Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s Bower Birds fundraising group celebrated its 40th birthday earlier this month.

That’s 40 years of raising money to support health care in East Gippsland and the community that relies on it.

To mark this wonderful milestone past and present members of the Bower Birds, and BRHS’ Executive team, got together at the Bairnsdale Sporting and Convention Centre to reflect on the remarkable contribution they have made.

Although capturing four decades of volunteer fundraising work in just a few paragraphs is obviously impossible, here’s a very brief history and summary of the Bower Birds’ since their formation in 1982…

On 7 June, 1982, a public meeting was called for a group to form a fundraising auxiliary for the East Gippsland Hospital, now known as Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

Twelve people became the original members of the group to be known as the ‘Bower Birds Auxiliary.’

Their fundraising efforts, then and now, assist with the purchasing of medical equipment, refurbishing of some areas within the hospital, and numerous other purchases to benefit the hospital and its patients.

This fundraising would not be possible without the support of our community, so we thank them sincerely for supporting us all these years.

Some of the fundraising events over the years have included film nights, Crazy Whist afternoons, stalls in the mall, sausage sizzles at Bunnings, golf days, Opera by the Lakes lunches, musical afternoons, raffles, our very popular annual Oaks Day Luncheon and many others.

In the 40 years that the Bower Birds has been fundraising they have purchased equipment to the value of approximately $500,000 for BRHS.

Todays’ Bower Birds continue to meet once a month to plan fundraisers, and connect with each other and the health service through our Volunteer Coordinator.

We will continue to fundraise for as long as we can, and cordially invite members of our community to join us.

If you’re interested in joining the Bower Birds, or in the many other volunteer opportunities here at BRHS, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@brhs.com.au, or 5150 3346.