In October we had the opportunity to invite members of the Sinclair family to join us for an afternoon function to remember the late Dr Don Sinclair, and to officially name our building at 10 Donaldson Street as Don Sinclair House.

At the Homes in Ivanhoe, we have 43 apartments spread across three buildings, which provide friendly, low-cost accommodation for patients and their carers coming for treatment at hospitals in Melbourne. Don was a foundation member of the Committee of Management of the Homes from the time of establishment in 1981, and served as the president of the committee for 23 years. Over the years Don was involved in the setting up and expansion of the Homes, and later in guiding renovations such as the installation of lifts and air conditioning. He gave very generously of his time and skills, and was involved in all aspects of life at the Homes.

Don was also a member of Ryder-Cheshire Victoria, serving as treasurer for forty years, and Ryder-Cheshire Australia, serving as president for eight years. He delighted in travel and visited both Raphael and Klibur Domin, and took a great interest in their development over the years.

The opportunity for members of the Ryder-Cheshire community and the Sinclair family to join together to remember Don made for a very happy occasion. One of the highlights was Don’s daughter Sarah and son Andrew telling some lovely stories about Don and the early days of the Homes, and about the times Leonard Cheshire visited the Homes and the Sinclair family.

Don has left a great legacy of service to the Ivanhoe Homes, to the broader Ryder-Cheshire community and to the mission for the relief of suffering. We are very proud that Don Sinclair House now bears his name.

Kathy Oswin
President
Ryder-Cheshire Victorian Homes Foundation committee of management.