Following on from Tuesday’s Times report on the 90th anniversary celebrations for the Tumut Hospital Auxiliary, further praises were given at the dinner for the members of the auxiliary and the history this organisation carries.
MEMBER for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr addressed the large gathering for the Tumut Hospital Auxiliary dinner giving praise to the members for their tireless work.
“What an amazing milestone – 90 years of raising much-needed funds for the hospital and making an enormous difference in the lives of patients and their families through their work for the Tumut hospital, which as my wife – Kerin Fielding, orthopaedic surgeon – and I know as health professionals is such an important part of our regional health system,” Dr McGirr said.
“It is this kind of dedication to service that makes a community like Tumut healthier, happier and better connected and over the past nine decades, there has been no shortage of service from the hospital auxiliary.
“The auxiliary is such an important part of the connection between the hospital and the community.
“I can speak personally about the difference as a health professional knowing you have the community behind you in a regional and rural centre. I remember one of the first pieces of equipment,” Dr McGirr said.
“I received as emergency director at Wagga when I arrived was an ECG machine from the hospital auxiliary and it really made me feel part of the community.
“Hospital auxiliaries do this, and the Tumut Hospital Auxiliary is one of the best.
“The auxiliary has been making a difference for many generations, including one example I saw in the Tumut and Adelong Times way back in 1946 in which the auxiliary had raised seven pounds, 18 shillings and thrippence for a piano in the nurses’ home, thanks to the Christmas Cheer Appeal.
“The times may have changed – and the value of money certainly has – but the dedication by the auxiliary members to their community continues to shine, decades on, and I congratulate all members past and present for their passion and dedication.”
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MURRUMBIDGEE LHD representative and Tumut hospital facility manager, Robyn Harvey, was unable to make last Saturday night’s Tumut Hospital Auxiliary dinner but on her behalf Liane Preinbergs read the report to all.
However, Ms Harvey’s message was strong:
“I want to acknowledge the enormous efforts and contribution of the Auxiliary,” the report said.
“This wonderful group works tirelessly to raise funds for additional resources that help us to provide even better patient care for our community.
This may be in the form of equipment or furniture or the time taken with fundraising activities or to move through the hospital with the famous auxiliary trolley providing patients with access to the extra things they may not have the opportunity to find otherwise.
I was quite honestly stunned to learn of the number and cost of gifted items from the Auxiliary to Tumut Hospital over the years. Available records date back only to 2005, but in that 20 years we have received just under $400,000 in gifts from our Auxiliary and we have significant cost items on the drawing board for this year – all of which will add practical and useful benefits for patients using our service.
I don’t know how that sits in comparison to other hospitals but I know we are very fortunate to have such a boost to our resourcing.
It’s really quite inspiring to attend Auxiliary meetings, present our wish list and to have those requests met – every time – with nothing less than positive enthusiasm and generosity.
The Auxiliary also provides an important link into our community and offers another point of contact for us to share important information and to get feedback on our services. Importantly, the Auxiliary is part of our hospital ‘family’ and we feel enormously proud of our relationship with them and the support they proviEndus through their remarkable generosity of time and spirit.
We would be lost without them.
Please enjoy happy celebrations and our heartfelt thanks for all that you do and we look forward to working together for many years to come”… Robyn Harvey.
