5 August 2016

Jo was appointed by the Sisters of St John of God in 1994 to establish the St John of God Foundation to support health and social welfare, community and pastoral care services across Australia.

Jo stood by the motto ‘friendraising not fundraising’ and championed a number of charitable causes that made a real difference in the lives of many.

Among her major achievements, Jo led a $5 million campaign to establish the Murdoch Community Hospice, which provides compassionate palliative care.

She was instrumental in developing what became our Horizon House project with St John of God Geelong Hospital. Thanks to Jo’s commitment there are now 11 Horizon Houses providing hope and stability to homeless youth.

More recently, Jo and the Foundation team took on the ambitious project of raising $20 million for The Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre which opened in 2006.

Other major appeals spearheaded by Jo included the South West Coronary Care Service and South West Cancer Service campaign for St John of God Bunbury Hospital and the Comprehensive Cancer and Cardiac Care Centre campaign for St John of God Berwick Hospital. 

To St John of God Foundation supporters Jo said,

“Thank you for the care you have extended through the Foundation to those in our community who need a safe home and bed each night, funding for researchers looking to find a “cure” or better way to treat diseases, or building and providing services for cancer centres and cardiac care units. I thank you sincerely for your unwavering support of the Foundation for the past 21 years.”

It is thanks to Jo’s work with the Foundation, that St John of God Health Care has been able to provide high-quality care and compassionate social outreach services to so many people.

Thank you Jo.