Building for a brighter future - GHA Central

Our Community: Volunteers
We enjoy a wonderful relationship with our community. The
generosity of countless individuals, service clubs and other
groups assists us to improve the care we provide to our
patients, clients and residents.
The Volunteer program operates
under guidance from the Volunteer
Facilitator and individual area
Volunteer Coordinators. A new
volunteer area was established this
year with the commencement of the
Community Kitchens project. Twelve
new volunteers attended orientation
in June. The volunteers assist in
a variety of ways, for example,
providing practical help and advice,
companionship, a mobile library
service, woodwork, music, craft,
op shop duties and a range of
other activities. Volunteers are
highly valued by clients, residents
and staff, bringing with them skills
and expertise, fresh ideas, warmth
and care. A morning tea to thank
volunteers was held at West Gippsland
Hospital during National Volunteer
Week. On a sad note, Drouin Auxiliary
volunteers Fran Bickerton and Tess
Harper passed away during the year.
Fran and Tess contributed many years
service to the Auxiliary through their
support of the Drouin Opportunity
Shop.
Heartbeat
The Heartbeat group raise money
for cardiac-related activities and
provide support to people who have
undergone cardiac surgery. This year
the group raised $2,209.00. Donations
included a pulse oximeter for the
cardiac rehabilitation group and a
CD player for the cardiac stress testing
facility. Member Gwen Mulconry was
awarded an Australia Day medallion in
January for her contribution to the
community. WGHG Life Governorships
were awarded to members Doug Clark,
Lorraine Price and Malcolm Porter for
their services spanning 10 years.
Drouin Auxiliary
Thanks to the dedication of a
wonderful group of volunteers, the
Drouin Auxiliary continues to run a
very profitable opportunity shop in
Drouin raising funds for WGH. The
hard work of volunteers and generous
donations from the community
resulted in $93,000 from sales. Special
sales held during the year attracted
new customers. Volunteer Ian Mallows
was acknowledged for his tireless
efforts when presented with a WGHG
Life Governorship at the Annual
General Meeting in October. This year
the Auxiliary donated $61,694 to
purchase two delivery suite beds for
the Midwifery Unit and a range of
pressure relieving equipment for WGH.
Improvements to the shop this year
included new vinyl flooring and
additional shelving.
Trafalgar Auxiliary
The Trafalgar and District Community
Opportunity Shop raises money for
Andrews House, the Trafalgar
Community Services division and
the Trafalgar Youth Resource Centre.
A small band of committed Trafalgar
residents have been operating the
shop now for eight years. This year
the shop distributed $12,673 to
Andrews House to purchase three
beds, song books, teapots and an
additional sail for the outdoor
entertaining area.
Rawson Auxiliary
The Rawson Auxiliary raises funds
to support services offered at the
Rawson Community Health Centre.
Fundraising events are well supported
with countless community members
willing to help out. $13,617 was raised
throughout the year. A wonderful
effort! The progressive dinner held in
October raised $978. The major raffle
raised $3,200.This year, the Auxiliary
donated a treadmill and exercise bike
to assist in health promotion activities
offered at the Centre. The Centre’s
community bus was utilised
extensively during the bush fires
in February. Local sawmill, Micah’s
sawmill, donated $2,447 to the
Centre this year from the sale
of wood off-cuts.
Palliative Care Service Auxiliary
The auxiliary provides wonderful
assistance in supporting staff, and
helps clients facing terminal illnesses.
The volunteers receive specialised
training for this unique area of work.
Volunteers assist the Palliative Care
and District Nursing Services by
visiting clients in their homes, giving
carers a much-needed break and just
being there to help. This year three
volunteers attended the Gippsland
Palliative Care Forum in Lakes
Entrance. In November, the auxiliary
conducted a remembrance ceremony
for family and friends who lost loved
ones throughout the year. Volunteers
were trained in safe transfer of client
practices.
WGH Drouin Auxiliary donated $61,000 to various projects throughout the year.
Shop volunteer Judy Young (right) presents a cheque for $37,800 to Ward 5
Clinical Nurse Manager Caroline Edwards watched by Auxiliary members
Joy Baxter, Alice Nunan, James White, Enid Cassels and Carol Mallows.
The donation purchased two delivery suite beds for the Midwifery Unit.
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