West Gippsland Hospital’s Drouin Auxiliary has marked its milestone 65th anniversary in which time is has raised an estimated $3 million.
Formed on March 22, 1960, the volunteer auxiliary ran card nights to raise money for the hospital. When attendance dwindled, it opened the opp shop in the front of the former Gaffs Bakery, paying a weekly rent of £2. The opp shop later settled in permanent premises on Princes Way, Drouin, which locals Wally and Jean Jackson donated to West Gippsland Hospital in 1996. The shop remains on these premises to this day and has raised an estimated $3 million in its 65 years of operation.
West Gippsland Hospital staff and auxiliary volunteers gathered at the shop on March 21 to celebrate. A sale will also be held in June to mark the opening of the original shop in the bakery in 1960.
WGHG Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Kelly says: “Sixty-five years is a huge milestone and the auxiliary has achieved so much in that time – an estimated $3 million in fact. These funds have furnished several hospital and residential aged care wards, and purchased equipment such as respirators, heart monitors, resuscitators and so much more. Everyone in the auxiliary is a volunteer, all of whom have dedicated time and effort to keep the opp shop running and the funds coming in. We are so grateful for their contribution.”
Interim CEO Shannon Wight says: “It was wonderful to get down to the opp shop to meet the volunteers and celebrate this milestone with them. They are an energised, dedicated team, and an integral part of West Gippsland Healthcare Group.”