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The Friends of the Hospital Auxiliary have for almost 30 years contributed to the well being of our patients, clients and residents through the purchase of equipment and support for activities here at Northeast Health Wangaratta. The 2007/2008 year was no different with the Friends raising and donating $31,880.00 to purchase much needed clinical medical equipment for the organisation.

Currently consisting of 39 members, the Auxiliary has conducted a range of activities over the past year included their famous monthly cake stalls, Christmas hamper and plum pudding project, pie drive, various raffles, event catering and a garage sale.
Equipment purchased from Friends of the Hospital contributions to Northeast Health Wangaratta in 2007/2008:

$ 4,500.00 3 x Ripple Mattresses – Thomas Hogan Centre
$ 2,500.00 30 degree 4mm Telescope – Operating Theatre
$ 16,880.00 40 x Static Pressure Mattresses – Across the Hospital
$ 8,000.00 Towards Senital Node Biopsy Probe – Operating Theatre
$ 31,880.00 TOTAL

3 x Ripple Mattresses – Thomas Hogan Centre
A ripple mattress helps prevention, treatment and management of pressure sores. To prevent and treat pressure sores a ripple mattress is used beneath the patient to relieve the pressure on the tissue and allow blood flow in the tissue. A ripple mattress consists of an alternating pressure pump and a special air-mattress. The mattress consists of groups of cells which can be pressurised and depressurised in turn.

30 degree 4mm Telescope – Operating Theatre
This scope is a medical instrument used in surgical Endoscopy, Urology & Cystoscopy cases for examination of the bladder & uterus.

40 x Static Pressure Mattresses – Across the Hospital
These Static Pressure Reduction Foam Mattresses are used right across the acute hospital on beds for patients. These special mattresses are made from a pressure relieving foam designed to reduce the risk of patients obtaining bed sores.

Senital Node Biopsy Probe – Operating Theatre & Radiology
The probe will benefit a large number of local women in testing for breast cancer as well as melanoma patients. Currently you would need to travel to Melbourne or Albury to have a probe done. The $17,990 price includes the actual probe device as well as the small PC touch screen tablet. The Friends have already contributed $8,000 towards the probe and pledged to donated the balance of funds by the end of 2008.

The Friends display of selfless commitment is truly inspiring and greatly benefits furthering work to the hospital through their fundraising activities and voluntary service.

The Friends Executive Committee in 2008/2009 are:
President: Eileen Dinning
Vice-President: Doug Minett
Secretary: Maureen Ilott
Treasurer: Lesley Hawkins

Friends of the Hospital meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month in the Staff Cafeteria from 7:30pm and the Friends famous monthly cake stalls are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Staff Cafeteria from 9am to 11am. All Welcome.

For more information please contact Friends President Eileen Dinning on (03) 5721 2252 or Northeast Health Wangaratta Community Relations Manager, Tanya Tatulaschwili on (03) 5722 0448 or email: tanya.tatulaschwili@nhw.hume.org.au

 


1978 – 2008
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF BASE BIRDS &
FRIENDS OF THE HOSPITAL AUXILIARIES

    

In August 2008 the Auxiliary celebrated 30 years since the formation and fundraising efforts of the Base Birds and Friends of the Hospital commenced. Below is a brief history.  

In 1978 Hospital CEO Mr Michael Kirk & Board President Mr R Barry reported that: “This year consideration was given to obtaining additional support from the ladies of the district for the Hospital.  Following a social function, a number of ladies have determined to establish an additional hospital auxiliary.  It is stressed that the committee in no way sees this move as a replacement for the Ladies Auxiliary which has given great, indeed wonderful service to the Hospital over the years.  Rather the new organisation is an additional support group composed of women from a different section of the local community”.

On Monday 7th August 1978 a new hospital Auxiliary, the 'Base Birds' was established under the Presidency of Bonnie Sach with an initial membership of 35 women.  The Auxiliary members established the following objectives:
· Raising funds for the hospital for specific projects
· Assistance to patients of the hospital; and
· Dissemination of information about the hospital to the public.

Membership fees were set at $2 and a range of fundraising projects were discussed and sub-committees appointed to organise them.

Fundraising Activities undertaken by the Base Birds included:

In 1991 because of decreasing membership it was decided at the August meeting that an interim committee of Base Birds be formed.  Joan Sheridan offered to take the chair until an Annual General Meeting was held in February 1992.  However after a meeting between the hospital CEO Robert Bulmer and the Base Birds in March, it was agreed to form a new Auxiliary to be called Friends of the Hospital with both males and females eligible for membership.  The Base Birds would become foundation members of this new group and would work closely with the Public Relations & Fundraising Officer.

The Hospital's Annual Report in 1992 states “It is with regret that we record, after 14 years of service to the hospital, the cessation of the Base Birds Auxiliary on 2nd March 1992.  This group brought a human touch to the hospital in many ways and raised the handsome sum of approximately $157,000 during the course of it's history.  Since March a new fundraising organisation entitled 'Friends of the Hospital' Auxiliary has been formed under the Presidency of Sally Bolitho.  The Board of Management wishes it's 'Friends' every success and looks forward to their long and fruitful support”.

The Friends of the Hospital had it's first official meeting in the Hospital Cafeteria on Monday 6th April 1992.  It was attended by an enthusiastic group of people including foundation members of the Base Birds who wanted to continue their generous support of their community hospital.

The Auxiliary members established the following objectives:

In 2000 with Friends of the Hospital membership dropping to 9, the minutes from the Meeting on 6th September 2000 stated that “As no Executive was elected at the Annual General Meeting, the old Executive has been asked to remain and look at ways to recruit new members.  If no new members are found by the start of 2001 the Auxiliary will cease”. 

President Alf Gregory's Report at the 2001 Annual General Meeting stated that “The total membership of the Auxiliary now stands at 25 with thanks to Eileen Dinning and the Public Relations and Fundraising Officer for their efforts and success in recruiting new members”.  With renewed enthusiasm, the Friends of the Hospital Auxiliary has continued to thrive.

In 2008 under the Presidency of Eileen Dinning, the Friends Auxiliary consists of 39 members, and since 1992 has raised more than $350,000 for Northeast Health Wangaratta.  The Auxiliary continues to conduct a range of fundraising activities including their famous monthly cake stalls, Christmas hamper and plum pudding project, pie drive, various raffles, event catering and an annual garage sale.

Congratulations to all past and present Base Birds and Friends of the Hospital members on 30 years of dedication and support for your local health service.  Your display of selfless commitment is truly inspiring and greatly benefits furthering work to the hospital through your fundraising activities and voluntary service. 

On behalf of Northeast Health Wangaratta's Board of Management, Executive Directors, Department Managers, Staff and our Patients, Clients and Residents we wish to sincerely thank you for your generosity and extend our appreciation for your wonderful and continued support.  Congratulations on 30 Years.

Hospital Statistics 1977/78 2007/08
Inpatients Treated  6,226  13,911 
Average Length of Stay  9.57 days 3.32 days 
Outpatient & Casualty Attendances   80,965  128,382* 
Births  433 573 
Number of Staff   502  1104

*This is an approximate figure as it is difficult to compare this statistic exactly as the numberof services provided has grown as well as the way the statistics are calculated