Hospital ladies celebrate

By Paul Dunlop
KOOWEERUP’S hospital ladies auxiliary celebrated 50 years of service last week.
Auxiliary members, a number of whom have been part of the organisation for 40odd years, gathered to mark the occasion.
Auxiliary secretary May Ridgway said the celebration was a great success.
“We had more than 100 people roll up,” she said.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt, Cardinia Shire councillor Doug Hamilton, hospital board chairman Gary King and chief executive officer Terrona Ramsay were among the guests.
A public meeting was held in the town’s memorial hall on Thursday, 28 July, 1955 ‘for the purposes of forming the Westernport Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary’.
The inaugural president was Mrs I. Cochrane and the efforts of the worthy women who worked so hard in the early years are mirrored by the dedication and commitment by those who have succeeded them today.
During 50 years of fundraising, there have been two constants — the raffle and the cake stall.
Raffle prizes over the years included a lamb donated by Mr Burchop, geese donated by Charlie and Dorrie McCraw and even a donation of cigarettes in 1956.
Over the years, the women have shared experiences, laughter, news, housekeeping tips, friendship and together have found the solution to most of the world’s problems.