History

SIDS and Kids Western Australia is a community-based organisation that had its beginnings as a mutual support group for bereaved SIDS parents and families during the 1970s.  By 1979 this small self-help group had grown, and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation was incorporated.

At the same time the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support group (SANDS) had formed, and this group offered support to those families who had suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.

Both groups operated separately for several years, until in 2000 it was recognised that these two very special bereavement support organisations could benefit mutually by merging, and so the SIDS Foundation and SANDS became SIDS and Kids.

SIDS and Kids WA is funded through the generosity of the Western Australian public.  The two main sources of income are Red Nose Day product sales, and tax-deductable donations.  The organisation receives no government funding apart from a small annual grant, which enables us to provide our 24-hour Infant Loss Support Line, and a single grant from the Office of Aboriginal Health to fund the implementation of a project that aims to reduce the incidence of SIDS amongst Aboriginal people in Western Australia.

SIDS and Kids WA operates with a small staff of four permanent full-time employees, and six part-time employees.  The organisation also relies on a large number of volunteers, many of whom are bereaved parents, their families and friends.  These volunteers carry out a variety of essential duties including Red Nose Day activities, family support, community education and office duties.

Current Staff Members

Angela Doyle        Chief Executive Officer                   angeladoyle@sidsandkids.org

Dee Taseff            Marketing Manager                        marketingwa@sidsandkids.org

Carla Rodi             Marketing Assistant                        carlarodi@sidsandkids.org

Nigel Barrett         Financial Administrator                   nigelbarrett@sidsandkids.org

Pearl McKeon        Administration Officer                     perth@sidsandkids.org

Amanda Meyer      Education Officer                           amandameyer@sidsandkids.org

Sharron Yarran     Aboriginal Project Coordinator        sharronyarran@sidsandkids.org

Jacinta Johnston   Aboriginal Project Officer                jacintajohnston@sidsandkids.org

Judi Nolte              Family Services Counsellor             jnolte@sidsandkids.org

Jo Smith                Family Services Counsellor              jsmith@sidsandkids.org

Geoff Paull            Family Services Counsellor              geoffpaull@sidsandkids.org

Phyllis Stone         Red Nose Day Stock Controller