60 Years Meningie Auxiliary
Friends President Pauline Linke, welcomed guests to the Meningie Auxiliaries sixtieth anniversary before giving a brief overview about the history of the Friends and its divisions.
The group was honoured to welcome Doctor Rowan Ousley, Staff Specialist in Paediatric Anaesthesia, at the Women's and Children's Hospital as guest speaker. Rowan spoke about the history of the hospital, explaining how the Hospital was created and how they joined forces with the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital to create the Women's and Children's Hospital to the benefit of newborn babies who needed surgery soon after birth.
Rowan was born in Meningie and did most of her schooling at the Meningie Area School. After finishing school, she completed a Bachelor of Science at Adelaide University and studied Medicine at Flinders University. After qualifying as an Anaesthetist, she sub-specialised in Paediatric Anaesthesia.
Rowan is a founding member of EPIC, a trans- Tasman collaboration to improve the patient journey for Children through better communication. Rowan spoke about the history of anaesthesia, from placing a wooden bowl on a patient's head and beating it until they passed out to the more appropriate methods used today.
Rowan highlighted the need for everyone to support the hospital that cares for children when they need it most and mentioned the importance of having auxiliaries such as Meningie, who raise funds to purchase equipment that enhances the work of the WCH.
A vote of thanks was presented to Rowan by her childhood neighbour and life-long friend Bill Paterson.
This was followed by the presentation of services badges to the following members
· Michelle Ousley, 40 years
· Marianne Cuneen, 30 years
# Pauline Linke received her 40 years of service recognition at the Friends Conference on the 28th May 2021.
Michelle Ousley spoke about the numerous fundraisers, which brought back many memories from the Music Hall dinners to the ABBA extravaganza and the fashions through the ages to Melbourne Cup lunches. She thanked the whole community for coming on-board with these events, as many of them required the help and support of the community.
To conclude the day’s proceedings, Pauline welcomed Julie Cartledge, Meningie Auxiliaries 1st President and 1st Patron that helped form the auxiliary on the 19 July 1951. Julie spoke about how she and a friend Miss S Birdseye created the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary in Meningie and campaigned for other auxiliaries to take up the cause.
Julie was joined by Barb King, current Patron and long serving member of 56 years, to cut the cake which was enjoyed by those present.
New members are always welcome; call the Friends office on 8161 8445 or visit the Friends website https://wchfriends.com.au/ for more information.
All donations received also support the purchase of equipment which value adds to the fantastic work of the Women's and Children's Hospital.