23 April Breakfast Guest Speaker: Sarah Wallace, Wish Collective
Sarah Wallace was born and raised in Dennington and has a background in agriculture and health. She studied Agricultural Health & Medicine at Deakin University. Upon graduation, she worked on cattle stations in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, later moving to central New South Wales during harvest season.
Returning to Warrnambool with her husband, Sarah is now the practice manager at a urology clinic in Warrnambool. She resides on a small acreage plot in Illowa with her husband and daughter, Rosie.
After experiencing several miscarriages, Sarah realized the lack of support for parents who have lost a child. This led to the establishment of Wish Collective in 2023. The initiative emerged from lived experience and clinical input from midwives, general practitioners, fertility specialists, and mental health professionals.
Wish Collective provides kits designed to offer physical comfort and emotional support to women and their partners who have experienced the loss of an unborn child. Each kit includes:
- Items that provide both physical comfort and emotional support.
- A custom A5 resource booklet with links to local and national services.
- Resources tailored for fathers.
- A diary note pad and pen.
- Sanitary pads.
Since October 2023, 70 kits have been distributed and are now available in every GP clinic, hospital, and fertility clinic in Warrnambool and Port Fairy. Additionally, education sessions are offered for clinicians and nurses to build confidence when distributing the kits.
The products for the kits are sourced from local small businesses and assembled by Sarah and a small team of helpers. Feedback from recipients has been overwhelmingly positive. Some testimonials include:
"I received this kit after my fifth miscarriage. I cannot express how much this meant to me. I felt seen, understood and cared for."
"We received one of your support kits as part of our care at SWH. It brought a smile to my face on a difficult day. Thank you; such a beautiful idea."
Sarah is currently exploring expansion across the Southwest region, then into regional Victoria and beyond. Future initiatives include developing educational tools, hosting community events, and advocating for early intervention.
Wish Collective is seeking financial support or sponsorship for kits for clinics and hospitals, estimated at $40 per kit. Donations of supplies such as printing, packaging, and local products are also welcome. Alternatively, individuals can follow and amplify the mission online.
Furthermore, the Rotary Club of Warrnambool has approached Sarah to become a member and is collaborating with her to develop a neonatal and stillborn memorial at Tooram Park Cemetery.
