The beautiful historical regional town of Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales is firmly on the road trip radar for Sydneysiders and Canberrans.
With historical buildings, boutique shops, chic B&Bs and destination cafes and restaurants, it is quintessential country Australia. But Braidwood’s thriving community of residents live and work in one of the many regional areas of the country that relies on donations, philanthropy and community spirit to help it get through the tough times.
With family farming connections in Braidwood going back more than 150 years, locals Jacqui Clarke and her husband, Michael, are part of the fabric of the Braidwood community. Passionate about connecting people with their community, they’ve been raising money and awareness for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for years and, in the process, positively changing the lives of sick children and their families.
‘Michael and I first donated equipment to Braidwood Hospital through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation in 2016 after learning of their need for emergency equipment they didn’t have,’ says Jacqui. ‘What we love about the way Humpty works is that donations are so tangible and transparent. You can see that the money is going towards medical equipment specifically requested by hospitals and facilities and that this equipment has real-time and real-life benefits from the moment it arrives.’
Michael and Jacqui Clarke visiting Braidwood to see the difference their donation has made, 2016.
From their initial donation in 2016, the Clarkes have been important advocates for the work that the Humpty Dumpty Foundation does, not just in Braidwood but throughout regional and isolated areas of Australia.
‘We’ve been so moved that the equipment donations help save lives that we wanted to encourage our friends and others looking for ways they can help to donate to Humpty. We’re in a fortunate position to donate ourselves and be able to spread the message to others in a similar position.
‘There’s always been a strong commitment within local regional communities to help each other. Since the drought, the bushfires and COVID-19, awareness of the very real ways the regions are doing it tough has become more widespread. However, the long-term needs of communities extend much further than the immediate relief,’ says Jacqui.
When asked if the way the Humpty Dumpty Foundation works makes a difference to people’s perception of donating, Jacqui is quite clear: ‘We’ve been out to some of the Indigenous and remote communities in the Northern Territory, not just regional New South Wales, and when you see the specific pieces of medical equipment in action, it really hits home.
‘Because hospitals are able to ask for exactly what they need, donors to Humpty can fill those particular and unique gaps rather than wonder where their money went. And when you can count children helped and lives saved in actual numbers, people know they are making a difference.’
But there is plenty of work to do and Jacqui personally understands that she can play an important role in raising awareness for Humpty through her network, as well as educate people on how they can help.
‘By telling people what I’m doing, sharing it on my social media and encouraging others to do the same, I can sow the seeds of participation,’ says Jacqui.
Jacqui’s enthusiasm and drive for Humpty’s work is evident and stems from a strong feeling that equality in healthcare is deserved by all.
‘We have to share the care,’ says Jacqui. ‘Everyone has a right to healthcare. Simply because you live in a regional or remote community doesn’t mean your right is any less than those living in the city. What the Humpty Dumpty Foundation does is connect those less able to access resources with those that can help provide them.
‘Without a doubt, providing an immediately measurable donation is extremely rewarding. But in conjunction with that, we need to help join the dots. Connecting hospitals to Humpty, donors to hospitals, getting the word out and telling people and organisations that this is happening are all vital parts of continuing the fantastic work that Humpty does.’
With more people than ever before moving out to live in regional areas, healthcare facilities are going to become stretched even further.
‘Humpty helps on a very local level. It’s all about supporting and investing in our own communities and doing what you can to foster and build them so that they can continue to thrive,’ says Jacqui. ‘We’ve got to do more than just welcome new families and businesses, but provide the facilities they need to live and work and encourage new people to be part of their community. By helping the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, you’re helping everyone.’
The Clarkes divide their time between Sydney and the country, but the greatest sense of community comes from their time in Braidwood. Seeing the results of their first donation and others since has given Jacqui's family a deep sense of gratitude for the community.
‘Braidwood is the spiritual home of Michael’s ancestors, and we feel an abiding sense of belonging and a responsibility to help it prosper in any way we can. The Humpty Dumpty Foundation helps us help our community.’
By Jane Davies