The Friends of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Inc. (Friends) members celebrated 30 years as an incorporated association at their 30th Annual Conference and AGM at the Adelaide Royal Coach Hotel on the 27th of October 2023. The luncheon was extended to incorporate cutting of the cake including a very interesting history of the Friends kindly researched and presented by Friends Life Member Barb Lamkin.

Congratulations to Linda Brennan, who was awarded this year’s Parent Family Centred Care Award (PFCC). Linda is based at Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS) Edwardstown and showcases how using a person family centred care approach has resulted in better health outcomes for our consumers.

On Friday 28th July, Region 12 members from Auxiliary groups Kadina, Maitland/Arthurton, Moonta and Warooka/Yorketown attended their 60th Annual Conference at Arthurton.

Eleanor Langford opened the conference. Eleanor grew up in the area, became a doctor and moved back to her area as a local GP. Eleanor spoke about the self-collection Cervical Screening Test and discussed the changes in survival rates over the years. ‘About 800 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Australia each year, and about 70% of these cases occur in women who have never screened or were not up-to-date with their screening. Having regular screening tests is the best way to protect yourself’.

A Lip Smacking Thank you to Target Reynella, from Friends!

The Friends, staff and patients of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital shout out a big ‘Thank You’ to Target Reynella, for their very generous donation of Lip Smackers. 

Kirstine Warneford, Equipment Nurse Manager, Surgical Services WCHN reached out to Friends advising the Lip Smacker product could no longer be sourced through the WCHN procurement process.  

Margaret Davies (Margie) is a Kadina Auxiliary group member of 50 years and a very proud Life Member. Margie explains how her membership came about…

“I was invited to join the auxiliary by Kadina Auxiliary President Corinne Warmington. I was newly married and didn’t know a soul in the area. Corinne took me under her wing.

Around thirty people gathered from far and wide at the Meningie Sailing Club on Monday, 19th June to attend the Friends of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Inc. Auxiliaries Division Region 5 conference.

Region 5 includes auxiliary groups Pinnaroo, Lameroo, Tintinara and Meningie with children utilising the hospital from these towns.

The Skunks 25th Annual Toy Run was held on the 10th of December 2022. A group of Motor Bike Riders from near and far assembled at Roxby Downs and rode to Andamooka to gather in the local Hall to distribute Christmas gifts. Local sponsors supported the event, including MPS Group Roxby Downs who donated badges for the riders’ jackets. The money received by riders who purchased a badge was donated to a charity of choice.

Eyre Peninsula Friends members has a raised a staggering $695,852.00 in the past 60 years! The Region 11 Auxiliary groups, Ceduna, Lock, Cleve, Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln donated $25,550.00 this financial year to Friends. The milestone was recognised on May 31st at the Tumby Bay RSL Hall, attended by more than 30 people.

The Friends of the Women’s and Children’s are once again pleased to facilitate another generous donation from the Australian Professional Firefighters Foundation (APFF).

One of the main focuses of the APFF is to provide assistance to the Newland Ward which treats burns and road crash casualties. APFF members are often first responders to these incidents. This donation aligns with the APFF members’ core values.

An exciting new partnership between the Shops Auxiliary Division and TAFE SA commenced in June.

The Adult Migrant English Program in partnership with Tafe SA offers students a short course in Barista training to be a café all-rounder at the Coffee Academy at Regency TAFE. They also learn English for employment, Australian workplace culture and one day practical training before undertaking unpaid work placement.

Another very successful ‘Play Day in May’ (games day) recently raised $3,100 which will be used to purchase a Sofa Reclining Bed for families in the Women’s and Babies’ Division Maternity Ward.

The Friends of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Inc. (Friends) staff and members congratulate Dorothy Sandland, Shops Auxiliary President on receiving a Premiers Certificate for Recognition of Outstanding Volunteer Service. Pictured is Friends President Pauline Linke presenting the Certificate to Dorothy.