FUNDING SECURED FOR KATIE ROSE COTTAGE HOSPICE EXPANSION
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today announced the Australian Government will fund a $1.5 million extension to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice at Doonan to improve access to end of life and palliative care services for people in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
The funding will be used to construct two additional bedrooms, a quiet room, and an administration and storage area.
“This grant means that Katie Rose Cottage Hospice will be able to offer end of life care to an extra 40 people and their families each year,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It’s a very worthwhile investment for the Noosa community, for people who require palliative care.
“Katie Rose Cottage Hospice is a treasured place of peace, tranquillity, and serenity, providing dedicated, professional, fully accredited and compassionate care, in a comfortable home environment.
“Upon entering the hospice, you know you are in a warm and welcoming place. Everyone here invests their time, skills, and energy to give personalised, respectful and supportive end of life care, including by providing direct care, cooking and cleaning, and maintaining and creating new spaces to relax in the beautiful landscaped gardens.
“I pay tribute to former Katie Rose Cottage Hospice Chair Carol Raye, current Chair Les Godwin, other Katie Rose Board members, CEO John Gabrielson, and the whole team for bringing this project forward and we all look forward to their vision becoming a reality to offer the quality care and support that the hospice is renowned for,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I’m also pleased the current Government has recognised the importance of Katie Rose Cottage to the community by providing bi-partisan support for the project and maintaining the funding commitment put in place by the former Liberal and Nationals Government, and we all see the purpose and value of the services the hospice provides.”
Katie Rose Cottage was established in 2016 as a community driven, not for profit palliative care service. Since then, it has provided care to more than 300 terminally ill patients.
Mr O’Brien was a guest at a small event held today at Katie Rose Cottage Hospice to acknowledge the former Coalition Government’s $1.5 million commitment to the hospice, ensuring that Noosa residents approaching the end of their life can access the level and type of care they need in a home-like setting.
Work will commence shortly on the project and is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
“We are profoundly grateful to the former Coalition Government for their generous funding towards the expansion of Katie Rose Cottage Hospice. This investment will have a lasting impact on the lives of those facing end-of-life, as well as their families and support networks,” Katie Rose Cottage Acting Chair Les Godwin said today.
“With this government support, we can provide enhanced care, comfort, and support, ensuring that every guest receives the dignity, compassion, and respect they deserve.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank local companies Campbell Constructions, Greyspace, JFP, and our architect Phil Tait who have been working hard alongside us to help us reach this point. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them as we work towards completion of the extension.”
“Special thanks must also go to the Warm Handshake Foundation who donated the property in 2017. Without their generosity, Katie Rose Cottage would never have come about,” Mr Godwin said.
The family member of a guest said today “This government funding is a lifeline for families like ours. It means that more people facing the end of life will have access to the exceptional care and support provided by Katie Rose Cottage Hospice. We are incredibly grateful for this investment, as it will make a profound difference to the lives of countless individuals and families in the future.”
“The former Liberal and Nationals Government understood the need for more palliative care facilities in a region which has a growing and ageing population. We committed $1.5 million to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice to ensure support for those in need, and to provide peace of mind for their family members during a challenging time, and I welcome its delivery,” Mr O’Brien said.
