April 11, 2024
The members of the Murgon Hospital Auxiliary are feeling very proud … and they have a right to feel chuffed.
The tight-knit group of volunteers were recently presented with the Volunteer Of The Year Award at the Darling Downs Hospital Staff Awards.
Four members, led by president Muriel Schultz, attended the gala ceremony at the Oaks Toowoomba Hotel on March 22 to accept the award plaque.
Their citation stated the Auxiliary goes “above and beyond raising money for the Murgon Hospital”.
As well as raising money themselves, the group has also liaised with other organisations in Murgon for donations, raising more than $100,000 over the past 12 months.
The Auxiliary was formed in 1997.
Over the past year they have raised funds for a self-propelled retrieval trolley which eases the transfer of patients from the hospital to a waiting rescue helicopter.
The group’s efforts have also allowed the hospital to acquire two Philips heart-monitoring systems, at a cost of about $62,000, which will allow nurses to monitor patients remotely from their station.
Director of Nursing Karen Stumer said these were being installed in the hospital next week, with staff training to follow immediately.
The Auxiliary has also enabled the purchase of a two vital signs monitors (used to take ‘obs’), one for Proston and one for Murgon.
Auxiliary treasurer Ashley Rewald said the main fundraisers were the raffles run by the group three times a year.
Each raffle, which features items donated by individuals, usually raises $2000-$3000.
- Related article: Community Effort Helps Hospital
