernisation of the hospital
to ensure that those of us who work at
the Healthcare Campus can continue to
provide excellent medical services to the
Canberra community.
The Foundation’s increasingly busy
behind-the-scenes work of managing
our broader property portfolio and other
assets is also continuing, with two new
tenants expected on level 3 of the Peter
Yorke Building in the near future.
The majority of the space will be
occupied by Fresenius medical care
as a kidney dialysis clinic, with initial
accommodation for 12 patients at a
time. This part of the campus will see an
increased level of activity, with the clinic
operating six days a week for 12 hours
a day to care for these patients. A local
arm of a global organisation is expected
to move into the remaining section of
the floor. They will provide consultation
services across a range of fields including
organisational wellbeing, health data
analysis and counselling.
The Board is also continuing to explore
options for undertaking additional
fundraising activities to add to the
Foundation’s income stream. Obviously,
overheads associated with such activities
need careful consideration. While a
number of interesting ideas, such as
sponsored adventure travel and new
fundraising roles within the Foundation
office have been canvassed, the
matter continues to be under active
consideration. Further ideas are always
most welcome.
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Further afield, three visits have already
been undertaken as part of the Volunteer
Specialist Program pilot to assist our
Pacific neighbours, the Solomon Islands.
While the need for the medical assistance
the Foundation can provide is clear, the
logistics of these trips and accessing
what we would consider basic medical
equipment have presented many hurdles.
Nevertheless, once ‘on ground’ at
the main hospital in Honiara, the
Foundation’s teams have been kept
busy with a well-planned schedule of
patient referrals and theatre time, further
reinforcing the role and importance of
our contribution. With a further visit in
the pilot program remaining, the Board
will then need to consider options for the
future.
Interestingly, many new future Solomons’
doctors gain their initial training in Cuba
where Spanish is the official language
and they have to overcome the obvious
difficulties this presents at the same time
they are studying. While English is the
official language of the Solomons, it is
spoken by only 1–2% of the population,
with most speaking Pijin English.
One of the ideas the Board may consider
will focus on opportunities for Solomons’
doctors to access further medical
education – these complex language
issues will clearly need to be part of the
discussion!
We are about to once again welcome 4
final year medical students from James
Cook University for an 8 week clinical
placement program offered by the
Foundation. We know from feedback
that participating students value the
opportunity this provides to get a deeper
first hand insight into the day-to-day
realities of different specialities in private
practice.
AUGUST 2015
Our Community Health Program
contributions have also now been
finalised for 2015. While in many ways
these are ‘under the radar’ donations
of a few thousand dollars each, they
add up to more than $200,000. I know
the local organisations appreciate the
Foundation’s support and do wonderful
things for people in many different
circumstances. It is such an honour to
support hard working locals at the grass
roots of service delivery.
Of course, none of this would happen
without my fellow Directors and
Foundation Members. Your interest,
support and guidance are essential as
we continue to work towards our aim of
being widely recognised as Canberra’s
largest medical charity.
Professor Paul N Smith fracs
Chairman
John James Foundation
The Solomon Islands hospital at Gizo visited by the
Foundation’s scoping team.
Community Health Program donations: The John James Foundation made a donation in 2015 to Pegasus Riding for the Disabled
at Holt to resurface this riding arena. The mulch under-layer had rotted away and was too soft to be safe. The eye-catching zebras
were moved from near Lake George a few years ago (no, they are not real!) after they were vandalised at the more public site and
have become a popular addition at Pegasus.
AUGUST 2015
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From the CEO
Phil Greenwood
The John James Foundation continues to
be dynamic and vibrant and the activities
featured in this newsletter reflect a year of
diverse activity, growth and consolidation.
The headline in our work has clearly been
the launch of the John James Village
project. There is more news on the Village
elsewhere in this Newsletter, in particular
the great work that is being done by the
project managers and the builder.
Fundraising to enhance this project
and other activities of the Foundation,
highlighting our deductible gift status for
income tax purposes, will be promoted.
If you are interested in what can be
done, or in the recognition of donors
and supporters, please contact the
Foundation’s office or give me a call.
Our five main philanthropic programs have
continued to grow and in some cases the
growth has taken us in new directions.
At the same time, we are continuing to
look for areas where our contribution to
the community, to medicine or to medical
education can have the greatest impact
and the proof is in some of the stories that
are presented in this Newsletter.
Facilities are a clear focus as we embark
on the Village building and as we continue
to support the Hospital to provide backing
to Calvary to ensure that the fabric of
the Hospital remains as a premier private
facility.
There has been considerable interest in
a new focus for the Foundation’s long
standing Volunteer Specialist Program,
now trialling a shift from the Northern
Territory to the Solomon Islands. That
could take this volunteer work into a
new, and quite challenging, environment.
There will be more news on the trial when
scoping trips have been completed and the
cost/benefit equation has been considered.
There could be additional ways that we
support the development of health care
professionals in the Solomon Islands.
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Closer to home, an important task is the
review of the Foundation’s Constitution.
While we are keen to find ways to involve
others in our community, we are also
mindful of retaining full membership
for medical practitioners working at the
Calvary John James Hospital as the heart
of the Foundation. We have more work
to do to explore options to ensure the
viability of the Foundation, without losing
sight of our roots. We will undertake
consultation with Members before
recommending constitutional changes to
a future general meeting. In the meantime,
if you are interested in Foundation
membership or a closer relationship with
the Foundation, please contact me.
The introduction by Calvary of paid
parking on the John James Healthcare
Campus has generated a lot of discussion.
Parking is at a premium and the controls
are aimed at creating better availability for
all those accessing the campus, including
patients and visitors as well as those who
work here. The Foundation is working
very closely with Calvary on the master
plan for new buildings and facilities on the
site and that process includes negotiation
of the terms and conditions for the second
period of the lease – yes, it is almost
10 years since the sale of the Hospital
business was under negotiation! There
are some difficult issues being worked on
in this process.
Please contact me or the Foundation’s
office if the stories in this Newsletter stir
your interest in the Foundation’s work.
We are always keen to discuss what we
are doing and what we have achieved
through our members and the great
works that the John James Foundation
undertakes.
Phil Greenwood
Chief Executive Officer
John James Foundation
AUGUST 2015
John James Jottings
Paid Parking Starts
Lighting Highlights
• Calvary Healthcare has announced that
paid parking will be implemented across
the John James Healthcare Campus
from August 2015.
• Works in the Hospital, the Peter Yorke
Building and carpark lighting, funded
under the Community Energy Efficiency
Program (CEEP) grant, have now been
completed. More effective lighting will
be obvious – less visible but greatly
appreciated will be lower energy bills
thanks to the improved efficiency of the
lighting now fully installed.
Anyone using the Healthcare Campus
will know that parking has been under
increasing pressure in recent years. This
has been exacerbated by the recent
enforcement of ACT Government
and private paid parking in areas
surrounding the campus, encouraging
many drivers to look further afield for
‘free’ spaces.
Calvary Healthcare has been working
to ensure that parking is available for
all stakeholders, including patients and
visitors. The new paid parking system
allows drivers to use a credit card or
cash to purchase parking time after
punching in their vehicle number plate
details. Cameras will scan number plates
several times a day to capture details of
those who overstay.
Parking rates will be:
• 0 to 1 hour $1
• 1 to 2 hours
$2
• 2 to 4 hours $4
• 4 to 6 hours $6
• 6 plus hours $8
Allocated places will be available for
VMOs and hospital staff. Arrangements
for parking under the Peter Yorke
Building will not change. Wilson
Parking will manage the car park and
compliance. Comments about paid
parking should be directed to Calvary
Healthcare.
Indigenous Scholarship
• The John James Foundation has
provided a scholarship for an
Indigenous medical student at the
Australian National University. Sean
Barratt is nearing the end of his four
year course and the Board will consider
a new scholarship if there are suitable
applicants commencing in 2016.
AUGUST 2015
Diary Dates
With the second half of the year
disappearing quickly, here’s a reminder
about upcoming Foundation dates for
your diary:
• 28 October is the annual Members’
dinner at the Commonwealth Club,
Forster Crescent, Yarralumla, starting
at 6.30pm. We can’t give much away
about the guest speaker yet, but be
assured it will be an evening of fine food,
excellent wine - and of course great
company. Invitations will be sent shortly.
• 17 November is the AGM in the
Theatrette, Level 3, Peter Yorke Building,
173 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. The AGM
is a good opportunity to catch up with
the work of the Foundation over the past
12 months and to make a contribution to
the direction of the Foundation.
Interested in Foundation Membership?
• Inquiries about membership of the John
James Foundation are always welcome.
Current membership rules limit full
membership to practising VMOs at the
Calvary John James Hospital, but in the
future other classes of membership may
become available. If you are interested,
please let the Foundation’s office know.
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John James Foundation Board Member Jeff Harmer with ACT Government Senior Manager, Direct Sales, Economic Development
Directorate, Christine Luchetti who played a key role in coordinating the donation of the Garran site with event host and leukaemia
survivor Chris Kimball, CEO of Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter.
Muddy ground provides solid
foundation for John James Village
While the Foundation launched its $5
million signature project on bare and
soggy ground in June, John James Village
is now quickly becoming a bricks and
mortar reality that will enhance the lives
of many regional people battling life
threatening blood cancers.
After a week of rain, a typically cold but
sunny Canberra winter day drew almost
100 people to the official event on the
Garran building site.
The 19 June ceremony marked the start
of construction of John James Village,
the Foundation’s signature facility that
will provide a home away from home in
the form of one, two and three bedroom
units for those with disorders such as
leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma.
Patients will stay at John James Village
while they are undergoing often lengthy
treatment at nearby Canberra Hospital.
Accommodation will also be provided for
families and carers within the village.
Official guest, ACT Deputy Chief Minister
and Minister for Health Simon Corbell,
MLA, dug into soggy ground to mark the
start of the building phase of the project.
The land was donated to the Foundation
by the ACT Government.
The mid-morning launch was held in an
enclosed tent complete with temporary
floorboards over the muddy ground and a
brisk winter breeze. Originally considered
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likely to take up to 20 years to complete,
the new facility will now open in 2016
following the Foundation’s funding
commitment.
Other official guests at the function
included John James Foundation
Chairman Prof Paul Smith, ACT/
NSW Leukaemia Foundation General
Manager Ms Chris McMillan and Lifecycle
fundraising project driver Mr Mark Blake.
The event was compered by leukaemia
survivor, former ABC journalist Mr Chris
Kimball who is now CEO of Snowy Hydro
SouthCare Helicopter.
They were joined by many of the John
James Foundation Board and Members,
Lifecycle supporters and other guests
including local Garran residents who were
invited to find out what was happening on
the nearby 8,000 sq metre parcel of land
that had quickly become a hive of activity
as preparations for building began.
Prof Smith spoke about the history of
the Foundation and the determination
of Members to demonstrate the charity’s
long term commitment to healthcare
in the Canberra region by funding a
substantial signature project.
The idea for John James Village came
after former Canberra man and leukaemia
survivor Carl Sueli moved to Sydney
for treatment and lived in a Leukaemia
Foundation unit while undergoing
AUGUST 2015
months of treatment. While recovering,
he decided to raise funds for purpose
built accommodation in the capital.
Together with friend Mark Blake, the two
established Lifecycle to start raising funds,
thinking it could take up to 20 years to
build a new leukaemia ‘home’ in Canberra.
About 34 Australians are diagnosed with
blood cancer every day.
The partnership with the John James
Foundation came about after Lifecycle
approached the Foundation for a
donation, with the result being the major
project now underway.
Prof Smith told the launch audience the
John James Foundation believed it had
found a great partner in the Leukaemia
Foundation, which will manage the
complex when it is complete. New offices
for the Leukaemia Foundation, allowing
it to expand its operations (and staff to
move out of their rented accommodation
in a garage) will be part of John James
Village.
Ms Chris McMillan spoke about the
difference the new facility will make to
those undergoing treatment - many
people have to leave their jobs as well
as their homes for months at a time.
Accommodation at John James Village
will be provided at no cost to patients,
families and carers.
Chris Kimball, who has now recovered
from leukaemia, also spoke about the vital
importance of family and friends being
able to stay or visit during the treatment
period.
Lifecycle 2015
Lifecycle 2015, which continues to
raise funds for the ongoing operating
costs of John James Village, was also
officially launched at the event by Mark
Blake.
Lifecyle is a community cycling
participation event around the shores
of Lake Burley Griffin. This year
it will be held on 24 October and
registrations are now open at
www.life-cycle.org.au.
Now in its fourth year, Lifecycle this
year has two elements. As well as
the sponsored ride around the lake,
a regional ride will be held over the
preceding 10 days, with participants
cycling through local towns and
villages to raise awareness and support
for the Leukaemia Foundation. If
you’re interested in taking part as a
rider or in another volunteer role for
Lifecycle 2015 please get in touch at
www.life-cycle.org.au.
Part of the audience at the June launch event.
AUGUST 2015
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Dr Yorke at the Foundation’s Healthcare Campus building
named in his honour in 2011.
Canberra anaesthetist and long term
Chairman of the John James Foundation,
Dr Peter David Yorke, died on 14
April 2015 after a courageous battle
with gastro-oesophageal cancer and
melanoma. He was 61.
Dr Yorke worked in support of the John
James Memorial Hospital through the
sale of the hospital business to Calvary
and the evolution of the Foundation
to become Canberra’s largest medical
charity for almost 28 years. The
Foundation renamed the Clinical
Services Building in his honour in 2011.
Dr Yorke used his immense medical
knowledge, skill and dedication to help
many people in Canberra, in Australia’s
Aboriginal communities and the Pacific
Islands.
Dr Yorke was born in Sydney, the only
child of Reginald and Dorothy. He lived
in Darlinghurst and Bexley and was
educated at Bexley Central School and
Sydney Technical High School.
After completing his medical degree
at the University of NSW, Dr Yorke was
a resident at Woden Valley Hospital.
He went to the UK in 1982 for further
training in anaesthesia, undertaking the
Diploma of Anaesthetics. Returning
to Australia in 1985, he completed his
anaesthetics training in Hobart, before
moving to Canberra in 1987 to become
a consultant at Woden Valley, Royal
Canberra and John James Memorial
Hospitals.
Dr Yorke was first appointed to the
Board of the John James Memorial
Hospital in 1990. After several years in
Hobart, he re-joined the Board of John
James Memorial Hospital in 1997 and
became Chairman in 1999. His steady
leadership was vital to the difficult sale
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Vale –
Dr Peter Yorke
process of the hospital business, which
was ultimately purchased by Calvary
Healthcare. He continued to serve as
Chairman until 2006. In 2007, the John
James Memorial Hospital transformed
into the John James Foundation, a
medical charity and he again became
Chairman.
Under his stewardship, the Foundation
funded many medical assignments
to assist Aboriginal communities in
northern Australia as part of what
was later to become the Volunteer
Specialist Program. Dr Yorke was
a keen participant in these visits to
Katherine District Hospital, working long
days alongside Canberra colleagues
treating people who would otherwise
have limited or no access to medical
specialists. This was a continuation of
his commitment to helping those with
limited access to medical care, as he
had been involved with Pacific Island
medical projects in the late 1990s,
working with teams in Tuvalu, Marshall
Islands, Fiji, Nauru and Pohnpei.
He joined the RAAF Reserve in 1999 and
had overseas deployments as a Medical
Officer with the rank of Squadron Leader
to Bougainville and East Timor. He was
awarded an Australian Service Medal
and an Australian Active Service Medal.
Over many years, Dr Yorke was a valued
mentor for medical students from
Queensland’s James Cook University
who took part in the Foundation’s
clinical placement program in Canberra.
He assisted in developing the program
to provide opportunities for final year
students to work one-on-one with
Canberra-based specialists, often giving
the students their first experience of
private specialist medical practice.
AUGUST 2015
Dr Yorke’s significant contribution as
a Board member and Chairman was
further recognised in 2011 when he
was appointed a Life Member of the
Foundation.
Dr Yorke always enjoyed a busy clinical
practice and was highly regarded by
patients and colleagues alike. Surgeons
appreciated his skill with difficult and
complex cases and his prompt starts
to the operating day. The lists were
smoothly run, the patients well looked
after and he could be relied upon in a
crisis, which was fortunately rare.
Outside medicine, Dr Yorke’s interests
included classical music, art, cricket, and
restoring classic cars, including Aston
Martins, Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz.
He restored his well known blue Aston
Martin DB5 more than once; the same
car was also allegedly tested to speeds
of 140MPH! He travelled widely and
enjoyed sailing and opera in far flung
places. He was a generous and charming
host whose functions were always
memorable affairs. He will be much
missed.
Dr Yorke is survived by his partner
Andrea and son Will. The John James
Foundation extends its sympathy to Dr
Yorke’s family and friends.
Vale –
Arthur Kenyon am
14 March 1926 –
5 July 2015
Arthur Powell Kenyon AM was
elected a non-Member Director of
the John James Memorial Hospital
Board in December 1987 and
served until October 1996.
Dr Peter Hughes OAM, a long term
member of the Hospital Board,
worked with Arthur over many
years, initially in Liberal Party
politics and then during his the
time on the Hospital Board.
Dr Hughes remembers him as
meticulous in his consideration
of financial reports and someone
who provided invaluable advice
to the Board based on his long
and successful career as an
entrepreneur. The Foundation
extends its sympathy to Arthur’s
family and friends.
The Foundation thanks Dr Arne Schimmelfeder
and other Members for their contributions to this
obituary.
Dr Yorke with a display of memorabilia from the life of Dr John James in the Foundation’s office in 2014. Dr Yorke researched
Dr James’ civilian and military life for use in posters displayed at the Deakin Healthcare Campus
AUGUST 2015
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The waterfront Children’s Ward of the Solomon Islands Honiara Hospital.
Specialists exploring
new (Pacific) horizons
After 3 trips to assist NT Indigenous
communities in 2014, the focus for
the Foundation’s Volunteer Specialist
Program in 2015 has turned to exploring
opportunities in Australia’s Pacific
neighbour, the Solomon Islands.
can be gauged to some extent by a recent
Australian Government Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade overview which
states simply, “Solomon Islands remains
relatively poor and continues to face
serious economic challenges.”
The Solomon Islands, with a population of
about 555,000, consists of a large number
of islands east of Papua New Guinea and
west of Vanuatu, covering an area of about
28,000 square kilometres. The country’s
largest hospital, the National Referral
Hospital, is in the capital Honiara, on the
island of Guadalcanal.
The Foundation’s interest in what it could
contribute outside Australia arose after
seeing the declining need for assistance in
the NT. The need to find new opportunities
for Members to ‘give back’ has also been
highlighted by Members and forms the
basis of the goal outlined in the Strategic
Plan to refresh the Volunteer Specialist
Program.
Australia has a longstanding relationship
with the Solomon Islands. During the
Second World War, Australians were
involved in the struggle to liberate the
islands from Japanese occupation. In
the post war period, people-to-people
and business links grew steadily and
there are now estimated to be around
1,500 Australians living there, mainly in
Honiara. Australia is the Solomons’ main
development partner, with assistance
provided around a broad range of issues
including health, education, water and
sanitation, law and justice, transport,
telecommunications and effective
governance.
The need for additional specialist medical
services in a country where less than a
quarter of the population has paid work
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After considerable debate, the Solomon
Islands was chosen to be the focus of 4
pilot visits in 2015 to assess its suitability
for an ongoing Pacific Health Program.
The Solomons provide a generally safe,
though sometimes challenging, working
environment and the widespread need for
better access to specialist services quickly
became clear.
Foundation Chairman Professor Paul
Smith reported earlier this year that the
initial scoping team found the National
Referral Hospital in the capital, Honiara,
overcrowded, in poor condition and
significantly under-resourced, with basic
services and supplies often lacking. Much
of the hospital was built by the American
forces during World War II.
AUGUST 2015
Nevertheless, the Foundation arranged a
visit by a paediatric surgical team in April
and an ENT/maxillofacial team in May 2015.
The April trip also supported a visit by
another local charity, Sophie’s Gifts, which
is dedicated to improving the health and
wellbeing of children who are sick or live
with special needs.
The team included newly appointed
Foundation Member, Associate Professor
David Croaker, John James Foundation
Board Member Dr Prue Martin, Foundation
Member Dr Nick Gemmell-Smith and Dr
Liam Quinn, a paediatric surgery registrar
from Campbelltown Hospital.
Reporting to the Board after the first pilot,
Associate Professor Croaker said he saw
34 patients, including several acute cases.
The week’s work was “well planned and
well received”, though he also noted some
glitches including transport and medical
supply difficulties.
A further visit led by Board Member Dr
Dylan Hyam took place in May 2015, with
Dr Martin again part of the team along
with another Foundation Member Dr Peter
Chapman and Ms Claudia MacIntyre RN.
Reporting to the Board after the visit, Dr
Chapman said that despite extremely
challenging conditions, he saw 85 patients
and conducted 35 surgeries during the
week long trip.
“The staff there do an awful lot with the
resources they have,” he added. As well as
providing medical treatment, specialists
have been teaching colleagues, students
and nurses during the visits.
A planned visit by a Foundation dental
team to Gizo, situated on the island of
Ghizo about 380 km west-northwest of
Honiara, unfortunately had to be cancelled
due to unforeseen circumstances.
However plans for the last of the pilot
trips, in October 2015, by an obstetrics and
gynaecology team comprising Foundation
Members Dr Liz Gallagher, Dr Nicola
Meares and Dr Tween Low, are proceeding.
The Board will then consider the future
of the program, taking into account
issues including costs and sustainability.
Options such as bringing some
patients to Canberra for treatment and
sponsoring Solomons’ young doctors
to gain experience in Australia or other
educational opportunities will also be
discussed.
Compiled with the assistance of online information
by the Australian Government Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade and John James
Foundation project consultant Marilyn Gendek.
The Honiara Hospital school facility.
AUGUST 2015
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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2015 Community
Health Donations
Creating healthy community foundations
The Foundation’s Community Health
Program provides funding for smaller
Canberra region organisations that
offer a wide range of healthcare related
services and support to people in need.
Donations totalling over $200,000 have
already been made in 2015.
Our support usually targets grass
roots groups with the potential to
create a more positive life for those
being assisted and where activities will
AFFIRM
$15,000
Development of online treatment for
people with Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder.
Asthma Foundation ACT
$10,000
Translation of asthma book into five
community languages.
Brain Tumour Alliance Australia
$5,250
Advocacy, support and information for
parents of children diagnosed with a
brain tumour.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
$10,000
Purchase new specialised equipment
including classroom chairs for loan pool.
Cystic Fibrosis Association
$10,000
Self-managed exercise program for
20 people with cystic fibrosis.
Darryl’s Den
$16,000
Woodwork workshop for people with
disability.
Deafness Resource Centre
$20,000
Program to assist people with hearing
loss in 17 aged care facilities in ACT.
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F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
become sustainable over a relatively
short period with the Foundation’s
support.
Applications for funding are usually
decided by the Board in the first half
of the calendar year although they
may also be considered at other times.
More information about applying for
Community Health Program funding is
available on the website www.jjf.org.au
or by phoning the Foundation office on
02 6281 6695.
Friends of Brain Injured Children ACT
$6,240
Assessment and treatment of children
with brain injury.
Hartley Lifecare
$15,000
Recreation program including holidays
and outings.
Make-a-Wish
$10,000
Grant the wishes of three children with
life threatening illnesses.
Multiple Sclerosis Society
$25,000
Assistive equipment including
wheelchairs, walking frames for local
people with MS.
Palliative Care ACT
$10,000
Ongoing project.
Pegasus Riding for the Disabled
$10,000
Resurfacing of outdoor riding arena to
increase safety.
Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter
$27,500
New diagnostic equipment.
AUGUST 2015
Shivah Simpson - Joking around after his recovery from a
brain tumour.
Shivah and his Mum Chrissy - about to realise his theme park
Make-A-Wish.
No Joking about Shivah’s wish
When Canberra 12-year-old Shivah
Simpson decided he wanted to meet
superhero character The Joker, his mum
Chrissy could have been excused for
pausing briefly to consider the irony of
the request.
After all, optic nerve glioma, Shivah’s
diagnosis when he was just 9, is hardly a
laughing matter.
Shivah met the superhero in April at the
Gold Coast Movieworld theme park with
the support of part of a $10,000 grant
by the John James Foundation to the
local branch of the national Make-A-Wish
Foundation. The grant, one of 15 made
in 2015 under the Community Health
Program totalling almost $200,000,
will help make the wishes of three local
children facing life-threatening illnesses
come true.
Shivah’s week long holiday, which
included meeting The Joker at one of
three theme parks that were part of his
wish, came at the end of a difficult 18
months of treatment.
AUGUST 2015
Diagnosed after a routine visit to an
optometrist, the weight of Shivah’s
glioma or brain tumour was already
causing vision loss before treatment
began. While he has now lost about 80%
of the vision in his right eye, his mother
says Shivah has quickly compensated
and apart from ball sports there’s little he
can’t do.
“Getting to meet The Joker and having
fun for a week was just magic after all
the chemotherapy and other treatments
he’d been through,” she told the
Foundation.
“And for me, the support of charities such
as the John James Foundation and MakeA-Wish has been humbling – gestures
like this make such a big difference when
you’re not sure what tomorrow will bring.
“Shivah didn’t want the holiday to end –
and neither did I!”
Other Canberra children who will be
supported by the Foundation’s donation
include a 16-year-old boy with muscular
dystrophy and a five year old boy with
leukaemia who will both visit theme
parks to create memories of a lifetime
which Make-A-Wish says help build
confidence and strength long after the
wish has come true.
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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Medical Education –
Throwing light on career options
for sunshine state students
The Foundation once again hosted four
students from Queensland’s James
Cook University in late 2014 for their
eight week, final year clinical placement
with specialist Foundation Members in
Canberra.
Part of the Foundation’s Medical
Education Program, students are
selected after an application and
interview process. Their accommodation
and transport costs are covered for the
length of their stay.
Students always appreciate the
opportunity to experience specialities
they would not otherwise be exposed to
in the public health system. Here is a bit
more about the 2014 talented students
for whom the Foundation provided a
temporary home.
Skye Nissen, 22
Skye attributes some of her interest
in medicine to high level competitive
swimming when she was younger which
gave her an interest in how the human
body works. She was always good at
maths and science, so medicine was
a natural progression for the Cairns
student. Aiming for a career as a rural
generalist, Skye wanted to see first-hand
the work of a variety of specialists and
work in another state’s health system
before graduating. Skye enjoyed the
one-on-one time with private specialists
during the program and went on to do
her internship at Mackay Base Hospital.
Jonathan Chan, 23
Jonathan was inspired as a teenager by
the late Fred Hollows and his work as
an ophthalmologist, both in Australia
and developing countries. Jonathan,
who grew up in suburban Sydney after
his Malaysian Chinese parents moved
to Australia to study, also credits his
interest in medicine to familial influences
of his mother, a registered nurse and
older sister who is a pharmacist. He is
hoping to one day undertake a Master
of Medicine in Ophthalmic science so
he too, like Fred Hollows, can have
an impact on other people’s lives.
Jonathan described the Foundation’s
program as an “… amazing and unique
way to get an insight into a day in the
life of specialists and evaluate whether
this is what I would want to do in the
future.” After completing his placement,
Jonathan headed for an internship at
Sydney’s Nepean Hospital.
The Foundation is always keen to talk to any Member of the Foundation who may be
interested in taking a student for a few days to a week during their placement.
Please contact the CEO Phil Greenwood at the Foundation’s office if you would like to
know more about the program.
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F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
AUGUST 2015
Students Linda Chan (left), Stephy Zang, Syke Nissan and Jonathan Chan with Foundation Board Deputy Chairman Professor David
Hardman who was part of the specialist team that hosted students during their clincial placement.
Linda Chan, 24
Born in Shanghai, Linda immigrated
to Australia with her parents when she
was 9 and went to school in Canberra.
Linda, the partner of Jonathan, is the
Foundation’s first ‘home grown’ student
to be selected to take part in the clinical
placement program. Always aware
of other people’s suffering, Linda was
aiming to become a GP with a focus on
children’s and women’s health.
She enjoyed all the clinical placements
in Canberra, especially the absence
of “many layers of seniority” between
consultants and herself as a medical
student. And thanks to legal sessions
that were also part of the program, she
also understands more about what is
involved in being an expert witness in
court cases. Linda, too, was headed for
an internship at Nepean Hospital.
Stephy Zang, 22
Stephy grew up in Campbelltown in
Sydney’s west and later in Queensland,
with both parents studying for their PhD
when she was young. Her desire to be a
doctor was recorded in her kindergarten
year book and is taking shape with
special interests in Indigenous medicine
and palliative care. “Society remembers
beginnings and ends – we place a lot of
emphasis on beginnings, I believe that
ensuring patients pass in a dignified and
comfortable manner is very rewarding,”
Stephy told the Foundation during her
placement. She appreciated the allround opportunity and support provided
by the program, as well as the exposure
to specialities not available in Mackay.
The chance to do some local sightseeing and shopping with best friend
and fellow placement student Skye was
also high on her list! Stephy’s internship
was set down for Brisbane’s Princess
Alexandra Hospital.
AUGUST 2015
Students 2015
The Foundation is looking forward
to welcoming four new fifth
year students from James Cook
University for their 2015 Clinical
Placement in Canberra from late
September until mid-November
2015.
The students are:
Scott Alford – who grew up on an
isolated cattle property two hours
from the nearest town in central
Queensland and has aspirations
to work in general practice and
surgery.
Jessica Sia – who is considering
a career in rural and remote
medicine and Indigenous
healthcare.
Franziska von Canning – born
in Switzerland and with English
as a second language, Franziska
decided to study medicine at
the suggestion of her Australian
husband’s parents who are both
GPs.
Delara Javat – who is looking
forward to experiencing different
specialities including radiology
and the anatomy classes that are
part of the placement.
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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The Garran building site.
Driving past the John James Village
construction site in Garran means it’s
easy to see the huge amount of work that
has already gone into the Foundation’s
ambitious signature project.
While it’s still early days, the site has been
levelled and made flood safe, footings are
starting to appear and formwork for the
first of the six units will soon be obvious.
But there’s also a lot going on behind the
scenes that’s not quite as obvious.
Project Coordination Managing Director
Paul Murphy is not only involved in the
building side of things, but is also making
it his business to gather pro bono and inkind support from the construction sector
to offset costs.
A Canberra business established in 1975,
Project Coordination was selected to
manage the construction of John James
Village after a tender process. As Managing
Director, Paul has already secured
thousands of dollars of support in the form
of waived or reduced costs for some of the
many elements that make up the project.
Paul’s son Gavin is Construction Manager
for the project.
The business has also supported many
similar not-for-profit projects in the
past including the National Arboretum
Visitors Centre and the Children’s Ward at
Canberra Hospital
Getting behind
the construction
of John James
Village
providers. Paul is confident of gaining
further contributions as the role of the
Village in providing a home away from
home for people with blood diseases who
need accommodation, often for months
at a time while undergoing treatment, is
increasingly recognised.
“There can be a bit of competition for
assistance around projects like this,
especially in a place like Canberra where
there are sometimes several really
worthwhile projects happening at the
same time, all needing something.
“I like to think Project Coordination can offer
something small in return, so we like to talk
to people about how we can do that, too,”
Paul added.
Opportunities for the sector to support
John James Village include:
Bronze Sponsorship
$5,000 – approx. $7,500
Facilities such as car spaces and trees to be
planted in fully landscaped gardens.
Silver Sponsorship
$7,500 – approx. $10,000
Facilities such as walkway pavilions, furnishings
and gymnasium equipment.
Gold Sponsorship
$10,000 - approx. $25,000
Facilities such as spas and showers, patient
library and resource centre and unit furnishings.
Platinum Sponsorship
$25,000 – approx. $75,000
“Times are tough for many in the sector,
but a lot of organisations are still willing to
contribute to a worthwhile project like this,”
Paul said.
Facilities such as one and two bedroom units,
children’s playground, foyer/reception area.
“In fact, I’ve seen that the construction
sector is particularly generous when it
comes to supporting charitable builds like
John James Village. Many will contribute
time and again.”
Facilities such as the administration building (for
the Leukaemia Foundation), Village common
building and 3 bedroom units.
The support received to date includes local
tradies, professionals and national service
PAG E 1 8
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
Diamond Sponsorship
$75,000 - approx. $300,000 and more
Supporters will be publicly recognised on
an honour board in the Village foyer and
as part of the Lifecycle fundraising ride to
be held in October. Naming rights are also
available.
AUGUST 2015
How to help the John James Foundation even more.
The John James Foundation uses its funds to support a range of medical,
educational and philanthropic activities. The Foundation greatly appreciates
donations to support the work it undertakes.
The Foundation is a charity and has tax free and deductible gift recipient (DGR)
status from the Australian Tax Office.
The Foundation, as a private not-for-profit organisation, derives much of its funds
from its land holdings. The Foundation’s ability to attain its objectives is enhanced
by the generosity of donors and benefactors who support these programs and
activities. The Foundation welcomes the opportunity to involve individuals and
corporations as donors and sponsors of its activities.
Tax Deductibility
The Foundation is a “deductible gift
recipient“ under tax law and as such,
donations to the Foundation are tax
deductible under the Income Tax
Assessment Act (1997).
the donor’s lifetime. Non-testamentary
payments into special purpose funds
established by the Foundation are tax
deductible.
Bequests
A simple bequest may be expressed:
Purposes
Donations or bequests can be applied to
any purpose that is consistent with the
Foundation’s objectives. These include
the promotion, prevention and control of
diseases and the relief of suffering. The
scope of activity includes the practice
and study of, and education and training
in, medical and dental sciences and the
provision of healthcare equipment and
facilities.
While gifts to the Foundation for specific
purposes are most welcome, in view
of the changing requirements as the
Foundation develops, the most useful
new benefactions will be those given
to the Foundation in general terms for
the advancement of the work of the
Foundation.
Recognition
All gifts will be acknowledged in the
Annual Report, with or without an
identifying name as desired by the donor
or benefactor. Activities supported by
gifts are recorded in our Newsletter.
Substantial gifts may be associated in
some conspicuous manner with the name
of the benefactor.
“I give ......... (specify amount or
proportion of estate, or nature of
asset or gift) to the JOHN JAMES
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION LTD in
the Australian Capital Territory and I
express the wish that the Foundation
should apply this bequest to support
its activities.”
If support of a particular purpose or
activity is preferred, more detail can be
included such as:
“I give ......... (specify amount or
proportion of estate, or nature of
asset or gift) to the JOHN JAMES
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION LTD in
the Australian Capital Territory and I
express the wish that the Foundation
should apply this bequest to support
its activities in particular ….[describe
activity or field of work, e.g. education,
research, philanthropic activities,
remote area medical services etc]. If
that purpose is discontinued or not
available for whatever reason, then I
express the wish that my bequest be
applied in an allied field or such other
purposes as in the Foundation’s view
most closely matches my intentions.”
Advice
Gifts of Property
The Foundation welcomes gifts of
property. If desired, donors may choose
to retain use of the property during their
lifetime.
Trusts
The Foundation can establish a special
purpose fund with any donation, or
benefactors may wish to establish
an independent trust specifying the
Foundation as the beneficiary. Such funds
can be established in instalments during
AUGUST 2015
Depending on the kind of donation, and
its size, donors should consider taking
advice from their solicitor, accountant or
financial adviser.
The Foundation’s Directors and staff will
be pleased to answer questions, and
Foundation Members with appropriate
expertise can help define a useful
purpose for any gift.
The Chief Executive may be contacted on
(02) 6281 6695 or by e-mail to
info@jjf.org.au
F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
PAG E 1 9
The
John James
Foundation
Board of Directors
Professor Paul N Smith
Professor David Hardman
BMBS, FRACS, FAOA
MBBS (Hons), LLB (Hons),
Grad Cert HE, FACLM, FRACS
Chairman
Deputy Chairman
Dr Gloria Armellin
Dr Dylan Hyam
MBBS (Hons), FRCPA, FIAC, FAIM
MBBS (Hons), BDS (Hons),
FRACD (OMS)
Director
Director
Dr Prue Martin
Dr Charles Mosse
Director
Director
MBBS, FANZCA, DCH, DRCOG
MBBS, FRACS
Dr Jeffrey Harmer ao
Mr Brian Acworth am
FAIM, FFin
BA (Hons), Dip Ed, PhD,
Honorary Doctorate UC,
FAIM, FIPAA
Director
Director
Mr Mark Sullivan ao
ACM, BEc, FCPA,
FAIM, MAICD
Director
jjf.org.au