Just inside the doors to Beaudesert Hospital is a kiosk run by volunteers filled with 60 years of warmth and goodwill and a knack for making the best sandwiches around.
The Beaudesert Hospital Auxiliary, formed at a public meeting on 11 April 1962, is behind that little kiosk with a big heart.
There was high praise all round for auxiliary volunteers as they celebrated their 60th anniversary with hospital staff and community supporters on 27 July.
Volunteers raise half a million across decades
The Beaudesert Hospital Auxiliary has raised more than half a million dollars since it was formed in 1962.
At the 60th AGM on 27 July, President Pat Burnett reported the auxiliary had donated more than $530,000 since its formation.
The small volunteer group, established by 10 ladies with Jean Bradshaw at the helm as inaugural President, is still going strong today.
“The first fundraising was a ‘Beatles’ afternoon held in the CWA room. Admission was 2 shillings and 6 pence,” Mrs Burnett said.
“Later events were card evenings, garden parties, tennis afternoons, street stalls, raffles, rum ball drives, catering at the Beaudesert Hobby Show and helping on stalls at the Restored Auto Club Meet.
“Extra funds were raised with the sales of knitted and crocheted items which continues today from our stand outside the kiosk. The kiosk is an integral part of our fundraising, and we are very fortunate to have dedicated members who staff the kiosk 4 days a week.”
Since its inception, the auxiliary has also decorated the hospital with flowers for Mother’s Day and, with the help of hospital staff, festooned the corridors with Christmas decorations.
“I wish to thank the members for their work in the kiosk and the executive plus committee members for their support throughout the year, for their attendance and good humour at our monthly meetings,” Mrs Burnett said.
“Also grateful thanks to the knitters, crocheters, sewers and card makers, whose articles are sold at the kiosk. Some of these articles have been generously donated by members of the local community.”
Beatrice Flesser, who has volunteered with the auxiliary for 44 years, was congratulated for her stamina as she stood down from her position of roster clerk after 38 years.
Facility Manager and Nursing and Midwifery Director Jacquie Smith was disappointed to miss the celebrations due to Covid and penned a letter for Nursing and Midwifery Manager -Clinical Services Marg Wendt to read on her behalf.
“You mean the world to us, for all the work you do, the care you show us, the love that goes into the food you make and sell to us at the kiosk,” she wrote.
