Brisbane Coot-tha Burn - fundraising to make a difference A

Newsletter
Autumn 2016
Brisbane Coot-tha Burn fundraising to make a difference
Karuna is fortunate to be a beneficiary charity of the Brisbane
Coot-tha Burn mountain sprint cycling event. In February
corporate cyclists, week-end warriors, elite and professional
riders from across the world participated in this first ever sprint
race up Mt Coot-tha. Different race categories provided fun and
opportunities for all levels and ages of cyclist participation.
Two corporate teams from Procella Sports, wearing the Karuna
jerseys raced 2 kms up Mt Coot-tha. They excelled in their race
categories and the U19 elites won!! Thank you to amateur weekend warrior cyclist Ernie Tye who raised $2085 for Karuna.
Ernie got to ride the Mt Coot-tha circuit with Jens Voight and
have breakfast with him on the top of the mountain. Thank
you also for the wonderful corporate support from Morgans
Foundation, and De Groots Lawyers.
Karuna is thrilled to have been asked by Coot-tha Burn event owner
Martin Corkery, to be a beneficiary of the 2017 Coot-tha Burn
which is already shaping up to be bigger and better next year. We
need you, our wonderful supporters, to spread the word and get
involved either as a cyclist, friends of cyclists or as a sponsor of a
cyclist. Please ask your friends and family to sponsor a rider. This
Thank you to Martin Corkery for giving us the opportunity to be part of
is a great way to spread the word about Karuna and fundraise for
Coot-tha Burn. Also to Ernie Tye for his magnificent fund raising efforts on
Karuna at the same time. Thank you in anticipation for your help to
Karuna’s behalf and to Tom Collier and crew from Procella Sports, Samuel
make Coot-tha Burn 2017 a huge success.
Volkers, Josia Perona and Fiona O’Brien for representing us so well. We’re
A Message from Cory Taylor
very glad to have you all on Karuna's team.
“The whole area of palliative care can be very difficult to navigate,
especially when you’re at your most vulnerable. Death of course is
a sad and terrifying prospect for anyone suffering a terminal illness,
but that doesn’t mean the last weeks or months must be spent in
a state of dread and despair. With the help of Karuna’s nurses and
counsellors I’ve been able to live relatively free of anxiety and fear.
This is because I know that they are always there to assist me in every
way they can, whether it be with medical care, or psychological and
spiritual advice.
Beyond that I know that they will be there for my family in the future,
should they need support after I’m gone. Words cannot express my
gratitude to this remarkable organisation for the work they do, and
the gentle manner in which they do it. To be told, as I recently was,
that I’m now part of the Karuna family makes me feel as if I have been
given an invaluable gift, at a time in my life when I least expected it..
Thank you to everyone who makes Karuna possible.”
Cory Taylor
Compassion, Kindness & Courage
1
CEO Update
Every day I meet people who share a deep well of passion and
You should feel good about the difference you make to other
enthusiasm for Karuna. The Karuna family includes hundreds of
people’s lives. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
valuable volunteers, cherished friends of Karuna, generous donors,
loved clients and skilled, experienced and esteemed staff. Each
one of you contributes to the success we achieve in attaining the
purpose for Karuna’s existence, to provide comfort, support and
guidance for people facing loss, grief and death. Karuna cares
for the mind, body and spirit. We have authentic experience & care
compassionately.
In 2016 much effort has gone into broadening our education
program. Karuna provides a range of Care of the Mind courses
within the realm of ‘living well and dying peacefully’. The courses are
developed through decades of experience caring for the dying. How
people die remains in the memory of those who live on. Every
day we see how people can have peaceful deaths when their body is
cared for and they have time to reflect. Our courses reflect this and
Karuna has unwavering support from many directions. We never
I encourage you to enrol. - Elisabeth Roberts
take that support for granted. 2016 has been very much about
nurturing and strengthening loyal support networks and building
new networks. This is critical to ensure that Karuna can continue to
provide service to you all well into the future.
A chance to build Karuna’s name came through our involvement as
a beneficiary of Brisbane’s Coot-tha Burn cycling event. This exciting
opportunity allows us to expand our networks and engage with new
communities. Thanks to everyone involved in making Coot-tha Burn
such a success, I am delighted that Karuna has been invited back as
beneficiary for the 2017 event.
Without volunteers Karuna would not exist. Many volunteers are
also financial donors, some of you are bequesters and all of you are
To all of our families, friends and supporters: Please visit or
extraordinary. This newsletter is full of examples of the diverse talent
contact us any time with questions, stories and suggestions.
and generous work that contributes so vitally to what Karuna provides.
Your time and input to Karuna is so valuable to us.
Karuna Christmas Markets
KARUNA’S MUCH LOVED CHRISTMAS MARKET
WAS HELD ON FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER, ATTRACTING
ANOTHER BUMPER CROWD AND RAISING $41,000
On a beautiful, warm afternoon and evening Karuna’s garden
was filled with crowds of young and old friends, neighbours
and supporters, all enjoying live music, drinks and nibbles.
The house thronged with people going from room to room,
filling up their Christmas shopping bags with decorations, gifts,
clothes, preserves, cakes, and biscuits, and keeping our staff
and volunteer cashiers very busy.
everything looks wonderful on the day. The vital support of
our 100 volunteers ensures everything runs smoothly.
A big and heartfelt thanks to them and to all our supporters.
With your help we look forward to another successful
Christmas market at the end of this year. Please contact us if
you would like to support Karuna’s 2016 Christmas Market.
The Christmas market has been a fixture at Karuna for the last
12 years and we are humbled by the continued dedicated
support of so many people who work tirelessly throughout
the year, every year, preparing for this event.
Special mention goes to the Karuna craft groups who meet
regularly around Brisbane throughout the year. They produce
the extraordinary quantities of high quality craft and food
items required to make this market such a success every year.
Hundreds of hours go into preparing the house making sure
The Joy of Giving
Volunteer News
VALE AND THANK YOU
SUSAN ADDISON
How does one begin to describe the
contribution and the sense of loss that is
felt about someone so dear who is no
longer with us?
Dear Susan, or as someone at her memorial service described
her ‘this gentle woman’, was farewelled on Wednesday 18
November at the Brookfield Hall.
Susan and her family’s involvement with Karuna began when
their son Charlie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the
mid-1990s. They were supported by Karuna to care for Charlie
at home and for this the family was grateful.
Susan, in an effort to repay that kindness, trained as a family
support volunteer. In 2001 Susan’s book ‘Mother Lode – Stories
of Home Life and Home Death’ was published. The flyleaf
describes this beautiful work, which Susan was eventually able to
write from her journals and writings during the earlier years.
“Her inspiring stories help us view death as an acceptable
part of living, where memories and pain are shared, and
laughter is never far away.”
Susan continued her contribution to Karuna as a Family
Support Volunteer until the commencement of the Client
Biography service in 2008. From that time she used her
personal and professional skills to benefit many clients and
families, as well as the biography team, in the birthing and
development of our unique program. Susan’s great skills were
in supporting clients to bring their stories to life in a meaningful
way and being prepared to accept ‘any challenge’ that came
her way and make the most of that.
We will miss her greatly but the gratitude we feel for having
known and shared some of her journey will no doubt sustain
us all. You will be missed ‘gentle woman’.
- Carmel Williams. Biography Programme.
Thank you Coot-tha Burn Volunteers
An overwhelming number of Karuna’s wonderful
volunteers answered the call to help at Coot-tha
Burn, with 50 participating as parking and shuttle
bus attendants, raffle ticket sellers, and information
tent attendants. We are incredibly proud that we
had 100% turn out from our volunteers – a truly
outstanding show of dedication from our ever loyal
and hard working supporters.
CRAFT GROUP VOLUNTEER - ERICA SMITH (RICKY)
For over a decade, Ricky has been
the backbone of a small but very
dedicated army of women who meet
each Thursday come rain, hail or shine
to make craft to raise money for Karuna.
Ricky wasn’t an experienced craftsperson
in the beginning but she did have a
strong belief in the value of Karuna's work and wanted
to make her contribution. And what a contribution she has
made! The main sales avenues for the craft are the annual
Christmas market and Karuna’s Bridge Days.
Bridge Days are entirely organised and funded by the craft
ladies, led from the helm by Ricky, and are a hugely popular
event held twice yearly at Karuna House. Together, these
events raise approximately $60,000 annually for Karuna and
constitute hundreds of hours donated every year as well as
contributions of funds and materials. The calibre of craft that
Ricky and her amazing team produce is such that Karuna is
regularly approached by members of the public in search of
quality gifts throughout the year. Ricky is quick to acknowledge
that their stocks are helped along by the generous donation
of items made by The Gap ladies, as well as other groups
and individuals tucked away in the suburbs of Brisbane. Their
contributions to Karuna are a welcome boost especially at
Christmas time.
Members have come and gone over the years but Ricky
says many stay in touch and contribute their time and effort
in other ways. Some have had loved ones cared for by
Karuna and others like Ricky just love what Karuna stands for.
Through their own kindness and generosity people want to
make a difference. Thank you dear Ricky for your wonderful
contributions to Karuna over so many years. You embody the
true meaning of kindness and generosity.
A Community of Compassionate Care
Suggested Reading
THE DALAI LAMA’S CAT
AND THE ART OF PURRING
A novel by David Michie - $18
A SKY FULL OF DIAMONDS
Camille Gibbs - $32
Join HHC (His Holiness’s Cat), heroine
of Michie’s The Dalai Lama’s Cat, on her
search for the ‘deep down happiness that
makes you purr from the heart’ involving
fur raising adventures and encounters
on the streets of McLeod Ganj in India.
‘Sparkling with wisdom, warmth, and a
touch of mischief, The Dalai Lama’s Cat
and the Art of Purring is a charming
reminder of why HHC is becoming one of
the most-loved cats around the world.’
Beautifully illustrated hard cover
story book for children aged 5-10,
addressing loss, grief and hope. Told
from the perspective of young Mia
who suffers the unexpected loss of her
mother and experiences the various
stages of grief, from initial disbelief, anger
and sadness to resolution and hope.
Through her story, we see how feelings
of grief are completely normal and how
important it is to give children time and
space to work through their feelings.
Includes a practical foreword which
guides parents and professionals in the
comfort of a child who’s dealing with loss.
LIFETIMES: THE BEAUTIFUL WAY
TO EXPLAIN DEATH TO CHILDREN
Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
$20
Suitable for all ages, this book explains
that all living things have their own special
lifetime with a beginning, an end, and
the living in between. Plants, animals,
people - all have their special lifetimes and
dying is as much a part of living as being
born. A beautifully illustrated book, this
is a classic, must-have resource that
provides a gentle and natural approach
to explaining life and death.
SANDY’S PICKS
Our experienced loss and bereavement psychologist, Sandy Hutchison, recommends these two
children’s books as ways to gently introduce children to the themes of living and dying, grief and loss.
Reading the books together offers the ideal opportunity to talk naturally about these important topics.
Available from Karuna – drop in, phone or email to purchase your copy.
RISING COST OF POSTAGE
You can help by sending us your
email address so we can email
our newsletters and appeal
letters directly to you. Email us at
community@karuna.org.au and
we’ll add you to the list.
THANK YOU Marina - for your
photographic services to Karuna lately.
Good quality photos are essential to
getting the right messages out to our
audiences and thanks to Marina, we now
have some beautiful stock to work with.
Check out Marina’s stunning work at
www.photographer-marina.com
Heartfelt appreciation to Ross Cali and
customers of The Local Codfather, Mt
Tamborine. Thank you for your support
for Karuna through the donation box in
your shop.
If you think you are too small to
make a difference, try sleeping
with a mosquito.
- The Dalai Lama
A Community of Compassionate Care
Thank you for your kindness
You helped us raise over $56,000 for the Christmas appeal. These funds go toward the purchase of much needed
ongoing replacement medical equipment that makes a real difference. Electric beds, air overlays, over bed tables,
mobile shower commodes, bedside commodes, wheelchairs - these are all vital in the physical care of Karuna’s
clients in the home environment. We can’t thank you enough for donating to Karuna - our work is not possible
without you. Thank you.
Karuna Caring for Eric - made possible through your donations
When Eric Scott was told he was at the
end of the medical treatment road for
his incurable brain tumour, he decided
he would like to spend his last days at
home on the marina at Sandstone Point
overlooking the boats coming and going.
This was where he felt connected to the
world he loved.
were able to attend to his needs without the distraction and
restrictions of hospital visiting hours, intrusions or routines.
Eric’s way was always to meet life’s challenges head on, and
in periods of good health in-between treatments for his
first tumour and diagnosis of a second, he embraced every
chance to make positive memories with those he loved,
doing what he loved.
In the final phase of his life, Eric said he felt calling in
Karuna to help was the best way of making sweet
lemonade from bitter lemons. The care shown not only to
Eric, but to those at the coalface, continued after his death,
with ripples of compassion, understanding and connection
reaching out from the Karuna team.
Enter the Karuna team who were able to support Eric and
enable him to have his wish to die at home. Karuna provided
24 hour, cost free and loving support to Eric on the days
before he died. Eric felt safe and calm, able to face the
prospect of his death and talk and be with his loved
ones in his own familiar environment. His family in turn
I would like to give you a gift that will help Karuna provide essential care to the community
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O $50
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Please tick preferred payment option:
O Cheque/money order payable to “ The Karuna Hospice Service Ltd”
O Please charge my credit card for the amount above
O Please deduct the regular amount of $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ each month from my credit card
O Mastercard O Visa O Diners O Amex
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Donations to Karuna of $2 and over are tax deductible. You can also donate online at www.karuna.org.au
O Please send me details on making a gift to Karuna in my Will
The Karuna Hospice Service Ltd ABN 28 055 211 473 | 27 Cartwright Street Windsor QLD 4030
Phone: (07) 3632 8300 Fax (07) 3857 8040 | Email: karuna@karuna.org.au | www.karuna.org.au
The Joy of Giving
Learning & Support
Care of the mind
How we can help you…
• Workshops and Training –Fostering a healthy approach to living
well and dying peacefully at an individual, health professional
and corporate level
• Support – For the times when you are searching for meaning
and would like to speak with a spiritual counsellor about your
distress, grief or loss
• Information – A collection of fact sheets you can access when shaken
by the fragility of life. www.karuna.org.au/resources/fact-sheets
• Resources – We carry a range of helpful books and recordings
available for purchase
Karuna: At the Movies
What happens when we die? Buddhist
wisdom for living well and dying peacefully.
Join us for a fun preview to our May guest presenter
Venerable Robina Courtin.
Venerable Robina Courtin at Karuna.
Inspiring, insightful, hard hitting, full of wit and delight!
Chasing Buddha catapulted Australian Tibetan Buddhist nun
Venerable Robina into the international limelight in 2000. This
acclaimed documentary was made by her young teenage
nephew Amiel who shadowed his ordained aunt as she
crisscrossed America. This documentary has won many awards.
A dynamic evening with acclaimed Australian nun Venerable
Robina Courtin talking about living and dying happily.
Date: 29 April 2016
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Karuna House
Cost: $10.00
(ice-cream and popcorn included)
June Taster Series: 4 evening sessions
What is karma? How can we increase our positive karma
and purify the negative? Explore the Buddhist approach
to this fascinating topic.
Understand your experience of happiness and the
challenges we face in life through this unique perspective
of the spiritual path. Open to everyone.
Date: 1 June, 8 June, 15 June, 22 June 2016
Time: 6:15pm – 8:45pm
Cost: $150.00
Presenter: Venerable Tenzin Chodron Venue: Karuna House
Managing Pain: Harness the healing power
of the Mind
Understand the power of the mind in helping us to reduce
pain and discomfort. Learn gentle and straightforward
ways to use ancient meditation techniques for managing
physical pain and mental stress.
Date: 31 July 2016
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Karuna House
Cost: $95.00
Presenter: Venerable Lozang Yonten
Spiritual Care with the Dying:
Compassion in action
These retreat-style courses focus on understanding death and
dying from a spiritual perspective, drawing from the Tibetan
Buddhist tradition and its application to end of life care.
The courses are deeply experiential. The more we face and
prepare for our own death, the more present we can be
with others in preparing for theirs.
For all enquiries please call 3632 8300 or priscilla@karuna.org.au
Affiliated with FPMT
Date: 9 May 2016
Venue: Karuna House
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Cost: $25.00
Working with Grief
How can grief and loss be a means to open our heart
rather than closing it down?
All transitions have the potential for growth. How can we
direct our personal journey?
This course will use the wisdom and techniques of both
western psychology and Tibetan Buddhism to nourish our
natural resilience in the face of life’s biggest challenges.
Date: 24 July 2016
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Karuna House
Cost: $95.00
Presenter: Venerable Lozang Yonten
Mindfulness: a certain kind of calm
Simple yet powerful practices helping you to experience
each moment just as it is. A final chance to join this practical
and popular meditation course for 2016. Book early.
Date: 21 August 2016
Cost: $95.00 Time: 10am – 4pm
Presenter: Priscilla Maxwell
A Special Visitor to Brisbane this April
The very special guest at this year’s Festival of Tibet at the
Powerhouse is His Eminence the 7th Ling Rinpoche.
Born in 1985 he was recognised at age 2 by Karuna’s spiritual
patron His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is the reincarnation
of the 6th Ling Rinpoche (1903-83), the Dalai Lama’s teacher
and advisor, who accompanied him into exile in 1959. His
Eminence’s Powerhouse talk is Karmic Imprints: Life and
Death, looking at karma, death and rebirth.
Date: 23 April 2016
Time: 7:30pm
See the Powerhouse website for booking.
http://brisbanepowerhouse.org Use the Code free tibet for
a $5 discount on your ticket
Ling Rinpoche will also be teaching at Chenrezig during
his visit. See Chenrezig Institute’s web site for details and
booking. www.chenrezig.com.au
Building Courage and Confidence