Members of the Gundagai Can Assist branch met at the Gundagai Services Club for their 2026 Annual Business Meeting on 13 July. All current members were happy to continue supporting the local branch, which is good news for everyone involved.
President Phil Smith expressed his gratitude to committee members and the Gundagai community when presenting his annual report. He specifically recognised the branch’s long-term treasurer, Anne Tickner, who is stepping down from the role after her years of service.
“Once again, it has been a pleasure to be President and lead this wonderful charity,” he said.
“Thank you to our local Can Assist committee again for your support over the last year. I appreciate your commitment and support to the executive and me, and for the work you do behind the scenes. Thank you to those committee members who have gone that extra step at fundraising events and their helpers who continually raise funds but don’t expect anything extra.
“Thanks also to the local businesses who allow Can Assist to place donation collection boxes and a money spinner in their business premises.
“A big thank you to our generous and kind community for choosing Can Assist as their choice to raise funds for, because they know that the funds raised will stay local and assist local people in their cancer treatment journey.
“Unfortunately, the past twelve months have at times been very busy with people requesting and receiving assistance from our local branch.
“Thanks also to the Gundagai District Services Club for allowing us to use their facilities to hold our monthly meetings”.
Office bearers were elected at the ABM.
President – Phil Smith
Vice President – Glenn McGeachie
Secretary – Michelle Hooper
Assistant Secretary – and Carol McGeachie
Treasurer – Julie Gulyas
Assistant Treasurer – Anne Tickner
Publicity Officer – Michelle Hooper
Liaison/Welfare Officers – Margaret Smith and Carmel Matchett
In the past year, the local branch has assisted many patients with treatment costs, giving approximately $29,000 to help patients and their families. This is not possible without the generous support of local donations.
Gundagai Can Assist Branch always welcomes new faces. If you want to join, please contact one of the current committee members or phone 0498 083 343 for more details.
All assistance provided is done so confidentially. Only key executive committee members are responsible for providing personalised support and assistance to local patients. Rest assured, the remaining committee members are unaware of patient names and details. If you, or someone you know locally, would like assistance towards your treatment costs, please phone 0498 083 343.
President Smith told the Gundagai Times it was a good number of people to get for the ABM.
“In regard to patient assistance last year, we put $29,000 back into the community for assisting patients in the Gundagai area.
“I thank the local community because we do have a very generous community; they’re always donating and doing little fundraisers around town, and it all adds up.
“It’s a good feeling to fill all roles because we’re all there for the same reason. Everyone, basically, on our committee is there because they’ve been touched or a family member’s been touched by cancer. They all wanted to do it.
“There was no second thought about whether or when they got nominated. That’s what I feel is a privilege that they take these positions on, and they’re doing it because in the background somewhere they’ve all been touched by cancer in a family member or something, and they all want to because they want to be there.
“It is an unpaid position. Most committees are unpaid positions. They all want to be there, and they want the same role. They’ve got the patients in their minds. With the assistance that we give out, there’s no hesitation in assisting people, as long as they’re legitimate.
“I thank the Gundagai District Services Club because they allow us to hold our monthly meetings at their premises. They donate the rental of the room for the meetings. They are so welcoming and allow us to have our meetings there with no charge.
“The Gundagai District Services Club have done a great job, and they’ve always got the room set up for us for a meeting, no questions asked.
“Our community is so great. We’ve got that many organisations out there, sporting clubs and schools, that do assist us with it. It might be a $50 donation, might be a $200 donation, might be thousands of dollars’ worth of donations, golf days and stuff like that. We have such a lovely community.
“The biggest selling point for us is that the money raised in Gundagai stays in the community. Nothing gets sent off to head office or to a 3rd party. Every dollar stays in Gundagai.
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