TUMUT Hospital Auxiliary celebrated its 90th Birthday on Saturday night at the Tumut Golf Club with more than 100 people in attendance.
Guests for the evening included Dr Joe McGirr MP Wagga Wagga, Mayor of Snowy Valleys Council, Julia Ham, State President of UHA, Sally Cronberger, from Tamworth, State Treasurer, Dee Hunter from Nambucca and Liane Preinbergs, who is not only Tumut’s Secretary but also Riverina Regional Representative,
Tumut Auxiliary president, Robyn Giles started the evening with an acknowledgement to the traditional owners and custodian of the land.
“Welcome to this very special occasion, the 90th Birthday Celebration of Tumut Hospital Auxiliary, what a special milestone,” Ms Giles said in her opening.
“Of special mention tonight are THA Life Members, Mary Brown and Jill Dodd who between them have a combined 85 years of THA volunteer service and are still actively involved in the Tumut Branch,” Ms Giles said.
“I’ve already mentioned Jill Dodd and Mary Brown Life Members, both are also Life Members of UHA, and we have our third life member here, Trish Clee.
“Trish has served nigh on 30 years, so to make our numbers even more impressive, these three ladies have served a total of 117 volunteer years. “
“In our branch we also have two sisters Judy King and Rhonda Minter who co-ordinate the Hospital Trolley Run and Judy is our social secretary.
Last Saturday’s celebration was for 90 years affiliation of Tumut auxiliary joining the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) of NSW in 1935.
“But our history goes back further to when the Tumut Hospital was opened as a Cottage Hospital in 1900 – fully paid by public subscription at a cost of 1300-1400 pounds,” Ms Giles said.
“The government [of the day] contributed 226 pounds and local businessman, Ah Chee, donated 100 pounds – a true community effort,” Ms Giles said.
“Tumut District Hospital Auxiliary, from what I can ascertain, goes back a further 35 years, so THA is approximately 125.”
Ms Giles quoted from an early journal which stated: “The original building has a panoramic view of the town it serves, and the surrounding hills. Over the years essential additions have been made – resulting in a piecemeal and cumbersome layout”.
It was therefore extremely exciting on 28 February 2019 when plans for the redevelopment of Tumut District Hospital were revealed to the public.
The doors of the new Tumut Health Facility were opened on 8 December, 2021 and officially opened on 28 October, 2022.
“I would like to firstly acknowledge Tumut Hospital Auxiliary’s very own 56 current membership of both ladies and gents, but also the last 90 years of committees that have preceded us over those 90 years,” Ms Giles continued.
“Community spirit is what we are all about, all channelled to our very own Tumut Hospital.
“I am very proud of the fact that all money raised stays right here in our very own town to provide comfort for our Tumut Hospital patients, to purchase vital medical, and in many cases, lifesaving equipment for our doctors, nurses and clinicians to carry out their jobs.
Just to give you a few figures of our most recent gifting to Tumut Hospital: 2022/23 $68,823, 2023/24 $9,097.20; to date 2024/25 $12,171.70.
“And between 2005 to 2025, we have donated to our Tumut Hospital $398,765 almost $400,000 in 20 years,” Ms Giles announced.
“I would like to thank the community in which we serve, without the community embracing and supporting our fundraising efforts Tumut Hospital Auxiliary would not be able to do what we do… thanks to the Tumut Community from the bottom of our hearts. “
Further reports from the 90th birthday celebrations will be published in Friday’s Tumut & Adelong Times, March 14.
