The Macquarie Matrons have selected The Westhaven Association as the primary recipient of funds raised at their upcoming September 2011 charity event.

The Westhaven Association provides support accommodation and employment to adults with intellectual disabilities. This registered charity has a proud history in the local Dubbo area, established by the community in 1957. The funds raised at the Macquarie Matrons function will be channeled into

the Westhaven Accommodation Support Service (WASS), to assist in the construction of special high support accommodation units within the grounds of the current Westhaven Village to support ageing residents as well as those with emerging physical disabilities.

Gordon Tindall, General Manager of Westhaven, said he was overwhelmed by the offer from the Macquarie Matrons and was delighted with the opportunity to work with them in the raising of much needed money.

“I know that one of the aims of the Macquarie Matrons is ‘making impossible journeys… possible.’ Westhaven has battled for years to secure adequate funding for building works and the link with Macquarie Matrons will be an exciting one in helping us work to achieve our journey,” he said.

Since the inception of the Macquarie Matrons in 1998, the committee has raised in excess of $750,000 to support a wide variety of charities including The Smith Family, Angel Flight, CAN Assist and The Millennium Foundation. The Macquarie Matrons also distribute part of the funds raised into the Macquarie Regional Support Fund, which directly support the local communities of Trangie, Tottenham, Warren and Narromine.

The Westhaven Association fits the criteria for charity support that the Macquarie Matrons established at their team building weekend in April this year. “Some of key attributes we identified in selecting our charity were a local presence, and contributing to a project that had a visible outcome so being part of the Westhaven building project is a perfect fit”, explained Macquarie Matrons Co- President Skye Rush.

Macquarie Matrons Co-President Amber Dimond added that “we have a dynamic group of young women on the committee who have already begun planning what is set to be an amazing event in September 2011, and we look forward to joining with other regional businesses to get behind this exceptional charity”.

The Macquarie Matrons Ball is held bi-annually and attracts over 500 guests from near and far.