Dear Industry Colleague,
As you are most probably aware one of the great characters of the Australian wine industry, Trevor Mast, was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in 2006. He was 57 at the time and Chief Winemaker of the iconic Victorian winery Mount Langi Ghiran, having sold the winery (his “fifth child”) to the Rathbone Wine Group in 2002.
Trevor and Sandi Mast were relieved to have sold the winery and were looking forward to concentrating on Trevor’s two passions; winemaking and quite particularly, his family which was expanding with the addition of grandchildren.
Unfortunately these plans were dramatically altered when Trevor was diagnosed. He resigned from Mount Langi Ghiran immediately and moved with Sandi to Melbourne, in order to be closer to family and the much appreciated love and support that this offered.
Last year Trevor and Sandi became aware of the Lovell Foundation after meeting Mandy and Garry Lovell, and were inspired by their vision to establish accommodation in Victoria for people with younger onset dementia. These facilities exist in some other States in Australia, but are yet to exist in Victoria.
I have detailed below a brief summary of the Lovell Foundation.
The Lovell Foundation
The Lovell Foundation, a not for profit organisation, was founded in 2009: Its goal being to find a solution to the lack of residential care options for those diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia.
Younger Onset Dementia refers to a diagnosis of dementia (of which Alzheimer’s disease is one type) before the age of 65 years. Over 2,500 people in Victoria are diagnosed with dementia earlier in life, some aged only in their 30’s and 40’s, a surprising fact for many since dementia is typically considered a disease of older age.
The Foundation was inspired to act following the inadequacies in the care of Janice Lovell who after being diagnosed with dementia at age 50, spent the following 9 years in 9 different nursing homes because of difficulties in responding to and meeting her care needs.
Currently in Victoria, no specific residential care service exists for people diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia, so this unique group when in need of nursing home care, face placement in an aged care facility alongside considerably older fellow residents. Younger people with dementia are often active and physically healthy and require a range of stimulating physical activities as well as meaningful occupation suited to individual interests, in order to remain challenged and vital for as long as possible. Such people often have young families who are also in need of support.
The Lovell Foundation is committed to raising awareness, raising funds, and with the assistance and advice of specialists within the dementia field, they are in the process of developing a ‘family friendly’ service model for care. In 2011 the foundation will establish a Consumer Advisory Group so that younger people with dementia, their spouses and children can provide direct feedback about the type of service that they would like – the ideal, or the dream which the foundation hopes to one day build.
Last December Trevor and Sandi Mast donated a significant portion of their private cellar to the Lovell Foundation and with the fantastic support of Stewart Langton and Langton’s Wine Online raised $14,000.
After a recent lunch with Trevor around the time of this auction and a subsequent meeting with Trevor, Sandi and Mandy & Garry Lovell, I suggested that the wine industry may support further fund raising efforts.
As a consequence the Lovell Foundation in conjunction with Langton’s Wine Auctions will be staging a wine auction in August followed by a dinner in September at the soon to be opened 14Degrees Cafe in Port Melbourne.
I understand that we all receive many requests for wine donations however after spending time with Trevor over the last 5 years and witnessing the changes that have occurred for Trevor, Sandi and their family; I firmly believe that this is a charity worth supporting.
Trevor has certainly been a great influence on a number of people in the wine industry both domestically and internationally and your support towards this Foundation will help everyone concerned greatly.
This fundraising comprises 3 parts:
· Auction items for the Langton’s Online Auction to be held in August 2011
· Special auction items to be offered at a dinner
· Wines for the dinner – hoping to attract 200 guests.
Please express your generosity by completing the attached donation form and forwarding it Lyn Richardson at lrichardson@rathbonewinegroup.com along with any auction enquires.
For any enquiries on the Lovell Foundation please contact Mandy Lovell on 0418 586 079 or email lovell@lovellfoundation.com.au
Thank for your consideration.
Regards,
Gordon Gebbie
Commercial Director
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