DAISY jumps off the page wearing a khaki shirt, cowboy hat and star pattern jeans as creator and local mum Katie Waardenburg continues to help outback families doing it tough with her creation Daisy’s Days.
A grassroots initiative born from one mother’s fight to save her son is now supporting families in hospitals across Australia – and shining a light on the challenges faced in regional and remote healthcare.
Daisy’s Days delivers activity and colouring books to children in hospitals while advocating for better access to medical care for families outside major cities.
The idea was sparked during a traumatic period in Ms Waardenburg’s life, when her first child became critically ill.
“I was in and out of the hospital system for about a year,” she said.
“He was on the public waiting list, and another year would have passed before he could see a specialist.”
Unable to afford private healthcare, Ms Waardenburg said she felt trapped as her son’s condition worsened.
“He was continuously sick – ridiculously sick. If I waited, he would have died,” she said.
In a desperate move, she paid $3500 to see a private specialist.
“That specialist told me, ‘Your child can’t wait – this is not okay,’ and took us on with a payment plan,” she said.
“The surgery was done within two days. He essentially saved my son’s life.”
The experience exposed what she describes as a widespread issue affecting families across Australia.
“I started thinking – how many people are going through the same situation as mine, and worse?” she said.
Determined to make a difference, Ms Waardenburg launched Daisy’s Days – an initiative that has since distributed low-cost, sponsor- supported activity books to hospitals nationwide.
“I create colouring-in and activity books that people can buy or sponsor, and they’re sent to hospitals,” she said.
“I’ve now got books all over Australia.”
The resources are designed not only to entertain children but to provide comfort and connection during stressful hospital stays.
Ms Waardenburg has also created more than 60 online “activity hubs” to help families engage with children at home without financial strain.
Despite the growing reach of Daisy’s Days, Ms Waardenburg said she does not take any income from the initiative, with all funds directed back into resources and support.
At the centre of the project is “Daisy”, a bright, outback-inspired character brought to life through Ms Waardenburg’s books and public appearances.
For Ms Waardenburg, the mission is deeply personal.
“I want to be the person who says, ‘I hear you – let’s do something about it.’ ”
