Hummingbird House is only the third children’s hospice in Australia and was opened officially last week, 7 October 2016.
Paul Quilliam, Co-founder of Hummingbird House, says: “As Co-founders, Gabrielle and I are so excited that the day to officially open the doors of Hummingbird House has arrived. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with so many good people, to build what has affectionately been termed “the house that Queensland built”.
“The official opening of Hummingbird House is a momentous occasion for the Queensland community who have been with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Federal and State Government; philanthropic, corporate, and community supporters; and our operational partner Wesley Mission Queensland. Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without the incredibly insightful input from families who have needed and will need Hummingbird House” Mr Quilliam said.
“There are approximately 3,700 children living with a life-limiting condition in Queensland at any one time. We are honoured to be a part of welcoming the first families to Hummingbird House, see our vision become a reality, and say thank you to everyone who has helped deliver this essential service for Queensland families.
Shared vision
Dr Fiona Hawthorne, General Manager of Hummingbird House, says “Hummingbird House has been a shared vision of thousands of families and supporters. It is a home away from home, offering best practice paediatric palliative care and family wellbeing support. It is a third option to hospital, and home. Hummingbird House is a place where kids can be kids, families can reconnect, and precious memories can be created,” Fiona said.
Hummingbird House is an eight bed facility, providing a wide range of services including: short stay breaks, symptom management, family wellbeing, care at the end of life, bereavement support, and many activities and therapies.
The newly opened hospice for children and their families aims to secure ongoing government funding and community and corporate support, to deliver services free of cost to families. It is a joint initiative of Hummingbird House Foundation and Wesley Mission Queensland.
To officially open the building, families were invited to hang one of 37 hummingbirds at the front door, representing the 3,700 Queensland children living with life-limiting conditions.
To learn more about Hummingbird House and how you can support it, visit their website at: www.hummingbirdhouse.org.au
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