Bowral Hospital Auxiliary has celebrated its 95th birthday with a high tea at the CWA rooms in Bowral.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Special guests at the event included Bowral and District Hospital general manager Ken Barnett, former general manager Amanda Larkin, director of nursing and midwifery Susan Hair and regional representative Sandra Walter.
Past and present members were invited.
Bowral Hospital Auxiliary president Lucy Donkin said she appreciated everyone attending.
"I'd like to welcome you all here and thank you for coming," she said.
First formed in 1925, the auxiliary has had a long history in Bowral.
By 1927, two other auxiliaries formed; Kangaloon and Moss Vale.
Ms Donkin said fundraising in the early days consisted of street stalls, raffles, fetes and an annual ball.
"It was the highlight of the social year in the Highlands," she said.
"From 1949, Mr and Mrs Anthony Hordern invited Bowral Hospital Auxiliary to man the gate of their beautiful garden during spring. All monies raised was used by the auxiliary to purchase equipment for the hospital.
"This tradition has been carried on since 1949 until now. Still to this day, all money raised has benefited the hospital to such an extent that when the new wing of the hospital was opened in March 1961 it was named 'Milton Park'."
Ms Donkin said that for many years the auxiliary ladies served light refreshment in a large marquee on the lawn at Milton Park.
Another tradition was dubbed 'Christmas cheer'
Ms Donkin said that for many years at the instigation of Nancy Reynolds who was the Matron of Bowral and District Hospital, two ladies from the auxiliary would visit the hospital on Christmas morning.
"They handed out gifts to those patients who could not go home for Christmas," she said.
One of the more important projects the auxiliary helped fund was a 'quiet room'.
Between 1996 and 1999 the auxiliary raised and saved money to fund the project in the Milton Park wing.
Ms Donkin said the room was officially opened on May 13, 1999, by the former CEO of SWSAHS Ian Southwell.
"This was a very proud day for the auxiliary. The room was designed as a quiet place where doctors could speak privately to families of very ill patients, and where families could have somewhere to relax whilst loved ones were in surgery and for other pastoral care needs," she said.
"The quiet room was furnished with beautifully upholstered chairs and a lounge, coffee table, pictures and carpet. All colours blended carefully and the special feature was a beautiful tapestry by Helen Kirkwood with the words: blessed are they who care for the sick and the needy."
Ms Donkin said that members have enjoyed attending zone days organised by the United Hospital Auxiliaries regional conferences and the annual state conferences.
"One such conference was in Tamworth in 2003 where Nancy Reynolds was presented with a well-earned life membership on the UHA, the highest honour a member could receive," she said.
Nancy's badge was presented by Robyn Kruk, the Director-General of NSW Health.
The interesting part of this story was that Robyn was born in Bowral hospital some thirty years earlier, and yes, you've guessed, Nancy delivered her into the world, so you can imagine the excitement that caused."
The Bowral Hospital Auxiliary has two life members and members with more than 20, 25 and 30 years of service for the welfare of our hospital.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.