Macquarie Matrons

Westhaven is a registered charity which provides care and support to adults with intellectual disabilities. It provides supported employment for 65 adults in its Westhaven Business Services and supported accommodation for 90 adults in its Westhaven Accommodation Support Service all based in Dubbo.

Those currently supported by Westhaven come from as far away as Bourke, Warren, Trangie, Lightning Ridge, Coonabarabran, Broken Hill and of course the immediate area of Dubbo and Wellington.

Westhaven is assisted with partial funding from the NSW and Federal governments as well as raising its own funds through its own business activities such as the sale of the iconic Ugg Boot and a major lawn mowing service operating in Dubbo, Narromine, Wellington and Gilgandra.

Through improved health care, most people with intellectual disabilities are living much longer so that many of West haven ‟s residents are now 50 years or more old with some well into their sixties. But the cost has been the early onset of typical age related illnesses such as diabetes, respiratory problems, epilepsy and dementia as well as a loss of mobility, much earlier than is experienced in the general population. As well, negative behavioural traits can also become more pronounced. This requires the provision of specialised housing which not only creates an enhanced living environment for these residents but also assists in providing them with a safer and more caring level of support.

These services often ' slip through the cracks ’ when it comes to government funding for such specialised accommodation. To avoid Westhaven having to prematurely exit its residents to other services such as nursing home care, which in most instances will be away from their long-time place of residence or family members, Westhaven aims to provide special housing which will allow them to remain much longer with their “family ” and within Westhaven's quality care and support service. In the general community it is called "ageing in place".

Westhaven aims to raise around one million dollars to build a high support house and related facilities within its "Village" complex in Wheelers Lane, Dubbo. The Macquarie Matrons are pleased to have adopted Westhaven as the major recipient of their fund raising activities for 2011 and the funds raised for Westhaven will all be allocated to the special housing project for ageing residents.

This year the committee has also recognised the need to assist the education paths of the youth in the Valley. Liaising with Charles Sturt University, the committee has established the Macquarie Matrons Scholarship which will offer financial support to one student per year from the Macquarie Valley whilst studying at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo.

The prize is open to students in any course, in any year at CSU Dubbo Campus who can meet the Charles Sturt Foundation selection criteria including that the student must be female and have resided within the Macquarie Valley area (Narromine, Trangie, Warren, Tottenham) for at least 12 months. The student must also be able to demonstrate a sound committment to their town through involvement in community and sporting groups.

The Macquarie Matrons hope their commitment will help make the dream of attending university slightly more of a reality for one local student each year.This year Katelyn Wheeler has been awarded the inaugural Macquarie Matrons Charles Sturt University Dubbo Campus annual prize worth $1500. Katelyn lives and works part-time in Warren and is a third year student currently studying for a Bachelor of Education.

The Macquarie Matrons have been especially fortunate to receive unconditional support and loyalty from their local communities. The committee recognised this and felt strongly about giving back to the towns they lived in.

In 2005, the Macquarie Matrons formed the Macquarie Regional Support Fund. As a result of the last three balls over $65 000 was distributed throughout areas of need within Narromine, Trangie, Warren and Tottenham. If your community group falls within these regions and would like to be considered for support please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  with a request stating the amount of funding required and how the support would be used.

Donations have been made to the following organisations since 2006:

$14900 Donated to Warren Community Groups

$4000  Warren Pre-School 

$2900  St Mary’s 

$3500  Warren Central School 

$500    Warren Rugby Union 

$500    Warren Soccer Club

$1000  Warren Squash Club

$1500  Warren Shire Council

$600    Warren Hot Flats 

$400    Warren Home Start

$15500 Donated to Trangie Community Groups

$1000 Trangie Junior Soccer Club
1500   Trangie Junior Tennis Club
$3000 Trangie Pre-School
$2500 Trangie Hospital Auxiliary
$1500 Trangie Amateur Swim Club
$1000 Trangie Campdraft
$500   Trangie CWA
$1000 Trangie Playgroup
$3000 Trangie Golden Oldies
$500   Tots on Temoin

$15200 Donated to Narromine Community Groups

$2000 Narromine Recreational
$2500 Narromine Little A’s  
$2000 Macquarie Valley Daycare 
$1250 Narromine Netball Club  
$950   Narromine Pony Club  
$1000 St Augustines   
$1000 Narromine Pre-School  
$1000 Narromine Primary  
$500   Narromine Soccer Club  
$1500 Narromine High School  
$500   Narromine Men’s Shed  
$500   Narromine Rotary Club  
$500   Narromine Cancer Support

$15000 Donated to Tottenham Community Groups

$1500 Tottenham Pre-School
$2500 Tottenham Hospital
$1500 Tottenham P&C
$500   Tottenham IPCA
$2000 Tottenham Central School
$1000 Tottenham Motor Cross
$1000 Tottenham Day Care
$1500 Tottenham Men’s Shed
$2000 Tottenham Early Childcare
$1000 Tottenham Healthy Living
$1500 Tottenham Welfare Centre