THE AUSTRALIA FUND

The Australia Fund was established by the Australian Council of Stoma Associations (ACSA) to provide assistance to ostomates in countries where they have serious difficulties or hardships in obtaining or affording basic ostomy supplies, or where they lack adequate post operative care and support.  The establishment of the fund was inspired by a proposal put to ACSA in 2001 by the late Mr. Heinz Wolff, then President of the International Ostomy Association, who suggested that Australian ostomates who receive excellent support should help those who are less fortunate.  The proposal was supported by Mr. Gerald Barry the ACSA President at the time, who became the inaugural Chairman and, with the help of some dedicated volunteers and the endorsement of ACSA, set up the Fund in its present form.  

The Fund seeks to provide effective practical assistance to disadvantaged ostomates anywhere in the world by donating basic ostomy appliances, training Stomal Therapy Nurses and other medical professionals in stoma care and fostering the development of local self help facilities.

The Fund is managed by a Committee appointed by ACSA with the assistance of an Administration Coordinator.  The collection and distribution of appliances is managed by a National Relief Coordinator.   The work is supported by Australian ostomy associations and their members who provided the initial funding.  Associations and ostomates continue to be involved in providing funding support and in the collection and sending donated appliances overseas.  

Assistance has been provided by the Fund to a wide range of countries, mainly in the Asia/Pacific Region.  Appliances have been sent to Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Fiji, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea.  Scholarships or other assistance have been provided for the training of Stomal Therapy Nurses in Philippines, Indonesia and Argentina. The ongoing work of the Australia Fund will be exended in the future to help ostomates in any country throughout the world where a need exists.

Inquiries for assistance from the Australia Fund may be forwarded to Mrs. Robin Gill, Administration Coordinator, e-mail robingill@bigpond.com with a copy to The National Relief Coordinator, e-mail harvey.bruce@bigpond.com