From Mark Modra (Luke’s father)

A big thank you to everyone who has donated money for this important cause !! I am happy to report that Luke and the team are doing OK. Your donations, especially in the early days, have enabled us to maintain a base level roster with a minimum of practice coaching and team support up until now. A meeting with the Minister Martin Foley did take place on November 10, 2015. It was a good meeting. We are now waiting for further advice from DHHS regarding the appointment of someone to help us look at ways of reducing our costs. We are also hoping that an actuarial review of Luke's needs (done at the same time) will lead to full justification of an increase in the funding. Unfortunately, the cutbacks, and the turmoil and uncertainty they created have had a negative effect on the team, and of course Luke. The dream team (and not just Luke) needs professional support to stay safe and do their work well. We have decided to use the money we have received so far (about $12,000) to reinstate the role of an onsite practice coach – for team support – for four weeks. That is - 20 hours a week of on site practice coaching (providing direct support to members of the team), plus 14 hours a week - over the phone support - to assist with the management of urgent issues and unhappy events. We are hoping that DHHS will have agreed to an increase in funding before that money runs out. Regards Mark Modra