May 18, 2016
The successes of the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary Inc have been celebrated during National Volunteer Week (May 11-15).
The week has been a chance to acknowledge the important role volunteers play in creating a vibrant, inclusive and productive community.
The Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary members work hard to provide extra comforts and services to patients who visit the South Burnett facility.
Most of their work is carried out in the hospital’s canteen which provides a vital source of funding for the group. The canteen is open to hospital staff, patients and the general public.
At its helm is canteen convenor David Morton. It’s a busy role, but one that he enjoys immensely since moving to the South Burnett.
He oversees about 15 volunteers who man the canteen each weekday from 8:30am to 2:30pm, and is also responsible for the cooking of its home-cooked meals, slices and tempting cakes.
Canteen volunteers, Eileen Kefford and Myra Riwaka agreed that donating their time was very much in line with this year’s National Volunteer Week theme: “Give Happy, Live Happy”.
“It is a lot of fun; I was a nurse here at the hospital for quite a few years,” Ms Kefford said.
“It’s nice to be able to give back and I get a lot out of the experience, too. It’s also great to know that the profits from the canteen go back into the hospital.”
Over the past 25 years, the auxiliary has donated more than $315,000 worth of furnishings and equipment for the Kingaroy Hospital.
Most recently, the auxiliary handed over the keys to a $23,000 motorised medi-cab, which enables more comfortable transport of patients between the hospital’s helipad and emergency department.
As with most hard work, many hands make light work, and the auxiliary is now on the hunt for new recruits for the canteen.
“Our canteen volunteers and committee members range in age from 60 to 92 years and we are most appreciative of all their contributions,” Auxiliary treasurer Alison Murray said.
“They are an enthusiastic group, however it would be great to have more volunteers to fill gaps when our members are unwell, or wish to look after family during school holidays.
“Volunteers don’t need any special skills and we welcome everyone. Together, we can raise much-needed money for furnishings and equipment for our local hospital.”
For more information about the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary Inc or to register interest in becoming a volunteer, contact David Morton on (07) 4162-9199 between 8:30am and 2:30pm, Monday to Friday.
