We were delighted to welcome our generous supporters to St Vincent’s Foundation Victoria’s inaugural Thank You Breakfast.
Held at The Trust in Melbourne, the morning brought together donors, clinicians and staff to reflect on the impact philanthropy continues to make across both our public and private hospitals.
From the outset, there was a strong sense of connection in the room – a shared commitment to delivering Better and fairer care. Always.
Guests heard from Chief Executive Officers Nicole Tweddle and Jenny Gozdzik, who spoke about the vital role donor support plays in strengthening care today, while also enabling the hospital to think ahead and invest in the future of healthcare.
From refurbishing critical spaces such as the Intensive Care Unit Handover Room, to supporting programs like Healthcare for Homelessness, donor generosity is felt every day across St Vincent’s.
A highlight of the morning was hearing from Dr Eldon Mah, who shared how philanthropy is enabling world-leading innovation through the introduction of the Symani Surgical System. This breakthrough technology is allowing surgeons to operate with extraordinary precision, transforming outcomes for patients and positioning St Vincent’s at the forefront of microsurgery in Australia and beyond.
The morning also reflected on the long history of generosity that underpins St Vincent's. As Formation and Purpose Lead Kirsty May shared, philanthropy has been part of our story since the very beginning – from the early fundraising efforts of the Sisters of Charity to the vibrant community of supporters we are privileged to have today.
This legacy was brought to life by Nurse Practitioner Kath Bowman, who spoke about the impact of nursing scholarships made possible by donors. These opportunities not only support individual nurses to grow and develop, but create a ripple effect across teams, patients and the broader healthcare system.
Beyond the formal presentations, the breakfast created space for meaningful conversations at each table, with donors connecting directly with clinicians and staff. These moments are at the heart of our community – bringing together those who give and those who deliver care, united by a shared purpose.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us on the day. Your generosity continues to make a profound difference – enabling St Vincent’s to deliver compassionate, innovative and world-leading care.
You can view more photos from the morning in the online photo gallery.
