A woman standing in a commercial kitchen holding a trophy.

BowraMacksville UHA volunteer Heather Edwards has been named the Mid North Coast Local Health District Volunteer of the Year.

Heather Edwards’ hard work recognised with Health honour

Jul 05, 2024

Heather Edwards, a member of the BowraMacksville United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA), has been named the Mid North Coast Local Health District’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year.

The prestigious award recognises Heather’s dedication and commitment to excellence in volunteering at Macksville District Hospital for the past 12 years.

The honour was announced at the Mid North Coast Local Health District Excellence Awards in Port Macquarie recently. Heather has now been nominated for the NSW Health Awards (Volunteer of the Year), which will be announced late this year.

Macksville District Hospital Deputy Director of Nursing Mark Tyler said the recognition was well deserved.

“Heather embodies the spirit of selflessness and dedication to others,” Mr Tyler said.

“She has exceptional organisational skills, which are put to great use rostering the volunteers for duty at the UHA Café in the hospital, but she also has great warmth and humour which has endeared her to not only her fellow volunteers, but to staff and café patrons as well.

“She embodies the essence of community commitment and genuine care for others.”

In the 12 years since Heather joined the UHA, she has volunteered approximately 4700 hours.

“Heather’s tireless efforts to ensure the wellbeing of others, combined with her infectious humour and boundless compassion, leave an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have the pleasure of crossing her path,” Mr Tyler said.

The North East Regional Representative for the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW, Dee Hunter, also a member of the BowraMacksville branch, congratulated her colleague and long-time friend.

“Heather is a remarkable volunteer, and we are so lucky to have her as our roster clerk, recruitment officer and assistant branch secretary,” Ms Hunter said.

“Heather is the main stay of our volunteer café at Macksville District Hospital. She frequently steps in to work at short notice to fill in for a volunteer who cannot work due to a family or health issue.

“It’s not uncommon for Heather to do as many as three shifts in a week on occasions. She also bakes a regular supply of her very popular Anzac cookies for sale at the café, which are enjoyed by all our customers… and volunteers too, but don’t tell her!”

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