Bernie Farrell Long term supporter of Kidney Health Australia. As Chair, Victorian Consumer Council his passion for building a voice for consumer issues is evident and is respected within DHS as a kidney consumer representative on a number of committees as an independent consumer advocate as he always highlights the plight of renal patients, carers and families. He assists with our consumer health forums, kids programs and media comments.
Yogarani (Yogi) Jeyakumar Yogi has provided years of service and commitment to Kidney Kids Camp held in Victoria, as well as the Kidney Health Australia National Kidney Kids Camp, which was established in 2002. She has acted in the capacity of Camp Head Nurse on many occasions as well supporting the planning of Camp. Yogi goes above and beyond her required role on Camp and regularly contributes daily to ensure enjoyment for the children. She is well regarded by her peers in the field of paediatric and adult renal nursing and continues with excellence and dedication in the delivery of paediatric renal care. Her ongoing support and holistic care of families should also be commended and recognised. All of this is carried out very professionally and so willingly with her gentle manner and always with a smile. Yogi is also a long serving member of the Kidney Health Australia Victorian Consumer Committee. She is truly a quite achiever.
Tom Lonergan Geelong Cats player who had a kidney removed as the result of a football injury in an AFL game late in 2006. However, he made a triumphant return to the game in 2007 including the VFL Grand Final, kicking six goals and has returned to the senior team. Tom is an inspiration to people suffering with kidney disease through his courage and determination to get back in the game and on with life and is an inspiration to all patients suffering with Chronic Kidney Disease. The Geelong Cats were also recognised with celestial status through its Board, staff, players and supporters for the encouragement and assistance they provided Tom to cope with the traumatic life changing experience of losing one of his kidneys.
Eunice Luker Volunteer coordinator within the Geelong Dialysis Unit for more than 12 years. A volunteer herself, Eunice ensures a volunteer is present each day to provide refreshments and conversation to our patients during their dialysis treatment and always does her best to cover absent volunteers. She has endured her own fair share of health issues, but has always been there as a support and a friend to many dialysis patients.
Alan Rawson Managed two Dialysis Holiday Homes at Yarrawonga and Rosebud for 15 years on behalf of the Dialysis & Transplant Association (DATA). This involves administrative tasks and frequent trips to Yarrawonga and Rosebud to engage local tradespeople to maintain each house. Alan also keeps in contact with the Renal Technicians to ensure the dialysis machines at both homes are well serviced. Alan has raised a lot of money on behalf of the DATA from a local golf club and Lions club, enabling DATA to donate a dialysis chair and a television to the Yarrawonga Hospital. He puts in a lot of his own time enabling many people on dialysis to enjoy a low cost holiday, while managing his own health following a renal transplant.
Kath Retallick Full time carer for her husband who dialyses three days a week. Kath provides friendship and support to other dialysis clients and delivers cuppas and newspapers. She helps dialysis clients pass the time by talking with them and assists at busy times to pack belongings of clients unable to do so themselves. Kath is tireless in her role as a carer with a positive attitude and a ready smile.
Rosemary Simmonds Works tirelessly to build, sustain and explore the potential of home nocturnal dialysis since its inception in Geelong in 2000. This treatment method has grown and become the benchmark by which dialysis is now measured. Rosie educates and mentors her patients and teaches staff from other units who are keen to learn and ready to adopt Nocturnal Home Haemodialysis.
Peter Auld Donated a kidney to his brother Tony. Peter had a sympathetic employer who allowed him time off work to donate a kidney to his brother. It took14 months of tests before the kidney donation was done. The operation to remove Peter’s kidney took 3-4 hours and he went home 7 days later, with a further 6 weeks recovery. Peter was helped by joining in support groups to discuss other's experience. Peter leads a normal life with one kidney and will shares a very special bond with his brother.
Freda Kingsland Long-term carer of kidney health patients, Freda is well-known figure at Angliss Satellite Centre,m Ferntree Gully. Freda initially cared husband Ray and over time began to provide support and company for others on dialysis. Freda accompanied Ray for every treatment and would often take baked goods for patients and remembered everyone’s birthday. Freda assisted nurses by helping patients get ready for treatment, weighing them, putting on blood pressure cuffs and settling them into treatment chairs. Freda’s husband lost his battle with kidney disease, but later Freda remarried - she met Colin in the dialysis unit and continues to help in the dialysis unit every Saturday.
Jimmy Little AO When diagnosed with kidney disease in his sixties, Jimmy began home dialysis and returned to limited live performances. On tour he visited renal clinics and community centres across Australia entertaining and spreading a message of hope, as living proof of a productive life on dialysis. Through his Thumbs Up program, he constantly reinforces positive messages to schools across Australia. He is patron of the Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, ambassador for Fred Hollows Foundation and an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training. Jimmy received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Sydney and from Queensland University of Technology in 2004.
Entertaining Australians since his debut in 1956, in recognition of his contribution to Australian music industry, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1999 and elevated to the prestigious Tamworth Roll of Renown in 1994. Jimmy was named "Aboriginal of the Year" 1989, NSW Senior Australian 2002 and received the Australia Council's Red Ochre Award. Australians have voted Jimmy a “National Living Treasure” and in 2004 was given an Australian Order for his contribution to the entertainment industry and ongoing work with Indigenous education and health.
Tamaryn Stevens Diagnosed with CKD when young, Tamaryn dialysed for years, then received a kidney transplant from her Mum, Amy. Tamaryn made a series of hand-drawn cards featuring Australian native parrots, created when dialysing, printed and packaged into sets of four for sale - and rasied $1500 to support our work.