Sudden Infant Death Association Newcastle and District Incorporated

1977 – 1980     
Following the death of their son, Gary and Jenny Hamilton identify the need for local support and information for bereaved parents. After initial involvement with the newly formed SIDA (Sudden Infant Death Association) NSW they decide that Sydney is geographically distant to meet the needs of local families. They liaise with local health professionals and begin to receive notifications when a SIDS death occurs and provide support to these families. Gradually more parents and health professionals become involved and the local association is underway. Clara Foster becomes the driving force for the association following the death of her son in 1979.

1981-82
There are moves to formalise the association, as it is necessary to generate funds. Parents have been meeting all costs, which are increasing, as SIDA becomes more active. A constitution is adopted in preparation to become registered as a charity. For uniformity it is decided that the Newcastle organisation will register as the Sudden Infant Death Association  Newcastle and District (SIDA); this requires the permission of SIDA NSW. The Upper Hunter SIDRF (Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation) is a separate group at this stage, linked with SIDRF Victoria. Other groups are also operating throughout the state and country.

1983
At a State Workshop in Newcastle, time is allocated for discussion of links between all the organisations in New South Wales with SIDA NSW proposed as the parent body. For Newcastle this proposal is just a little late; the application for charity status has been forwarded, the first newsletter produced and there are financial members and a few dollars in the bank for the first time. SIDA NSW allow SIDA Newcastle to operate separately with a similar name, the rest of the groups join SIDA NSW, with the exception of Upper Hunter SIDRF, which at this point has scaled down its activities.

1985
The first National SIDS Working Party holds general discussions and subsequently agrees to commence a National Body that will co-ordinate various activities, and maintain a consistent and coherent approach Australia wide in the areas of education and research.

1987
The Upper Hunter group decides to join SIDA Newcastle after working together more closely. Meetings have progressed from parents' homes to community venues, but administration continues to be conducted from Clara's home.

1988
Australia experiences its first Red Nose Day.    
Red Nose Day in England was organised by a high profile UK comedy group called Comic Relief. This group raised money for African relief projects, the aged, and homeless youth in the UK. Following a great deal of research by the SIDRF VIC fundraising coordinator, the name was registered and other states were invited to participate in the first Red Nose Day. Some were hesitant initially; as Clara noted Red Noses seemed so far removed from the tragedy of SID, however SIDA Newcastle decided to support it from its inception.