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Register NOW for the Cairns Cancer Crusade
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COUCH update from the Chairman
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Launching COUCH Potato Week
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Community Consultation Invitation - Monday 16th June
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News from the COUCH
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Public Meeting - 12th June, 6:30pm
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News from the COUCH
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February newsletter from COUCH
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PO Box 1230 Cairns, QLD 4870
Ph: 07 4041 9474
Fax: 07 4041 9494
E-mail:info@couch.org.au
Bob McGill
(Public Relations Sub-committee) bob.mcgill@qr.com.au
Max Plummer
(Support Sub-committee) plums5@bigpond.net.au
Charles Woodward
(Executive committee) pa@capta.com.au
Sandy Astill
(Fundraising Sub-committee) astills@optusnet.com.au
COUCH - Committee for Oncology Unit Cairns Hospital
COUCH is an Action Group that was formed by Charles and Pip Woodward at a public meeting they organised on 4th September, 2006. This meeting was called after cancer sufferer, Liz Plummer highlighted in an interview with the Cairns Post newspaper the inadequate oncology services available in Cairns. These inadequate services cause unnecessary pain and suffering by having to travel to Townsville or Brisbane for treatment.
Alarming statistics have revealed that people with cancer in regional areas are 35% more likely to die within 5 years of diagnosis than patients in larger cities, and mortality rates increase the further away the patients live. For some cancers, remote patients are up to 300% more likely to die within 5 years of diagnosis.
Pacific International Hotel- Cairns, Queensland - 4th September 2006
Charles Woodward pointed out the chronic shortage of cancer treatment facilities for people in Cairns and the Far North region.
Liz Plummer spoke as a cancer patient reiterating the plight of cancer patients in the Far North.
Charles Woodward called for formation of a committee to run COUCH.
Pacific International Hotel - Cairns, Queensland - 29 November 2006
Meeting updated everyone on progress of COUCH.
Speakers:
Dr Andrew Shearer, Haematologist, Cairns Hospital
Margaret Gargan, founder of Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre, Sunshine Coast
Quality Hotel, Sheridan Plaza - Cairns, Queensland - 5th March 2007
Speaker: Liz Plummer spoke and shared her journey with everyone
4 Sub committees formed:
Support * Fundraising * Public Relations * Retreat
Speakers:
Glenys Duncombe, Mother
Cr Kevin Byrne, Mayor of Cairns
Dr Ken Chapman, Chairman Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Liz Plummer, Cancer Patient
Quality Hotel, Sheridan Plaza - Cairns, Queensland - 17th July 2007
“You will associate the simplicity of our COUCH logo to the shape of a human ear, meant to signify “listening” to the community, and the colours of the rainbow to inspire hope, faith and infinity”
Name: Charles Woodward
Charles Woodward, Chairman of the CaPTA Group of Companies, was born in Cairns, Queensland and attended the University of Queensland completing a Commerce degree. In 1978 Charles bought an Orange Orchard at Kuranda which became known as Rainforestation Nature Park. He has since bought several more companies namely Tropic Wings Coach Tours, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, RnR Adventures, Jungle Tours, Rainforest Habitat, and Cairns Wildlife Dome. These 7 companies now form the CaPTA Group of Companies.
Name: Pip Woodward
Pip Woodward was born in the United Kingdom. She trained at King’s College Hospital in London and upon completion did a year in Orthopaedic Nursing in Denmark followed by 2 years in the Royal Navy posted to Gibraltar. Pip and Charles were married in England and arrived back in Australia in 1974 where they started their business at Rainforestation Nature Park. Upon her arrival in Cairns, Pip worked for Blue Care up until the birth of their first son. Pip is Managing Director of Rainforestation Nature Park. Pip was a finalist in the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Awards in 2001/2. Pip and Charles have three sons all of whom work in the business.
Name: Max Plummer
Transferred to Cairns in 1981 to take up appointment as Manager TAA/Australian Airlines, and subsequently Qantas Manager when the airlines merged. Early retirement 1999 to become Manager of the Cairns Golf Club 1999/2000.
Retired 2000.
Currently Deputy Chairman of the Board at West Cairns Bowls Club.
Life member of SKAL Club of Cairns.
Name: Bob McGill
A youthful baby-boomer born and bred in North Queensland, Bob and wife Lorraine have each been long time committed advocates of community service. Initially after many years of voluntary dedication to Apex Australia, to be awarded with Life Membership, Bob is known to assist with any call for community assistance and is proactive in contributing towards persons in-need. Life Member Apex Club of Cairns Past Secretary Rotary Club of Cairns Past Member, Bentley Park Masonic Lodge Past President Skal International Cairns National President Skal International Australia International Councillor Australia, Skal International.
COUCH Executive Committee Members.
The following people make up the COUCH executive committee:
Charles Woodward, Chairman
Pip Woodward, Director
Bob McGill, PR Director
Max Plummer, Director
Peter Phillips, Treasurer
Mary-Jane Ursu, Minute Secretary
Liz Plummer, COUCH Ambassador
The Executive Committee wish to thank the past committee members for their invaluable support: Helga Biro, Sandy Astill and Lloyd Smith.
The Vibrancy of feminine mystique
Iefje Boissevain
EXHIBITION OPENING- One night only…
Shangri La Hotel - Cairns - Friday October 31st 2008
Contact UnderArt to secure your tickets: info@underart.com.au - 0418 790 488
More Information:
Click here to view the exhibition invitation
COUCH
Donation by the Reg and Betty Tinney and family of Woree. Corey is 11 years old and Bryce is 5 years old. Unfortunately Reg and Betty lost their son and the boys lost their father to cancer last year.
COUCH wishes to thank the Tinney family for their generous support and wish them well.
$2641.00 Many Thanks to The Reef Casino Community Benefit Fund
Direct donations can be made to Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation who will send out a Deductible Tax Gift receipt. Please provide your name and address when you complete the direct deposit.
Account Details
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Suncorp CairnsBSB - 484799
Account No: 001633222
Innisfail OES held a raffle of a Bed Quilt over a period of several weeks and raised $3,000 to go towards the COUCH in Cairns - Thank you.
