The EPCF recently concluded its adjourned Annual General Meeting for 2017, adopting the audited 2016/17 Financial Statements and announcing new Patrons and an Ambassador for the Foundation.

Highlights of the year included:

  • The signing of an agreement between the EPCF and Matthew Flinders Homes to provide after hours care for patients requiring end-of-life support at home.
  • The establishment of an Education Fund to support education initiatives on Eyre Peninsula. The fund was able to assist five regional students as they commenced their university studies in Adelaide.
  • The distribution of $46,350 in Back-to-School vouchers across Eyre Peninsula, assisting families in need to purchase necessities for school age children. This brought the total distributed since 2009 to $143,750.
  • Grants totalling $26,897 made to community groups across Eyre Peninsula, for a wide variety of small local projects.
  • At 30 June 2017 the Foundation had $546,187 under management, a significant increase on the previous year.

The Directors of the Foundation were delighted to announce that Peter Treloar MP and Tony Irvine had accepted invitations to act as Patrons of the Foundation. Both gentlemen are prominent and active in community affairs across the Peninsula, and will promote the work of the Foundation when appropriate.

The EPCF’s longest-serving Director, Marie Lally AM, retired from the Board at the AGM but has accepted the role of Ambassador for the Foundation. She will continue to actively support the Foundation. Greg Eden also left the Board at the AGM, rounding out five years of service, mostly as Treasurer.

Glen Karutz has recently accepted the other Ambassador role for the Foundation. Glen was intimately involved in establishing the EPCF structure, so he can draw on this knowledge to promote the activities of the Foundation.

Taken at the AGM, EPCF personnel present include (left to right) Susan Hooker (Secretary), Greg Eden (former Director), Marie Lally AM (Ambassador), Majella Mrdjen (Director), Dr Janene Piip (Chair), Peter Treloar MP (Patron), Maggie Knife (Director), Garry Downey (Director), Tony Irvine (Patron) and Peter Knife (Director).

A large, dedicated group of volunteers continue to operate the highly successful Book Bazaar, raising funds for the Home Hospice and for the Foundation. The Foundation expects to renew the agreement with Matthew Flinders Homes shortly, ensuring that the Home Hospice service continues. Feedback from some families supported is very encouraging, confirming the value of providing the service.

The EPCF has now decided to expand the scope of the Home Hospice Fund slightly, to also make small amounts available to local Palliative Care teams involved in daytime in-home palliative care. These amounts will allow for little ‘extras’ to basic care to be made available, to improve life for families at a very difficult time. Donations can now be accepted for “general palliative care support” on Eyre Peninsula, although due to the nature of these expenses such donations cannot be tax deductible.

Visit the EPCF website at www.epcf.com.au, and the Foundation can be contacted on 0400 685 520 or by email to admin@epcf.com.au

 

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