A SUCCESSFUL year’s operations were reported at the recent annual general meeting of the New Norfolk District Hospital Auxiliary. New president Pam Legge said it had been a challenging year, with the hospital entering COVID-19 lockdowns on occasion. The auxiliary members could not hold meetings or do their kiosk trolley runs for the patients at those times.
Despite these limits, the members continued their work of raising funds to support the hospital, often performing their trolley rounds wearing a safety mask and goggles. These items were supplied by the hospital and appreciation was expressed to the retiring director of nursing, Colleen Smith.
During the year, an air mattress costing $5800 was donated to the hospital and a second is under consideration. Knitting packs and craft packs were provided for patients, as well as playing cards and other games. Emergency items were also supplied for patients who arrived without pyjamas and other essentials.
The auxiliary held a combined Christmas function with the Corumbene Auxiliary at the Bush Inn Hotel. “It was great to get together to chat about our year and the coming year,” hospital auxiliary president Pam Legge said.
Pictured: Carole Volant and Pam Legge making their trolley round at the New Norfolk District Hospital.
One Comment
I worked for the ladies auxiliary at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. We had dozens of volunteers who had been giving kindness, humility and humanity to vunerable community members whilst receiving an often scary and isolating life changing diagnosis. Some of the volunteers had been there for decades. The funds raised went to equipment for the hospital.
It seems so little but a visit, a smile and requests for culturally sensitive food and a reassuring calm voice in what is often a tumultuous and lonely time are never forgotten.
These volunteers are angels in disguise. They seek no limelight, or payment, they may have no resume, but they go home knowing they may have helped a community member in need and that is the fulfilment of volunteering.
Let’s not forget this fundamental core value when choosing the advisory boards.