Today marked the launch of St Vincent's Foundation Queensland - the official fundraising organisation of St Vincent's Health Australia's Hospitals and Facilities in Queensland. 

Formally launched by the Foundation's Chair, Professor Michael Drew at a ribbon cutting ceremony at St Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, the event was attended by four Sisters of Charity as well as key representatives from the Foundation's beneficiaries: St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside; St Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane; St Vincent's Private Hospital Toowoomba; and St Vincent's Care.

Also in attendance were around 80 students from St Laurence's College, Brisbane who donated $10,000 to St Vincent's Foundation Queensland through their annual walkathon. The school’s Walkathon 2022: Walking in Solidarity, saw almost 2,000 students traverse 14km in and around Brisbane’s CBD with a cohort of students walking via St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane at Kangaroo Point for a morale-boosting visit with staff, patients and invited guests.

“Following the great tradition of Venerable Mary Aikenhead and her Sisters of Charity, the desire to help those in need burns at the heart of St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland.” 

Professor Michael Drew - St Vincent's Foundation Queensland Chair

“The generous support of individuals, community groups, and businesses will enable the Foundation to purchase new medical equipment, drive innovation and research, enhance patient health care, educate a new generation of clinicians and provide a holistic approach to aged care services that delivers the highest standard of services across community living, independent living, and residential living," Professor Drew said.

“For many years, St Laurence’s has had a strong relationship with our facility at Kangaroo Point and it is heartening to see that tradition is still going. Their support for the work of St Vincent’s Foundation Queensland is an example of putting their school community out in front and literally going the extra kilometre to help those who need it the most.”

“This is such a wonderful gesture from the St Laurence’s College community and we applaud the students and staff for putting in a magnificent effort over many weeks of fundraising and a day of exertion to support us and I am sure our patients and residents will be uplifted and comforted by their efforts and compassion.”

 Oli Steele - CEO of St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and Brisbane

St Laurence’s College Principal, Mr Chris Leadbetter said the college was both proud and excited about the strong community partnership being built with St Vincent’s Private Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Foundation Queensland.

“The annual Walkathon event is one of the longest standing traditions in the St Laurence’s College community, dating back to 1968, although due to Covid, the last two years of the Walkathon have occurred virtually and the College is so excited to have its largest fundraising activity back in-person in 2022,” Mr Leadbetter said. 

“Students have been working hard to raise money for the well-deserved charities. It’s an important connection because of the proximity of St Vincent’s Hospital to St Laurence’s College (less than 3km). Also, the fact that the mission and values of our two organisations align so closely, we see the relationship as potentially life-giving for both communities."

“It is our hope that this is the first step of a long and mutually beneficially partnership with the St Vincent’s Private Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Foundation Queensland.”

 Chris Leadbetter - Principal St Laurence's College

“The mission of St Vincent's fits perfectly in this, as we strive to provide care and support for people when they are most at need. I hope that the boys are able to consider the areas of the community that are in need of support and get a sense of satisfaction that they are actively contributing to benefit someone they may never meet”

 Amanda Bromley - Allied Health Services Manager at St Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane

St Vincent’s Foundation has identified some priority projects across four facilities - at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane (building upgrades and a palliative biography program); St Vincent’s Northside (funding specialist care nurses at the Chermside hospital over five years); St Vincent’s Toowoomba (robotic surgery equipment and ICU equipment); and St Vincent Care’s aged care services (purpose built disability accommodation and assistive technology).