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A very special 2024
December 31, 2024
As we prepare to step into a new year, we invite you to reflect on some key moments that happened for Very Special Kids this year:
1,093 nights of respite, end-of-life and after death care
2024 marks a significant milestone for Very Special Kids as it is our first full year of operation since the rebuild of our hospice, Very Special Kids House.
Our children’s hospice, which is Victoria’s only facility, is a place where life is celebrated and every moment can be cherished. It is also, importantly, a place parents and carers can rely on for a much-needed break.
Since reopening the doors, our team of doctors, nurses, carers and allied health professionals have fostered many lasting memories for very special kids, also supporting siblings and families through our on-site family accommodation.
The Project’s heartwarming interview with Sister Margaret
In July, presenter Waleed Aly from Channel 10’s The Project visited Very Special Kids House for a special interview with our patron and first employee, Sister Margaret Noone.
Sister Margaret is a trailblazer, introducing paediatric palliative care to Australia with the vision of building Australia’s first children’s hospice.
Now 91 years old, Sister Margaret remains an important part of the fabric of Very Special Kids.
Singing and signing with Emma Memma
In October, some of Emma Memma’s top fans had the exciting opportunity to sing, dance and sign alongside their icon.
Not only did Emma boop and twirl to some of her top tunes, but she also made a considered effort to spend quality one-on-one time with each and every child who attended. The day was a memorable one for many (we still have printed photos of the day displayed in the hospice!).
A spotlight on paediatric palliative care
During the year we also worked to educate our wider community on children’s palliative care and what living life to the end really means.
During National Palliative Care Week, Very Special Kids’ chief medical officer Katie Moore and two very special parents were interviewed on ABC’s The Conversation Hour to address the often-avoided topic.
On Dying to Know Day, we were honoured to share a bereaved mum’s honest and personal experience saying goodbye to her son at Very Special Kids House. You can read her moving words here.
Lastly, on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day we collaborated with Australia’s only other children’s hospices – Bear Cottage in New South Wales and Queensland’s Hummingbird House on a joint awareness campaign.
We were delighted to share a reflection from a family whose daughter enjoys respite stays at Very Special Kids House. You can read their story here.
Rebuilding our website
To match our newly rebuilt hospice, we also rebuilt our website with independent agency Next&Co, improving ease of navigation for our community, especially families who may visit our website seeking information and support during stressful or emotionally challenging times.
We are so thankful to all the children, siblings, parents and carers who contributed to our website user-experiencing testing. This insight was vital to not only improving the functionality of our website, but also the language we use to communicate with both children and adults.
Hyundai Help for Kids
Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Hyundai Help for Kids, families at Very Special Kids were given opportunities to create unforgettable memories. From meeting football heroes and featuring in official team photos, to forming a guard of honour at a Carlton game and running onto the field with captain Patrick Cripps, many childhood football dreams came true.
In addition to these memorable experiences, Hyundai also provided generous support at our Footy Fever event, donating a 2024 Hyundai Venue as an exclusive raffle prize. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Louise, a mother supported by Very Special Kids, had her name drawn as the lucky winner.
Giant pigs hit the road
In November, our giant pink piggy banks hit the road for the first time since COVID-19.
During the tour, they visited community events at Commonwealth Bank branches in Corowa, Rosebud, Wodonga and Shepparton. Commonwealth Bank has been a key partner of Very Special Kids’ Piggy Bank Appeal for 25 years. Another long-term partner of 27 years, ALH Hotels, donated $1 to Very Special Kids from every garlic bread they sold during the month of November.