Our Angels in Tasmania

Angel Awards in 2010 - Kidney Health Week

Mrs Betty Walsh from Tasmania - A full time carer for her husband Theo, who depends on Betty due to his ill health. For many years, Betty has travelled to the Burnie Renal Unit at least three times a week. Betty is hugely supportive of all the patients and cares and carers at the unit and contributed enormously in many ways including particpation in Kidney Health Week.  She is an active member of the Burnie Renal Support Group.

Angel Awards in 2008 - our 40th Anniversary Year

Margaret Binns - a dialysis nurse for more than 20 years, Margaret Binns has worked tirelessly in both professional and community settings to improve the well-being of people with kidney disease. In her most recent role of Renal Transplant Coordinator at the Royal Hobart Hospital she has helped change the lives of many people with kidney disease. Margaret has been involved with Kidney Health Australia since its inception and provides a vital link between the organisation and kidney patients in Tasmania. She has been a state committee member, assisted with countless projects and events as a volunteer, and helped with fundraising and patient support. Margaret has given selflessly to the well-being of people with chronic kidney disease and has volunteered to assist in spreading the word about the disease in Tasmania. Her gentle manner and caring approach has positively impacted upon many lives.

Michael Dewis - has made a significant difference as a carer at the Launceston General Hospital Renal Unit. He is the husband and outstanding full time carer for his wife Jill, who has kidney disease and multiple additional medical problems and has been her full time carer since she commenced dialysis ten years ago. For the past seven years, Michael has accompanied Jill to the renal unit where she dialyses for four hours, four times a week. He helps set up her machine and provides additional support and care while she is receiving treatment. Above and beyond caring for his wife, Michael is an invaluable asset to the operation of the renal unit. He assists the support staff with a multitude of tasks, including stores, messages and morning teas. In so many ways he provides the “support” for the support staff.  Michael also provides wonderful support for the other renal patients, and spends time talking with other partners of patients on dialysis and is highly valued by the patients, partners and the staff of the entire renal unit.

Jennifer Reynolds - a nurse attached to the satellite Renal Unit of the Launceston General Hospital in Burnie. She has a particular gift of personalising her nursing, so that the recipients are assured their care and well-being is of prime importance to her. Jenny makes a significant difference in the life of patients and families by her skills, which she continues to improve with study, and by the outstanding qualities she demonstrates in her standard of care and professionalism.

Kerry Walker - a transplant recipient who was on dialysis for seven years until he received a kidney in 2003. From day one of commencing dialysis, Kerry was interested in helping others and became more interested in education about kidney disease. He became an advocate for public awareness about chronic kidney disease and will take any opportunity to assist Kidney Health Australia in its activities. Kerry has spent many hours giving talks at schools, Rotary and other clubs, as well as speaking on radio and television, to improve awareness of kidney disease. He has attended Tasmania’s annual Agfests, the “Taste of Tasmania”, and wherever Kidney Health Australia decides to promote education and awareness. He continues to attend the Renal Unit’s education sessions for nurses and enrolled nurses. He has been a peer support volunteer, a kidney carer, and spent two years as Tasmanian Consumer Participation Committee Chair, all whilst holding down a full time job with the Tasmanian Police.