Following close to three decades service to the Great Lakes Hospice, Rob Fisher has retired from the management committee.
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In 1989 a public meeting was held to assist in palliative care for community nurse, Francis Green, as it was felt there was a gap that needed filling.
The meeting was well attended and after some discussion there was strong support for the idea of a local hospice.
A committee was formed with Rob Fisher elected president, Margaret Hindmarsh, treasurer and Elizabeth Fisher, secretary.
Then the daunting task of fundraising began.
Over the years events such as Trash and Treasure mornings, pie drives, Ccassical music concert, Bull'n Bush sing-a-long concert, fashion parades, Jazz by the Lake, garage sales and a collectors’ fair were all part of the fundraising.
In 1993 Rob and Elizabeth visited State Parliament to meet then NSW Health Minister, Dr Andrew Refshauge.
He was sympathetic to the idea of a local hospice and made vague promises of support.
However, confusion as to whether it was a State or Commonwealth responsibility rather clouded the issue.
In 1994 Rob and Elizabeth were invited to visit Calvary Hospital and Hospice in Sydney.
Both were envious when they saw these facilities.
They met the chief fundraiser who had many large organisations to call on for financial help.
Calvary Hospital, Kogarah head nurse, Sr Christina, Mater Hospital, Newcastle volonteer co-ordinator, Sr Kate Monro and Baptist Care Kularoo Gardens, Forster manager, Wal Rose were guest speakers at another public meeting in 1995.
The appointment of a community palliative care nurse that year was an important step forward as she saw the need for a hospice because of the area’s aging population, many of whom had no family living nearby to provide support.
Presbyterian Church Pastor Lance Jackson took on the role of president in 1995.
Later that year Laurel Cottage was purchased in Short Street, Forster close to the local hospital .
This was an exciting time – last Rob felt he was getting somewhere.
Management and auxiliary meetings could be now held at the cottage.
Open days were planned so the public could visit.
The local Lions Club gave many hours of labour in and around the building.
Rob has been steadfast in his determination to provide palliative care support for the people of the Great Lakes.
- Deidre Stokes
The following year Rob and Elizabeth again met with the Baptist Church hierarchy in Ryde, but some months later disappointed to learn they could not see a way of including Great lakes Cottage Hospice (which was the original name used) in their development at Kularoo Gardens.
The reason behind this was that an application for a Commonwealth Palliative grant was not successful.
The cottage in Short Street became the focus.
It was furnished thanks to many generous donations from individuals and community organisations and opened with nurse Marlene Kernick as sister-in-charge of the cottage.
The first patients were admitted under Marlene's care, but there was always the nagging question: ‘how to obtain the on-going finance to enable the cottage to meet the needs of the community’?
Many letters were written to the NSW Department of Health and the Federal Minister.
The problem was that the cottage only had three beds, and after a visit from an official from the Department of Hospital Licensing the minimum accepted size for a hospice was nine beds or more .
Laurel Cottage closed its doors in July 2000.
One door closed and another opened,as an offer was made by chairman George Perkins and Cape Hawke Community Private Hospital committee to make three palliative care beds and a quiet room available at the hospital.
The Laurel Wing opened in 2001.
Unfortunately changes to hospital ownership over the years it is no longer there.
Rob said the Matt Nixon Memorial Golf Day, held at Forster Golf Club every year since 2002 and organised by the Nixon family and the late Matt's friends has donated more than $160,000 to Great Lakes Hospice.
The hospice has been able to continue many of their services using the money from this generous donation alone.
The former Great Lakes Council in 2008 made a donation and the auxiliary continue to organise events during the year to continue funding services.
These include extra nursing and domiciliary care, financial assistance for medications, respite care, the loan of specialised equipment to enable patients to remain in their own home for as long as possible and oncology services.
Rob was awarded a Centennial Medal for his volunteer work in the Great Lakes in 2003.
Through the many changes that have occurred over the years, Great lakes Hospice Management committee president, Deidre Stokes said: “Rob has been steadfast in his determination to provide palliative care support for the people of the Great Lakes.”
He held the position of membership secretary on the management committee prior to his retirement.