There is a saying that kindness/generosity is the act that gives back.

For 25 years now, the Donald District Hospital Foundation has been selflessly giving to the community, supporting the Donald Campus of East Wimmera Health with boundless financial support over its lifetime.

And, now, the Foundation truly is seeing its generosity returned in kind.

In a heartwarming gesture, the Donald District Hospital Foundation has been presented with a remarkable bequest of $635,000 from the late Miss Dorothy Onley.

In a meeting at Donald’s EWHS Campus between two of Dorothy’s surviving relatives, Jon Onley and Kim Fulcher, and representatives of the Foundation, trustees Sandra Harris and Shane Wall, Dorothy’s life and last wishes were honoured under the sun.

Understatement

It’s not an understatement to say the Foundation was pleasantly surprised and humbled by this. After all, Dorothy had left Donald before the Foundation had even been incepted; to have been thought of, and to realise that the work you do reaches further than you believe, truly is a wondrous and humbling experience.

Sister of the late Henry John (“Tib”) Onley and aunt to Jon and Kim, Dorothy underwent teaching training before taking up a position at the primary school in Watchem, where she remained for 12-18 months. It was there that she quickly endeared herself to the community – according to nephew Jon, Dorothy would cycle from Donald to Watchem every Sunday in order to be ready for the school week, then make the return journey every single Friday!

Based on this, it’s easy to see she had a sense of adventure – one that continued upon her move to Melbourne in her mid-twenties.

Fine-dining

Describing her aunt as “very well-read,” Kim recalled her love for fine dining and wine, albeit humorously noting, “she never treated us, though – she suggested the venue, and we paid!”

Later in life, Dorothy ventured to Melbourne, settling in Blackburn, where she served as an assistant principal until her retirement in her mid-60s. Throughout her time in Melbourne, she resided with her cousins Rose, Sibyl, and Alberta – the latter with whom she shared many adventures traversing the globe together as a dynamic duo in the ’sixties.

Dorothy continued her adventures well into her twilight years too, traveling with friends until the remarkable age of 98. She passed away on October 5, three years ago, in the comfort of her home and residence of the past decade, her mind as sharp as ever. Reflecting on her passing, Kim lamented, “She was a very strong lady. It’s a bit sad, isn’t it?”

Volunteering

Of the many adventures Dorothy embarked on during her life, perhaps it was her work volunteering with Alberta at the Royal Women’s in Melbourne that served as the inspiration for her final generous bequest.

Shane, the Foundation’s chairman, expressed profound gratitude towards Dorothy and her legacy.

“On behalf of everyone in the Foundation”¦ I genuinely don’t know what to say. We are, and always will be, an organisation dedicated to providing only the best for the community we love, and this bequest means so much to all of us involved.

“It’s such a huge bequest for us to have! And we will do our best, as we have always done, to honour it.”

In return, Kim simply smiled and admitted, “We didn’t actually know, the rest of us. I wish we did; we would have celebrated the idea too, if we had, because it’s truly wonderful. It’s nice to know that she was still thinking of her home town, even after all these years away.”

“She had very fond memories of Donald,” Jon chipped in with a laugh.

Evidently!

Possibilities

With such a generous bequest, the possibilities for helping better the community truly are boundless.

“Childcare, emergency services, and nurse practitioners are only some of the branches we could further finance,” said Sandra, “not to mention being able to fulfil an even greater number of the Campus’s requests.

“It truly is both a great honour and opportunity.”

A sentiment undoubtedly echoed by the entire community, the Donald District Hospital Foundation will be proud to honour Miss Dorothy Onley’s enduring legacy of generosity and devotion to her home town

This article appeared in  The Buloke Times, 21 May 2024.