The Caleb Thorburn Foundation 2011 Christmas Newsletter

Meningococcal Australia

A significant development in 2011 was the establishment of Meningococcal Australia (MA). MA is the result of the 5 state based meningococcal charities collaborating to engender a national identity. The possibilities to extend our reach, advantage our funding and importantly accelerate our health message will be realised through MA, whilst still maintaining our commitment to our state based charities. This combined output is a reflection of our determination, vision and the vital community service we provide.

'To celebrate the sum parts that develop and champion the whole'
www.meningococcalaustralia.org.au

 

 

    

National Meningococcal Day (NMD) – Friday 2nd September

Our first NMD was a great success. The community participation was wonderful. A number of activities and promotions were held across the country with support from corporate Australia, school groups and individuals, the most popular being wearing the colour purple or school children denying the use of a limb for 15 minutes on the day. We achieved significant media coverage and importantly we had a day that gave our charities a platform to educate and win new friends to help our initiatives and strengthen our objective to reduce incidence of MD in Australia.

The 2012 National Meningococcal Day will be held on Friday 7th September 2012.

    

Corporate Australia has a Big Heart – TCTF says Thank You

Without donations TCTF would be considerably diluted in our community efforts. We rely on the generosity of donors to realise our objectives. Many Australians would go without necessary support post MD and many more Australians would contract MD. Corporate Australia have been big hearted in helping us help others and without hesitation, I attribute the successes of TCTF in 2011 to their generosity, commitment and shared desire to protect the lives and ensure better health outcomes for  Australians from MD.

The following events and companies have been our champions. We recognise, value and congratulate you all on TCTFs 2011 strategic progress, positive broad community outcomes and the difference we are making. We are incredibly fortunate to have your support.

TCTF Australian Office Products Industry Golf Day

What a day! A fully subscribed event, amazing course and an incredible show of support.  A success that returned our biggest financial result from any one fundraiser. OUTSTANDING. Our heartfelt gratitude to Fellowes Australia, the organising committee and the office product industry. Thank you is a mere reflection of what this event and the people behind it have contributed to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.

 

 

 

 

Chain Reaction Bike Ride

An annual Bike event that is an example of leadership, endurance, dedication and participation. Executive members and staff from some of our largest corporate identities cycle thousands of kilometres to raise funds for Australian charities. TCTF were enormously grateful to be a recipients for 2011. This is a privilege beyond the gesture of funds. To be considered a worthy charity from respected corporate businesses is a genuine vote of confidence for TCTF.

 

 

 

 

Gold Sponsers:

National Meningococcal Conference

TCTF were the proud hosts of 2011 National Meningococcal Conference, held over 3 days
at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. TCTF provided a very robust, engaging and informative agenda attended by all state based meningococcal foundations, related industry, medical professionals, key stakeholders, survivors and general community. It was an astounding success with the most esteemed international infectious disease speakers providing incredible insight, MD survivors sharing their experience and industry developments. The investment in this event was considerable and made possible through our Pharmaceutical partnerships. Importantly the intellectual sharing, the input of our key stakeholders for our strategic development and the consolidation of our national collaboration as meningococcal Australia was successfully achieved.

        

2011...2012

TCTF are thrilled with all that has transpired over the last 12 months. We have had a very busy year engaging with our community and our MD patient advocacy. Through our funding we have been able to extend our education, our resources, our investment in research and support to MD survivors. It has also enabled us to maintain our entity on a day-to-day basis and the necessary mechanics of our charity with our non discretionary spend. 2012 promises to be equally productive.

It is with absolute relief to anticipate a vaccination in 2012 to protect against strain B MD. TCTF will be incredibly vocal with government decision makers to encourage the inclusion of this vaccination in the immunisation programme. This is a priority and one I implore all of you to support.

There is considerable work to be done in the coming 12 months to strengthen our profile and accelerate our community and MD survivor wish list. There is plenty of drive, passion, determination, energy and generosity of spirit of all who represent TCTF. We need to ensure this enthusiasm can be harnessed with continued financial health so we can further our charitable efforts to benefit the Australian community. Please consider ways you can help us achieve our objectives in a very difficult and challenging environment.

That being said can I take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who dedicate their time, skills and good humour to TCTF. Incredible friends who are dependable, driven, big hearted and unselfish in their contribution as TCTF working committee. TCTF is the professional outfit it is because of the people behind it.

Thank you also to everyone who seeks out opportunities and invests in TCTF. To all our personal donors and our corporate relationships we extend our thanks for providing the means to keep TCTF a viable and proactive charity. We look forward to continuing this journey with our many ‘Friends of the Foundation’.

Liselle Thorburn – President.