October 26th, 2024Surprise $250k donation for Daylesford Health
A surprise phone call to Daylesford Health will change lives in rural Victoria thanks to Harry and Peggy Maddicks.
The estate of the late Maddicks siblings has been supporting the Daylesford Hospital for over 25 years thanks to family friend and executor Tim Byrne, who recently donated $250,000, bringing the total given to an incredible $528,000.
Mr Byrne said it was vitally important for rural people to have access to quality healthcare.
“Harry wanted to support the health of the Daylesford community after his passing and I’m honoured to make the donation on behalf of Harry and Peggy.”
Tim was taken on a tour of Daylesford Hospital’s new operating theatre and shown the updated plaque honouring the generosity of Harry and Peggy since the first donation in 1999.
Director of Nursing for Daylesford Health Meagan Harding said a quarter of a million dollars would change lives.
“It will have a lasting impact on the patients here at Daylesford Hospital. On behalf of Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board, executives, staff and patients I would like to thank Tim for giving so generously to the health and wellbeing of the Daylesford and district community.”
The Maddicks family arrived in Daylesford during the early gold rush days of the 1850s, where three generations lived and worked.
Henry Jnr (Harry), Margaret (Peggy) and Kevin were the children of Henry and Anastasia Maddicks. Henry Snr ran the Delta Photographic Studios from 1906 for over 60 years, and many of his treasured photos are archived at the Daylesford Museum.
Harry was a keen radio enthusiast and established a shop selling radios and household electrical appliances, and he continued to run the photographic business after his father’s death.
Kevin, who joined the war effort, was sadly killed while on service in New Guinea in 1945. Their sister Peggy was an active tennis club member and quietly involved with many community groups.
None of the siblings married, and although private and reserved, they actively volunteered in many of the community’s organisations and causes.
Harry was particularly interested in assisting the WWII refugees from the Baltic states at the Bullarto camp.
Words & Image: Contributed
