Region 6 Auxiliaries 58th Annual Conference
Region 6, 58th Annual Conference
Members of The Friends of Women’s and Children’s Hospital Inc (Friends) Region 6 Auxiliaries Division, recently held their 58th Annual Conference at Ruston’s Restaurant & Functions in Renmark. The region comprises of the Renmark and Berri Auxiliaries with 25 active members who have raised $202,840 for the hospital over 60 years of fund raising.
The conference provides an opportunity to recognise the amazing contribution made by the members to the hospital whilst highlighting the medical equipment purchased with funds raised. Equipment purchased by Friends improves the lives of all South Australians. The best example of this is the 52 Hearing Audiometers donated at a cost of $130,000. CaFHS clinics, throughout the state, have used the audiometers to conduct hearing checks for 18,000 newborn babies and 40,000 preschool children across SA since 2017.
Members in attendance included two recently awarded Life Members, Del Tschirpig with 32 years of service holding positions as treasurer, secretary and chairperson. Val Fewster, who also received her Life Membership after 27 years of service held positions as chairperson and Regional Representative on the auxiliaries State Council for 8 years.
“Friends have always been in our hearts, with our grand children born at the hospital and knowing so many children locally who have been hospitalised or attended out patients regularly. Being able to support the hospital through Friends ,is helping our community. For anyone looking to volunteer, who have had a child or grandchild at W&CH or just want to be part of a volunteers group ,we would encourage them to join our wonderful active groups ,many wonderful friendships are made and it is a great feeling to give back to the community and to our Children’s hospital” explains Val.
Below is a list of inpatient and outpatients that attended the WCH between 2019 to 2020
· Berri 77 in and 678 outpatients
· Renmark 81 in and 584 outpatients
· Waikerie 32 in and 275 outpatients
· Loxton 81 in and 517 outpatients
· Barmera 31 in and 396 outpatients
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 amazing work of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Val Fewster pictured with Del Tschirpig receives her Life Membership badge from Auxiliaries State President OAM, Kaye Steer