Community generosity doubles hospice fundraising goal

Busselton Hospice Care Inc.’s Go Blue for June campaign has wrapped up with an impressive display of community support, raising $78,600 – nearly doubling its $40,000 target.

As donations continue to flow in, the charity celebrates this success with the installation of a new fundraising barometer near Busselton Health Campus.

This meaningful initiative reconnects the community with a symbol of local generosity and BHCI’s dedication to providing compassionate end-of-life care and support.

This visual reminder of community support continues a tradition that began in 2004.

The original barometer, sponsored by the Zonta Club of Dunsborough Area, stood at the old Busselton Hospital for over a decade before being retired during the move to the new Health Campus.

Now, thanks to Ray White Stocker Preston, WA Country Health Service, the City of Busselton, and Juice Print, the new barometer stands ready to showcase the community’s ongoing generosity and track BHCI’s annual fundraising progress.

The installation arrives at a perfect time, as the 2025 Go Blue for June campaign comes to a close.

“The response has been incredible,” BHCI Chair Dr Tamsin Coutts shared.

“Not only have we achieved our goal, but we’ve also learned that many people across Busselton, Dunsborough, Vasse, and surrounding communities believe in supporting those diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses, their loved ones, and the bereaved. Which is wonderful to hear, as it’s such an important topic.”

“With donations still arriving, it’s amazing to see we’ve reached 78,600, “BHCI CEO James Jarvis said.

“Surpassing our initial target of $40,000 in this way is remarkable and shows the true spirit of the community.”

The 2025 Go Blue for June campaign featured many community highlights, starting with Hash House Harriers kickstarting activities with their blue amble through town and the wrapping of Queen Street trees in blue.

The Fig Tree Lane crochet installation by The Blue Box ladies added artistic flair, while conversations in local cafés opened the floor to important discussions about dying, death, and bereavement.

William Barrett & Sons hosted the Eternally Curious Quiz Night, and 150 brave souls took part in the Winter Solstice Plunge, warming up afterwards with complimentary tea, coffee, homemade crumpets, and porridge from Shelter Brewing.

“One of the key objectives of Go Blue for June is to activate the community,” Mr Jarvis explained.

“We engage them in conversations about living life well, dying, death and bereavement, but we do this in partnership with different groups, individuals, service organisations and local businesses.”

“We focus on these businesses and encourage them to support not just our charity, but all charities, which they do so incredibly well’ he added.

Operating from the original Hospice building on Craig Street since 1989, BHCI is vital to the region, continuing to serve the community through essential services including volunteer training, carer education,

Hospice unit volunteers, bereavement support programs, complementary therapies, and the Miss Doris V. Lowe Resource Hub.

With no ongoing government funding, these services depend entirely on donations, local fundraising, and grants.

“Research shows a third of Australians don’t think about dying and death at all, but it’s an issue that confronts us all,” Mr Jarvis noted.

“We’re a volunteer-led organisation providing emotional, social, spiritual, and practical support – all through the generosity and goodwill of our community. It’s a unique and special trust-based relationship.”

Reflecting on the community’s support, Mr Jarvis, who admits he’s ‘never really short of a word or three’, found himself speechless.

“There’s no way to describe the connection that we see and feel and then pay forward to others. Powerful, transformational, sustained.

“I want to thank all the big-hearted, community-minded, benevolent businesses and people who always stand up for local causes.”

Keep an eye on the new barometer at Busselton Health Campus, where the community’s generosity and BHCI’s fundraising efforts will be updated monthly.

Donations can be made online at www.busseltonhospicecareinc.org.au