About Us
Our story
commenced
in 1993
The Sydney Kids Committee was formed by a group of volunteers who had a special and personal relationship with Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick, they or a sibling had been a patient as a child. Since then, Sydney Kids Committee has enjoyed the support of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, each with their own story as to why they choose to so passionately dedicate their time to such a worthwhile cause. Some of our volunteers work at or with the hospital, some (like our Founder) have had a personal connection, and others recognise that needing the help that Sydney Kids Committee provides is indiscriminate. The next child that benefits from what we do could be someone you know.
The Sydney Kids Committee raises funds through events and other activities to purchase equipment that will make a real difference to the lives and experiences of the children treated at the hospital. Ranging from our annual Gala Ball to art exhibitions, golf days and even wine tasting, Sydney Kids Committee events centre on fun and inclusion.
Since inception Sydney Kids Committee has raised over $1.3M for the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick and in 2017 they were recognised as a Gold Supporter at the hospital in their Hall of Champions.
The Sydney Kids Committee welcomes new people to join and bring their expertise, energy and ideas to continue the proud work of the committee. We value people with enthusiasm, integrity, and a ‘can do’ approach to working on an all-volunteer fundraising committee. Our committee members all love helping improve the care of sick babies and children and we seek people who share the same values and energy.
Our Current Patrons
Dimity Clancey
2019 – Current
Meet the
Sydney Kids Committee
President
Christopher Webber
A doctor, a pediatric emergency Consultant and head of the Emergency Department of Sydney Children’s Hospital. Chris has worked at the hospital since 1989. He wanted to give back to the hospital by working with the volunteer Committee members from the community. He joined the Committee 10 years ago.
The dedication and commitment of the members inspires him to continue fundraising. Chris’s medical career began in Queensland in 1982, working in both isolated small towns and major centres. His broad understanding of the health system includes front-line patient care as well as medical training and health education at many levels. The cost of exceptional health care is expensive and Chris recognises the need to fundraise to add that extra level to a world class health system.
Vice President and Founder
Paul Gallagher
Paul is a founding member and remains an active member of the Sydney Kids Committee which was formed in April 1993. Over the last 25 years Paul has served as President and is currently the Vice President. His interest to fundraise for the hospital is personal as Paul’s sister Fiona was born with brittle bones disease.
Fiona spent most of her childhood in and out of the children’s hospital at Randwick and consequently Paul spent a considerable amount of time visiting. He was inspired by the work and commitment of the nurses and this motivated him to become a paediatric nurse. Paul’s mother instilled in him drive and dedication to raise money for the hospital to purchase equipment. He has a deep sense of loyalty to the committee and remains passionate and proud about what has been achieved since 1993. There have been 2 major milestones for Paul in being part of such a vital fundraising organisation, firstly in 2014 the Sydney Kids Committee was inducted into the hospital’s Hall of Champions in recognition of raising over $1,000,000 and secondly when he was awarded an Order of Australia for contribution to services to children through charitable paediatric care organisations.
Communications
Co-ordinator
Christopher Cosier
Christopher joined the committee 10 years ago to give back to the Sydney Children’s Hospital after seeing the care and support the staff gave his nephew when he was a patient with a brain tumour.
Starting out in the family retail business in Wellington rural NSW before moving to Sydney
to forge a career both in retail and department and specialty stores, spanning over 30 years. He completed a degree in Adult Education (sub major in Human Resources) and after 20 years as a Human Resources Manager now runs his own consultancy to help people and businesses grow their potential and performance.
Treasurer and Social Media Co-ordinator
Julie Gavrilovic
Julie joined the committee as part of her desire to give back to the community and to support a cause important to her. She has been on the committee for over 10 years and derives great satisfaction know that being an all volunteer committee that the majority of the funds raised go directly to fund much needed equipment for
the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Julie has a successful career in Finance and Accounting and she brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of Treasurer to ensure the Committee meets all its legal obligations. She also loves getting involved in all aspects of the Committee’s raising efforts and enjoys her important role in keeping our Social Media channels up to date with important information about Committee events and achievements.
Secretary and
Event Co-ordinator
Sue Cunningham
Sue joined the Sydney Kids Committee team in late 2017 having been a regular at the balls since 2009. Thankful of not having to have called on the services of the Sydney Children’s hospital for her own children, Sue is passionate about helping to preserve and build the wonderful facilities of the hospital for those who do.
Sue’s broad commercial background spanned the finance sector and government and culminated in commercial strategy for the Seven Network before she decided to set up her own consultancy company in 2002. Since then she has concentrated on small to medium business strategy with a particular interest in linking the human element.
Sue’s interest in helping others began in her youth with her first fundraising event being undertaken in support of the Lions Club of Kyle Bay whilst she was still at school. Since then she has helped a number of organisations including Telstra Child Flight, St Francis de Sales Catholic School, The Beauty Bank, and Yandua Village Fiji.
General Member
Andrea Kruller
Andrea is a Doctor with over 16 years experience working at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick Emergency Department. In her role she is enthusiastic that the staff of the hospital are provided with the best available equipment to ensure the highest quality of care for the benefit of sick children and their families.
Each year during the last decade Andrea has attended the Sydney Kids committee fundraising Ball and encouraged her family and friends to join her in helping to raise funds for this worthy cause. More recently, she has chosen to become even more involved by volunteering as a committee member.
