Community & Business
13 August, 2025
Generous donation to Beauaraba will provide comfort in difficult times
The Belinda McGowan Foundation has donated a syringe driver worth more than $4000 to Pittsworth's aged care facility, Beauaraba Living.
This particular donation was made possible by the generosity of Mount Molar resident Robyn Bargh, and the Brighter Futures Matched Giving Program of her employer, Suncorp.
Beauaraba Living was privileged to receive the donation, which will benefit those in residence at the facility and members of the wider community.
"The syringe driver assists us to provide our high quality care to those who require it," Beauaraba Living CEO Bradley Jones said.
"We remain thankful for the support of The Belinda McGowan Foundation through the provision of this syringe driver and their ongoing efforts to provide us with a cuddle bed."
Ms Bargh also funded the donation of a syringe driver to Clifton Community Health Services earlier this year.
Syringe drivers are a vital piece of equipment that assist with pain management for patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care.
The small battery-powered pumps, supplied through Aidacare, deliver a steady flow of medication through a tube just under the skin.
Inspired by the enduring legacy of Belinda McGowan, the Foundation is centred on empowering communities through compassionate care and support during life’s most challenging moments.
Belinda gave 33 years of her life to serving her country in the Royal Australian Air Force, and battled with lung cancer for 18 months before her death at age 49.
Tracy Dobie, Belinda's sister-in-law and former Mayor of the Southern Downs Regional Council, said it was during this time Belinda experienced first hand the inadequacy of medical equipment in smaller hospitals.
Ms Dobie said it was Belinda’s desire to make a positive impact on those in palliative and end-of-life care, and wished for patients, families and care staff in rural, remote and regional communities, to have access to the best equipment available.
This drove husband Bruce McGowan to establish the Foundation with a focus on delivering double sized cuddle beds and syringe drivers to regional facilities.
“All she wanted was to be held as she transitioned from palliative to end-of-life,” Ms Dobie said.
“That’s how the Foundation was started.
“Bruce and Belinda set up funding to cover all the administrative costs for the Foundation, which means every dollar that’s donated to the Foundation goes to either a cuddle bed or syringe driver,” Ms Dobie said.
This provision gives community members the opportunity to stay close to their loved ones during difficult times.
Early last week, the Belinda McGowan Foundation donated a cuddle bed to St. Andrew’s Hospital in Toowoomba.
The cuddle beds are Australian made, comprised of two hospital grade bases and two acute care mattresses joined together with a bolster insert, and cost approximately $24,000.
This was the Foundation’s 15th cuddle bed donation.
With assistance from the Foundation, Beauaraba Living hopes to secure a cuddle bed for the Pittsworth community in the future.
