What do you do with hundreds of nursing beds, shower chairs, walking frames and other equipment in a decommissioned aged care facility in Bathurst? Donate it to a developing country – but how?!
When St Catherine’s Aged Care relocated from Havannah Street to Gorman’s Hill in 2017, large quantities of equipment were left behind in favour of upgrades in the new facility. They have sat there untouched for the last six years and might have ended in landfill were it not for the efforts of Rotary and the developer of the site and Kirana founder, Andrew Evetts. Working together with another Australian Rotary organisation, RARE (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment), any working and useable items will now be shipped to developing countries around the world where they will help to save lives.
On Saturday July 20, members of the Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak (RCOBD) spent a daywith Andrew in the cold, testing and stocktaking equipment – electric beds, shower chairs, walkers and furniture. Over 80 beds were found to be in working condition and much other equipment was still serviceable. The items would cost well over $300,000 to purchase new today. Instead of ending in landfill because of difficulties selling and relocating such equipment here in Australia, they will soon be shipped to RARE’s central processing facility in outer Sydney where yet more Rotary volunteers will arrange for their delivery to countries in need.
The Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak may be better known around town for serving gozlemes at the Farmers’ Markets and sizzling sausages at Bunnings BBQs however its members regularly engage in other less visible community service projects such as the repurposing of medical equipment. The club meets at the Panorama Motel at 0715 every Wednesday morning and welcomes visitors and new members who would like to know more and to engage in the spirit of community service.
