More than $9,000 has flowed straight into local medical facilities in Redcliffe simply because thousands of people refused to skip their morning coffee.
That financial boost stems from an ongoing partnership linking Zouki Café with the Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital campaign. Every single time a customer purchases a hot drink at the hospital’s Zouki locations, ten cents quietly slips into a dedicated fund for local patient care.
Why do routine purchases matter so much? Organizers point out that individual actions rarely feel monumental on their own, yet a collective stream of small contributions can completely alter a community hospital’s trajectory over twelve months.
Where does that money actually go once the cash registers close? Hospital leaders channel the proceeds directly into three vital pillars: upgrading everyday patient comfort, backing exhausted frontline staff, and seeding fresh medical research initiatives.
Instead of relying on massive corporate grants, this grassroots model thrives because everyday visitors and nurses share a single cup of coffee. Business leadership noted a deep sense of pride in giving back to the exact neighbourhoods that sustain their daily operations.
How can a single beverage shift the health outcomes of an entire region? By proving that local commerce and civic welfare are deeply intertwined. Community members stepping through the hospital doors are essentially casting a vote for better regional health outcomes with every sip they take.
A penny farthing bicycle, a sell-out bake sale and a live radio broadcast were among the highlights as Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital‘s sixth Giving Day exceeded expectations, with the community and local businesses raising more than $225,000 for the Palliative Care Unit.
The result pushes the total raised since the program began in 2021 past $1.3 million — enough to have funded more than 80 individual projects across the hospital.
Projects making a difference
The range is wider than most donors might expect.
A refurbished playroom in the Paediatric Ward sits alongside funded research projects with implications for patients well beyond Redcliffe.
Staff wellbeing activities, a courtyard and lounge area in the Palliative Care Unit, and a new family-friendly play space have all come through Raise it for Redcliffe support.
Hospital Executive Director Cang Dang said the day’s focus on palliative care was intentional.
“Raise it for Redcliffe support has already helped us to refurbish a courtyard and lounge area, and provide for a new family-friendly play space,” Dang said. “That community support, combined with staff enthusiasm, has made Raise it for Redcliffe and Giving Day the success that it has been.”
A day of community support
Director of Research Dr Joel Dulhunty rode a penny farthing bicycle across the bridge to the hospital — a crowd-pleasing tradition that delights patients, staff and visitors in equal measure. The Allied Health teams’ bake sale sold out, as it always does.
Bridge FM broadcast live from the hospital throughout the day, extending the reach of the event to the wider Redcliffe Peninsula.
Cang paid tribute to the late Ray Kerr, former Bridge FM station manager, whose deep commitment to Raise it for Redcliffe over many years left a lasting legacy on the event.
Turning community support into action
Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is a partnership between Redcliffe Hospital and the RBWH Foundation, established in 2021 to give the Redcliffe Peninsula community a direct way to invest in their local hospital.
Donations fund equipment, research, patient comfort improvements and staff support — filling the gaps that standard healthcare funding doesn’t reach.
An 11-year-old rugby league fan from Boondall has been honoured in Redcliffe after recovering from a serious head injury, with support from the Dolphins and Ausbuild.
The Dolphins and Ausbuild came together to support 11-year-old Mateo, a young fan who can no longer play rugby league after a life-changing head injury. His resilience was highlighted at recent NRL events, supported through the Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital initiative.
Accident and Medical Discovery
Earlier this year, Mateo fell from his bike after briefly removing his helmet. The accident caused a fractured skull and a subdural haematoma. During his emergency care at Redcliffe Hospital, a CT scan revealed a Chiari malformation, a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. Swift medical intervention ensured his recovery, though his injury meant he could no longer play the sport he loved.
Photo Credit: Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital/Facebook
Dolphins and Ausbuild Involvement
To acknowledge his bravery, Ausbuild and the Dolphins invited Mateo to the Captain’s Run before the club’s clash with the Broncos on 15 August 2025. He met several players, including his favourite, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and received a signed jersey. His younger brother, also a keen supporter, was gifted a jersey. The previous week, Mateo formed part of the Guard of Honour for the team’s match against the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium. Complimentary tickets were also provided for his family.
Family Challenges and Community Support
The recognition came during a difficult year for Mateo’s family. Two of his siblings required medical treatment, one for meningioma and another for eye surgery. His grandmother works as an Emergency Department nurse across Redcliffe Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Despite these challenges, the Dolphins and Ausbuild experiences provided a moment of encouragement for the family.
Photo Credit: Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital/Facebook
Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital
Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is an initiative of the RBWH Foundation, designed to celebrate patients, staff, and the community while raising funds for research, medical equipment, and hospital services. Ausbuild supported the program during the Dolphins’ match against the Roosters, where 150 community guests attended.
Role of Redcliffe Hospital
Established in 1965, Redcliffe Hospital has served the community for more than five decades and is part of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service. The 250-bed facility handles more than 63,000 emergency presentations annually and provides services including surgery, maternity, rehabilitation, and paediatric care. The Raise it for Redcliffe initiative helps fund new technology, equipment, and medical research, ensuring continued patient support across the region.
Mateo’s recognition illustrates how community partnerships with the Dolphins and Ausbuild not only celebrate resilience but also highlight the continuing role of Redcliffe Hospital in supporting families across South East Queensland.
