Always served with love & care
Helen Clayton (L) and Joan Loone in the planning stages of another delicious oering to raise funds for the Deloraine Hospital.
January 2019 | Wendy Laing
FIFTY YEARS AGO Mrs Joan Loone became an inaugural member of the newly formed Deloraine Hospital Auxiliary. She had been part of the original steering committee who worked hard to form the Auxiliary. Their job would be raising funds to help with the ongoing costs of running the Deloraine hospital.
“The first items we bought were toothbrushes for the patients,” Joan Loone said. From 2010 until the present time the Deloraine Hospital Auxiliary has raised over $286,000. The funds are amassed from catered functions, donations and bequests. TV’s and air conditioners for patients rooms, washing machines and garden benches are a few of the items bought by the Auxiliary, the latest being a Bladder Scanner worth $15,000. Auxiliary members make regular hospital visits, and gifts are given to all patients who are in the hospital at Christmas time. “We have a great relationship with the hospital staff,” President Robin Cato said.
Every year as a thank you for their dedication, the hospital Manager, Lester Jones and the staff cook a Christmas lunch for the Auxiliary members. The main fundraising lunch which has been held at the Bowls Club each year is in the process of being transformed. “Our members are becoming older,” President Cato said, “and catering a main meal and sweets for over 200 people takes a lot of time and energy which is exhausting.
However, because people especially enjoy our homemade desserts, plans are in hand to decide on an easier option for the future.” Each September the Auxiliary will continue to cater for their popular High Teas. Catering quotes for functions can be obtained from Helen Clayton on 6362 2658. New members are most welcome. If you can spare a few hours a month to become a volunteer with the Deloraine Hospital Auxiliary, please ring the President, Robin Cato on 0408 521 836 for more info.
Photo | Mike Moores
