What’s special about Mater Health Services?

The Mater is a health care institution that embraces a range of clinical activities and research activities. But for many people, it’s more than that, it’s a cause, it’s something that has a special place in the social fabric of Brisbane and Queensland as well.

How was 2007 for the Foundation?

Over the course of 2007, we have certainly seen some significant input come about as a result of funds raised for projects like the new Mater Mothers’ Hospitals. We’ve had quite a substantial growth in the commitment to that project; it will enable specific equipment and other clinical facilities to be added into this magnificent building behind us. In addition to that, we’ve been able to direct a significant amount of funding to research programs across the Mater.

One of the things we’re most proud of is probably one of the smallest things we’ve done and that is to provide a source of funding through our mission fund to families and to patients that have particular urgent and unplanned needs.

They may have a child or a baby that’s been rushed to hospital and quite literally come with just the clothes they’re standing in. And to be able to fund everything from simple as a toothbrush through to a meal and somewhere to stay ... They are really important life impacting contributions that make a difference to people in really quite dire needs. So we are very proud of being able to help in that respect.

Is the Foundation doing well?

In the last financial year, Mater Foundation raised just over a net of six million dollars, so that was a significant year—one of our biggest years—and continues a pattern of grown that we’ve been able to achieve over the last four or five years. And that was as a result of support of quite literally hundreds of thousands of people across the broader Queensland community and beyond.