Carole Peters, Barry Peters, Debbie Garrett, Judy Allan, Allan Thornton, Margaret Mostyn, John Morante, Win Secombe and Bill Geary ready for another year supporting Wauchope District Memorial Hospital and its patients.
A Win-win for Wauchope Hospital Volunteers
Aug 04, 2022Win Secombe will serve her fifth term as president of the Wauchope Hospital Volunteers, following a challenging but rewarding year.
The Wauchope branch of the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW (UHA) held its Annual General Meeting this week, where members celebrated a remarkable $25,660 in donated equipment to Wauchope District Memorial Hospital during the 2021-22 financial year.
The equipment included a Maxi Move patient lifter with scales, home care packages and completion of the hospital’s garden pergola and surrounds.
Mrs Secombe paid tribute to the volunteers for countless hours of fundraising to make the donations possible, and thanked Oxley MP Melinda Pavey, Lyne MP David Gillespie and Port Macquarie Hastings Council for grants that helped fund the pergola project, cover for the UHA’s stall trailer and a barbecue trailer.
“This support makes life so much easier for our volunteers, especially setting up for our monthly stall at the IGA supermarket,” Mrs Secombe said.
“Our volunteers are an amazing group of people and without them, or the community members who support us by donating plants, produce and knitwear, we simply couldn’t support Wauchope hospital the way we do.
“We are also thankful for the support of Wauchope RSL Club, and the many other locals – individuals and organisations – who ensure we continue to make a difference to our hospital, its patients and staff.”
North Eastern Regional Representative for the UHA, Dee Hunter, thanked the Hospital Volunteers for their hard work during a challenging time.
“COVID-19, lockdowns, wet weather and a desperate need for new members have made 2021-22 one of the most challenging on record,” Ms Hunter said.
“And yet our Wauchope Hospital Volunteers continue to make a difference for others.”
Mrs Secombe, who has been a hospital volunteer for 24 years and was previously a Nurse Unit Manager at Wauchope Hospital for 10 years, will be supported on the branch’s executive committee by Margaret Mostyn as Treasurer, Carole Peters as Secretary, Barry Peters as Vice-president, and Judy Allen as Event Organiser. Liz McKellar is Publicity Officer.
The Hospital Volunteers hold a monthly stall at the IGA supermarket in town on the first Friday of every month, including this Friday, although in September it will be the second Friday of the month. The stall features plants, the best home-made jams and beautifully knitted and crocheted scarves, beanies and babywear.
The UHA branch is also desperate for new members. Anyone wanting to join a group of remarkable volunteers, and make new friends in the process, can email Sharon.fuller1@health.nsw.gov.au