Fourteen months after the founders’ inaugural meeting, 80 ...€¦ · The rich and fascinating...
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The rich and fascinating history of BUSHkids will be revisited and reinvigorated in 2015 with the planned publication of a beautiful, hard-cover book, built on the research work done by Pat Carlin and many other dedicated volunteers past and present. From its origins in the aftermath of The Great Depression – when the philanthropic Christian movement ‘Toc H’ started bringing kids from western Queensland to the coast for a seaside holiday, empowered by the initiative of the Scheme’s founder, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, Queensland’s longest-serving Governor and a hero of the First World War – BUSHkids has been working to change the lives of inland Queensland children for the better. In the earliest days, it was through their stay at the Scheme’s coastal homes in Townsville,Yeppoon, Redcliffe and Torquay, this ‘change of scene’ also enabling the children to access healthcare and hospital services not available out in the Bush. Today the roles are reversed, and BUSHkids works to bring vital 21st Century Allied Health services to children and families in their home communities across Queensland. Throughout the intervening eight decades, there have been literally thousands of stories told, and we want to recount as many as we can. To commemorate our 80th anniversary in 2015 we are writing and compiling a book; however, we want this to be more than just a list of events: we intend it to be a living history, with stories from the people whose lives have been touched by BUSHkids. So, if you have a story about BUSHkids, if you worked for, or volunteered with us, supported the organisation in some way – or if you, or someone you know, was assisted by us during our first 80 years – we would love to receive your thoughts, words, pictures and memorabilia. To begin, please contact our 80th Anniversary Program Manager, Matt Tesch, by one of the means listed below with a precis of your connection to BUSHkids and possible contribution. Please do not send any original images or documents without first coordinating arrangements with us, so we can ensure the safety, and proper handling and acknowledgement, of your valuable memories. Email [email protected] Mobile 0438 429 936 Phone 07 3870 7288 Fax 07 3870 7723 : R O Y A L Q U E E N S L A N D B U S H C H I L D R E N ’S H E A L T H S C H E M E : B U S H K I D S : 8 0 Y E A R S : 1 9 3 5 2 0 1 5 Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme Serving children and families across Queensland for 80 years Fourteen months after the founders’ inaugural meeting, in December 1935, the first Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme was held on Thursday 18 February 1937, in Brisbane’s City Hall. Presiding was His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson PC GCSI GCMG GCIE DSO RM. Below are extracts from the Minutes of that meeting, many of the sentiments continuing to resonate in 2014: “His Excellency … in introduction observed that the Scheme was daily showing itself to be vitally necessary for the welfare of Queensland. He was convinced that it had the support of every section of the community. The Council realised its responsibilities in having to take care of the children entrusted to it by parents in the far distant parts of the State … The Council also took pains to use the funds to best advantage and reduce administration costs to a minimum. He was pleased indeed to know and realise the co-operation that had been extended to the Scheme by all people. “He was not afraid of the Scheme not being known … What he was afraid of was that the Scheme would not be able to meet the demands of the number of children who needed [it] It rested with the kind hearted people of Queensland whether the Scheme could do all it ought to do and all its Council desires to do … “The Chairman pointed out that while 350 children had been [attended to] this was only a small fraction of the number of children who required … medical attention. At this stage His Excellency [thanked] all those who by subscription, donations and functions had aided in the appeal for funds. He wished it to be known that these efforts to aid the funds had been very gratefully accepted and he was pleased at the amount of co-operation that had been shown. “In moving the adoption of the report [the Chairman] referred to the Governor’s great interest in the Scheme. It was largely due to his enthusiasm that the Scheme had been such a success … “The Archbishop of Brisbane … emphasised the value of the Scheme to the children of the West. The medical help given by the Scheme has been valuable. It was important that everything possible should be done to ensure that future generations should be healthy in mind and body. He was troubled sometimes by the thought that children might be psychologically affected by the illnesses to which they were subject by residence in the west. For this reason the Scheme had advantages other than improving the health of the children … the Bush Children’s Health Scheme was necessary and he had every praise for the administration which had so far carried out the clear objects of the Scheme. “What he particularly desired to stress was the fact that, with the medical attention and the assistance being given to those who were subjected to any ailments, this Scheme would take away the fear that was getting in the minds of people that their children were not getting the best that was offering … and he looked forward to the continued success of the Scheme.” 80 years : 1935 – 2015 23
Transcript of Fourteen months after the founders’ inaugural meeting, 80 ...€¦ · The rich and fascinating...
The rich and fascinating history of BUSHkids will be revisited and reinvigorated in 2015 with the planned publication of a beautiful, hard-cover book, built on the research work done by Pat Carlin and many other dedicated volunteers past and present.
From its origins in the aftermath of The Great Depression – when the philanthropic Christian movement ‘Toc H’ started bringing kids from western Queensland to the coast for a seaside holiday, empowered by the initiative of the Scheme’s founder, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, Queensland’s longest-serving Governor and a hero of the First World War – BUSHkids has been working to change the lives of inland Queensland children for the better.
In the earliest days, it was through their stay at the Scheme’s coastal homes in Townsville, Yeppoon, Redcliffe and Torquay, this ‘change of scene’ also enabling the children to access healthcare and hospital services not available out in the Bush. Today the roles are reversed, and BUSHkids works to bring vital 21st Century Allied Health services to children and families in their home communities across Queensland.
Throughout the intervening eight decades, there have been literally thousands of stories told, and we want to recount as many as we can.
To commemorate our 80th anniversary in 2015 we are writing and compiling a book; however, we want this to be more than just a list of events: we intend it to be a living history, with stories from the people whose lives have been touched by BUSHkids.
So, if you have a story about BUSHkids, if you worked for, or volunteered with us, supported the organisation in some way – or if you, or someone you know, was assisted by us during our first 80 years – we would love to receive your thoughts, words, pictures and memorabilia.
To begin, please contact our 80th Anniversary Program Manager, Matt Tesch, by one of the means listed below with a precis of your connection to BUSHkids and possible contribution. Please do not send any original images or documents without first coordinating arrangements with us, so we can ensure the safety, and proper handling and acknowledgement, of your valuable memories.
Email [email protected] 0438 429 936Phone 07 3870 7288Fax 07 3870 7723
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HEALTH SCHEME : BUSHKIDS : 80 YEARS :
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2015 Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health SchemeServing children and families across Queensland for 80 years
Fourteen months after the founders’ inaugural meeting, in December 1935, the first Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme was held on Thursday 18 February 1937, in Brisbane’s City Hall. Presiding was His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson pc gcsi gcmg gcie dso rm. Below are extracts from the Minutes of that meeting, many of the sentiments continuing to resonate in 2014:
“His Excellency … in introduction observed that the Scheme was daily showing itself to be vitally necessary for the welfare of Queensland. He was convinced that it had the support of every section of the community. The Council realised its responsibilities in having to take care of the children entrusted to it by parents in the far distant parts of the State … The Council also took pains to use the funds to best advantage and reduce administration costs to a minimum. He was pleased indeed to know and realise the co-operation that had been extended to the Scheme by all people.
“He was not afraid of the Scheme not being known … What he was afraid of was that the Scheme would not be able to meet the demands of the number of children who needed [it] It rested with the kind hearted people of Queensland whether the Scheme could do all it ought to do and all its Council desires to do …
“The Chairman pointed out that while 350 children had been [attended to] this was only a small fraction of the number of children who required … medical attention. At this stage His Excellency [thanked] all those who by subscription, donations and functions had aided in the appeal for funds. He wished it to be known that these efforts to aid the funds had been very gratefully accepted and he was pleased at the amount of co-operation that had been shown.
“In moving the adoption of the report [the Chairman] referred to the Governor’s great interest in the Scheme. It was largely due to his enthusiasm that the Scheme had been such a success …
“The Archbishop of Brisbane … emphasised the value of the Scheme to the children of the West. The medical help given by the Scheme has been valuable. It was important that everything possible should be done to ensure that future generations should be healthy in mind and body. He was troubled sometimes by the thought that children might be psychologically affected by the illnesses to which they were subject by residence in the west. For this reason the Scheme had advantages other than improving the health of the children … the Bush Children’s Health Scheme was necessary and he had every praise for the administration which had so far carried out the clear objects of the Scheme.
“What he particularly desired to stress was the fact that, with the medical attention and the assistance being given to those who were subjected to any ailments, this Scheme would take away the fear that was getting in the minds of people that their children were not getting the best that was offering … and he looked forward to the continued success of the Scheme.”
80 years : 1935 – 2015
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