Friends of the Foundation
The Friends of the Foundation are dedicated community-based volunteer groups who actively support the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s goals. These passionate volunteers help raise funds and awareness for our cause in their local area, contributing to better health care across the region.
With branches in Atherton, Cooktown, Cow Bay, Croydon, Gordonvale, Herberton, Innisfail, Mareeba, Mossman, Tully, and Weipa, the Friends are always busy organising events, running activities, and lending a hand where it’s needed most.
You can read more about the specific activities of each branch and donate directly to their local hospital or health service by clicking on the links below.
If you’d like to join one of our Friends of the Foundation branches in your local area, contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator, Skye Shier, at (07) 4226 8993. We’d love to welcome you to the team!
Atherton Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Atherton Hospital not only serves the Atherton area but also provides outreach to Malanda, Millaa Millaa, Mount Garnet, Raveshoe, Croydon, Forsayth and Georgetown. Atherton Hospital provides many services to the community including maternity, cancer care, community health, dental, sexual health, mental health and women’s health.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Patient service trolley, bingo, raffles, and the Atherton Show
Community:
The Atherton community is often pleasantly surprised by the dedication of the local Friends of the Foundation and their committed volunteers. Strongly supported, the group has seen a surge in interest, with many recently signing up to help with the patient trolley service. Bingo is one of their key fundraisers, and it’s been a community favourite since 1991, with weekly games held every Tuesday. Impressively, three of the volunteers running Bingo have been there for over 30 years!
Cooktown Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Cooktown Multipurpose Health service offers emergency facilities as well as inpatient care, palliative and residential aged care. Visiting specialists and health care clinics offer services such as maternity, general surgery, child youth and family health, cardiology, dental, and diabetes.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Fundraising, donation tins and a biannual fete.
Community:
Despite challenges from floods and rising living costs, the Cooktown community continues to generously support their local Friends of the Foundation, who are highly respected.
Cow Bay Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Cow Bay Primary Health Centre (PHC) is a small facility servicing local residents, with their closest neighbour being Mossman Hospital. Services include a weekly doctors clinic, child health support including immunisation, adult health checks, mental health services and pathology. The Cow Bay PHC also offers visiting specialist services such as physiotherapist and HACC occupation health assessments.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Fundraising, raffles, donation tins; the annual Big Monster Raffle, Family Fun Day, kitchen donations at local sports club – two to three events a year.
Community:
Established in 1998, the Cow Bay Friends of the Foundation was the first branch in the district. Their meals at the Alexandra Bay Sports Club are a local favourite and serve as a wonderful way to engage with the community and promote the Foundation’s mission.
Croydon Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
Croydon Primary Health Centre is a small health care facility. Community Services include immunisations, complex care coordination, wound care and telehealth. Visiting specialists include a women’s health nurse twice a year and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which visits weekly. Outreach Allied Health Services are available four times a year.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
The local pub runs raffles to raise money for the clinic and there’s a $3 book exchange program that goes towards funds for the clinic; the Croydon Rodeo, and an auction for a charity.
Community:
Croydon is a very small community clinic, so any money raised to enhance services and facilities is greatly appreciated by everyone.
Gordonvale Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Gordonvale Hospital offers patient centred palliative care with the main referring hospital being Cairns. Services include inpatient palliative care with short-term accommodation for families.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
A big Easter and Christmas Raffle with smaller raffles throughout the year.
Community:
In Gordonvale the Friends of the Foundation committee and volunteers are well-known. The community is very familiar with the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s signature purple polos. Community members frequently approach volunteers to ask about upcoming events. The volunteers embrace the fun, often dressing up for themed raffles, and they’re known for being friendly and enthusiastic representatives of the Foundation.
Herberton Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Herberton Hospital offers patient centred palliative care, aged care and a respite service. The hospital also provides complex dementia treatment.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Twice a month Herberton FOF runs a market stall selling craft, baked goods, jams, plants and dog treats.
Community:
The hospital has a lovely new shade sail which looks great. Due to the funding of the FOF the elderly dementia patients who make up the majority of the Herberton hospital are able to enjoy facilities that they usually wouldn’t have access to.
Innisfail Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Innisfail Hospital is a large hospital with 24-hour accident and emergency care. Visiting specialists and health care clinics are provided to the community as well as services including maternity, community health, dental, mental health and women’s health.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Annual Golf Day, Cent Sale, weekly raffles
Community:
With over 13 years of service, the Innisfail Friends of the Foundation have become an integral part of the community. Their fundraising efforts have resulted in significant equipment donations for the hospital. The group enjoys a strong relationship with DON Carla, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the Innisfail Hospital. Their connection with hospital staff is a testament to their dedication.
Mareeba Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Mareeba Hospital services the Mareeba community along with Chillagoe, Dimbulah, and the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. Mareeba Hospital provides many services to the community including maternity, cancer care, community health, dental, sexual health, mental health and women’s health.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Patient service trolley, fundraising and raffles, weekly Bingo, from 35-50 patrons, the Great Wheelbarrow Race
Community:
The Mareeba Friends of the Foundation are backed by many local businesses and are well-known for the essential equipment they’ve provided to the hospital, which has made a real difference in the community. With strong local ties, they have donation tins placed in various businesses around town. The community’s support is evident, with two teams—St Stephens College and The Dads Army Crew—participating in the Great Wheelbarrow Race to raise funds for them.
Mossman Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service, has accident and emergency facilities. Services offered to the community include maternity, mental health, dental, community health and women’s health.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Fundraising Luncheons, raffles, bake sales, sausage sizzles and more.
Community:
The Mossman Friends of the Foundation have a big presence in the community. Their efforts have helped provide critical equipment, significantly improving available treatments. Strongly backed by local businesses, the group is always involved in local events, often hosting a raffle, sausage sizzle, or bake sale. Their vibrant float at the Port Douglas Carnival showcased the Foundation’s work to locals, tourists, and visitors alike.
Tully Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
The Tully Hospital services the Tully community and surrounding areas. The hospital provides accident and emergency care, visiting specialists and health clinics. Services maternity, mental health, dental, community health, and women’s health.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Raffles, morning teas, and bake sales.
Community:
Since 2018, the Tully Friends of the Foundation have been making a positive impact in the community. Local support is strong, with many recognising the value of the equipment purchased for the hospital through the group’s efforts. With a long-standing presence in the community, the Tully Friends are always out fundraising, bringing raffles and more to every local event.
Weipa Friends of the Foundation
Health Services:
Weipa Hospital services the Weipa community. The hospital provides palliative, respite and residential aged care. Visiting specialists also provide services such as maternity, dental, sexual health, child, youth and family health, emergency and GP.
Key Services and Fundraising Events:
Raffles and fundraising and the re-opening of Weipa Birthing and Maternity Services after 25 years! Weipa Fishing Classic, Christmas Wrap and raffles.
Community:
Weipa Friends of the Foundation bridges the resources gaps where required to ensure a better experience for our patients.