Our December 2013 Pat Farry Trust Newsletter has been sent to all our subscribers. If you would like to become a subscriber, please sign up here. Read on …

As 2013 draws to a close, we’ve taken time to look back on what has been achieved since the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust was established in March 2010. As time flies by, it is easy to lose track of achievements. This newsletter is a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of the Trust to date.

• Eleven grants and scholarships totalling more than $30,000 have assisted inspiring young people from around New Zealand to gain learning experiences in rural healthcare situations as diverse as Nepal, Tanzania, Kalgoorlie and Ecuador.

• Auctions have raised almost $40,000 to fund our work. The Art + Wine Auction in Queenstown brought together an array of enthusiasts. A guided walk on the Routeburn Track, donated by Ultimate Hikes, aroused keen interest.

• The annual Fun Run / Walk has grown in popularity each year, raising awareness of the Trust and bringing healthcare professionals and their communities together in Queenstown and Rotorua. In March 2014, the event will take place on the Wellington waterfront.

• Trust representatives have been invited to events and conferences around New Zealand to speak of the Trust’s work. Our website and Facebook page carry our stories to a wider audience.

We’ve had great support from the NZ Rural General Practice Network, Rural Women NZ, the NZ Royal College of General Practice, the University of Otago General Practice & Rural Health Department, and the University of Otago Alumni Association.

Local and national businesses who have assisted us include Southern Cross Primary Care, Mobile Health, Anderson Lloyd Lawyers, Ultimate Hikes New Zealand, Conference Innovators, Marilyn Webb, Queenstown Medical Centre, Lone Star Rotorua, Te Puia, Dartworks, the Breeze Rotorua, Ethical Pharmacy, La Hoods the Chemist, Apt Design, and Print Central.

The Trust is sincerely appreciative of those individuals and families who have donated so generously, either annually or by setting up regular direct debit donations. Thank you also for wearing the bright green Fun Run T-shirts with pride or for throwing caution to the wind and buying art and wine. Pat would have been proud of each one of you.

A special tribute is due to the Trustees who give of their time and energy on a voluntary basis. Their input is vital to the ongoing development of the Trust. As Patron, Dr David Gerrard has provided invaluable support and encouragement. Special mention must also be made of Sue Farry, Sarah Swale, Sharon Aitken and Simone Flight. Their dedicated commitment to the Trust and to Pat’s memory is inspirational.

We trust that you will be pleased to know that steady progress is being made. Enjoy reading our stories. We may see you on the Pat Farry Trust Fun Run start line in Wellington.

Best wishes for the festive season,

John Farry,
Chairman