From corporates to local schools, small businesses, the government, trust and foundations, donors and volunteers – Youngcare received amazing support from all across the community to make these beautiful apartments a reality and change the lives of eight young people with high care needs.

John is one of the latest residents at the Youngcare and MS Queensland Apartments at Albany Creek. John and his family’s life changed in an instant when he suffered an unexpected stroke that left him in a hospital bed for eight long months.

With John’s impending fate being transferred into aged care at only 49 years old, his loving sister and mother could not stand by and let him live out his days without the independence and freedom he deserves.

They set out to find a long term and age appropriate solution for John and came across Youngcare. “I heard the wonderful news that John had been accepted into the Youngcare and MS Queensland apartments. It was the best news we had heard since his stroke,” John’s sister Maree said.

John will be able to call the Albany Creek Apartments his home and continue his rehabilitation in an environment that is suitable for his age. He will be surrounded by people his own age, have the freedom of choice and the independence and dignity that we all deserve.

Jenny was a typical 15 year old girl when she started feeling “not quite right”.

“I was in grade ten when little things started happening like not being able to keep my feet still and feeling off balance when I walked to the bus each morning. At first, doctors thought I was making it all up because I didn’t want to go to school, but my mum and I knew there was something wrong so we sought a second opinion” said Jenny.

At only 15 years old, following a frightening and paralysing attack, Jenny was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The years following Jenny’s diagnosis were a rollercoaster ride and for 44 years her MS relapsed and remitted a number of times.   

Jenny said, “I managed to work up until I was 55 in 2013, I just knew it was time to stop. But, being home alone wasn’t working out either because I was having falls. So Charlie, my husband, also gave up work and became my full-time carer. We have been married 37 years and we have always done everything together, we are never apart. He is amazing, without him, I don’t know where I would be.”

Due to her MS symptoms, Jenny has not been able to sleep on her left hand side or her back for 30 years, causing uncomfortable lesions on the base of her spine and painful ulcers on her ears.

“It started to become really painful so we tried all sorts from foam pillows to cortisone injections because it would have been a big financial strain for us to find the money for an adjustable bed that suits my needs.”

So when Jenny learnt about the Youngcare At Home Care Grants Program, she wasted no time applying for a hi-lo bed.

“I couldn’t stand the thought of sleeping in a bedroom alone and Shane from Youngcare completely understood that Charlie and I wanted to stay sleeping side by side. Shane helped us apply for one king-single bed each – Charlie’s is a basic bed and mine has all of the specs I need to sleep comfortably. I used to dread the thought of going to bed because it just meant hours of pain trying to get comfortable. I never got a good night’s sleep” said Jenny.

After being successful in her At Home Care Grant application, Jenny has a new bed where she can raise her head and feet to relieve muscle spasms. Even the smallest grant can make the biggest difference.

When a two-week stay in respite turned into a permanent place in aged care, former nurse and CEO Brenda, took no time to working to win back her independence and freedom.

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Brenda, aged 49, was living with her friend and carer, Barbra and her two loved puppies, Archie and Angus on the sunny Gold Coast.

Circumstances rapidly changed when Barbra was admitted to hospital and sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer. With Barbra no longer able to provide care or a home for Brenda and with nowhere else to go, it was arranged for Brenda to stay in respite for two weeks while finding somewhere else to live.

As her options of finding a suitable place to live dwindled, two weeks turned into six months, and Brenda soon found herself as a permanent resident in aged care.

“It definitely wasn’t how I had planned to live the rest of my life,” said Brenda.

“I went from being the Chief Executive Officer of a major organisation, working for the state and federal government, spending time overseas and in indigenous communities in Australia, to living my young life in aged care. I felt like I wasn’t living my own life anymore. I felt like I was imprisoned.”

Determined to leave aged care, Brenda wrote a letter to the Minister for Health who referred her onto Youngcare. In late 2016, Brenda received a Youngcare Home Soon Grant, providing funding to support her transition out of aged care and into supported housing.

“When Youngcare came to help me move out of aged care and into my apartment, it was like The Great Escape. Now I living in my own place; I have my two dogs back. They keep me busy and we go for walks every day. I have carers come in three days a week to help me do my laundry, shopping and take me on outings.”

“I can have a cup of tea when I want, I can go to bed when I want, I can watch TV when I want. I have so much more independence now, and I can live my life again.

Thank you to the people that support Youngcare, because without them I simply couldn’t have survived. The funding Youngcare has granted me is more than just money; it’s changed my whole life.”

Individual Fundraising

• Siobhan generously encouraged guests donate to Youngcare in lieu of gifts at her 18^th birthday raising $718!
• Darren participated in the 2016 Bridge to Brisbane and fundraised over $800 for Youngcare!
• Stephanie raised $876 for Youngcare, hiking the Inca Trail in March 2017.
• Helen’s beautiful handmade cards raised $692 for Youngcare!
• Artist Lauren Jordan held an art event called 'Rapscallion and the painted playground' with profits over $4,500 to Youngcare.
• David undertook an epic solo motorcycle fundraising ride from Sydney to Birdsville, where he met the Youngcare trekkers at the Birdsville Pub and raised $3,073!
• Tim Mander's Walk for Youngcare and MS Queensland Albany Creek Apartments raised almost $22,000.
• DFK Crosbie team participated in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in July 2016, raising over $1,400.

Ribs & Red

Guests in Brisbane and Sydney came together for a meaty and magnificent lunch to transform the lives of young people with high care needs

Y Women

Passionate women rallied together to bring much-needed change to the disability housing sector at our beautiful Y Women events

Beneficiary Events

• $9,830 was raised for Youngcare at the Legends for Youngcare Luncheon held in May 2017
• Long Lunch 2016 was another stunning event, with a profit of over $29,000
• Players hit the field and raised over $30,000 at the 2016 Corporate Rugby Tens
• Our incredible supporters at Women in Finance raised over $8,900 across our partnership in 2016/17
• Prost! Another awesome year partnering with Oktoberfest raised $15,000 for young people with high care needs
• JC's Fishing Trip hooked $6,800 to supporting Youngcare!
• Rivergum Homes Golf Day was a great success raising $10,600
• Lavish Melbourne Cup events held by Gahmen Group, Tattersalls Club and Story Bridge Hotel raised a combined $15,623 for Youngcare
• Our friends at the Tony O’Brien Cricket Day pulled together to raise over $3,700!
• Trekkers and family gathered to enjoy live bands at Tune For The Trekkies
• Fans and volunteers alike had a fantastic time raising over $13,000 at the Global Rugby Tens
• $22,000 was raised at the Police International Women’s Day 2017
• Women's Property Panel International Women’s Day 2017 raised $18,000
• Great fun was had at the Roma Picnic Races weekend where $7,400 was raised
• Shape Golf Day swung an awesome donation of $25,956 towards Youngcare
• The iconic Bruce Lynton Charity Ball raised over $19,000
• $15,000 was raised at the Former Origin Greats Charity Lunch in 2017
• A cracker event at the Brisbane Club Presidents Dinner with a profit of $28,000 for Youngcare

Community Events

• Sayers Dance Centre & Premier Dance Academy Annual Charity Show raised $10,200 for Youngcare in June 2017!
• 100 Women Who Care The Grampians’ raised $7,200 in September 2016
• Since 2011, the Annual Bankstown Golf Club Ladies Golf Event has raised over $44,695!
• The boys from Hamilton House, Brisbane Boys' College fundraised over $2,000 in 2016/17
• The girls from England House, Brisbane Girls Grammar School raised $4,715 throughout 2016
• We were wrapped when Brookside Shopping Centre raised $9,473 at their Xmas wrapping station in 2016
• Cairns Hospital RMO raised over $2,500 for Youngcare in 2016
• Commercial Hotel Broadwater raised over $3,000 for Youngcare in 2016
• Over three years, Greenbank RSL have raised an incredible $16,000 for Youngcare
• Over $3,500 was raised at the Narnia Social Club’s Casino Night for Youngcare in May 2017
• QLD Rail Young Professionals have held Trivia and Bingo nights and Tin Rattling at stations to raise $4,860 for Youngcare
• The Scope Club of Allora have been supporters since 2008 and since then have raised an incredible $36,833!
• Somerville P&F donated $7,000 to Youngcare following the auction of a still life piece by Mr John Honeywill
• The boys from St Joseph's Nudgee College fundraised over $2,900 in 2016/17
• St Patrick's College raised over $4,000 for Youngcare in 2016/17
• Village On The Downs Residents fundraised over $3,000 at their annual charity lunch
• West Arana Hills Rugby League Football Club raised $ 5,780 at their Annual Gala Championship Day
• Zenith Interior’s Wine & Cheese night raised almost $2,000 for young people with high care needs
• Mitchie Day Club hosted a fundraising event called ‘Hoy’ in May raising over $2,400.
• Nudgee Golf Club raised $5,410 for Youngcare in May

Nic De Luca
Board Chairman
March 2012 – Present

De Luca Corporation, Managing Director

The founder and director of De Luca Corporation, Nic has 20 years’ experience in all aspects of the construction and property industry. Nic holds a degree in Construction Management, is a Division Council member of the Property Council of Australia and is a member of Master Builders and the Institute of Company Directors.

Mark Foley
Board Director
March 2012 – May 2017

FKG Group, Chief Operations Officer

Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the electrical contracting field and has established numerous successful businesses in the satellite, electrical, property development and managed services sectors.

Kylie Blucher
Board Director
June 2013 – Present

Nine Network Australia, Managing Director QTQ &NBN

Kylie is one of Queensland’s most respected media executives and has worked in the industry for more than 25 years. She has held various senior positions with the Austereo Radio Network and the Nine Network. Kylie is also a member of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust.

Taine Moufarrige
Board Director
November 2013 – Present

Servcorp, Executive Director

A lawyer by trade, Taine is CEO of Light Energy Australia, facilitating the change for large commercial, industrial, and residential properties to LED lighting technology. Taine works as a strategic business development partner for Cutting Edge, acts as a non-executive Director for Servcorp and the European Australian Business Council, is Chairman of the Youngcare Sydney Leadership Group and sits on the Investment and Export Advisory Panel for the NSW Government.

Paul McLean
Board Director and Deputy Chairman
February 2012 – Present

Savills Australia

Paul brings to Youngcare a wealth of experience and knowledge in both the corporate and community sectors. Previously, Paul was CEO of Savills Australia, 2006-17, President of the Australian Rugby Union from 2005 - 09, and the Australian representative on the International Rugby Board from 2007- 09. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of Shadforths (Civil Contractors).

Peter Hudson
Board Director
March 2012 – Present

Stradbroke Capital, Managing Director

Peter is the Managing Director of Stradbroke Capital, a boutique investment firm focused on helping Australian small businesses raise capital to achieve growth aspirations.  Prior to founding Stradbroke Capital in August 2016, Peter was a partner at KPMG, a global professional services firm, where he specialized in assisting a broad range of clients in to undertake complex acquisition, disposal and capital market Transactions.  Peter also holds non-executive Director roles at Queensland Theatre and Powerlink Queensland.

Tina Davey
Board Director
March 2015 – Present

KPMG Australia, Director

With more than 20 years’ experience,
Tina is a Director in KPMG’s Health,
Ageing and Human Services practice and the sector lead for human services in Queensland. Tina specialises in strategy development, program design and reform, service improvement and integration
across a diverse range of services including disability, housing and homelessness,
mental health and child protection services.

Samantha Evans
Company Secretary
February 2016 – Present

Australian Affordable Housing Securities Ltd, Chief Executive Officer

Sam has worked in the not-for-profit sector in both Australia and the United Kingdom and currently oversees the provision of financial services specifically focused on the affordable housing sector. Sam is also the Group Company Secretary for Horizon Housing and has held senior operational roles at both Brisbane Housing Company and the Queensland Government. Sam has extensive experience as a Company Secretary and Director and is also a Director of National Affordable Housing Providers Ltd.