This fantastic event is in its 6th year and our dedicated group of Chef’s from 7 of Hamilton’s fine dining establishments will produce some great taste sensations.

This is a great night out with the best food and wines that the Waikato has to offer.

We are also looking for 12-15 Volunteers to be Waiters/Waitresses at the event so if you are interested let Karen know – 07 859 1260

DATE:       Sunday 10th June 2012
TIME:       6pm – 10.15pm
VENUE:   The Kingsgate Hotel
PRICE:     $150 per person

Contact Karen Mansfield to book your table of 8
Phone:  07 859 3832  or email karen@hospicewaikato.org.nz

All Proceeds to Hospice Waikato, local Rotary projects and the Rotary Foundation

14th – 20th May 2012

Hospice Awareness Week is our most significant opportunity to raise much needed public awareness and funds for the delivery of hospice services in our community.   This year we need to raise $1.9 million (that means $5,205 per day) so that we can continue to provide our services to the community at no charge.

As part of Hospice Awareness Week this year we are extending an invitation to the wider community to join us for a cup of tea to hear and learn about what Hospice Waikato and Rainbow Place does. Join us at Hospice Waikato, 334 Cobham Drive, Hillcrest – Friday 18 May at 10.30am or 2pm.

Our wonderful volunteers will be managing our street appeal around Hamilton shopping centres and we encourage you keep an eye out for them and make a donation.

In the Matamata-Piako area we celebrate the opening of our sixth Hospice Waikato shop in Morrinsville and are promoting the Great Wardrobe Clear out in this area.

How else can the Community continue to support Hospice Waikato during Hospice Awareness Week?

1)    Host a Hospice Week event in your home or work place and have fun while raising funds for Hospice and making a difference in YOUR community!
Here are just some ideas: a tea party; a quiz night, a movie night, a sports challenge, an auction or a dinner party.

2)    Donate your unwanted quality household goods or clothing to our Hospice Shops by dropping them off at 900 Victoria Street.

3)    Rainbow Place, the children and young people’s service of Hospice Waikato will be running a cake raffle during Hospice Awareness Week.
The prize is a beautiful Rainbow cake  made by a family that has been supported by Rainbow Place (click here to see what it will look like). All proceeds will go to Rainbow Place.
Raffle tickets will be $2 for one entry and $5 for three entries and can be purchased from Hospice Waikato -  0800 HOSPICE  (0800 467 7423)

—–  Congratulations to Phylis and Frances who are now the lucky owners of a Rainbow Cake after the Rainbow Place Rainbow Cake Raffle this afternoon!

4)    Purchase “Over a Teacup” recipe book available from Hospice Waikato $15.00

5)    Make a donation by phoning 0800 HOSPICE  (0800 467 7423) during office hours or online (click the ‘donate’ button at the top-right of your screen).

For further information contact: 0800 Hospice (0800 467 7423)

For the  last six years Craig has held the senior position as General Manager of the Palliative Care Council and Cancer Control New Zealand based in Wellington,  and prior to that was New Zealand National Manager of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry .

He has also held a number of other senior health positions from clinical to national management including senior positions with Capital Primary  Health , and Capital and Coast District Health

In these positions Craig demonstrated leadership and the ability to balance  a strategic and operational focus and managing changes with government agencies and the non-government sector . These included working with Hospice and primary Care providers in Wellington and implementing training between the hospital and Hospice nurses

Craig holds an MBA , a  Bachelor of Business Studies with focus in Health Service Management and is a Comprehensive Registered Nurse . He is married with three adult children , and will be relocating  to Hamilton when he  takes up the position in June

Craig indicated a priority will be getting to know all Hospice staff , the huge number of key  sponsors , benefactors supporters and volunteers and also other key stakeholders of Hospice Waikato and Rainbow Place

The Board was delighted with the extremely high calibre of applicants . To attract someone of Craig’s experience was indeed confirmation of the esteem of which  Hospice Waikato and Rainbow Place are held

Craig’s health experience, and proven leadership skills combined with a natural enthusiast nature will be fantastic for the organisation building on significant recent achievements and continues to deliver our aim of providing exceptional service to the region

Remember $11 from every book Hospice sells is donated back to Hospice Waikato .

Books are once again $55 – you will get your money back very quickly!

If you have any queries please contact Jenni Hoogeveen on 07 859 1260 .

Click here to view the newsletter (PDF file, 1.09MB)

Please click here to view.

The winners of the annual Every Child Counts Awards were announced today at a special ceremony at parliament, hosted by the Minister for Social Development, Hon Paula Bennett. The annual Every Child Counts Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations working to improve the status and wellbeing of New Zealand children.

“The Every Child Counts Awards celebrate some of the amazing work people are doing in support of children and families. We want to highlight that work and encourage others to invest themselves in working for children too. There is no work more important than this,” said Liz Gibbs, Chair of Every Child Counts.

Organisational winner

The winner of the Every Child Counts organisational award is Rainbow Place – the Children & Young Peoples’ service of Hospice Waikato. Hospice Waikato is the only hospice in New Zealand to have a totally separate, designated service for children. Rainbow Place has grown from small beginnings in 2003 to a case load of 300+ in 2011. The service supports children and young people who have a life limiting or life threatening illness, or who are going through change, loss and grief because of the serious illness and/or death of a loved one. They believe passionately that children are not little adults, and that they need very different and specialised support and care. Packages of care include one on one counselling, family therapy and group workshops. The team can provide art therapy, play therapy and sand play therapy to name but a few.

Every Child Counts is a coalition led by Barnardos, Plunket, UNICEF, Save the Children and Te Kahui Mana Ririki working to increase the status and wellbeing of New Zealand children. www.everychildcounts.org.nz

Press Release from Scoop.

Press Release also on Stuff.co.nz. Please click here to view.