The Foundation has a strong history of volunteering. In fact until recent times, when a number of programs which were run primarily by volunteers came to the end of their lifecycle, volunteers outnumbered paid employees.
1961: Mrs Leila Schmidt and Mrs Mickie Hardie, mothers of children with asthma, started Asthma Foundation NSW in response to the lack of medical support for asthmatics at the time.
1962: The “Asthma Call”, a major fundraising drive took place, involving 40,000 volunteer door knockers and raised £99,000. With other donations this amount then ballooned to an impressive £250,000. In today’s money that would be equivalent to $5 million.
At that time it was the largest amount of money raised by any charity in Australia.
1962: 91 country area fundraising committees were established. Another 20 were added in 1988.
1964: First asthma research grants were awarded as a result of fundraising, one notable recipient was Ann Woolcock. A pioneer of respiratory medicine research in Australia, the scholarship enabled her to complete her MD thesis. Later she became a Founding Director of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine, which was re-named the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in her honour.
1964: The first issue of the Asthma Welfarer (later Asthma Matters) was developed and published by volunteer Dr Clair Isbister CBE, who continued to dedicate herself to its publication for 35 years. This was a key tool for communicating with asthmatics and individuals who supported the Foundation. The publication was also widely subscribed to by medical professionals. The Community Networks of volunteers play an important role in distributing the publication within local communities.
1965: Dr Isbister co-developed and was the medical adviser for the Asthma Children's Swimming Program for 40 years. These classes were run by volunteers and were designed as a form of therapy for asthmatics. The program spread across the State and ran until 2006.
1966: First holiday camp for asthmatics was held. This too was thanks to the vision and efforts of Dr Isbister who participated as medical adviser at camp for 35 years. Staffed by volunteers, Foundation staff and medical staff, 26 children were cared for over a period of two weeks. Most of these children had never left home before due to their asthma. This holiday camp then developed into the annual Asthma Friendly Camp which ran until 2009.
1970s: The single most important development in asthma management was introduced: inhaled bronchodilators. These allowed people with asthma to self-medicate, participate in sports and begin to lead normal lives for the first time.
1980s: By the early 1980s Asthma Foundation NSW had raised $1.25 million for asthma research.
1986: For the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, members of the medical scientific research community were invited to write pamphlets to educate the general public about asthma. Education about asthma management would be an important factor in reducing the number of asthma related deaths.
1986: Founders Mrs Mickie Hardie and Mrs Leila Schmidt were awarded OAM for their services to community health via the Foundation.
1997: Mrs June Hayes, sister of Mrs Mickie Hardie was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to community health via the Foundation.
1998: Volunteer Colleen Wardell was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to the Asthma Swimming Programme. Starting as a swimming instructor when the program began, Colleen went on to coordinate the program for 20 years, increasing the number of swimming groups from 11 to 42, and growing the program to some 3,000 volunteers and 40,000 students. A world recognised program, Colleen was invited overseas to present and train others.
2000: As the organisation continued to grow, volunteers remained an integral part of the work of Asthma Foundation NSW. Mrs Noreen Sear OAM was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for 35 years service to the Asthma Children's Swimming Program.
2002: Volunteer My Barry Ford OAM was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for 25 years service to the Asthma Children's Swimming Program. The Central Coordinating Committee ladies, who comprised the Sydney fundraising committee, disbanded after nearly 40 years - an impressive period of service and commitment.
2006: Mrs Joy Henry OAM was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for 42 years service to the Asthma Children's Swimming Program.
2009: Today there are eight active Community Networks (previously fundraising auxiliaries/committees) who operate as a distribution network for Asthma Matters and do some fundraising activities.
Find out about current volunteering opportunities.