Issue 30 - January 2014

Transcription

I N V O LV E
ISSUE 30 | January 2014
Remembering infants:
Forest Lawn Memorial
Park’s open day
Australasia
A Word from the CEO
InvoCare is publicly-listed on
the Australian Stock Exchange
and is the largest provider
of funeral, cemetery and
crematoria services in Australia,
New Zealand and Singapore.
Our philosophy is:
• to demonstrate the highest
degree of professionalism
while assisting client families
at a pivotal time in their lives
• to exercise responsibility as an
industry leader by setting high
standards of service, safety
and fair business practice
• to increase investor
value through sound fiscal
management and corporate
development
We are committed to helping our
local communities; offering personal
attention and demonstrating this
commitment to the families we are
privileged to serve.
invocare.com.au
Welcome to the first Involve magazine for 2014. Reflecting on last year, we saw
natural disasters raging in Australia and abroad, affecting greatly both the
individuals and the communities in their wake.
In our region, Typhoon Haiyan swept through
the central provinces of the Philippines,
causing great devastation. To date, around
4,000 people have been confirmed dead and
another 11 million people are affected.
Wherever InvoCare has a presence, we have a
strong relationship with the Filipino community,
and to show our support, as well as to assist
those in need, InvoCare has made a donation
of $10,000 which will go to helping the
communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan at
this critical time. I extend my condolences and
sympathies to all who have been affected by
this significant natural disaster.
Also, in New South Wales in Australia, an early
start to the bush fire season saw Sydney ringed
with fires that threatened the lives of many.
Thankfully the human toll of these fires was
limited to one person, but for many families their
summer and Christmas was spent in temporary
housing. Some of our staff were directly
impacted and Forest Lawn Memorial Park came
under threat. I send my thoughts to all those
who were affected.
In this edition we will pay tribute to InvoCare’s
outgoing Chairman of the board, Ian Ferrier AM,
with an exploration of his time with InvoCare.
Ian held the position of Chairman for more
than a decade and has made a significant
contribution to our growth. On a personal level,
I wish to thank Ian for the tremendous
leadership he gave this company, helping
InvoCare become the Asia-Pacific’s leading
provider of funeral and related services.
InvoCare’s new Chairman of the board is
Richard Fisher who, as an InvoCare board
member since 2003, is ideally-placed to
shepherd InvoCare’s continued growth.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome
all of those at Auckland based funeral home,
H Morris Funerals to the InvoCare family.
Owners, Ray and Pat Jagger, will remain
involved with the business, and day to day
management will be provided by Rod Demler
who will be supported by Ray and Pat’s
daughter, Hazel James.
InvoCare has upheld its investment into the
communities we serve, as well building our
digital capabilities. On the community side, we
have new relationships with the Defence Force
Welfare Association, with Carers Queensland;
and we have continued to partner with
organisations such as the Australian Chinese
Charity Foundation, Cure Cancer Australia,
Alzheimer’s Australia, Rotary, 20th Man Fund,
Catholic Mission and many more.
Assisting these organisations to meet their goals
is a meaningful and important way that InvoCare
can contribute to community life, to medical
research and to a wide range of worthwhile
programs. In this edition, we will hear from
Cure Cancer Australian and Can Too fund-raiser,
Margaret-Anne Hayes, about how InvoCare’s
support has assisted her and the organisation
she is part of.
HeavenAddress has two new Apps for its
general users and for its funeral homes partners
and InvoCare is continuing to roll out iPads to
our staff. Thanks to the use of XMPro, a state of
the art business process automation tool,
InvoCare’s iPad funeral arrangement tool is
making a big splash with staff and families.
Look for more information about some of these
initiatives in the Digital section of this magazine.
Last, I wish to thank all InvoCare employees in
Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for their
ongoing commitment to customer service and
care for those we serve. As I regularly review the
comments and thanks that families sent to us,
I can share with you that your efforts are greatly
appreciated.
I wish you and your families all the best for the
New Year.
Andrew Smith
Chief Executive Officer
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Getting to know Contents
H Morris Funerals
In 1933 Harry Morris established the funeral
home that bears his name to serve the
communities of Auckland’s North Shore.
After more than sixty years continuous service,
Ray and Pat Jagger purchased the business in
1994 and relocated it to its current premises in
the suburb of Northcote, re-establishing their
operations in the former Romaleigh Reception
Lounge building.
The reception lounge is well known in the area
and has been a venue for family functions
including weddings, parties, and dances.
Now the venue is used for celebrations of a
different kind, with viewings, funerals and
after-funeral functions taking place on its
grounds.
In 2013 Ray and Pat joined their business to
InvoCare, comfortable that the traditions they
have instilled in the company will continue in
the future. Ray and Pat will remain involved in
the business and their daughter, Hazel James,
is the funeral home’s Office Manager.
Existing staff will remain to provide their high
quality embalming, funeral arrangement and
conducting of services, as well as new
staff employed to help grow the business.
InvoCare
Guardian Plan
InvoCare’s people power its profits
Spring has sprung
33
10
We never know when it’s our turn
34
National Senior Vice President
12
Knowing is half the battle
34
Dining out for a good cause
12
Take a tablet
34
Getting to know Margaret-Anne
LifeArt
InvoCare Digital
Displaying LifeArt
Seminars give skills
and raise awareness
InvoCare looks forward to assisting H Morris
Funerals’ integration into our New Zealand
operations, to supporting their continued
involvement in community activities and
delivering the outstanding service for which
they are known.
H Morris Funerals in Auckland is able to
host after funeral functions.
35
13
Journeys in digital excellence
14
Feeling Appy
14
Simplicity Funerals
Still supporting Ipswich and the world
Cemeteries & Crematoria
36
Driving awareness
37
Jeans for Genes Day 2013
37
38
Families remember fathers
15
Weight for success
15
Wall to Wall Ride honours
men and women in blue
16
Keeping families together
39
Garden for the grieving
18
Beaming hosts for Sundowner events
40
Keeping hearts sacred
18
Forest life
19
All Souls Day at Lakeside
and Pinegrove
20
Awards in bloom
21
Art all part of the appeal
21
Massively multicultural
Experienced funeral home manager,
Rod Demler has joined the H Morris Funerals
team. Rod has 28 years of experience in the
funeral industry and has managed a number
of funeral homes in that time. He is currently
one of four practical examiners for embalming
students in New Zealand and was the
programme leader in the Funeral Directing
and Embalming courses in 2000.
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Contemporary Funerals
White Lady Funerals
Summer loving
41
Foundation honours memory
42
Diamond night: Blue Room
43
Legacy reflections
44
Elegance amongst the disgraceful
45
Brisbane and new china
45
Lighting a way to fortune
22
Cures and dreams
46
Increasing in value
23
Lunches with purpose
47
Blackwell Funerals hosts
English-Italian All Souls’ Day Mass
23
Tuckers celebrate 130th Anniversary
24
A milestone year for Tuckers
25
Golden jubilee in the Box
26
Wander no more!
27
Remembering service
27
Cutting through with Le Pine
and 20th Man Fund
28
Pride of Workmanship Award
28
Ann Wilson: Rotary’s local champion
29
A new reign
29
20 Years as a funeral director:
Phil Schultz
30
Save our men
31
Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro
Legacy’s 80th Birthday
32
I N V O LV E
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Our greatest rewards come from families who acknowledge the care and pride we take in our daily work.
To White Lady Funerals,
I would like to thank White Lady Funerals
for making my mother’s funeral so special
for all the family. Thanks to your professional
kindness and the professional services
shown, our mother’s funeral service will
always stay special.
From Jennifer via White Lady Funerals’
Facebook page
I attended a funeral today of a dear friend which
was different to say the least. My friend; being
a star wars fan and involved in the costuming
community in Adelaide, and in various other
groups meant there was a colourful turnout
at his funeral. All kinds of costumes and all
walks of life; we were an eclectic bunch and
his funeral was probably far from the norm.
White Lady Funerals handled it with grace,
I was most impressed. Thank you.
From Ali via White Lady Funerals’
Facebook page
I recently attended a White Ladies funeral.
It was so caring and beautiful.
Thank you ladies.
From Sue via White Lady Funerals’
Facebook page
Although you are involved in people’s lives in
such a sad way/situation and time, you do an
amazing job and you leave a fresh and lasting
effect on the family that lasts for a very long time.
From Jessica via White Lady Funerals’
Facebook page
To Guardian Funerals,
Thank you for your support, Guardian
Funerals. Your care and compassion for
Legacy’s work is fantastic and it is such
a pleasure being your charity partner.
From Legacy Australia via Guardian
Funerals’ Facebook page
To Simplicity Funerals,
I just want to say that I have the highest
respect for Simplicity Funerals. I had to
arrange a funeral in Australia from the United
States. Not only was I extremely well taken
care of, but everyone in the company I came
into contact with demonstrated the utmost
in professionalism and was efficient, kind
and so very helpful.
Dear Kate at Pinegrove
Memorial Park,
Thank you for your kind words and gentle
manner. I also thank you for taking care
of my husband’s grave.
Many thanks,
Dorothy.
Dearest Andrew and Jason
at Cleggs Funeral Services, Hawera
Thank you Simplicity Funerals for doing what
you do. I also want to say a special thank you
to John Arnold, Manager of Simplicity Funerals
Toukley. He is very good at his job and I truly
appreciate him.
In deepest gratitude for your understanding,
support and love whilst we farewelled our Dad.
Thank you so much,
From Stacey via Simplicity Funerals’
Facebook page
Love from Anne, Paula, Frank
and all the family.
InvoCare
Dear staff at Guardian Funerals,
North Ryde
Last Thursday, I was attending the funeral of
a dear colleague and friend but, coming from
the southern suburbs, I didn’t know that there
are two crematoriums in the Ryde area.
The funeral location was Camellia Chapel,
and, given that I hadn’t heard of it, I wasn’t
sure exactly where it was. So, a few days
beforehand, I rang the relevant funeral
company to double-check, asking whether
it was at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens
– the only one I knew of. The staff member of
that other company told me that the Camellia
Chapel was literally ‘just over the road from
the crem’.
I asked if the same bus that got me to the
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens would
also get me to the Camellia Chapel there. She
just repeated that I just needed to go ‘over the
road’. She hadn’t twigged that, not being from
that side of Sydney, I mightn’t know there are
two crems: one near Guardian funerals; the
other for their company.
On arriving at the Northern Suburbs Memorial
Gardens, about 20 minutes before the funeral
was due to start, I quickly realised that there
was no chapel across the road. A workman
told me about Macquarie Park Crematorium.
I thought I’d try to catch a taxi there but
realised that, even if I was lucky enough
to get one ‘from the road’, I’d be late for
a dear friend’s funeral. When the workman
suggested I try to get ‘the office’ to ring for
a taxi, I walked into Guardian’s offices and
explained my situation.
The two staff there were lovely. They
immediately understood my dilemma and
the lady checked with the man what they
could do. On realising how little time there
was, the man kindly offered to take me –
an offer I gratefully accepted.
LEGEND
Via Email
Via Letter
Via Social
Media
Via Web
In Appreciation
I am writing to let you know what excellent
PR these two staff are for your company.
Knowing there is a Guardian branch near
my home in the Southern Suburbs and
that your company has a good reputation,
I’d already thought of using you when I lose
a parent. Now there is no doubt that I’ll use
and recommend your company.
I just wanted to thank and commend your
friendly and helpful staff at your Northern
Suburbs Crem office, and confirm that
your company ‘has my vote’.
Many thanks,
Joan.
Dear Cheryl at Christian
Funerals, Maylands
I would like to take this opportunity to again
express my sincere gratitude and thanks for
the compassion, respect and care that you
showed not only my Granny, but also the
whole family. It was a very difficult time for
all of us and you and your wonderful team
managed to bring it together most beautifully.
It made the final journey of my Granny that
little bit easier…thank you.
Once again, my heartfelt thanks,
Tabatha.
OMG, Nick, I love it. I love the name on the
top and the sides. I love the heart and I love
the design down the bottom. Fantastic job!
Tyler would have loved it.
I’m so glad you allowed us to detour to
retrieve the gum leaves – apart from providing
an amusing story to tell in years to come (and
a little light relief at the time), the placing of the
leaves on the coffin by those present was, for me,
a poignant and very moving part of the ceremony.
Thank you,
Slade.
Many thanks,
Karen.
Dear Nick at LifeArt,
Morning Julie and Diana,
Purslowe Funerals, Midland
I just want to say a huge ‘thank you’ from the
bottom of my heart, for all your kind and caring
ways in the last week or so. As you know it’s
been a difficult time, but it’s been wonderful
to have you two by my side every step of the
way. I think mum would’ve been happy with
her tribute yesterday and may she finally rest
in peace. I truly wish things could’ve been
different for her, but it wasn’t to be…..anyway,
it’s time to move on because that’s what she
would’ve wanted.
Diana – you did a wonderful job of the
Yugoslav pronunciations, and one of my
uncles even commented on how well you
said prsulatas and hrstulas!!! Well done!
Julie – thanks for your ever efficient ways, and
also for the way you paid your respects at the
end of the service. I really appreciated that.
To Chipper Funerals,
Thank you for your patience in dealing with
our large family. We were very pleased with
the lovely chapel and the staff’s polite and
pleasant demeanour. The grave-site salute
was particularly impressive!
Sincerely,
Theresa and Damian Arthur.
Russell has just come to see me after his
service here at Allambe, to ask if I could
please pass on his ‘thank you’ to Bradley,
the cremator operator from Albany Creek.
Russel told me that Bradley did
a fantastic job last Friday regarding the
Witness Cremation for one of his families.
Bradley was very professional, totally
respectful and dignified towards both the
family and the deceased.
Russell also mentioned that Michelle did
a fantastic job with the family as well.
Kindest regards,
Debbie.
Dear Julie at Tobin Brothers
Funerals Canberra, Queanbeyan
On behalf of Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro
Legacy I would sincerely like to thank you
and Tobin Brothers Funerals for all the
support you gave us towards our celebration
barbecue for 180 wards, legatees and guests.
Thanks again for everything
As we live in Melbourne, we weren’t involved
in the planning of our dear father’s funeral
but we are most grateful for the reverent and
respectful way your company managed this.
Good afternoon Daryn at Albany
Creek Memorial Park,
All my love,
Pauline.
Dear Ash at Chipper Funerals,
Subiaco
My family would like to thank you and
everyone at Chipper Funerals for the lovely
service on Friday.
When I walked into the chapel I was
relieved at how beautifully our memorabilia
was displayed (it even evoked a spontaneous
and joyful smile and exclamation).
The barbecue was a resounding success.
I don’t think I have ever seen so many happy
faces at one event.
Thank you for providing the banner which we
will use at our Formal Dinner, and as it is suitably
worded, we can use it for years to come.
Thank you also for the sausages, onions,
bread and soft drinks.
I N V 6 LV E
Our greatest rewards come from families who acknowledge the care and pride we take in our daily work.
I would also like to express our gratitude
for the extent you and Mistie went to on the
day to help us out by collecting our cake,
meat, flowers and bread rolls as we ran out
of time. Thank you for assisting with set up,
serving food and drinks and ferrying some
of the wards home. You two must have been
exhausted as we were.
Your help was greatly appreciated; in fact
where would we have been without the two
of you?
Yours sincerely,
Richard Gregory
President
Queanbeyan Legacy
Dear Kylie at Elliotts Funeral
Services, Tauranga
Just a note to show our appreciation
for the wonderful farewell you arranged.
It was such a special day and a beautiful
service. I have great friends who are keeping
me focused but I know there will be dark
days. I have lovely memories of our time
together and I know that will help me
to get through.
Kind regards,
Cheri and family.
Hi Elizabeth at Castlebrook
Memorial Park
Would you please pass on our thanks to
all involved for the wonderful Fathers’ Day
Memorial Service last Sunday. It was indeed
a lovely service and greatly appreciated by
both my sister and I. The music and songs
performed by Eileen McCann were beautiful.
And the address by Peter (I hope I have
the gentleman’s name correct) was most
helpful. The attention to detail with the roses,
butterflies, chocolates and of course the
morning tea was greatly appreciated.
Thank you again and it was good to catch
up just briefly.
Regards,
Cathy and Margaret.
Dear Jason and team at Blackwell
Funerals, Torrensville
I write to thank you personally, and on behalf
of my family, for your kindness and support
following the recent passing of my father.
To have such a wonderful friend as you
during a time both of grief for his loss and
a celebration of dad’s life was a great comfort
to me and my family.
My father was a simple and humble man who
cherished family, friendship, worship and the
successes of those closest to him. As a son,
I was blessed to have him, and his guidance
and friendship, and for him to have lived for
more than 90 years. We cannot hope for more.
Jason, thank you again for both your kindness
and condolences. You are a good friend.
Kind regards,
Steve and family.
To White Lady Funerals, Essendon
Hi, just over two weeks ago you handled my
90+ year old Mum’s funeral. Today I attended
a funeral conducted by a ‘budget’ company
and the difference was like chalk and cheese.
I am taking this opportunity to again thank
you for treating my Mum with the respect
and dignity she deserved.
Jan.
Dear Dean at Sibuns Funeral
Directors & Advisors, Remuera
I would like to express our sincere thanks to
you and the team at Sibuns for ensuring the
send-off for our Mum was truly memorable.
The manner and professionalism in which you
handled our Mum’s funeral was to us outstanding,
as you did not leave any stone unturned.
Even though this is your job, things don’t
happen by chance and so we commend you
on going the extra mile. We were very happy
with how the day and service went as you
played a big part in ensuring everything went
like clockwork.
All the best for the future.
Kindest regards,
Elliott and Sue.
Dear Sue at Sibuns Funeral
Directors & Advisors, Remuera
I would like to say thank you for the way you
handled my family with kid gloves. I appreciate
it is your job but given that I have spent the last
20 years in Human Resources, I just wanted to
acknowledge how you managed us through a
particularly difficult time and treated everyone
with respect and kindness whilst remaining
professional and ensuring outcomes achieved.
My thanks on behalf of the family are heartfelt
and genuine.
What I was particularly grateful for, was the
respect that you gave my husband in allowing
a male funeral director to lead his casket out
of the church – Barry was a lot of things but he
was not a sensitive new age man.
You picked up on this and your suggestion to
use a male leading with you behind the casket
was very much appreciated, along with your
attention to detail and organisational skills.
Once again, many thanks,
Debbie.
LEGEND
Via Email
Via Letter
Via Social
Media
Via Web
In Appreciation
Dear Susan at Simplicity Funerals,
Osborne Park
We sincerely thank you for the love and
support you have all shown. We are touched
by the patience and kindness your company
has shown to our family in light of this passing.
It is rare to find people who show true
compassion and we cannot thank you
enough for your flexibility and willingness to
accommodate our comprehensive needs.
We appreciate your full embrace of the
Buddhist ceremonial rituals and feel they
were integrated very well and executed
professionally and with great dignity.
We could not have asked for a better team of
people and we find great comfort knowing that
our loved one is in the best of hands, and for
that, we are forever grateful.
Thank you again for all you have done.
With much love and appreciation,
Alex, Lisa, Susan, Anthony, Kian and Chau.
To Irene at Resthaven Funeral
Services, Manurewa
A big thank you on behalf of all the family for
your efforts in making the stresses of our Dad’s
passing a lot lighter. Your understanding and
caring were very much appreciated by us all.
Best wishes,
Robyn.
To Jenny and team at Guardian
Funerals, Burwood
We all want to give you our warmest and
deepest thanks for making the ceremony so
beautiful and worthy.
Together we watched the DVD and listened
to the beautiful song lyrics, and we also very
much enjoyed the wonderful voices singing
“Amazing Grace” as we admired the beautiful
flowers. It was a very memorable moment for
all of us.
Once again, Jenny and staff, we are deeply
grateful for all your help and for sending the
DVD along with the CD.
Kind regards,
Gunder and Bruno.
Dear Janette from Simplicity
Funerals, Erina
On behalf of the Directors , staff and clients
of Coast Shelter Kara Women and Children’s
Program, I would like to thank you for your
generous donation of $500. Saying thank you
does not seem enough to express our gratitude.
Unfortunately, more and more of our
community are experiencing financial
hardship and the number of families
needing Coast Shelter’s assistance is
growing. Two of our biggest problems is
helping women to re-establish themselves
by helping them gain employment and
rental properties. In both of these situations,
it is important for our women to present
themselves favourably. Therefore, your
$500 will be used to assist us to purchase
shoes, handbags and accessories to go
with our lady’s outfits for job interviews
and rental viewings.
Thank you once again for believing in what we
do at Kara Women and Children’s Program.
It is heartening to see members of our community
supporting us go generously and graciously.
Your support is deeply appreciated.
Kind regards,
Leisha Seaton
Program Manager
Kara Women and Children’s Program.
Dear Warwick at Elliotts Funeral
Services, Tauranga
I cannot thank you enough for all that
you have done for us. Your professionalism
and kindness has been amazing.
I am so pleased you were chosen,
you were perfect.
Kind regards,
Annie.
To staff at Pellows Funeral
Directors, Hamilton
Thank you for the respect, care and
gentleness that was shown towards my Dad,
my family and I after his passing, and the sad
and stressful days that followed.
It made me feel that we had done Dad
justice with how he was presented, the
funeral arrangements and details, and
the cremation that followed.
Thank you,
Marion.
Dear Danielle at team at White Lady
Funerals, Heidelberg
Thank you for the service and organisational
manner in which you and White Lady Funerals
conducted Mum’s arrangements last Friday.
The dignity and style that you afforded mum
was professional as expected, however your
personal touches to get everything right on
the day were terrific.
Mum looked absolutely fantastic; she looked
peaceful, like she had just gone to sleep, which
was most important as Mum’s grandchildren
have made comments that they will always
remember her in that way, peaceful and at rest.
On behalf of my family, thank you very much.
Regards,
Gary.
I N V 6 LV E
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Invocare ASX chart 2004 – current.
InvoCare’s people power its profits
Earlier this year InvoCare experienced a changing of the guard at its highest levels, with Chairman of the board, Ian Ferrier
AM, announcing his retirement and the appointment of Non-executive Director, Richard Fisher AM to the position. For many
successful multinational companies, undergoing a change such as this introduces uncertainty into operations and strategic
planning, but not so for InvoCare for whom the change has been another opportunity to demonstrate sound planning and
a belief that people are its greatest asset, both of which have underpinned InvoCare’s growth over the last twelve years.
In 2001 Ian Ferrier joined Service Corporation
International Australia (SCIA) as Chairman
of the board after the American-owners of
Australia’s largest funeral services company
sold its Australian operations to a consortium
of private equity buyers. One of those private
equity purchasers, Pat Elliott, was a former
business partner of Ian Ferrier and saw
in SCIA an opportunity for Ian to add his
characteristic value.
As a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants and head of insolvency consultancy
and business turnaround specialists, BRI Ferrier,
Ian was ideally placed to take on the challenges
of taking SCIA’s operations to new levels of
profitability and regard.
“The key was to do successfully what
has been tried many times before, yet
is actually difficult to achieve; to wrap a
corporate structure around what is essentially
a personal and local business,” says Ian.
“This started by recognising that the business’s
success comes from the attention to customer
needs, delivered by staff employed in trusted
local and national brands. InvoCare understood
the need to value both its brands and its people.”
In an industry where so much of the goodwill
wrapped up in a business is tied to the name
on the door and where you are only as good
as the last funeral you did, this strategy, and
the way it has been carried out, has proved
very successful.
Added to these strengths are some established
demographic trends, such as Australia’s aging
population, the rise of a wealthy middle class,
and the baby boomers’ love of personalisation;
all making the recipe for the rise of a successful
personal services business.
In 2003 when InvoCare listed on the Australian
Stock Exchange (ASX), it made several key
promises to investors. The first was that
the company would draw together some
of the best minds in corporate Australia to
ensure the implementation of an appropriate
corporate structure was managed effectively.
The second promise was that InvoCare
would distribute 75% of its profits back to
investors by way of dividends. The market’s
reaction to InvoCare’s introduction onto
the ASX was one of confidence. And why
shouldn’t it be for, as Ian saw things,
InvoCare had some enviable strengths.
During the ten years Ian was Chair of InvoCare,
the company’s share price rose from $1.85
to $10.92, its market capitalisation from
$170 million to $1.2 billion, and the business
has turned around from an Australian offshoot
of a United States company to an Australian
success story with operations in Singapore
and New Zealand.
“InvoCare had presence in the market
through brand names known for their hands on
approach to customer service and their attention
to caring. It had scale and could use the
economies this produces very effectively through
a shared services model. These strengths
remain relevant to InvoCare today, ” says Ian.
InvoCare’s appreciation of its people has
informed every stage of its growth under
Ian’s tenure. This includes the development
of its corporate structure where succession
planning has been a key element and where
investment in traditional back office services;
such as marketing, digital business, finance,
human resources and shared services have
all borne fruit.
“This ‘people’ focus has also been critical in
our succession planning at the highest levels;
with the succession of Andrew Smith from
Richard Davis as Chief Executive Officer,
“Ian has also maintained a
highly collegiate environment
both in the board room and
in the relationship between
directors and management,”
says Richard.
Richard Fisher AM, InvoCare’s
new Chairman of the board.
Ian Ferrier AM, former InvoCare Chairman
of the board.
and now with the Chairman’s position from
myself to Richard Fisher. It’s a very thoughtful
process and one, I believe, that will continue
to pay off for InvoCare,” Ian says.
“This became more than just a business
activity for me. All the services delivered to
customers by our people represent important
family moments.
“It can also be seen in how InvoCare
has gone about its digital transformation.
From the addition of expertise at the
board level, in Aliza Knox, to the executive
appointment of Chief Information Officer,
Andi Luiskandl, to the way we have invested
in staff training around iPad arranger tools, and
on our HeavenAddress online memorial provider.
“I also quickly became a big fan of what
our people were doing. Doris Zagdanski
(General Manager Corporate Projects) is
an example; what she brought to InvoCare
in terms of staff training and public relations
activities; I became very proud of her.
“The goal was to drive the funeral
arrangement process with technology.
This has been achieved by providing
arranges with an iPad, and training them
so it is a natural part of the process, and
that it fits sensitively into the tasks that need
to be completed by front of house staff.
“We also showed our commitment to
InvoCare’s people by not being tied to
the boardroom. I know I greatly valued our
travels as, two to three times a year, the
board would travel; first to different states
and then, as InvoCare grew, to different
countries. We were a board that embraced
our locations and our local staff.”
There were many things that surprised
Ian greatly about his time at InvoCare.
“The first thing was that I didn’t imagine
I would become engaged so quickly.
Being a former insolvency practitioner,
I thought my ‘death wish’ for businesses
would be construed as a ‘death wish’ for
people. But InvoCare provides a vital
service and does it with a human face.
“When I learned that she had become sick,
I was very distressed, and I am happy that
she is well again.”
New chairman of the board, Richard Fisher
AM, was one of those minds InvoCare drew
together upon its 2003 listing, as part of its
original promise to shareholders.
A corporate law specialist and former
Chairman of Partners at leading law firm,
Blade Dawson Waldron, Richard has excelled
in bringing a sound understanding of the
dynamics of a profitable professional services
firm, the aspirations of its staff and the
expectations of its clients.
Speaking of the challenges ahead, Richard
says: “Ironically enough, InvoCare’s success
is the source of one of its greatest challenges.
InvoCare’s preeminent position in each
of the markets it operates in makes growth
by acquisitions more difficult.”
Which means that growing market share
will become a key challenge for InvoCare
in the years ahead.
“The strategies we have for developing
and supporting our people together with
our branding, marketing and digital services
will be hugely important.”
Yet, with a track record of strategic
acquisitions behind it, InvoCare will also
continue looking for new opportunities.
“Of course, we shall also have to be astute
to the possibility of operating in further
markets,” says Richard.
Richard is aware of the challenge before him;
to fill the shoes of someone who has overseen
InvoCare’s impressive growth over a twelve
year period.
“Ian’s disciplined approach to acquisitions,
as well as the management of the company
more generally, has insured that it has come
to be regarded as a great defensive stock,
not only because of its consistent yield but
also because of its steady capital growth.
“Ian has also maintained a highly collegiate
environment both in the board room and
in the relationship between directors and
management,” says Richard.
Yet Richard is eager for what lies ahead.
“I look forward to continuing to work with
people for whom I have a high regard as we
address the challenges of maintaining and
improving InvoCare’s continuing success.”
Ian Ferrier also feels confident in InvoCare’s
future.
“InvoCare provides an excellent service
and I am very proud of my time there. It has
been very rewarding for all its stakeholders;
its employees, its customers and its
shareholders; and I have no doubt that
this will continue,” Ian concludes.
I N V 6 LV E
Margaret-Anne Hayes, fundraiser for Can Too gets ready to jump out of a plane for charity.
Greg Bisset, InvoCare Chief Operating Officer
Australia helps Margaret-Anne to raise funds
at a car wash held at Guardian Funerals Warrawee.
Getting to know Margaret-Anne
In 2010, InvoCare’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Smith, received a letter from community fundraiser, Margaret-Anne Hayes
that sparked a friendship as well as InvoCare’s ongoing support for Can Too and Cure Cancer Australia.
Communications Manager, Karl Wolfenden
caught up with Margaret-Anne to find out
more about her support for this important
charity, as well as how InvoCare has helped
her since she sent that letter.
“It’s a bit embarrassing really; I write these
long-winded letters to so many individuals,
businesses and philanthropic groups asking
for sponsorships and most times I don’t
hear anything back, or maybe I get a polite
“we can’t help at this time” kind-of note,
but Andrew Smith and InvoCare have been
so good to me,” says Margaret-Anne Hayes.
More than a decade ago, the lives of 73
year old Margaret-Anne, her husband and
her daughter were turned upside down at
the passing of her son, Aaron, after battling
depression, or what Margaret-Anne more
eloquently calls a “cancer of the soul”.
“I could not save him, but, if through
what I do and the funds I raise, I can save
another mother from the grief of losing a son
to a physical cancer then all the effort
is worthwhile,” says Margaret-Anne.
To give expression to her wish, Margaret-Anne
became a member of Cure Cancer Australia,
and in particular its fundraising arm, Can Too.
“I am Can Too’s oldest participant and
its highest fundraiser. It is such a great
organisation and Can Too changes people’s
lives. It is such a force for good, having
raised just over $13 million dollars since 2005.”
A terrific result by anyone’s standards,
yet it also throws into relief the significant
contribution Margaret-Anne has made, for in
her six years with the organisation, she has
raised $155,000, which is more than 1% of
Can Too’s total. The funds raised by Can Too
go directly to high-end research projects into
the detection and cure of cancers.
Yet far from being embarrassed by the letter,
or being too busy to respond, Andrew Smith
was quick to pick up the phone to MargaretAnne and to offer to help.
“Andrew Smith has changed my life with his
generosity of spirit, his financial support and
with his caring, personal and kind support,
over and above what I could ever have expected.
“Through Andrew, I’ve met the gorgeous
Greg Bisset, the lovely Phillip Friery and
Joanne Place, and not to mention such a
beautiful young man, Haydn Donnelly. They
have all given another dimension to my life.”
Since that first letter, InvoCare’s support
for Margaret-Anne has taken many forms.
Andrew Smith, other members of the
executive, and funeral directors from many
of InvoCare’s brands have:
s Purchased Margaret-Anne’s chutneys
s Held and participated in a charity car wash
s Sponsored Margaret-Anne to jump out of
a plane and run a half marathon, and
s Attended and been a sponsor of MargaretAnne’s 2011 Country Ball, as well as her
2013 Dinner Dance.
But these are not all Margaret-Anne has
done to raise her impressive total. In addition,
she has held garage sales, sold goods outside
the local post office, run a café at a design
show for four years, cooked meals for business
people, sold goods on ebay, made gift baskets
for sale and done sponsored walks and swims.
Margaret-Anne limbers up before a charity run.
You name it, Margaret-Anne has probably done
it for her favourite charity.
A close friendship has also been struck
between Andrew and Margaret-Anne, so much
so that Margaret-Anne hopes Andrew will help
launch the book she is writing, Jam Jars for
Chutney, a practical guide to simple fundraising
activities that anyone can undertake.
“He encourages me both physically
and emotionally.”
Margaret-Anne is also in a position to share
her fundraising experience with others.
“Because I am their oldest participant and
their biggest fundraiser, I sometimes get asked
by Can Too to speak to groups. I don’t know
why, but if I can help inspire one person, then
that’s a worthwhile contribution as well.”
And what does she share with those just
beginning their fundraising?
“I tell them that you’ll meet a lot a people
and you’ll get a lot of refusals, even from
people who you thought might want to help.
Centre left: Andrew Pulsford, InvoCare General Manager NSW Funerals,
with, centre right: Leanne Warner, Chief Executive Officer Cure Cancer Australia,
along with members of the NSW Funerals team who spent October holding
a range of fundraising activities on behalf of the charity.
“Some people and companies will only
want to help you if they can get a lot of
kudos. And then sometimes when you
do find someone who wants to help, but
maybe because of their personality or the
business they’re in, you have to ask yourself:
do I want to sup with the devil?
“But when you think of how the money being
donated will go to helping a 40 year-old mum
with two children, or a young child that’s got
leukaemia, then you don’t care where the
money comes from.
“I also tell them that you’ll meet people like
Andrew and the rest at InvoCare. They aren’t
concerned with publicity, which I think is just
fabulous. It reminds me of what they say in
the Bible: something about when you give
with the right hand, don’t let the left hand
know what it’s doing.”
Through its relationship with Margaret-Anne,
InvoCare has also become a direct supporter
of Can Too, recently becoming one of their
Centurion supporters. InvoCare has also
become a direct supporter of Cure Cancer
Australia, with the NSW Funerals team taking
the month of October to hold a range of
fundraising activities on behalf of the charity,
including yoga classes, charity BBQ’s and a
White Lady Funerals’ online auction. You can
read more about the charity auction on page
46 of this magazine. In total, NSW Funerals
month-long fundraising effort for Cure Cancer
Australia raised $34,134.50.
“The people at InvoCare are all such
wonderful people. I am really blessed that
Andrew took the time to listen to an old
lady. And everyone who knows me, whether
they live in Australia or overseas, knows of
InvoCare and what they have done for me.”
Margaret-Anne concludes.
With her calendar of fundraising events for
2014 already brimming, Involve looks forward
to keeping you informed about MargaretAnne’s activities.
I N V 6 LV E
National Senior Vice President
John Fowler, General Manager of InvoCare Victoria, is the new National
Senior Vice President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association.
John’s career in the funeral industry spans
almost 40 years and the funeral industry has
changed a lot during John’s career. John’s
wealth of experience sees him frequently
courted by the media for comment on
its changes such as; how the traditional
funeral has given way to the modern funeral
with a focus on the deceased; the grief
process; modern ‘celebratory’ trends of the
personalisation of funerals and customised
LifeArt coffins.
John entered the funeral profession through
the influence of his father, William (Bill) Fowler
and his uncle, Jack Fowler, both of whom
worked for one of Melbourne’s leading coffin
manufacturers H.H. Webb & Co.
John worked for Webb’s in Footscray for
six years until 1980. John then moved on to
become Regional Manager for the Southern
Region for Le Pine Funerals and it was during
this time that he conducted some of the
biggest funerals in the State’s history.
One of the most notable was the burial of the
highly decorated and honoured World War II
veteran Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop. A memorial
to Sir Weary now stands in the park overlooking
St Kilda Road, near Government House.
A Captain of the Australian Army Medical Corps
(6th Div.), Dunlop served in the North Africa
campaign in Tobruk, as well as in Greece and in
Crete before becoming a prisoner of war when
Java fell to the Japanese. It was during this
period working in the notorious Changi prison
camp and on the infamous Burma-Thailand
railway that he laboured tirelessly, saving
wounded, sick and malnourished Australian
soldiers and other captives of the Japanese.
John still recalls the conversation he had
with the then head of the Victorian Returned
Services League, the late Bruce Ruxton AM,
OBE. Bruce had worked with Sir Weary and
the esteem and popularity in which Sir Weary
was held led to him being accorded a State
funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1993 with
over 10,000 people attending.
John’s first office bearer role came while
working in South Australia where he became
Junior Vice President of the South Australia/
Northern Territory Division of the Australian
Funeral Directors Association.
As General Manager for InvoCare in
Victoria and also head of Le Pine Funerals,
John strongly believes in the adherence to
uniformity of principles, values and training.
John Fowler, InvoCare Victorian General Manager,
is the Australian Funeral Directors Association 2014
National Senior Vice President.
John is also a Patron of the 20th Man Fund,
which focuses on Melbourne’s homeless
youth; is involved in the Melbourne Racing
Club, the home of the Caulfield Cup as well
as many Le Pine sponsored races; a Life
member of the Caulfield Cricket Club; Vice
President of the Sandringham Football Club
and President of its Coterie. John is also a
long-time member of Rotary and is a Past
President of the Mordialloc Rotary Club.
Involve wishes John all the best for his
tenure as National Senior Vice President
of the Australian Funeral Directors Association.
Dining out for a good cause
The Australian Chinese Charity Foundation (ACCF) is one of the most important
charitable organisations in New South Wales, and InvoCare was pleased to be on
hand for their Annual Dinner, held at the Marigold Restaurant in Sydney’s Chinatown.
Beginning in 1991, ACCF was established
to help the community and over the years
has supported a variety of causes, including
supporting communities devastated by such
natural disasters as the 2009 Victorian Black
Saturday fires and the 2012 Queensland floods.
The Annual Dinner gave ACCF another chance
to support the people of New South Wales as
the evening was also used to raise funds for
those affected by the recent NSW bushfires.
ACCF’s success comes in part from the
excellent work of its Management Committee
who give their time and efforts tirelessly and
generously each year. With the continued
support and generosity of the Chinese
community, the Foundation is consistently
able to better its efforts in assisting those
in need of help. The ACCF received many
generous donations at the dinner for the
victims in the most recent bushfires in NSW.
Also on hand to help ACCF celebrate its
2013 achievements were Greg Bisset,
InvoCare Chief Operating Officer Australia,
Andrew Pulsford, NSW Funerals General
Manager, InvoCare Regional Manager, Ed
Chui, and staff from White Lady Funerals,
including Genevieve Considine, Area Manager
NSW South, and Vanessa Patterson, Location
Manager Five Dock, who all joined with
dignitaries, business leaders and community
members for one of the Foundation’s two
most important events of the year.
ACCF Vice Chairperson, Dr Michael Tse, stands
between White Ladies, Genevieve Considine on
right and Vanessa Patterson on left.
Special guests at the Annual Dinner were ACCF
Vice Chairperson, Dr Michael Tse, the Hon
Phillip Ruddock MP, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian
MP, and the Hon Victor Dominello MP.
InvoCare and White Lady Funerals greatly
enjoyed the Annual Dinner and looks forward
to continuing to show its support for the
Australian Chinese Charity Foundation in 2014.
As innovation is at the heart of
InvoCare’s philosophy, one of the
core ways we are able to deliver
this is through the expansion and
enhancement of our suite
of digital services.
Doris Zagdanksi, InvoCare General Manager
Corporate Projects and convenor of the
MyGriefAssist website speaks to a crowded
audience at Turnbull Family Funerals in Hobart.
This section of Involve magazine
brings together news of our
announcements in the digital
space. It will also keep you
updated on the success of
our current digital services
and capabilities.
Scott Turnbull, Manager Turnbull Family Funerals,
introduces Doris Zagdanski to a packed chapel.
Doris Zagdanski presents to attendees of her Stuck
for Words grief seminar at White Lady Funerals
Pennant Hills.
Seminars give skills
and raise awareness
Doris Zagdanski, convenor of www.mygriefassist.com and InvoCare General
Manager Corporate Projects, has recently toured Australian states as the guest
of InvoCare funerals brands, to deliver her insights into grief to those that really
need them.
Doris has travelled to Melbourne, Hobart,
Sydney and Adelaide to present her popular
grief seminar – “Stuck for Words”. The
seminars were all held in InvoCare funeral
home chapels and attendance was free
to all who wished to attend.
The 3 hour seminar is interactive and
designed around a workbook for participants
who learn about the principles of empathetic
communication and then practice their
responses to real life conversations with
grieving people.
The seminar is targeted to those whose work
involves communicating with, and supporting,
grieving people. Attendees come from a
variety of backgrounds covering all types of
careers, from health care professionals to
volunteers in welfare and carer organisations.
The seminars are also a wonderful forum
to introduce InvoCare’s new grief website
www.mygriefassist.com, and participants
are able to sign up as subscribers on the spot.
I N V 6 LV E
Journeys in digital excellence
Feeling Appy
InvoCare’s digital journey in Australia doesn’t just mean online memorials,
advice websites and a host of up-to-date brand websites, it also means
putting enhanced technologies into the hands of our staff to make their jobs
easier, as well as adding new dimensions to their interactions with customers.
In a first for the online memorial
provider, HeavenAddress has released
two Apps intended to make accessing
and sharing content on its site easier.
One such project can be seen in InvoCare’s
three-year development of an iPad application
for its at-need funeral arrangers, the heart of
which is driven by a customised instance of
business process automation tool, XMPro.
A user App has been developed that gives
users of the site a clean, simplified and
convenient experience of HeavenAddress
while on the go. With smart phones and other
mobile devices only becoming more popular,
increasingly these devices are replacing, or
are being used as an adjunct to, the standard
desktop or laptop computer experience.
As New South Wales is the first state to have
benefited from this bespoke tool, InvoCare’s
NSW Funerals General Manager, Andrew
Pulsford, is best-placed to understand the
benefits of the project.
“The whole purpose is to improve the
customer’s experience of the arrangement
process. This will be helped by being able
to show our range of coffins and our flower
options, by demonstrating HeavenAddress and
showing customers a video on how to use it.
We can even take customers to iTunes to select
the right music for a service,” says Andrew.
XMPro has also added a new level of
streamlined efficiency into the arrangement
process. It has been calculated that the
time to complete paperwork for an at-need
funeral can take up to one-and-a-half
hours, but with XMPro, once the data is
entered, which takes only a fraction of
the time to write out manually, it can then
be shared across all necessary business
applications. This means that the funeral
arranger is able to give more ‘face’ time to
their customer, rather than being tied up
with paperwork.
“Even the efficiency improvements are
more about the customer experience than
anything else because it means the funeral
arranger will have more time to interact with
the client and other family members,” says
Andrew Pulsford.
Peter Bond, Funeral Director with Tobin Brothers
Funerals Canberra, is a strong advocate for
the new iPads for funeral arrangers.
“As an aid for funeral arrangers, the iPad
is fantastic. Families expect that we will
be using the most up-to-date and modern
equipment to meet their needs.
“To date we have arranged more than 200
funerals using the iPad and one of my first
was for a 94 year old gentleman. When his
wife and son came in I presented the floral
range to her using the iPad and had her
flicking backwards and forwards to select
the floral arrangement that would best suit
her needs. During our conversation she
mentioned that her husband’s father and
her father had served together in WW1.
Using the iPad, I went into the War Memorial
web site and was able to give to her a
print out of their information. She was both
pleased and shocked that it was so easy
to get this information,” says Peter.
Ann Martin, Location Manager of White
Lady Funerals Pennant Hills, has recently
finished receiving her training on the new
tablet device.
“We’ve done our first arrangements and we’re
ready to do many more. We’re very excited to
be able to showcase things like HeavenAddress
and our floral selections using such an easyto-use device. It has already become a talking
point with families we meet,” says Ann.
Jenny Burrows, Location Supervisor at
Simplicity Funerals Penrith, is another strong
advocate of iPads for funeral arrangers.
“I love it, love it, love it! It gives me more
control and ownership over my interactions
with families,” says Jenny.
The new iPad for funeral arrangers has
everything Jenny needs.
“From the first call, to meeting with the family,
to entering the information into the system,
the iPad helps me the whole way through.
“For me, the iPad has replaced my main
computer and leaves me freer to spend
time with families instead of in the office.
Everything I used to have in several folders
is now on the iPad and I can participate more
in the funeral arrangement.
“The only thing I can’t do is order flowers,”
says Jenny.
Arrangers in New South Wales, the ACT and
Queensland have had their first taste of the
XMPro devices with a further roll out of iPads
into other Australian states, early in 2014.
Also in 2014, the application will be further
refined so as to integrate with InvoCare’s
customer relations management tool,
SalesForce.
Yet with a smaller interface, it is up to the
designers of websites to make sure they
are optimised for the smaller devices.
That is exactly what HeavenAddress has
done. The new App allows users to search
for a memorial, view upcoming funeral service
information, post messages of tribute, use a
map function to find a funeral venue, upload
images to a memorial, sign a guest book,
and share memorial pages on Facebook –
all while on the go with their smart phone
or tablet device.
HeavenAddress has also developed a Partner
App for its associated funeral homes. The
Partner App is a powerful and compelling
way for funeral directors to demonstrate the
features and benefits of HeavenAddress to
a family during the process of arranging a
funeral, as well as also allowing the funeral
home to have a high degree of control over
how they are presented on their Partner page
within the site.
Together, these Apps mark HeavenAddress’s
first venture into the new world of Apps, and
with the features of the site continuously being
enhanced, it is exciting to think what might be
coming next for HeavenAddress.
HeavenAddress’s User App is currently
available for download through both Apple’s
App Store and the Google Play store on
Android. The HeavenAddress Partner App
is available from Apple’s App Store.
Cemeteries & Crematoria
InvoCare owns and operates
14 cemeteries and crematoria
in New South Wales and
Queensland. They have a strong
local heritage with some having
been places of memories and
tranquility since the 1930s.
Those locations operating
a cemetery and crematoria
are known as Memorial Parks
and those operating only
a crematorium are called
Memorial Gardens. Both are
beautiful, tranquil and peaceful
environments where people
can reflect on a life lived.
Australia’s multicultural nature
is recognised with a range of
burial, cremation and memorial
options on offer. These include
Asian sections designed by Feng
Shui masters and the availability
of outstanding crypts, vaults and
family mausoleums preferred by
many European communities.
There are hundreds of memorial
options to reflect the needs
of each individual and suit
all budgets.
John Lazanas, Simeon Eliassen, Angelika Simpson,
Damian Steenson, Christine McClure, Gregory
Wilson, Pete Graham and Allan Drew at the
Castlebrook Memorial Park Father’s Day service.
Kelli Clarke prepares to deadlift.
Families
remember
fathers
Weight for
success
Whenever a family member passes
away, significant days like birthdays
and anniversaries can be hard to
face. So, when a family loses its father
or father-figure, it is no wonder that
Father’s Day can be difficult.
For this reason, InvoCare’s memorial parks
and gardens often host special memorial
services so that families missing a much-loved
member can still celebrate and pay tribute
to the important men in their lives.
This year was no different and one of the
services, held at Castlebrook Memorial Park,
had its best year ever, with close to 300
members of the local community flocking to
the annual service to pay tribute to missing
fathers and father-figures.
Held in conjunction with Allan Drew Funerals,
Celebrant Pete Graham directed the formal
elements of the Service which included the
reading of a Father’s Day honour roll. Local
singer, Eileen McCann, offered musical tributes
and families were invited to write a message to
their loved one on a card which could either be
taken home or offered at the service.
Families were also presented with roses and a
butterfly emblem to take home in remembrance
of their father.
Kelli Clarke, part of the
Administration team at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
has been called upon to
represent Australia at an
international powerlifting meet
to be held soon in New Zealand.
A newcomer to the sport, Kelli only
began her powerlifting journey in January
2012 and has already made an impact.
Originally spotted by her trainer, and
described as a natural, Kelli gained her
seat at the international competition
by winning the national titles, held in
Melbourne earlier this year.
Powerlifting is a relatively new sport,
and has as many ties to strongman
competitions as it does to Olympic
weightlifting. In powerlifting, competitors
make three attempts to lift as much
as they can in three disciplines: squat,
deadlift and bench press.
In just under 24 months Kelli now holds
records for squats (147.5 kg) and dead
lifts (81 kg), and her bench press personal
best is 72.5 kg. All combined, Kelli holds
the total record (which covers squat, dead
lift and bench press) of 398 kg.
Congratulations Kelli and all the best
for your competition in New Zealand.
I N V 6 LV E
From left to right: Moises Millena, Regional Manager Multicultural Unit, Honorable Whie Jin Lee, Korean Consul General, Dr Michael Yi, Team Leader of the Korean
Team, and Mr. Luke Song, President of the Korean Society of Sydney.
Massively multicultural
Changing Korea
Thanks to Pyong Hwa Korean Memorial
Gardens within Pinegrove Memorial Park,
Sydney’s Korean communities were, for
the first time ever, able to come together to
celebrate Chuseok, a harvest festival with a
focus on the ancestors.
Chuseok means “the great middle autumn”.
It is a major harvest festival and is usually
celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month
of the lunar calendar which coincides with the
autumn equinox. After a feast of traditional
Korean food, families visit the tombs of their
ancestors to clean and tend them and to make
offerings of food, drinks and crops from the
bountiful harvest.
Special guest at the Chuseok festival was
Korean Consul General, Honorable Whie Jin
Lee, Korean Consul General and Mr. Luke Song,
President of the Korean Society of Sydney.
Mr Lee unveiled a special plaque
to commemorate the first event held
within the grounds of the new gardens.
Pyong Hwa Korean Memorial Gardens
looks forward to assisting Sydney’s Korean
community to carry out their Chuseok
obligations and to participate in and other
culturally important occasions.
Singing and lunching
Lung Po Shan Chinese Memorial Gardens
has thrilled Sydney’s Chinese communities
with a series of popular karaoke lunches.
A day of great food and entertainment has
been on offer for guests at two recent events,
with staff from Lung Po Shan taking guests
to the Sunny Seafoodtown Restaurant in
Hurstville for sumptuous Yum Cha, with
entertainment provided by Ms Sandy Lau
and her Cantonese Opera group.
Transport to and from the event, lunch and
entertainment are all included in the entry
price, and the first luncheon, held in August,
was so popular that another had to be
arranged for November. The second event
also proved popular as well; and so it looks
like the combination of food and entertainment
will continue to be offered by Lung Po Shan
for some time to come.
With lucky draws, karaoke to popular Chinese
music and plenty of fun and laughs rounding
out the day, it is no wonder that all who attend
are keen for more.
Chung Yeung 2013
assisted Sydney’s Chinese families to
celebrate Chung Yeung, an important
festival that honours the ancestors.
Armen Mikaelian, National General Manager Cemeteries
and Crematoria InvoCare, lights joss sticks at Lung Po
Shan Chinese Memorial Gardens’ Chung Yeung festival.
In the Chinese calendar, the 9th day of
the 9th month is called “double nine” which
traditionally is when residents evacuate from
their homes to live in the high mountains to
avoid attacks from enemy or sickness. They
would bring with them food and fruit, drink
Chrysanthemum wine, and wear the Zhuyu
plant. Both Chrysanthemum and Zhuyu plants
are considered to have cleansing qualities.
Eventually this Double-9 activity became an
occasion for the whole family to take a long
journey to worship their ancestors.
In China and Hong Kong, Chung Yeung is a
public holiday, with extended families heading
to ancestral graves to clean them and repaint
their inscriptions, and to lay out food offerings
for the ancestors.
Lung Po Shan is glad to see this tradition
carried on in Australia, with Chinese families
A traditional Korean dancer performs at the
Chuseok celebration.
Chung Yeung festival guests hang lanterns to chase
away evil spirits.
bringing their younger generations to
Lung Po Shan Chinese Memorial Gardens.
Families come year after
year, with roast suckling pig,
boiled chicken, fresh flowers,
and incense to worship their
ancestors.
Families come year after year, with roast
suckling pig, boiled chicken, fresh flowers,
and incense to worship their ancestors.
Each year Lung Po Shan arranges for a lifeaffirming activity to take place on Chung Yeung.
In 2013 a lantern hanging activity was arranged
with colourful lanterns displayed as a way to
chase away bad luck. Lots of families came to
participate in this activity, with each believing
it will attract good luck to their families for the
year ahead. Lung Po Shan also provided free
buses to and from the event, and free lunch
boxes for guests.
More than 200 people attended the annual
Chung Yeung event, and all enjoyed their
stay and the program of activities on the day.
I N V 6 LV E
The Gardens of Peace at Lake Macquarie
Memorial Park.
Garden for
the grieving
Lake Macquarie Memorial Park
recently officially opened its
Gardens of Peace development,
coinciding the event with National
Mental Health Month.
National Mental Health Month is a time
to remind ourselves that grief will arise
throughout our lives, and can have an
enormous impact on a daily basis. The
Gardens of Peace are a special recognition
that the community needs spaces where
people can come by themselves, or gather
with others, so that they can quietly visit their
thoughts, memories and emotions about
someone who is important to them.
Even when a funeral or a memorial
service held within Lake Macquarie
Memorial Park is intended to be a
celebration of a life, it is not always easy
for everyone to express their feelings of
love and sadness. And when the funeral
service is over, it is not always easy to
know what to do next and where to go.
The Gardens of Peace within Lake
Macquarie Memorial Park are intended
to answer both of the needs; providing a
place of peace and quiet where it is alright
for people to express sadness and loss.
Special guest at the official opening was Kate
Monro, Manager Suicide Prevention Services,
Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter. Also on hand
for the ceremony were Lake Macquarie
Memorial Park’s Caring Community Friends,
who have helped to make so many of the
events held with its grounds so special.
Lake Macquarie Memorial Park looks forward
to members of the community coming to find
calm amongst the Gardens of Peace.
An artist’s impression of the Crypts of the Sacred Heart at Allambe Memorial Park.
Keeping hearts sacred
Allambe Memorial Park recently held a ground-breaking ceremony
for its new above ground burial area, the Crypts of the Sacred Heart.
When completed, the crypts will be the finest
complex in either Southern Queensland or
Northern NSW, and the high quality construction
is already generating strong interest, with
inquiries received from as far away as Sydney.
Today, above ground burial in a mausoleum
or crypt remains a modern, popular choice
for many of those of the Catholic faith.
The Crypts of the Sacred Heart have been
developed to meet the need for culturally
appropriate Catholic memorial spaces on
the Gold Coast. According to the latest
Australian Bureau of Statistics data, almost
a quarter of Gold Coast residents formally
identify themselves as Catholic, with many
immigrating to Australia from European
nations where crypts are the preferred
memorial option.
Previously, crypt memorialisations were
only available for prominent families however
modern architecture and building methods
have now brought crypts and mausoleums
into the reach of more of the faithful.
The Crypts of the Sacred Heart will feature
individual and double crypts, as well as the
option for family vaults and mausoleums.
Specialist architectural firm, Arciuli Monumental
Building, who are behind some of the most
acclaimed crypt developments in the southern
hemisphere, have been engaged to construct
the Crypts of the Sacred Heart.
When completed, the new structure will be
a contemporary, open-air building featuring
shaded courtyards, intimate chapels, shrines
and areas for contemplation and reflection.
The construction of the crypts is expected
to be completed by 2014, and a formal Mass
and blessing ceremony will be held shortly
after that date.
Lion Dancers at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Open Day.
An RSL themed LifeArt coffin took a central role in the RSL Poppy Service at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Open Day.
Padre Vittorio Basso c.s. of the Scalabrini Fathers blesses the Crypts of the
Guardian Angel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Open Day.
Guests at the White Lady Funerals Pregnancy and Infant Loss memorial service
get ready to release balloons at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Open Day.
Forest life
For the first time ever, Sydney’s Forest Lawn Memorial Park held an Open Day, attracting locals into its grounds
with a wide variety of activities and explanations of the cremation process.
Now in its 51st year of operation, Forest Lawn
Memorial Park has become part of family
memory for thousands of residents of Sydney’s
south-west, and over the years has played host
to some great events, including two Michael
Jackson memorial services and a tribute service
to Australian rock icon, Ted Mulry, on the 10th
anniversary of his death.
The Park has also played host to annual
Chinese festivals, as well as All Souls’ Day
services that are delivered in a number of
European and Asian languages. With so much
history behind it, it was long past time for
Forest Lawn Memorial Park to extend a general
invitation to its surrounding communities to
come in and take a tour of the location.
A full itinerary was planned which included:
s A formal blessing ceremony for Forest
Lawn’s new crypt complex, the Crypts
of the Guardian Angel, which was presided
over by Padre Vittorio Basso c.s. of the
Scalabrini Fathers
s A Returned and Services’ League
of Australia “Poppy Service” which
also included historic information,
demonstrations and explanations
of the traditions of the Australian
Armed Forces
s A Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Remembrance Service to help those
experiencing grief regarding the loss
of an infant or a stillborn child
Now in its 51st year of operation, Forest Lawn Memorial Park has
become part of family memory for thousands of residents of Sydney’s
south-west, and over the years has played host to some great events
s Tours of the Park and informative talks
by horticulturalists
s Explanations of the cremation process
and tours of the crematorium
s A CareFlight helicopter simulator, and
s Lion dancers, horseback parades, butterfly
displays and local historians.
Hundreds of guests attended Forest Lawn for
the Open Day event, taking advantage of the
opportunity to attend one of the events and to
spend time getting to know the grounds and the
staff at Forest Lawn better.
Involve would like to thank Sue Kennedy, Family
Service Supervisor at Forest Lawn Memorial
Park, for bringing this Open Day event together.
As can be seen from the activities listed above,
the Open Day was a jam-packed mix of fun,
information and formal events that demonstrated
Forest Lawn’s ability to provide care and comfort
to families and community groups.
I N V 6 LV E
Bishop of Wollongong, Peter Ingham, leads the Prayers of the Faithful
at Lakeside Memorial Park’s 30th All Souls’ Day service.
A local Catholic school child presents a guest with a white rose to commemorate
Lakeside Memorial Park’s 30th annual All Souls’ Day service.
Centre: Armen Mikaelian, InvoCare National General Manager Cemeteries and Crematoria with Philippine Consul General, Honourable Anne Jalando-on Luis,
Father Diosdado Haber, Greg Bisset, InvoCare Chief Operating Officer, Clr Charlie Lowles of Blacktown City Council.
Far left: Moises Millena, Regional Manager Multicultural Unit with 11 of the 13 Filipino priests on hand for All Souls’ Day at Pinegrove Memorial Park.
All Souls Day at Lakeside and Pinegrove
Members of the Catholic communities around Sydney, Wollongong and the Illawarra flocked to Forest Lawn,
Pinegrove and Lakeside Memorial Parks recently for the annual observation of All Souls’ Day.
All Souls’ Day is an important religious date for
those of the Catholic faith, where the faithfully
departed are remembered and prayed for by
the living. Activities that usually take place on
All Souls’ Day include the blessing of graves
and a formal Mass.
Lakeside Memorial Park
Peter Ingham, Bishop of Wollongong, led the
Mass and was supported by priests from the
Illawarra diocese. Reflecting the multiculturalism
of Lakeside Memorial Park and Wollongong as
a whole, where more than 20% of residents
were born overseas, the Prayers of the Faithful
were read in six European languages.
The annual All Souls’ Day Mass has become
as much of a tradition for Lakeside Memorial
Park staff as it is for the Catholic community
who attends. The Mass was held near the
Stations of the Cross memorial area within the
Park, and to mark the 30th anniversary of the
event, 30 children from local Catholic schools
presented 30 white roses to lucky attendees.
Also in commemoration of the special occasion,
one lucky youngster presented another white
rose to Bishop Ingham as a symbol of thanks for
his ongoing participation in the service.
Close to 1,400 worshipers attended the annual
event, which was followed by a sausage sizzle
provided by Dapto Rotary Club.
Pinegrove Memorial Park
More than 2,000 members of Sydney’s Filipino
community attended All Souls’ Day at Pinegrove
Memorial Park.
Traditionally a well-attended service, this
year’s event came only a few days after an
earthquake caused more than 200 deaths
in the Bohol province in the central Philippines.
More than 65,000 families were displaced by
the disaster after damage to dwellings made
them unsafe.
With this devastation still fresh, there was
a large crowd on hand for Pinegrove’s All Souls’
Day service, to pray for the faithfully departed
and for their friends and relatives back home.
Thirteen Catholic priests were on hand to say
Mass and to assist families to offer prayers
at the gravesides of loved ones.
A special charity collection to aid those affected
by the earthquake was taken up on the day, with
the money raised donated to the Camillian Task
Force and the SVD Task Force, both of which
are directly assisting families and communities
in Bohol province.
A gazebo set amongst the colour at Castlebrook
Memorial Park.
Manicured lawns and topiary are part of the floral
achievements of Castlebrook Memorial Park’s
grounds team.
Some of the magnificent spring colour at
Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
Awards in bloom
With some of Australia’s most established and best presented gardens amongst its portfolio, InvoCare’s Cemetery
and Crematoria division always looks forward to spring, when local councils often host their gardening awards.
The 2013 spring season shone well on
Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance and
Castlebrook Memorial Park.
Each year as spring warms up the competition
between some of the city’s best looking
gardens heats up during the Toowoomba
Carnival of Flowers. There are hundreds of
public, commercial and private gardens spread
around the city and all are willing to stake a
claim to floral perfection. In 2012, the Garden
of Remembrance team picked up 2nd place in
the Commercial Garden category. This year, the
team did one better, becoming the number one
commercial garden in the city.
Also joining their Toowoomba colleagues in
the winners circle this year is the grounds team
from Castlebrook Memorial Park. Entered in the
Blacktown City Council Award Best Commercial
and Industrial Garden category, the team from
Castlebrook was able to retain the first-place
prize they won in 2012.
translate their success in their respective council
awards into victories at InvoCare’s annual Park
and Garden Awards.
Stay tuned to the first edition of Involve in 2014 for
the results of this hotly contested InvoCare award.
Congratulations to all involved in making
the gardens at Toowoomba Garden of
Remembrance and Castlebrook Memorial Park
look so great.
Both Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance and
Castlebrook Memorial Park will be looking to
Art all part of the appeal
Paul McCarthy, Concierge at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens,
recently took home a bag of awards at the annual Ryde Art Awards.
A talented artist across several mediums,
Paul works in oils, acrylics, watercolours
and pastels and shares his knowledge and
experience about these art forms with a wide
variety of audiences. Formerly an Acting
Curator at the Sydney Children’s Hospital
at Randwick and a community artist for
Warringah Council, in his role as Concierge,
Paul excels at adding a touch of class to the
day of those who visit Northern Suburbs
Memorial Gardens.
Paul took out first place in three award
categories: Paul won the acrylic category
with a painting of Kandos, part of the Wollemi
National Park; the contemporary category
with a painting of Cockatoo Island; and took
out the major council prize with a painting
of the crematorium at Northern Suburbs
Memorial Gardens.
It should come as no surprise to serious art
lovers that Paul has taken inspiration from
his surrounds at Northern Suburbs Memorial
Gardens. Designed at the height of the
excitement that accompanied the beginnings
of the Art Deco movement, Northern Suburbs’
buildings and gardens are full of artistic treasures,
and added to Paul’s passion for landscapes, it is
no wonder that his painting of the crematorium
registered so strongly with judges.
Paul’s major work of the crematorium
is proudly displayed within the Skyline Function
Centre at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens.
Involve wishes to congratulate Paul
on his outstanding artistic achievements.
Paul McCarthy’s picture of the crematorium at
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens took out
the major prize at the 53rd Annual Ryde Art Awards.
I N V 6 LV E
Contemporary Funerals
InvoCare has 140 locations that are some of the
most trusted names in the Australian, New Zealand
and Singapore funeral businesses.
These funeral providers are uniquely placed to be able
to deliver and exceed expectations on all aspects of
contemporary funeral services. Our staff fully understand
the requirements of different cultures and religions.
The service offered is as professional as it is personal.
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
Allan Drew Funerals
Academy Funeral Services
Allen Matthews Funerals
Beth Shan Funeral Directors
Ann Wilson Funerals
Clegg’s Funeral Services
Beaudesert Funerals
Elliotts Funeral Services
Blackwell Funerals
Forrest Funeral Services
Boland Funerals
Fountains Funeral Directors & Advisors
Bruce Maurer Funerals
Fraser Lawrence Memorials
Burkin Svendsens Funeral Directors
Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors
Canon and Cripps Funerals
Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors
Chipper Funerals
H Morris Funerals
Christian Funerals (WA)
James R. Hill Funeral Directors
City Funeral Services Mackay
John Rhind Funeral Directors
David Lloyd Funerals
Lychgate Funeral Home
Drysdale Funerals
Pellows Funeral Directors and Advisors
Gatton Funerals
Resthaven Funeral Services
George Hartnett Funerals
Sibuns Funeral Directors & Advisors
Guardian Funerals
Vospers Funeral Home
Hansen & Cole Funerals
Wairarapa Funeral Services
Hiram Philp Funerals
Wheeler’s Guardian Funeral Home
North City
J&C Hardy Funerals
JW Chandler Funerals
Le Pine Funerals
SINGAPORE
Liberty Funerals
Singapore Casket
Mackay Funerals
Metropolitan Funerals (NSW)
Metropolitan Funerals (QLD)
Oakwood Funerals
Purslowe Funerals
Sarina Funerals
Somerville Funerals
Tobin Brothers Funerals (ACT)
Tilton Opie & Pattison Funeral Directors
Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service
Turnbull Family Funerals
Universal Chung Wah / Funerals
of Distinction
WD Rose and Joseph Allison Funerals
WN Bull Funerals
Matt Hansen, Metropolitan Funerals Regional Manager, Martin Gomes, Manager
Metropolitan Funerals Multicultural and Metropolitan Funerals Multicultural team
member, Sam Fiaalii at the Festival of Lights.
Lighting a way to fortune
Metropolitan Funerals was thrilled to be able to take part
in one of Brisbane’s most colourful events, the Festival
of Lights, held recently in the Brisbane City Hall.
The Festival of Lights is an important occasion right across Asia, and
in particular to Hindu communities but also to those from Sikh and Jain
backgrounds. It is therefore an important occasion in India, Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. Known as Deepavali, the festival
commemorates the triumph of lightness over darkness, and of good
over evil. This triumph is celebrated through the lighting of oil filled lamps
and fireworks to drive away darkness and to chase away evil spirits.
Metropolitan Funerals has been a corporate sponsor of the festival
for many years and always looks forward to attending the celebration,
and to showing our support for Brisbane’s Indian and Tamil communities.
This year, Metropolitan Funerals Regional Manager, Matt Hansen was
joined by Martin Gomes, Manager Metropolitan Funerals Multicultural,
and team member, Sam Fiaalii, who were all pleased to be on hand.
Matt lit one of the festival lights and all took part in the dancing and
cultural activities on the night.
Metropolitan Funerals wishes Brisbane’s Indian and Tamil communities
the very best of fortune for the year ahead.
Worshippers process through Einfeld Memorial
Park during Blackwell Funerals’ All Souls’ Day Mass.
Rotary Club of Burwood members, staff from WD Rose Funerals
and members of the community gather at the WD Rose Funerals
Valuation Day.
The valuers in action at the WD Rose
Funerals Valuation Day.
Increasing in value
WD Rose Funerals in Burwood, Victoria, and the Rotary Club of Burwood
combined recently to assist Highwood Court Aged Care Centre to raise funds
for new equipment by hosting an “Antiques Roadshow” style valuation day.
A number of reputable valuation experts from the Victorian Antique Dealers Association
and the Antique Dealers Guide gave of their time to assess items brought in by locals
to see whether any were sitting on a valuable heirloom.
The purpose of the day was to raise funds so that Highwood Court Aged Care facility
could purchase a new lifting machine, something that would benefit residents and staff alike.
In exchange for a donation, members of the community were able to access the valuation
experts, and guests who just wanted to watch the proceedings were asked to make a nominal
donation to the cause.
Thanks to the experts on hand, a wide range of jewellery, china, porcelain, clocks, dolls,
silver, and toys were assessed, with their owners leaving more informed about the treasures
they had brought.
Well done to the WD Rose Funerals team at Burwood.
A Catholic priest says Mass at Blackwell
Funerals’ All Souls’ Day service.
Blackwell
Funerals hosts
English-Italian
All Souls’
Day Mass
Blackwell Funerals and Enfield Memorial
Park collaborated to invite Adelaide’s Catholic
community to attend a special All Souls’ Day
Mass, delivered in both English and Italian.
On All Souls’ Day it is traditional for people to
say prayers for loved ones who have passed
away, and also provides an opportunity for
families and friends to support each other
while remembering the faithfully departed.
The purpose of the day was to raise funds so that Highwood
Court Aged Care facility could purchase a new lifting machine,
something that would benefit residents and staff alike.
The special Mass was delivered by Father
Peter Zwaans of the Hectorville and Tranmere
Parishes and was followed by a procession
through Enfield Memorial Park and a candlelighting ceremony to remember loved ones.
Guests then joined together for a morning tea.
Blackwell Funerals was proud to offer
Adelaide’s Catholic community the
opportunity to commemorate this important
annual occasion and looks forward to
supporting their special days and community
activities in 2014.
I N V 6 LV E
The team from Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service pictured outside their facilities located in Geelong West.
Tuckers celebrate 130th Anniversary
It all began when F.H. Tucker – Builders, Undertakers & Timber Merchants opened for business in 1883.
Tuckers started out in 1883 as a small family
business in Wycheproof, Victoria, operating
from a two room cottage with one standing
desk, a few oil lamps, a horse drawn hearse
and no telephones. In 1925, Frank Tucker
made the decision to move his family
business to Geelong.
For the past 130 years Tuckers has continued
to thrive by providing high quality, innovative
services to families and treating them like
their own. From a small family business,
Tuckers today employs nearly 40 Geelong
staff, operates several venues and office
locations throughout the region, maintains
a fleet of vehicles, and, unlike in 1883,
all staff now have phones, ipads, mobile
internet access and much more.
Since their inception, community desires
have directed the services offered by
Tuckers. Funeral services post WW1 saw
cremations become not only possible, but
popular. Funeral services became simpler and
mourning was downplayed with the focus not
on grief, but on honouring the deceased. In
the 1960s to 1990s there was a move towards
more open grief and more public discussions
of death and funerals. Today, death and
funerals are more hands on. The community
is focusing on the grief process and
a celebration of a life.
“The key to longevity?” says Mark Osborne
Tuckers General Manager, “the short answer
is ‘our people’. Over the years Tuckers have
employed incredibly passionate and dedicated
staff, a tradition that continues today.
In addition to this, our key points of difference
include our bereavement and aftercare
program, multiple facilities, new technologies,
our entire funeral fleet, inclusive of our vintage
hearses, and much more”. Over the years the
quality of the service Tuckers provides has
helped forge strong relationships with many
Geelong families. Tuckers commitment to be
involved in the community is shown through
‘giving back’, contributing both physically
and financially to the people of Geelong.
“As a team we are looking forward to the
opportunity to service this community for
the next 130 years, meeting the needs of
Geelong’s growing and culturally diverse
population.” says Mark.
F.H. Tucker and Son’s original fineral home
and hearse.
Gavin Cole, Trevor Cole, Ross Allen and Brad Tattersall, pictured at one of the five Tuckers Funeral Chapels
located throughout the Geelong region.
A milestone year for Tuckers
2013 is a year to remember for the team at Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service.
After more than a century of service,
Tuckers continues today to grow and bring
quality services to the region of Greater
Geelong, the Surf Coast and Colac Otway
Shire, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Golden
Plains Shire and surrounding areas.
For the past 130 years
Tuckers has continued
to thrive by providing high
quality, innovative services
to families and treating them
like their own.
Funeral Directors Trevor Cole, Ross Allen,
Gavin Cole and Brad Tattersall are all very well
known within the Greater Geelong community
and with good reason - combined they have
an impressive 130 years of service. As Funeral
Directors, Trevor, Ross, Gavin and Brad all
represent an organisation that is also celebrating
its 130 years - Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement
Service. When talking to these four gentlemen
you hear stories of how each has given their life
to serving others, with each regarding it as a
privilege to meet and work with families who
have lost a loved one.
In 2013, Trevor Cole celebrates 50 years of
service to the Geelong community. Following
in his Father’s footsteps, Trevor was called
upon to help out the family business as it grew.
Starting off by completing bookkeeping tasks
and clerical work, Trevor eventually learnt the
ropes and became hands on in every aspect
of the business. Over the years Trevor has seen
many changes in both the business and the
industry, particularly the growth in technology
and innovation within the overall services
Tuckers provide.
2013 sees Ross Allen commemorating
40 years working as a Funeral Director with
Tuckers. Back in 1973 when originally offered
a position by Trevor, Ross scoffed at the idea
of working in the funeral industry. As you can
see it turned out to be a well suited opportunity
– 40 years later Ross is still working with
Tuckers and is honoured to have heard so
many stories of lives.
Following the traditions set by his father and
grandfather, Gavin Cole has dedicated the past
20 years to working with his family at Tuckers
as a Funeral Director. After completing his trade
and working as a cabinet maker, Gavin joined
the family business in 1993. Still working as a
Funeral Director today, Gavin feels honoured
to have witnessed so many personal tributes.
Brad Tattersall also celebrates 20 years
as a Funeral Director working in the Geelong
region. In 1993 Brad started working as
a Funeral Director within his own family’s
business. Having worked in all aspects of the
funeral industry, Brad joined the growing team
at Tuckers and considers it a privilege being
able to care for bereaved families in the region.
I N V 6 LV E
Left to right: Le Pine Funerals’ Trevor Burkitt, General Manager, John Fowler,
and Doug Berwick with Grahame Coward, former manager of Le Pine Funerals,
Box Hill.
The Le Pine Funerals vintage hearse was on display at the Box Hill 50th
Anniversary celebration.
The original Box Hill funeral home was opened by Le Pine & Sons
Funerals in 1937 and ever since then, Le Pine Funerals has been
of service to the people and communities of Box Hill and surrounds.
Le Pine Funerals new Box Hill funeral home and
chapel as it was in 1963.
Golden jubilee in the Box
Le Pine Funerals has been part of the Box Hill community in Melbourne for close to 80 years,
and this year celebrates its 50th year at its current location.
The anniversary of the opening of the current
Le Pine Funerals Box Hill location was
commemorated recently with a special event
that took place, fittingly enough, during the City
of Whitehorse’s Heritage Week in September.
The original Box Hill funeral home was opened
by Le Pine & Sons Funerals in 1937 and ever
since then, Le Pine Funerals has been of
service to the people and communities of Box
Hill and surrounds. In 1963, the Box Hill location
moved to its current location, where it offered
the community a new facility; the location’s
beautiful and, at the time, modern chapel.
A highlight of the commemoration was the
unveiling of a special plaque by the leader
of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, the Hon
Bruce Atkinson MLC in front of distinguished
guests and members of the public. A rich
display of memorabilia also featured as part
of the commemoration which included a
century old horse drawn hearse, a 1925
Packard vintage hearse, historic mourning
jewellery, as well as a photographic display.
Location Manager, Doug Berwick noted;
“The level of community awareness of our
celebrations was higher than expected.
A number of people called the location
to share their memories of the area before
and after the Chapel was built which
helped us to better understand of our
place in the community.”
Le Pine Funerals would like to thank
InvoCare’s Cemeteries and Crematoria
Division who arranged supply of the
commemorative plaque.
Inside Drysdale Funerals Nambour’s chapel
during their annual VP Day memorial service.
Members of the community light a candle as a
sign of respect during Drysdale Funerals’ VP Day
memorial service.
Remembering
service
Guardian Funerals staff meet with Western Sydney Wandercrew volunteers.
Wander no more!
Guardian Funerals is pleased to announce that it has become the official sponsor
of the Wandercrew, the volunteer team for the Sydney A-League team, Western
Sydney Wanderers FC.
“We are extraordinarily passionate about
the Western Sydney community, and nothing
encompasses that better than the Western
Sydney Wanderers FC and their volunteer team,
the Wandercrew,” says Mark Beach, Regional
Manager Western Sydney, Guardian Funerals.
As well as taking an active role at the home
games of the Western Sydney Wanderers;
acting as ushers to take spectators to
their seats and being on hand to provide
information on the ground’s facilities, the
Wandercrew is also very active in the
communities around Western Sydney.
Just like Guardian Funerals, the Wandercrew
strives to be a major contributor and positive
part of the community by organising and
assisting at Football Day activities, school
and gala days, and even helping out in the
Western Sydney Wanderers head office.
Guardian Funerals was pleased to recently get
to know the members of the Western Sydney
Wandercrew when it invited the new volunteers
to a special BBQ function to unveil the new
Wandercrew official uniform. More than 70
members of the Wandercrew came along to
meet us, and we all had a great time.
With the 2013-2014 season already underway,
and the Western Sydney Wanderers keen to
go one better than the runners up position they
achieved in 2012-2013 season, Guardian Funerals
can’t wait to see how the team will do this time.
We are also very eager to see just how big
the Wandercrew gets as well, as all the great
activities the Crew will get up to as they help
out in the community.
Guardian Funerals wishes the Western
Sydney Wanders all the best for the
2013-2014 season and congratulates all
of the Wandercrew volunteers. We look
forward to seeing you at the matches.
VP Day commemorates the cessation
of hostilities in the Pacific during World
War II, and the 68th anniversary of this
occasion was celebrated recently with
a special memorial service, held at
Drysdale Funerals Nambour location.
Eighty participants from the local
community, including representatives from
the Nambour and Kawana Sub Branches
of the RSL, from Legacy and the National
Servicemen’s Association, attended a
memorial service featuring wreath laying
and the lighting of candles.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were
students from the Nambour State High
School Special Education Unit and a group
from the Palmwoods Singing Group.
The service, now in its 10th year at the
Nambour location, remembers those
who were lost in this conflict and is also
an opportunity for veterans and civilians
alike to renew friendships. Drysdale
Funerals VP Day memorial service is one
of the many ways that recent OAM
recipient, Christine Jones, Location
Manager Drysdale Funerals Nambour,
supports the community around her.
I N V 6 LV E
Cutting
through with
Le Pine and
20th Man Fund
General Manager of Le Pine
Funerals, John Fowler, has recently
volunteered his time to record a series
of community service announcements
for Melbourne charity, 20th Man
Fund, which assists with Melbourne’s
youth and the homeless.
John, who is also the Patron of 20th Man
Fund, has worked very constructively with
Les Twentyman over the years on a range
of initiatives to improve understanding and
awareness of the issues faced by people
who are homeless, particularly young people
living rough, as well as to raise funds so that
20th Man Fund can continue to provide its
vital outreach services.
This time, John and Les have combined
forces to take on the issue of the use
of knives. Too often, young people and
those living on the streets are confronted
by threats of violence, or actual violence,
where a knife is involved. Unfortunately,
and as both John and Les know all too
well, once a knife is produced during an
altercation, the consequences can be
very serious indeed.
John and Les have decided to take a stand
about this issue, using their community
service announcements to get parents
talking to their kids about knife use and
carrying knives, as well as highIighting
for young people the impact that knife
use can have on individuals and families.
Focusing on messages such as; “There’s
nothing brave about carrying a knife,” and
“Knives trash lives”, John and Les hope to
demonstrate that the possession and use,
or threatened use of knife isn’t tough but
instead is cowardly and dumb.
Jackie Thompson, Location Manager Oakwood Funerals Rockingham, receives her Rotary Pride
of Workmanship Award.
Pride of Workmanship Award
Jackie Thompson, Oakwood Funerals Rockingham Location Manager, was thrilled
recently to receive the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award for her service to families
and to the community in her role as a funeral director.
For close to 20 years, Jackie has worked
tirelessly to support the people of Rockingham
and regularly receives high praise from those
she serves. From her impeccable eye for
detail during the funeral arrangement process,
to working around the clock to ensure families
have access to 24 hour support, and even
long after the funeral is over, Jackie goes
above and beyond to ensure her clients have
the best of care.
Jackie’s care for clients includes arranging
for special memorial services at important
times of the year, such as at Christmas, and
also to arranging for special memorial tree
planting days through Oakwood Funerals’
environmentally-friendly service option,
Green Endings by Oakwood Funerals.
Involve congratulates Jackie on receiving
the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award.
From her impeccable eye for detail during the funeral
arrangement process, to working around the clock to ensure
families have access to 24 hour support, and even long after
the funeral is over, Jackie goes above and beyond to ensure
her clients have the best of care.
Ann Wilson receives her Community Service Award from Rotary Club of Narrabeen President, Bill Crewes.
Ann Wilson:
Rotary’s local champion
A new reign
There is a strong local connection between Ann Wilson Funerals, community life
on Sydney’s northern beaches and the Rotary Club of Narrabeen Lakes.
Rotary is one of the world’s leading volunteer
organisations. It brings together people from
all walks of life to tackle some of the world’s
biggest challenges, including poverty, literacy
and access to medical services, but not only
in the developing world but also at home
where pockets of entrenched disadvantage
still affect some Australians. Members of
Rotary are able to do good in their local
community as well as across the world
while at the same time enjoying friendship,
business development, cultural awareness
and a whole lot more.
The Rotary Club of Narrabeen Lakes’ new
executive was sworn in at the 2013 Annual
Dinner, and at the same time Ann Wilson
of Ann Wilson Funerals was honoured with
the Rotary 2013 Community Service Award
which she received for her service and
support for the local community.
Norma Gill of George Hartnett Funerals
Sandgate is installed as President of the
Rotary Club of Sandgate.
For many years Ann has committed herself
to supporting community life on Sydney’s
northern beaches. Ann consistently finds
ways to support Rotary’s fund raising
efforts, including for Mona Vale Hospital.
Ann also supports many community centres
and churches in the area, assisting these
organisations to meet their own goals.
Recently, Ann has also taken an interest
in supporting sporting life through her
sponsorship of Club Weldon and the Manly
Warringah District Cricket Club. Club Weldon
is the home ground for the Manly Warringah
Wolves AFL Club, the Manly Bombers Junior
AFL Club and the Manly Warringah District
Cricket Club.
Involve is pleased to share that
Norma Gill, Location Supervisor
of George Hartnett Funerals
Sandgate has recently been
elected as President of the Rotary
Club of Sandgate, Brisbane.
Rotary is one of the most well-regarded
volunteer organisations in the world, and
currently has more than 1 million members.
As an organisation it seeks to make a
difference to communities all over the world
through literacy programs, public health
initiatives and community building activities.
Beginning in 1905, Rotary now
has a presence all over the world.
Norma’s fellow George Hartnett Funerals
team members, Rose Monaghan and
Kerrie Hayes, were on hand to witness
her installation as President.
Well done, Norma, and to your fellow
Rotarians as well.
It brings together people from all walks of life to tackle some of the
world’s biggest challenges, including poverty, literacy and access
to medical services.
I N V 6 LV E
Phil Schultz, Location Manager Hiram Philp
Funerals Toowoomba.
Phil Schultz in his Rural Fire Brigade uniform.
20 Years as a funeral director: Phil Schultz
When working as a tradesman boilermaker in 1993, Phil Schultz of Hiram Philp Funerals found that he was
spending too much time away from home. With a young family to look after, Phil applied for work with a local
boilermaker, a role that was to start in three months’ time.
“To tide me over in the interim, I applied
for a casual job at Hiram Philip Funerals.
It was only meant to be a short term job,”
says Phil Schultz
Thanks to an astute manager, as Phil’s three
months approached he was talked into staying
a little longer. Phil took his advice and the rest,
as they say, is history.
In 1995 Phil took up a manager’s position at
Metropolitan Funerals’ Redcliffe branch where
he gained valuable experience and learnt how
city funeral directors operate, compared to
the country. Then, in 1999, Phil returned to his
beloved Toowoomba to the place where it all
started, Hiram Philp Funerals.
“Working in the funeral industry has been
a far more rewarding experience then I would
ever have believed. I am always intrigued with
the variety and diversity of families we serve.
I by far prefer the country as the diversity
and challengers are very different to the city,”
says Phil.
So what has changed most during
Phil’s time in the industry?
“In the early years nearly all arrangements
were made at the family home now days most
are made at the funeral home. In Toowoomba,
80% of funerals were burial now I would say
70% are cremation.”
For 20 years Phil has worked the Coronial
Contract which adds a sobering aspect to his
funeral work.
“I am often asked how I deal with grieving
people. I reply with an answer my manager
gave me when I started that was ‘be yourself
don’t put on an act” I have found this has
served me very well over the years.”
Phil is also active in his community.
“At Redcliffe, I was a member of the Lions
club and began sponsoring bowls clubs.
On moving to Toowoomba and being sport
orientated I decided to target Bowls clubs and
some corporate golf days. This has proved to
be fairly successful, culminating in this year’s
very successful bowls day to raise money for
Prostate cancer.”
Phil is also involved in the Rural Fire Brigade.
He has held many positions over the years and,
at present, is the treasurer of his local brigade.
What tips does he have for those who are new
to the industry?
“In my early years I attended Australian Funeral
Directors Association meetings and found them
helpful in meeting other funeral directors and
keeping up to date with changes and legislation
in the industry. “
The Toowoomba community rallies to the “Save our Men” Bowls Day, in aid of the Prostate Cancer Research
Foundation of Australia.
Sideways: Phil Schultz from Hiram Phil Funerals with
one of the winning bowls teams from the Save our
Men Bowls Day.
Save our men
September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and to mark the occasion
Hiram Philp Funerals put on a special day of fun and fundraising to help
combat the disease.
Prostate cancer remains one of Australia’s
most common cancers with around 300 men
diagnosed with the disease each year in South
West Queensland alone.
DreamWorld, WaterWorld and MovieWorld,
a night for two in the Marriott Hotel,
Toowoomba and vouchers for Myer stores
and local restaurants.
In conjunction with Toowoomba Garden of
Remembrance and David Dow Landscaping,
Hiram Philp Funerals hosted the “Save our
Men” Bowls Day at the South Toowoomba
Bowls Club, with a day of unlimited bowling fun,
a BBQ lunch and a host of fun activities of offer
for the entry fee of $20.
The efforts of the organisers were handsomely
repaid when more than 100 members of the
Toowoomba community attended the bowls
day, with all money raised going to the Prostate
Research Foundation of Australia, which is
dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate
cancer on Australian men, their families and
the wider community.
Throughout the day, competitors also had the
opportunity to buy raffle tickets to win one
of the many prizes generously donated by
local businesses including: a pass for four to
Also in aid of prostate cancer research, Hiram
Philp Funerals joined with Metropolitan Funerals
in a campaign to raise additional funds by
collecting beer “stubby” holders. By urging men
in the community to donate a stubby holder,
along with a gold coin donation, Hiram Philp
Funerals and Metropolitan Funerals raised an
additional $7,000 for Prostate Cancer Australia.
Through a combination of the entry fee, raffles
and other fund raising activities, the Save our
Men Bowls Day raised over $5,600.
I N V 6 LV E
On right: Julie McInnes cooks up a storm alongside
a current member of Navy during the Legacy 80th
birthday celebration.
Commander Lisa Batchler from H.M.A.S. Harman, presents a cheque to Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro Legacy
President, Richard Gregory, and Vice President, Jack Seely.
Legatees and Legacy wards toast to the 80th
anniversary of the Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro
Centre: Julie and Mistie of Tobin Brothers Funerals Canberra with Mayor of Queanbeyan, Clr Tim Overall
on right and his wife, Nicole Overall on left.
Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro Legacy’s 80th Birthday
Legacy in Queanbeyan-Eden-Monaro recently celebrated its 80th birthday with a gathering of 180 Legacy wards,
legatees and special guests in Queanbeyan Park.
Julie McInnes and Mistie Dal Molin of Tobin
Brothers Funerals Canberra were there on the
day, giving appreciation to Legacy for all the
work they have done over the years, as well as
working to ensure the guests on the day were
able to enjoy a barbeque lunch.
Julie and Mistie started early, picking up a
donation of soft drink, water, loaves of bread
and onions from Woolworths Queanbeyan.
Then it was on to pick up the barbeque
meat from Lindbecks Butchery, an 80th
Birthday cake from Ciao’s, Flowers from
Rose at City Florist and extra bread rolls from
Karabar Bakery. Mistie and Julie then worked
alongside the Legatees, volunteers and Navy
personnel from H.M.A.S. Harman to set up
tables and chairs, barbeques, drink stations,
and marquees.
With the set up all done, and with both Julie
and Mistie determined to ensure all guests had
a great time, it was time to cook and serve.
Queanbeyan Park buzzed to the sound of
great music, with a local band volunteering
their time, and to the sounds of legacy wards
and their families all having a marvellous time.
Mayor of Queanbeyan, Clr Tim Overall and his
wife Nicole were present to help celebrate this
special occasion.
Julie and Mistie had a lot of Legacy ladies
come up to chat about their involvement with
day, and were recognised by many from Tobin
Brothers Funerals Canberra’s involvement with
Anzac Day and the Legacy Christmas party.
As the day wound to a close, some ladies,
who had been dancing most of the day,
realised they had missed their bus back
home. Luckily, both Julie and Mistie had Tobin
Brother Funerals Canberra cars and were able
to take these ladies home.
Congratulations to Legacy for supporting the
Australian armed forces communities of EdenMonaro-Queanbeyan for 80 years, and to the
team at Tobin Brothers Funerals Canberra for
helping to make the day so special.
Congratulations to Legacy
for supporting the Australian
armed forces communities of
Eden-Monaro-Queanbeyan
for 80 years.
Guardian Plan has a range of
products that allow customers
to plan for their future funeral
costs and to gain peace of mind.
Prepaid funerals allow someone
to plan the funeral they want
and pay for it in today’s dollars.
Not only are the
funeral wishes
of these residents
already recorded,
but they have
protected their
families from the
cost of a funeral.
Funeral bonds allow someone to
make regular contributions towards
the costs of a future funeral which
will be arranged when the funeral
is actually needed.
Both products are available
throughout InvoCare’s funeral
homes and provide great peace
of mind to families.
Alan David and Colin Grinyer at the Spring Fair at the Blue Hills
Retirement Village in Prestons.
guardianplan.com.au
Spring has sprung
NSW Prepaid Funeral Consultant, Alan David, and Colin Grinyer, Location Manager
Simplicity Funerals Liverpool, recently attended a Spring Fair at the Blue Hills
Retirement Village in Prestons where they caught up with old friends and made
a few new ones.
With a stand filled with information on prepaid
funerals, Alan and Colin were pleased to be
approached by residents who already have
the peace of mind that only a Guardian Plan
Prepaid Funeral can provide. Not only are
the funeral wishes of these residents already
recorded, but they have protected their
families from the cost of a funeral.
But the day was about more than just
information, with plenty of colour, music and
fun to be had as well. In addition to displays
from local businesses, there were sales of
cakes, books and CDs. Live music on the
day came from a Country & Western themed
band that had the residents boot scooting
and square dancing.
As usual, Alan and Colin found that those
who already have a Guardian Plan make
the best advocates to those who don’t.
As a result of their time at the Fair, Alan
and Colin will be following up with more of
the residents at Blue Hills, speaking to them
further about the emotional and financial
benefits of taking out a Guardian Plan
Prepaid Funeral.
There were several raffles and lucky door
prizes handed out on the day, with the prizes
coming from a range of local businesses.
Guardian Funerals Leppington joined in the
Fair by donating a flat screen TV as one of the
prizes on offer.
Alan and Colin greatly enjoyed catching
up with old friends and making new ones
at the Blue Hills Spring Fair.
I N V 6 LV E
We never know when it’s our turn
In the experience of Agnes Yiu, Prepaid Funeral Consultant for Universal Chung
Wah Funerals, a little bit of planning can go a long way, especially when it comes
to funerals.
There are many taboos in Chinese and
Asian cultures surrounding the notion of
death. Although it will happen to us all, and
though it will also impact on those we care
about throughout our lives, conversations
about death usually only take place within
certain settings due to traditional beliefs
and superstitions.
Despite this, in 2011 Agnes successfully
helped a Chinese couple in their 80’s to
plan their future funerals with Guardian Plan.
Both were busy and healthy seniors who
were active in their local communities,
and, from time to time, Agnes would catch
up with this couple, out and about town.
Recently, Agnes received a call from the
couple’s son informing her that his father had
passed away. Thankfully, with a Universal
Chung Wah Prepaid Funeral Plan in place,
the planned Celebration of Life Service was
followed to the letter, which really helped the
family members.
During the wake, the wife of the deceased
told all her guests about her experience of
a prepaid funeral plan, and that she was
very grateful that she and her husband had
listened to Agnes’s advice.
This powerful, personal story started
a few conversations at the wake about
how prepaid funeral plans make things
a lot easier after the passing of a loved
one, and how all of her husband’s wishes
were made known.
It gave the family the space and peace
they needed to begin grieving, rather than
worrying about the details of the service.
Well done Agnes!
This powerful, personal story started a few conversations at the
wake about how prepaid funeral plans make things a lot easier after
the passing of a loved one.
Knowing is half the battle
When it comes to planning to cover the cost of future funeral expenses, it is
very easy to be confused by the range of options available, especially when the
providers of one type of insurance or another are bombarding us via television,
radio, print and through cold-calling marketing campaigns.
However, as all of InvoCare’s funeral
directors understand, a prepaid funeral plan
provides consumers with the greatest range
of benefits, as well as one of the most secure
products on the market yet, as indicated by
research from Newspoll, not everyone else
has this understanding.
Research conducted by Newspoll in 2009
looked into whether consumers understood
the difference between a prepaid funeral
plan and funeral insurance, a popular type of
insurance that allows policy holders to cover
the cost of a funeral. Surveys conducted on
over 340 participants over the age of 50,
in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth
showed that while 96% of people said they’d
More and more businesses are taking their
services mobile with iPads.
heard of a prepaid funeral plan and 85%
had heard of funeral insurance, only around
10% of respondents could definitely tell the
difference between the two.
This was the information gap Melbourne
Prepaid Funeral Consultants, Tina McInerney
and Joe Markham wished to fill when they
visited Box Hill RSL to speak to members.
Amongst those they spoke to was one
couple who had almost committed
themselves to funeral insurance policies but
thanks to Tina and Joe, they now know they
have a better option. They are most grateful
to the pair of Guardian Plan consultants for
saving them from choosing a product that
they didn’t really understand.
Take a tablet
A successful collaboration between
the Digital Business and Preneed
divisions of InvoCare has yielded an
iPad-friendly Preneed arrangement
process that is proving to be of great
assistance to consultants.
With the roll out of iPads to Preneed
arrangers now complete in New South
Wales and the ACT, arrangers are already
experiencing a range of benefits including:
s Producing professionally printed contract
documentation that replaces the current
hand-written version
s Allowing our product ranges to be
presented in a high quality, visually-pleasing
format. Additionally, images of our product
ranges can be kept up-to-date
s More face-to-face time with customers,
with the iPad taking care of pricing,
automatic calculations, figuring out
instalments, as well as other procedural
steps, and
s Automatically interfacing with
InvoCare’s new CRM Lead Tracking
database, SalesForce.
The implementation of iPads into other
states will take place shortly.
Australasia
LifeArt leads the way in two
important modern funeral trends.
The first trend is towards increasing
levels of personalisation. This is
achieved through the use of high
quality printed images. Families can
choose from a selection of designs
or with the assistance of our
graphic designer create their own.
The result is a coffin that reflects
the life, loves and interests of
the person being farewelled.
Craig Morrison, Operations Manager LifeArt Coffins, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Open Day.
The second is the drive to make
funerals, burials and cremations
more environmentally friendly.
LifeArt does this through the use of
Enviroboard™, a strong, recycled
material made from cardboard.
lifeart.com.au
A LifeArt coffin on a Harley hearse was part of the display at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Open Day.
Displaying LifeArt
LifeArt coffins were pleased to be able to contribute to the colour and information
available to guests at Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s first ever Open Day.
Operations Manager, Craig Morrison, attended with a selection of LifeArt coffins and enjoyed
mixing with guests on the day. Craig was able to demonstrate many of the environmental and
personalisation benefits a LifeArt coffin is able to provide to its customers.
More information about the Open Day at Forest Lawn Memorial Park can be read on page 19
of this magazine.
I N V 6 LV E
Provides families with a simple,
dignified, respectful and affordable
approach to arranging a funeral.
Simplicity offers:
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approach making arranging
a funeral an easy to
understand and smooth
process for families
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FFORDABLEANDmEXIBLEOPTIONS
enabling families to tailor the
funeral service to their needs,
expectations and budget
s 3
UPPORTFORINDIVIDUALS
and communities through
information and education
beyond the funeral service
s LOCATIONSTHROUGHOUT
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following providers:
Reed & Bottcher Funerals
Southern Cross Funerals (VIC)
Twin Town Funerals
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EW:EALANDLOCATION
CH Barker Simplicity Funerals
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INGAPORELOCATION
Simplicity Casket
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Paul Whear, Location Manager Reed & Bottcher Funerals, with the Hon Shayne Neumann MP,
Federal Member for Blair at the Ipswich Light the Night festival.
Still supporting
Ipswich and the world
Paul Whear, Manager of Reed & Bottcher Funerals, which is part of the Simplicity
Funerals network of funeral directors and is based in Ipswich, Queensland has
been out and about around his community, helping out wherever he can.
In support of the Ipswich Lions Club, Paul
manned the BBQ at the 2013 Dog Agility trials
held recently on 19 October. Along with fellow
Lions Club member, Bob McGreevy, and Reed
& Bottcher colleague, Vanna McGreevy, Paul
fired up the grill to cook for 50 people, as well
as the odd canine member of the audience.
All enjoyed the fare on offer.
Paul was also visible at one of Ipswich’s most
colourful events, Light the Night, which was
held in mid-October. Light the Night is a sunset
walk that supports patients of blood cancers.
By shining a lantern of hope with family and
friends, funds were raised for research into
these forms of cancer. Participants could
choose to light three types of lantern; a gold
one to remember a loved one who had passed
away due to blood cancer; a white one for
those who live their life with blood cancer; or
a blue one to show support for those with, or
supporting those with, blood cancer.
Last, Paul recently contacted the media to
put out a call to the Ipswich community to
donate eye glasses and hearing aids that are
no longer needed so that they could be
cleaned, sorted and repaired. The collected
glasses and hearing aids were then sent to
the Lions, who as part of their Recycle for
Sight and Hearing Aid Recycling Programs,
take the donated items to communities in the
developing world.
As the people in these communities are not
able to access visual and auditory services,
the donated items can be the difference between
self-reliance and dependence on others.
Paul was overwhelmed by the generosity
of the people of Ipswich with 11 hearing aids
coming in after his call. And the glasses keep
coming too. So far this year, Paul has collected
678 pairs of glasses and 626 lenses. All of this
will assist Lions Clubs immensely to make a
difference to people in the developing world.
Golfers check in for some Simplicity Funerals hospitality during the Violet
Foundation’s charity golf day.
The team at Help Enterprises with their A1 portrait of their winning entry
in the Simplicity Funerals 2013 Jeans for Genes Day challenge.
Driving awareness
Jeans for
Genes Day 2013
Simplicity Funerals in Liverpool, New South Wales
had the pleasure of lending its support to the Violet
Foundation’s charity golf event, held at Liverpool Golf Club.
The Violet Foundation works to raise awareness of Meningococcal
disease, as well as raising funds to support those who have been
affected by this disease.
Meningococcal disease is poorly understood but what is known
is that it has a high mortality rate and can affect people of all ages.
Caused by a bacteria, it can lead to meningitis, which is a swelling
of the coverings of the brain, and also sepsis, which is where an
infected person’s blood becomes poisonous.
Because of its ability to affect the brain, the blood, or a combination
of both, Meningococcal disease is extremely serious. It can develop
into a fatal condition very rapidly, with anecdotal reports of sufferers
being fine in the morning but passing away by the end of the day.
Even those who recover from the illness can face very serious
consequences, including the amputation of limbs, the loss of hearing
or permanent brain damage.
Simplicity Funerals has a tradition of donning its jeans
for the Children’s Medical Research Institute’s annual
fundraising event, Jeans for Genes Day.
In 2013, Simplicity Funerals issued a challenge to other businesses
to also get into the spirit of the occasion, by getting together on Jeans
for Genes Day and submitting a team photo via Simplicity’s Facebook
page or website.
Simplicity Funerals offered to turn the best photo into an A1 poster
thanks to their friends at LifeArt coffins. Without further ado, Simplicity
Funerals is proud to introduce to you the team at Help Enterprises.
Enterprising helpers at Help Enterprises
Simplicity Funerals is pleased to share with you our congratulations
and appreciation to the team at Help Enterprises, based in South-East
Queensland, who took part in and won the 2013 Simplicity Funerals’
Jeans for Genes Day competition.
Colin Grinyer, Manager of Simplicity Funerals at Liverpool was pleased
to be able to take part in the Violet Foundation’s charity golf day. Colin
enjoyed meeting all of the golfers and was able to keep the players on
their game by providing bottles of Simplicity Funerals water.
Help Enterprises is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people
with disabilities. For more than 40 years, Help Enterprises has
been providing high quality training to people with disabilities,
as well as assisting them to find employment. More information
on Help Enterprises is available at www.helpenterprises.com.au.
The Violet Foundation was formed in 2002, with all of its volunteer
members having either been directly affected, or affected by
association by Meningococcal disease.
Simplicity Funerals looks forward to supporting Jeans for Genes Day
in 2014, and to finding another novel way to inspire other businesses
to join us.
I N V 6 LV E
The Simplicity Funerals ride team with the Harley hearse and Open Road themed coffin.
Wall to Wall Ride
honours men and
women in blue
It was with great pleasure and honour that Simplicity
Funerals formed a team of motor cycling enthusiasts
to take part in the 2013 Wall to Wall Ride in honour
of the police officers who have given their lives in the
course of their duties.
Paul and Janette Davison, respectively the
Simplicity Funerals Area Manager Central
Coast and Location Supervisor Simplicity
Funerals Erina, were joined by colleagues from
InvoCare’s Cemetery and Crematoria division,
as well as White Lady Funerals, and an
additional 1500 enthusiastic fellow motorcycle
enthusiasts, to take part in the Ride to pay
tribute to the fallen men and women of
Police forces around Australia. Beyond their
participation, Simplicity Funerals was also the
sponsor of this year’s event.
Riders from all over Australia; including
the Police Commissioners of the Australian
Federal Police, the New South Wales,
Western Australian, Northern Territory,
The Simplicity Funerals Wall to Wall ride team present a cheque to Police Legacy.
South Australian, Queensland and
Tasmanian Police forces, converged on
Canberra for the Ride, which helped to raise
funds for Police Legacy.
Prior to their departure for Canberra, the
Simplicity Funerals Ride team joined Police
Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM in
time for a moving memorial service in
memory of slain NSW Police Officer, Bryson
Anderson, held at the NSW Police Memorial
in the Domain.
The team found it a very memorable
moment to be travelling through Canberra,
following the lead group of police motorbikes,
then arriving to the sacred memorial which
honours and remembers those police men
and women from all of the police jurisdictions
who gave their lives in the line of duty or have
died as a result of their duties.
The next day, all of the Wall to Wall riders
regathered at the Australian Federal Police
International Deployment Group Facility at
Majura for the sponsor’s breakfast, during
which Simplicity Funerals had a Harley
Hearse on display. The event logo, St Michael
in Lament, is recognised the world over
as the patron saint of policing, and
was emblazoned on the lid of a LifeArt
promotional coffin.
The themed Simplicity Funerals display was
the talk of the riders’ breakfast and gave the
Carol Adams, Location Manager Simplicity Funerals Randwick and Paul Davison,
Area Manager Simplicity Funerals Central Coast with Chantell Keating, House Manager
Ronald McDonald House Randwick.
Simplicity Riders, Bruce Knight Commercial
Manager Cemeteries and Crematoria, Angela
Hewett White Lady Funerals Area Manager Sydney
North, NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione
APM and Paul Davison, Simplicity Funerals Area
Manager Central Coast get ready for the Wall to
Wall Ride to Canberra.
Keeping families together
Simplicity Funerals in New South Wales is proud to be a supporter of Ronald
McDonald House, which helps families stay together while children are treated
for major illnesses.
It is never easy for a family to deal with the
serious illness of a child, however certain
factors make this hard circumstance even
harder. For families in rural and regional
Australia it is not always possible to access
world class medical services close to home,
and when treatments are needed on a regular
basis, it can mean the family is in for many
long trips to their nearest metropolitan centre.
Simplicity Funerals Ride team an opportunity to
meet and chat with other participants, before
heading home along the Hume Highway.
Paul Bousfield, Chairperson of Police Legacy,
and Michael Corboy Assistant NSW Police
Commissioner, provided great hospitality to
all and has welcomed the Simplicity Funerals
team into the Wall to Wall Family.
Simplicity Funerals has felt extremely
honoured and fortunate to meet these fellow
bikers and looks forward to its participation
in the 2014 Wall to Wall Ride. Additionally,
the Simplicity Funerals Ride team wishes to
thank InvoCare for their support of this very
worthwhile cause.
Ronald McDonald House aims to assist
families in these straits by providing them
with safe accommodation close to some
of the finest hospitals in Australia.
Simplicity Funerals’ connection with
Ronald McDonald House began while we
were delivering training and development
information at Prince of Wales Hospital in
Randwick. Over the years, we have presented
to the hospital’s Palliative Care Volunteers,
to social workers and nurses on a range of
topics, including on understanding funerals,
tips for dealing with grieving people, the role
of the Coroner and organ donation.
During our time at Prince of Wales, we
became aware of the needs of the Ronald
McDonald House situated in the grounds
of the hospital.
In 2010, Simplicity Funerals delivered grief
and loss education to the staff and volunteer
groups at Ronald McDonald House. We
also became part ‘of the family’ when we
participated in the House’s Dinner Program,
where we prepare, cook and serve dinner
for all of the families staying in the House.
Recently Simplicity Funerals met with House
Manager, Chantell Keating, and assisted in
raising vital funds by buying a leaf on the
Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is a truly special
way to support the House and the families
that stay in it.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia
relies on donations from businesses and
individuals to continue to provide its services
to families in need. The Tree of Life is a sign
of hope and positivity and the Simplicity
Funerals Leaf will remain on the Tree of Life
in perpetuity.
I N V 6 LV E
Luke Gregory, InvoCare General Manager Western Australia, talks to members
of the Stirling Business Association at the Simplicity Funerals Osborne Park
Sundowner event.
Simplicity Funerals Joondalup hosted a packed Sundowner event for members
of the Joondalup Business Association.
Beaming hosts for
Sundowner events
Simplicity Funerals in Western Australia was pleased to recently host members
of the Stirling Business Association and the Joondalup Business Association
at two special evening functions.
Earlier this year, more than 30 members of
the Stirling Business Association attended
Simplicity Funerals in Osborne Park for a
Sundowner that was part information seminar
and part social occasion. Location Manager,
Ian Taylor spoke about the history of Simplicity
Funerals, and Regional Manager, Susan
Service spoke about Simplicity’s community
engagement and charitable activities.
Then, in October, Simplicity Funerals Joondalup
hosted a Halloween themed Sundowner for
the members of the Joondalup Business
Association. Around 60 members converged
on the Simplicity location for a great night of
information and socialising that also included
presentations by Susan Service on Simplicity’s
community activities and from Chris Watson
who spoke about prepaid funerals.
Ian and Susan were joined by Simplicity Funerals
Prepaid Funeral Consultant, Chris Watson, who
spoke to the audience about the benefits of
prepaying a funeral. Guests were also given a
guided tour of the funeral home, taking in the
location’s chapel and displays of coffins.
Simplicity Funerals in Western Australia has had
a long and positive relationship with local
business associations across the state, and
looks forward to supporting the activities of our
fellow business people in the years ahead.
The ‘Sundowner’ event series
provides local business people
and members of the community
with the opportunity to learn
more about local service
providers and to strengthen
their networking skills.
White Lady Funerals and Mareena
Purslowe & Associates are staffed
entirely by women bringing
a refreshing, modern touch
to the funeral industry.
They:
s 5NIQUELYFEATUREALLFEMALESTAFF
elegant white uniforms with
burgundy hats and a fleet of
white vehicles
s /
FFERFUNERALSERVICESFORTHOSE
who want greater diversity in
honouring the life of a loved one
s 2
EmECTANEYEFORDETAILASTHEY
draw on a loved one’s life to
personalise arrangements as
well as producing attendance
cards and memorial books, and
providing memorial candles to
families at the end of the service
s 0ROVIDEANAFTERSERVICECARETHAT
is second to none throughout
the White Lady funeral homes
Australia wide.
whiteladyfunerals.com.au
mareenapurslowefunerals.com.au
Lillian Mercorella, Summer the guide dog and Kaylene Perry.
Summer loving
White Lady Funerals in South Australia was pleased to lend its support to the
Royal Society of the Blind’s quest to train assistance dogs, when we recently
met pup-in-training, Summer.
Lillian Mercorella and Kaylene Perry of White
Lady Funerals Hillcrest in South Australia
were pleased to be able to meet Summer
and check in on her progress as a trainee
guide dog for the Royal Society of the Blind.
White Lady Funerals
Like
You can find out more about how to
become a sponsor of a puppy by visiting
the Royal Society of the Blind’s website.
It takes many years, as well as a substantial
amount of money, for a pup-in-training to
graduate to a guide dog and so White Lady
Funerals would like to encourage as many
people as possible to become a puppy sponsor.
Scan to visit the
Royal Society of
the Blind
WhiteLadyFunerals
I N V 6 LV E
The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation’s Sydney Colourful Ball lived up to its name.
White Ladies; on left, Vanessa Patterson and on right, Vanessa Reeves,
at the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation’s Colourful Ball.
Foundation honours memory
It was with great honour that White Lady Funerals joined with the family and friends of Nicole Fitzsimons
to attend the Sydney Colourful Ball, a fundraising event for the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation.
White Lady Funerals’ relationship with the
Fitzsimons family began in 2012 when Nicole
passed away while on holiday in Thailand and
White Lady Funerals was chosen to provide
funeral and related services for this popular
young woman.
Already a star in the eyes of those who knew
her, Nicole’s passing came as she was on the
verge of embarking on the broadcasting and
entertainment career she had always dreamed
of. After spending her teens performing
many styles of dance, where she competed
internationally and achieved an enviable
degree of success for one so young, Nicole
had just embarked on a career in broadcast
sports, securing for herself a role with Channel
9’s “The Footy Show” and on Hawkesbury
Radio, covering the NSW Rugby League Cup.
There was a significant show of emotion
at Nicole’s passing, with family, friends,
colleagues, members of her beloved St
George Dragons National Rugby League
team, and members of the community
all wishing to pay their respects to this
talented young woman, as well as offering
their sympathies and condolences to those
who knew her. Such was the scale of this
community show of respect and support,
the Fitzsimons family arranged for a public
memorial service which was held at WIN
Jubilee Oval, in Kogarah, Sydney. White Lady
Funerals provided a webcast so that Nicole’s
friends and well-wishes from all over the world
could share in the service of tribute that was
held in her honour.
To commemorate Nicole’s passing and to
honour her legacy, the Nicole Fitzsimons
Foundation was formed by the Fitzsimons
family. The Foundation’s primary goal is
to assist other young people to fulfil their
life aspirations; offering naturally gifted
performers, as well as talented sportspeople
between the ages of 16 to 25 funding assistance
to achieve their goals. The Foundation has
a secondary purpose, which is to raise
awareness amongst young people of the
conscious need for safety when traveling
away from home.
This message is delivered to children in
Australian schools by Nicole’s sister, Kate.
Members of the White Lady Funerals team
were thrilled to join the more than 450 guests
who attended the Sydney Colourful Ball.
All were dressed up in bright dresses and
colourful shirts to enjoy the live entertainment
and to mix with the sports and entertainment
stars there on the night.
If you would like to find out more about the
Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation or make a
donation to support a gifted young Australian,
visit www.nicolefitzsimons.com.
White Lady Funerals team members enjoyed the Diamond Night cruise aboard the MV Blue Room with Special Olympics Australia.
Diamond night: Blue Room
White Lady Funerals NSW were part of the crowd that came together to
support the Special Olympics Diamond Cruise, and also had the pleasure
of sponsoring the event.
White Lady Funerals has been a supporter
of Special Olympics Australia for many
years, and regularly attends their events.
The Special Olympics Diamond Cruise
was held on Sydney Harbour, with the
MV Blue Room serving as the venue for
a night of fine dining, fabulous views and
great entertainment, including a special
performance of the Special Olympic Dancers.
Guests were welcomed by Special Olympics
Australia Ambassador, and friend of White
Lady Funerals, Paula Duncan before heading
out on the harbour on what proved to be
a lovely night.
The Special Olympics movement seeks
to provide year-round sports training and
athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-
type sports for children and adults with an
intellectual disability. The aim is to provide
these athletes with a continuing opportunity
to develop physical fitness, demonstrate
courage, experience joy and participate in the
sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their
families, other Special Olympics athletes and
the community.
Members of the White Lady Funerals team
who attended the night included Belinda
Sheldrick, Angela Hewitt, Vanessa Patterson,
Jocelyn Corcoran, Wendy Huggett, Tiffany
Wheatley, Kerry Manton-Hall, Sharon Hagley,
Maryanne Hopping and Chris Learmouth.
The Special Olympics
movement seeks to provide
year-round sports training
and athletic competition
in a variety of Olympic-type
sports for children and adults
with an intellectual disability.
White Lady Funerals looks forward to continuing
to support Special Olympics Australia.
I N V 6 LV E
Guests settle in for the White Lady Funerals
War Time Reflections concert.
Police Youth Corp Flag Bearers from Mt Eliza Secondary School & Police Youth Corp Drum Corp from
Mornington Secondary School at the White Lady Funerals War Time Reflections concert.
Tia Worrall, Regional Manager White Lady Funerals
Victoria, assists cadets to usher guests to their
seats at the White Lady Funerals War Time
Reflections concert.
Legacy reflections
White Lady Funerals Victoria helped make Legacy Week 2013 special, as well as keep history alive, by hosting the annual
War Time Reflections musical event, which honoured those who have been lost in the service of Australia’s armed forces.
White Lady Funerals’ motivation to put on this
event was born from a very special sentiment,
for as the oldest amongst us passes away,
their stories of sacrifice in times of war, and of
the hardships this causes for the loved ones
who are left behind, are lost to the generations
to come.
To address this, White Lady Funerals, in
conjunction with the Peninsula School,
as well as with the assistance from the
Mornington Secondary College and the
Mt Eliza Secondary School, put on a day
of entertainment, food and memorabilia in
honour of Legacy Week.
The Peninsula School lent the day the
services of the Britten Choir, the Chorus
Choir, a quartet, a singer a pianist, a musical-
entertainer and a bugler who played The Last
Post. Cadets from the school also served as
ushers on the day, helping the less mobile
members of the audience to make their way
to their seats, and also helping serve at the
luncheon held after the concert.
Highlights from the day included the solo
performances; The Police Youth Corp from Mt
Eliza Secondary College and The Drum Corp
from Mornington Secondary College, both of
whom were accompanied by the IOOB Pipers
whose stirring sounds really set the mood for the
day. The Peninsula Classic and Historical Car
Club and The Military Vehicle Association lent a
variety of period and military vehicles, as well as
memorabilia and a military uniform, which drew
the attention of guests and school children alike.
Guests enjoyed a two hour mix of tribute
activities that included sing-a-longs, prayers,
speakers and presentations on a range of
war-time topics, such as rationing and the
end of WWII.
White Lady Funerals thanks all who
participated in the wonderful event, especially
the students from The Peninsula School, Mt
Eliza Secondary College and Mornington
Secondary College. Your support on the day
helped us to make Legacy Week very special
on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Elegance
amongst the
disgraceful
Mareena Purslowe & Associates
were pleased recently to be
able to participate in an “Ageing
Disgracefully” seminar hosted by
the City of Swan. Held at the Altone
Park Leisure Centre, the seminar
showcased a variety of businesses
and service providers wishing to
communicate with an older crowd.
Around 500 people toured the Leisure
Centre, walking around different
displays, including mobility equipment,
seniors movie days, retirement village
displays and memorial gifts, which was
conveniently placed next to the Mareena
Purslowe & Associates information stand
which looked very elegant.
Attendees were drawn to the Mareena
Purslowe table by a large bowl of
chocolates, beautiful red roses and
hand lotion give-aways.
Prepaid Funeral Consultant, Bev
Woolhouse, spoke to attendees about
the value of pre-paying a funeral, with the
information she provided well supported
by information packs which delegates
could take home.
Many people approached the ladies from
Mareena Purslowe just to ask a question
about funeral services, giving the staff the
good opportunity to dispel many myths.
The “Ageing Disgracefully” seminar is an
annual event and Mareena Purslowe &
Associates looks forward to participating
next year.
On right: Judith John, White Lady Funerals Location Manager Morningside, presents new china tea settings
to staff at Anglicare Nursing Home.
Brisbane and new china
There is something very comforting about the rituals and trappings of fine dining
and English high tea as for many people, especially older Australians, these are
the traditions they grew up with. With this mind, the team at White Lady Funerals
Morningside in Queensland wanted to make a special donation to aged care
facilities in their area.
Several nursing homes, including Anglicare
Nursing Home and Carinity Aged Care, received
wonderfully presented packages of china
crockery, which will now be used to give a touch
of elegance to the morning teas and special
occasions shared by residents and staff at the
centres for years to come.
Judith John of White Lady Funerals, and her
team at the Morningside location, left no stone
unturned in their quest to find matching sets of
fine china. They visited thrift shops, garage sales
and anywhere else they could think of to find
undamaged plates, cups and saucers. And the
fruits of their labour look magnificent.
Staff and residents at the centres were thrilled
with the donations. The new plate sets will be
used to supplement and enhance their existing
collections, meaning more residents will be
able to partake of the comforts of a traditional
morning tea.
White Lady Funerals is committed to supporting
the communities around us. It regularly visits
aged care centres, taking along a morning tea,
music, books and movies, as well as arranging
other activities of interest to residents.
We look forward to lifting the new cups, plates
and saucers as we share morning teas and other
celebrations with our friends.
I N V 6 LV E
Human Resources team members assisted Cure Cancer Australia to raise funds
through a very popular series of raffles and bake sales.
Belinda Shelldrick, Regional Manager NSW White Lady Funerals with Leanne
Warner, Chief Executive Officer Cure Cancer Australia.
Cures and dreams
Two recent White Lady Funerals fund raising ventures in New South Wales have yielded great results for Cure Cancer
Australia and the Feel the Magic Foundation.
White Lady Funerals held a month-long
online auction in October to aid Cure Cancer
Australia, an organisation that raises funds
so that it can provide grants to researchers
seeking cures for cancers. Since 1967
Cure Cancer Australia has provided close
to $20 million in research grants to
Australian scientists.
More than 90 auction items were provided
by a host of businesses, including private
suites at Randwick Racecourse, professional
photographic shoots, clothing, gift vouchers and
much, much more. Together the auction items
raised more than $7,500. But that’s not all.
At White Lady Funerals Headquarters, the
Human Resources team also got involved in
this campaign, raising more than $2,500 via
a series of bake sales and raffles that soon
became the talk of the office. With prizes
including Swans jerseys, movie tickets, hams,
fine dining vouchers, and passes to Taronga
Zoo and the Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb, the
White Lady Funerals fund raising total hit the
$10,000 mark.
That’s a lot of sponsored research activity for
Cure Cancer Australia. White Lady Funerals
wishes to thank the following businesses for
their support of our online auction: Upholstery
Furnishings, Southern Exposure, Hickey and
Co, Central Coast Holden, Celeste Catering,
Girlee Cosmetics, Hope 103.2FM, Feeney
Lawyers in Brighton le Sands, Steve Turner
Photography, JA Wales Printers, Images for
Business, V&J Limousines, Reflections, Brides
in Bloom and Little Forest Country Cottages.
White Lady Funerals has also recently
supported Feel the Magic Foundation’s Night
of Magic fundraising event, held recently at the
Novotel at Sydney Olympic Park.
Feel the Magic Foundation raises money
to brighten the lives of children who have
suffered the loss of a loved one. Started
in 2011, it began when James and Kirsty
Thomas lost their mother, and they decided to
help others who were in a similar situation.
White Lady Funerals was honoured to serve the
Thomas family during their time of need and
Vanessa Reeves, Location Manager of White
Lady Funerals, helped organise the Night of
Magic event. There were 11 White Lady team
members in attendance on the evening.
The Night of Magic event was in aid of Sophie,
Carla and Megan Gerigk who at the ages
of 11, 10 and 7 respectively lost their father
to cancer. Thanks to the Feel the Magic
Foundation, the sisters, along with their
mother Tricia, will be heading to Disneyworld
in the USA.
Also at the Night of Magic event to assist
with fundraising was charity auctioneer,
Sid Barnes, Mark Vincent, winner of Australia’s
Got Talent, and the MC for the night was
Peter Tunks, former ARL player and 2SM
sports broadcaster.
Kim Mcloughlin with one of the tournament winners at the Graceville
Bowls Club.
Jolene Hill from White Lady Funerals Kelvin Grove sets up for the Windsor Aged Care
fundraising lunch for breast cancer research.
Lunches with purpose
As the end of the year approaches, White Lady Funerals in Queensland has been out in the community, helping those around
us to celebrate important occasions and reach important goals.
Staff from White Lady Funerals Chelmer were
pleased recently to be able to attend a mens
bowls tournament at Graceville Bowls Club
which attracted players from clubs all over
Brisbane. Rebekah Bell and Kim Mcloughlin
from the Chelmer funeral home were on hand
to witness the hotly-contested bowling action
and also joined the gentlemen for lunch. In
addition to presenting the trophies after the
tournament, Kim was also able to speak to
the bowlers about the benefits of prepaying
a funeral.
White Lady Funerals Chelmer looks forward
to continuing its association with the men and
women at Graceville Bowls Club.
Staff from White Lady Funerals Kelvin Grove
recently attended a fundraising lunch at
Windsor Aged Care in support of the National
Breast Cancer Foundation, which promotes
research into the disease. Around 200
residents, families and staff at the centre
were on hand for the lunch which was made
colourful thanks to bunches of donated
flowers, provided by White Lady Funerals.
White Lady Funerals also donated prizes
for the fundraising raffles that were held
throughout the lunch.
Each year in Queensland, around 2,900
women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
White Lady Funerals was pleased to be able
to lend our support to all those at the Windsor
Aged Care event, helping to raise awareness
and funds to tackle one of Australia’s leading
types of cancer.
Staff from White Lady
Funerals Kelvin Grove recently
attended a fundraising lunch
at Windsor Aged Care in
support of the National
Breast Cancer Foundation.
I N V 6 LV E
H Morris Funerals onsite chapel, Auckland New Zealand.

Issue 30 - January 2014

Transcription

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