In late October, patients, team members, doctors and supporters gathered to celebrate the achievements of this very significant milestone year at a black-tie Gala Dinner.
We hold the dinner annually. Our celebrations focus on the work of the entire team whose combined efforts deliver the services, as well as the patients we have been able to see and the lives we have saved.
This year’s achievements were particularly significant with the launch of our brand new 34-wheeler, B-double mobile clinic, HEART2.
As the beautifully dressed guests converged on The Royal International Convention Centre at the Brisbane Showgrounds, they were welcomed in the forecourt by HEART2.
For many guests, this was their first opportunity to see the truck in real life, because, like our much loved original truck, HEART1, it spends all its time delivering services where they are needed, and does not return home to Brisbane.
Guests were invited to take a tour of our new clinic, with Dr Gomes onsite acting as one of our tour guides. HEART2 is significantly larger than HEART1, featuring extra consultation rooms for a range of newly added specialist services, including gynaecology, neurology and endocrinology.
Once inside guests were welcomed by the voices of the Fairholme Girls Choir, before being treated to a delicious 2-course meal. Guests heard from Heart of Australia’s founder and head cardiologist, Dr Rolf Gomes, as well as Leisa Elder from our Foundation Partner, Arrow Energy, Dr Michael Rice from the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) and Heart of Australia patient, Sarah Valentine, whose evocative speech captured the hearts of the room. The evening ended in true celebratory style when guests took to the dance floor and danced the night away.
