Organisers of this year's Shakin' Cocktail Party were on a high on Saturday night as they celebrated the culmination of their fundraising efforts.
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Some 110 people attended the annual Parkinson's Support Group fundraising function at the Goulburn Workers Club.
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Founder Gill O'Connor was especially thrilled following recent news that a Parkinson's Support nurse would be soon appointed for Goulburn and district. The volunteer group has raised about $200,000 to fund the position.
"It's wonderful news," Mrs O'Connor said.
"We have been working toward this for the past 10 years. We could never have done it without the Workers Club, which has given us $20,000 every year for the nurse. Others have also supported us, including Ganter Constructions and the Goulburn Invitational Golf day, organised by Barry McEntee and Steve Jones. We are very grateful."
Mrs O'Connor founded the group in 2006 with husband, Michael, a former bank manager who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2002, aged forty-eight.
Members were recently advised that the Southern NSW Local Health District would soon appoint a Parkinson's nurse to service Goulburn, Crookwell and Yass. The role would be funded for two years.
Coordinator, Warwick Bisset, also a Parkinson's Disease sufferer, said any additional fundraising would help secure a longer term.
"It's absolutely fabulous," he said.
"...Having someone on the spot makes so much difference."
The auditorium was decked out for the occasion. Magician Jonas Jost kept the crowd entertained amid a three-course meal, raffles and plenty of laughs.
The crowd heard from Parkinson's NSW immediate past-president, David Veness, who congratulated the committee on its work.
"The fundraising will have to continue," he said.
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Mr Veness told The Post that Parkinson's NSW had funded "quite a number of nurses" throughout NSW.
While the state government had allocated $8 million in its last budget, his organisation would like greater say in how the money was spent, given its on-the-ground knowledge.
"We do a lot of training in aged care and in hospitals. We want to be able to monitor the funding's impact and train people up where there's a need," he said.
"One of the studies found that in appointing support nurses, Local Health Districts save money because fewer people go into hospital. What the group is doing here is magical and it will be great for the area."
An announcement is expected soon.
It can't come soon enough for Mrs O'Connor.
"I'll be happy when I see the nurse on the ground. Then I'll know the job's done."
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
