In the swing: McKellar Centre’s Kerry O’Sullivan and the Independent’s Tony Galpin promote the charity golf day.
WORKPLACE laws are leaving geriatric and spinal injury patients high and dry in Geelong, according to the region’s peak rehabilitation and aged care centre.
But McKellar Centre spokesperson Kerry O’Sullivan said the facility’s annual charity golf day could help pay for a specialised machine to lift immobile patients back into the centre’s hydrotherapy pool for treatment.
Mr O’Sullivan said occupational health and safety laws meant health workers could no longer lift patients into pools for fear of injury.
“The machine we want can carry them all the way from the change rooms to the hydrotherapy pool and back again with safety and dignity,” he said.
“It’s a great thing. It isn’t something that will make money for McKellar Centre but it will fulfil a vital rehabilitation and therapy need in the community.”
Mr O’Sullivan said this year’s 16th annual McKellar Centre Charity Golf Day would raise money toward the $75,000 cost of the machinery.
AMP Foundation would contribute $1 for every $2 raised on the day, he said.
The golf day, which the Independent has sponsored since the fundraisers inception, has raised almost $350,000 for the centre over the past 15 years.
Past golf days have helped pay for diagnostic and therapeutic equipment including the hydrotherapy pool.
Mr O’Sullivan said 13th Beach golf course would again host the golf day on April 1, with 30 four-member ambrose teams playing for a variety of prizes.
The $150-a-head entry team would pay for the 18 holes of competition and lunch in the 13th Beach clubhouse, he said.
Participants would also be able to bid for items in a charity auction during the afternoon.
Mr O’Sullivan called for entries and prospective hole sponsors to phone him on 5279 2222.
Independent managing editor Tony Galpin urged businesses and teams to get on board.
“The McKellar Centre is critical health infrastructure to the region,” Mr Galpin said.
“The players and supporters of the golf day are very likely to one day to either rely on the centre’s services or know someone who does.”
