Newcastle Woman Leaves $14 Million to Charity

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Former Bar Beach resident, Sheila Woodcock, has left a donation of almost $14 million to 15 community organisations. 

Miss Woodcock passed away on May 12, 2018 aged 87, and was a lover of animals, the arts, cricket, tennis, chocolate and travel. 

Local organisations who received part of the donation include the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Salvation Army, Breast Cancer Trials, RSPCA Newcastle and Vision Australia Newcastle. 

The funding will support the construction of the region’s new RSPCA veterinary hospital, a new helicopter service training facility, several medical research programs, scholarships for researchers and health professionals, and scholarship programs and services for young people. 

The Salvation Army will buy a property to create accommodation for the homeless in Belmont. 

Family spokesperson, Kent Woodcock, announced the funding today which he said is in addition to funding Miss Woodcock provided to some of the organisations, and others, throughout her life.

“This wasn't just a one off, this is over a life time as well. Sheila was about friendship, care and community," he said. 

Mr Woodcock said Miss Woodcock had good business sense. Her grandfather established the family business Earp, Woodcock and Beveridge.

“Sheila became a major shareholder in the business and, with her business advisers, astutely managed her business affairs and invested wisely,’ he said.

“Sheila chose to share her fortune with others who were doing good work for others.”

CEO of Guide Dogs NSW, Dale Cleaver, says the donation to his organisation will support the training of another 25 guide dogs. 

"It takes over $50,000 and two years to breed, raise and train a good guide dog, so Sheila's contribution is going to make quite a difference to us," he said. 

"Without the generosity of people like Sheila, we wouldn't be able to deliver the services we do to people with vision impairment," he said. 

Over her 30 years of friendship with guide dogs, Sheila provided close to $350,000. 

                                         Sheila Woodcock
                                                    Image Credit: Newcastle Herald

Newcastle family wake up as the Hunters newest millionaires

BY JOSH SIM

A Newcastle family has had a morning they will never forget with a call from NSW Lotteries confirming they had won the first division prize pool of one million dollars.

The father, a man in his forties, bought the 24 game quickpick from Waratah Newsagency, and in a remarkable coincidence is the second time in as many months the newsagent has sold first prize.

Speaking with NSW Lotteries about his windfall, the unidentified man said he will look to pay off his mortgage and set his family up for life - after he buys himself a motorbike.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Waratah Newsagency, Michael Phillips, is popping the champagne on selling yet another life-changing prize.

'Hopefully there's more winners to come for our store. It puts a real good buzz around the place,' Mr Phillips said.

Image Source - Oz Lotto