Gawler Foundation News

ABC - Compass - A Good Life

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Compass - A Good Life: According To Ian Gawler

30th August 10:10pm

In this three-part series prominent Australians present their view and ideas on ‘a good life’. Each program features one guest whose argument is then examined in interview with Compass presenter Geraldine Doogue. In Episode 1, Ian Gawler, cancer survivor and renowned healer, talks about his pioneering work in integrated ‘mind-body’ medicine and the therapeutic use of meditation and nutrition. He claims his prescription for healthy living is synonymous with a good life.

http://www.abc.net.au/compass/

A Good Life: According to Ian Gawler

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Last night on Compass on ABC1, Ian Gawler talked about his pioneering work in integrated ‘mind-body’ medicine and the therapeutic use of meditation and nutrition.

If you missed the program on ABC1 television, you can still view it on the Compass website. Click here

Volunteers Needed

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1000

Seeking volunteers for the following positions:

To assist our resident gardener, Tobias Mager, in the vegie gardens & grounds – benefit: you’ll get to learn a lot about organic / biodynamic vegie growing, working in a beautiful environment.
To assist the Group Leader with our Burwood or Footscray 12 week “Living Well – Cancer, Healing & Wellbeing” program, on a rostered basis, preparing room set up, welcoming participants, preparing morning tea, etc...
To assist one day a week in our Resource Centre at Yarra Junction processing mail orders.
To assist with events like our Mind Body Spirit seminars held in March, June and October each year.

Applicants need to be reliable and have time on their hands to assist on a regular basis. The work is very rewarding and your assistance much appreciated by staff as well as our program participants.

If interested, please contact Rudi Uriot on 5967 1730 or email rudi@gawler.org for a volunteer application form.

Join us on Facebook

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Join The Gawler Foundation Group on Facebook and you'll be notified about all news and events.

Letter to Mr Brumby

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 +1000

6^th May 2010
The Hon John Brumby
Premier of Victoria
1 Treasury Place
East Melbourne VIC 3002

Dear Mr Brumby

The Gawler Foundation would like to congratulate you on the very generous funding to the Olivia Newton John Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital. This is indeed a very strong commitment to the ongoing health and wellbeing of all cancer patients in Victoria.

You may not be aware that The Gawler Foundation has been providing services such as those planned for the ONJ-Wellness Centre for over 28 years. Indeed The Foundation established and ran Australia's first Cancer Support Group in 1981 and has continued to do so in Victoria since that time. In addition to the Support Groups, we have conducted a 12 week Cancer Living Well program for over 25 years.

Consistent with the principles of integrative medicine, our 'Living Well' programs apply a self-help approach designed to improve both quantity and quality of life. Our residential and non residential programs enable participants to make informed, effective choices and better manage their own situation through workshops teaching meditation (for stress management and stillness) and nutrition (to support the body' immune system), as well as providing support to work through issues relating to their emotional, spiritual and psychological needs. Participants in The Gawler Foundation programs find real hope and empowerment through attending our programs.

Over the past couple of years, we have focused on broadening our outreach program to enable more people with cancer in lower socio-economic areas to access our non residential support groups and programs. In 2009, we have programs running in Footscray, Dandenong/Springvale and Hawthorn. Through a series of bursaries we have been able to offer this service to people with Health Care Cards at a greatly reduced rate ($40 for 12 week program). We fund this through the generosity of our supporters and most recently through a generous gift from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation.

Our simple goal is to make our programs available to all Victorians who are dealing with cancer. For over 25 years we have worked hard toward this goal without any Government funding at all. (We did receive a modest grant of $15,000 over a decade ago) We believe that the promotion of lifestyle based approaches to cancer care, in conjunction with more mainstream treatment will not only improve health outcomes for Victorians with cancer, but will also reduce the already overburdened health budget.

Cancer patients need to have a range of options available to them. We recognise and applaud your initiatives in funding and supporting the Olivia Newton John Wellness Centre at the Austin. Olivia's own journey with cancer changed the way she viewed cancer care and the Wellness Centre is testimony to this and the need for treatment options which are integrated and holistic.

Mr Brumby I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your representative in the near future to explore how The Gawler Foundation can work with you to help more Victorians get the very best of cancer care through an integrated approach to health, healing and wellbeing.

Yours sincerely

Karin Knoester

Chief Executive Officer

CC Daniel Andrews MLA, Minister for Health.

Dorothy Edgelow recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

The Gawler Foundation congratulates our very own Dorothy Edgelow OAM who was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Dorothy has been a stalwart of the Gawler Foundation since its inception and was one of the original major donors who provided financial resources to purchase the Yarra Valley Living Centre site. Dorothy continues to work in our programs and has extended her work to include her Children's Whole Health Foundation. Congratulations Dorothy. You are a star. Karin

See the from Professor David de Kretser,A.C., Govenor of Victoria

The Gawler Foundation Hawthorn Centre is now officially open!

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

An official opening was held on Friday 25 June at the centre at 565 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Almost 100 people helped us celebrate this milestone in The Foundations history. The Centre is open weekdays between 9am and 4.30pm. Drop in and say hello, have a cuppa, and browse the Resource Centre and Information Kiosk.

Dignitaries of the evening from left to right.

Karin Knoester - The Gawler Foundation CEO

Prof Rob Moodie - Guest speaker

Ian Gawler OAM - Founder of The Gawler Foundation

Dr Craig Hassed -GP and program facilitator at The Gawler Foundation

Relish Designs

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1000

The Gawler Foundation would like to extend their thanks to Relish Designs.

Melissa Wittig - Owner of Relish Designs is a "health" focused interior designer / decorator, writer and educator. Melissa has a passion for healthy interiors and creating healthy homes that promote wellbeing. Melissa provided valuable advice and assistance (all pro bono) in creating the spaces at the Hawthorn Centre.

We utilised treatments that minimise VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions (gasses) released into the indoor air environment. We were please to work with Melissa who assisted us in creating a stylish, comfortable and beautiful space without compromising human health.

Relish Designs offers a range of services to help you create a healthy home.

Relish Designs
P.O Box 4224
Briar Hill,
Victoria, 3088
Ph : 0417 122 399