More than 60 people including members of the BRHS Board and Executive celebrated a year of hard work from our volunteers in a Christmas lunch at Aroma in Bairnsdale on Wednesday.
In her speech at the luncheon honouring the impact volunteers have on BRHS, CEO Vicki Farthing said the 93 volunteers on the books have served an astonishing 671 years making the health service a better place.
Three of them – Kiosk Auxiliary members Pam Conaty, Trish Barker and David Barker – were awarded a special certificate and a seedling for 10 years’ service each as volunteers at BRHS.
All volunteers at BRHS for 2023 received a certificate of appreciation and a keyring for their support of the health service.
This year, the Kiosk Auxiliary has pledged $31,624 in donations it raised for items including a bladder scanner, an ankle and toe pressure kit, a urethrotome and a new vending machine in the Emergency Department with eftPOS capability that the group hopes will increase sales, with proceeds going to BRHS.
The Bower Birds Auxiliary pledged a total of $23,024 in donations, which they used to purchase BRHS a new slit lamp for the ED and a vital signs monitor.
The auxiliaries used a variety of methods to collect their donations, including many market stalls, barbecues, events and raffles.
Meanwhile, patient transport volunteer drivers have covered tens of thousands of kilometres across East Gippsland and as far west as Traralgon to ensure patients who have difficulties travelling made it to appointments safely and without stress.
“Our volunteers bring something special to BRHS,” Vicki told the luncheon.
“It’s not about the tasks you perform for us or the money you’ve raised to purchase much-needed equipment. You bring community spirit to BRHS through your hard work and your generosity. That brightens up our days, just knowing that so many of you are willing to support the work that we do,” she said.
“From everyone on the BRHS team, I want to thank everyone who is here and those volunteers who could not be here for everything that you do to make our hospital and our community an even better place to be.”
