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NEW VENUE FOR BAILEY'S DAY '08
Over the past four years Woodlands Golf Club has generously played host to our annual charity golf day, luncheon and auction. The club has been a marvellous host, waiving green fees and clubhouse hire costs to ensure that all the day's proceeds go directly to helping kids with cancer. However, due to renovations that will no doubt make Woodlands an even better facility than it already is, we needed to find a new venue for this year's Bailey's Day. We're thrilled to be able to announce that this year's event will take place at the Southern Golf Club in Keysborough. Southern is renowned as one of the best-kept golf courses on the Melbourne sandbelt. The keen golfers among you will love the challenging championship layout, while for those heathens who think golf is a good walk ruined, the magnificent clubhouse provides unrivalled comfort. The PGA nominated the course Victorian Pro-Am Course of the Year 1999/2000, while the club itself is the Golf Club of the Year 2008. So, while we're disappointed not to be able to hold the event at Woodlands this year, we could not have found a better replacement venue. Many thanks to general manager David Haggett and all the staff and members for their generosity. NEARING THE HALF-MILLION MARK In four years Bailey's Day has so far contributed more than $470,000 to the Monash Medical Centre’s Children's Cancer Centre and the Royal Children's Hospital. This money is crucial, funding the employment of a Clinical Oncologist at Monash, and contributing badly needed funds to brain tumour biology research at RCH. Last year's event attracted a record 270 attendees and raised $130,000 and we're hoping to go even better this year. So many of our colleagues and friends have adopted the cause as their own and our gratitude is eternal.
THANKS BOYS! No two people have embraced the meaning and spirit of Bailey's Day more enthusiastically than Keith Corr and Mark Sawicki. Mark generously donates his time and considerable personality to conduct the auction each year, while Keith's support and generosity have been immense. One year Keith paid $4,000 for a weekend for 10 people on a houseboat, which he immediately donated back to Monash to be used by weary parents of patients. Without the support of these two wonderful men, Bailey's Day would not be the success that it is. They and others who have done so much for the cause were recently honoured by Monash Medical Centre with certificates recognising their contributions. We're lucky to have them. And we're lucky to have you. Thanks to your continued support, sick children now receive better care from more qualified people than ever before. And all the while, those dedicated researchers work towards a cure. All this is only possible because of the way Bailey's Day has been embraced and supported. It's a great day, one that has become incredibly important to so many people. We hope to see you there at Southern Golf Club on December 9.
Baileys’ Day
2007 raises over $130,000 for
The fourth annual Bailey’s Day, held to honour the memory of Bailey Daniel Tessier who died from a brain tumour aged just 2½, has once again successfully raised a large amount of money which will benefit the Monash Medical Centre’s Children's Cancer Centre as well as the Royal Children's Hospital. Since it began three years ago, Bailey’s Day has built up a loyal and dedicated band of supporters and this year, a record number 270 people sat down to a fine meal at Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc. Attendees included family, friends and business acquaintances of Bailey’s parents Patrick and Kerryn Tessier, many of whom are prominent members of the Victorian retail automotive trade, as well as some famous faces such as host Ian Leslie, former 60 Minutes reporter and entertainers Brian Cadd, Lisa Edwards, Normie Rowe and Wendy Stapleton. Brian performed his signature songs “Ginger Man” and “A Little Ray of Sunshine” accompanied beautifully by Lisa and Wendy. The host, former 60 Minutes reporter, Ian Leslie ensured that the day went smoothly and updated the attendees on how and where the previous year’s money had been spent – clearly demonstrating that the money raised so far and that would be raised that day is very well spent. The key to Bailey’s Day is that every dollar raised goes to a clearly defined goal – more doctors to support children with cancer. During its first three years, more than $340,000 has been raised. That money has so far funded the employment of three clinical fellows at the Monash Medial Centre’s Children's Cancer Centre and furthered research into brain tumour biology at the Royal Children's Hospital. Funds are raised from the golfing luncheon hosted at Woodlands Golf Club as well as a charity auction generously supported by many who donated items for sale. This year’s charity auction was again very successful as were other activities such as a raffle on the day. Yesterday’s efforts mean that to date, over $470,000 has been raised. Bailey’s Guitar, a Maton guitar signed by the Who’s Who of Australian music, was the highlight of the auction and it alone raised $25,000. The purchaser, a good friend of Patrick and Kerryn’s, took to the stage to add his thanks to everyone who attended. He paid tribute to the Tessier’s efforts in overcoming their own personal loss to stage Bailey’s Day and added a personal homage noting that he’d been fortunate enough not to have suffered the loss of his own child, now aged 17, who when aged two years, survived leukaemia. Dr. Peter Downie, Head of Unit – Children’s Cancer Centre, Monash Medical Centre and Dr. Martin Campbell, Fellow Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, were both in attendance at this year’s Bailey’s Day. Dr. Downie was Bailey’s doctor and continues to treat other children affected by cancer. At the time of Bailey’s treatment, Dr. Downie worked largely alone but more help was needed and this was the impetus for Bailey’s Day. Since the inception of Bailey’s Day the necessary funds to secure additional doctors has been available, giving young cancer patients a greater access to quality care. Today Dr. Downie has the support of three other Paediatric Oncologists as well as a full time Fellow, which enables more patients to be assessed and treated on every day of the working week. This support would not have been possible without the valuable funds raised by Bailey’s Day, which have contributed to the training, facilities and upkeep required by the three new doctors. Dr. Steven Keogh was the first appointment to be sponsored by Bailey’s Day funding, and he is now fully trained to support young cancer patients. In 2007 Dr. Keogh was joined in the fight against cancer by Dr. Pratiti Bando and Dr. Martin Campbell, thanks to the many generous supporters of Baileys Day. The Monash Medical Centre’s Children’s Cancer Centre was officially opened in July 2006 and cares for between 20-30 per cent of Victoria’s childhood cancer patients. Incorporating purpose-built treatment rooms, a child and parent friendly waiting area, consulting space and enhanced equipment resources, the unit is a modern and welcoming place for children living in Melbourne’s east and south east who require treatment. The legacy of Bailey lives on through the commitment of his parents to ensure that the chances of the many little Baileys who exist today are greatly improved. |
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BAILEY'S DAY 2006 |