HELP US SUPPORT LAVINIA COYLE (NEE WEBB)

One of our Mookai family members, Health Program Manager Lavinia Coyle, has fallen seriously ill with Influenza B, which quickly turned into pneumonia, with other complications now emerging. Six weeks ago, she was intubated and remains in this state.

Lavinia has a strong community single-mindedness, advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in numerous settings and has consistently worked for the betterment of the situations of our people. This passion has been no more evident than in her work in the area of Child protection, where she actively and works tirelessly to find the best possible outcomes for our parents and children. Lavinia has also been instrumental in the establishment of Mookai Medical, a service that assists some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

This illness is likely to affect Lavinia and her family for an extended period. During this trying time, financial burdens have severely depleted the family’s financial resources, especially with the need to support Lavinia whilst she receives specialist services at a hospital outside of the North Queensland region.

Those who know Lavinia would acknowledge that she is a very private and proud Aboriginal woman who would never ask for handouts, but it was impossible for her to foresee this mounting tragedy and the emotional and financial difficulty it would cause. This illness has caused significant distress to her four-year-old son who is, understandably, missing his mum, and her husband who continues to work to hold his family together in this most trying time.

With this in mind, on behalf of our staff member Lavinia Coyle and her family members, I would like to set up a donations page to support her and her family. I’m seeking support from the community to dig deep and help out a family in need.

Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, an established Charity recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, will auspice the donations of behalf of Lavinia, Ryan and Finbar to ensure that funds are disbursed in accordance with fundraiser guidelines.