PHOTO: Denis Todd presenting cheques to representatives of the Baradine Aged Care, memorial hall & Hospital Auxiliary. PHOTO: G Doolan
For his major milestone birthdays, long-serving Warrumbungle Shire councillor, Baradine farmer and local identity Denis Todd has created a tradition of using his private celebration to give back to the community he loves.
This year for his 80th birthday, he fundraised $18,360 for a number of local groups.
The money was donated by the over 100 guests at his birthday party on 8 June.
Even some of the invited guests who were unable to attend still contributed to his birthday chest.
Denis’ official birthday is on 12 June.
The donations were handed over to the organisations on 18 August at the Baradine Library.
“Some of them made quite substantial donations. We are exceptionally grateful to the very generous people,” said Evelyn Hampton, Denis Todd’s partner.
The Baradine Aged Care, Hospital Auxiliary, and the Memorial Hall Committee each received $6,000. The remaining $360 went towards a four-burner barbeque for the new nurses’ quarters in hopes of attracting and retaining staff.
“Summer is coming up and it would be nice to have a communal garden for the nurses,” Ms Hampton said.
She said she hopes the money will attract and retain more nursing staff.
“We’re really reliant on agency staff. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to operate.”
She added these local groups are vital for the community.
The aged care facility in Baradine owns the doctor’s surgery.
“If it weren’t for aged, we wouldn’t have a doctor,” Ms Hampton said.
“The doctor gets a free house. They pay for the maintenance, insurance, upkeep of the surgery, and new equipment.”
Ms Hampton said the hospital auxiliary ensures the patient’s welfare by providing them access to entertainment equipment. She hopes that the money fundraised during her partner’s birthday will go towards buying smart TVs for acute care.
“Both of these communities are run by elderly people. We can’t get young people to go into them. It’s a lot of cake stalls to raise $6,000.”
For his 60th birthday, $14,000 for the Flying Doctor, and for his 70th Dennis raised $8,000 for the memorial hall.
“This time, we’re giving some more to the hall to put in a new hot water system in the kitchen of the memorial hall,” Ms Hampton said.
Representatives of each group and a couple of dozen other invited attendees were present at the handover on Sunday.