The first donation for this financial year from the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation (APFF) was completed with all selected items recently handover to the hospital.

The eight dedicated members of the Cudlee Creek/Kersbrook Auxiliary farewelled Elaine Harvey, who has given 50 years support to raising funds for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, at their Christmas luncheon. Elaine is pictured after being presented with her 50 year badge and a beautiful posy made by Betty Rehn, the patron.

It has been an exciting journey for members and staff of the Friends working on the design of the new website and branding. After months of working together, identifying the best way to demonstrate how the Friends brand would connect with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the broader community. The day has finally come.

The Friends have set a goal to raise sufficient funds to purchase a Cough Assist machine that can be loaned to children and families to trial when their respiratory function has declined to the point of requiring respiratory support.

After 31 years and an amazing 23,393 hours of service to the Shops Auxiliary, Kath Coupe has retired. One of the WCH Shops Auxiliary most valued and committed volunteers, Kath was instrumental in setting up the processes and systems needed for the management of stock control, finances, pricing of goods and other systems within the Shops.

Bev started in the Rainbows kitchen making sandwiches, rolls and hot dogs two mornings a week. Several years later she was invited to join the shops’ management committee and was trained in all areas of the shops’ operations. She also took on the arduous responsibility of managing the Rainbows daily roster, a task requiring both persistence and enormous patience!

How exciting to see the handover of a Phototherapy Unit by our Inaugural Corporate Partner, Bartley Partners Accounting. The unit, which was donated by the Managing Partner Christopher Overton and his team, was presented to Pauline, Nursing/Midwifery Unit Manager, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, WCH.

Registered nurse and Friends volunteer, Amanda Carter was recently awarded Lucindale Citizen of the Year. Amanda is also a member of Red Cross, Linc (the town development association) and works on the Lucindale Newsletter. A mother of 4 young boys who supports all of their activities, she is involved with fundraising for the school and for residents affected by the recent fires.

This year, thanks to members of the Greenock and Ceduna Auxiliaries a total of $320 was donated ($220 from Greenock and $100 Ceduna). Toys pictured below were purchased and delivered to very grateful children on Christmas day.

When Council has selected items, Adrian Richards from Biomedical Engineering within the Hospital, then sources a supplier which can provide the most suitable items at the best price.

Our wonderful Auxiliary Member Chris Field recently knitted and donated her 3000th doll to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

The Friends were extremely pleased to facilitate a recent donation from the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation.