THE St John of God Hospital auxiliary has raised nearly $10,000 towards the hospital’s maternal and neonatal unit and palliative care.
Most of the money was raised at the hospital’s dinner and auction held at Clover Cottage, Berwick, on Wednesday, 31 August.
Auctioneer Tom Gibson generated spirited bidding for a range of goods donated to the hospital by businesses and individuals.
Items for sale included restaurant meals, cameras, flowers, jewellery and haircare products.
The dinner auction raised $6188 and this was added to money the auxiliary had raised during the year.
The auxiliary, formed as the Ladies Auxiliary in May 1952, has donated more than $200,000 to the hospital.
It is now known as The Auxiliary and is open to men.
However, longtime member Kath Evans said they hadn’t seen any men wanting to join.
Nevertheless it is an active committee and conducts a range of activities.
These included a bus trip to Ballarat to see the begonia display, an exhibition of rare buttons, some worth more than $1000, and a talk by button expert Robyn Caddy, lunches and afternoon teas.
Members are working on the final touches for a fashion parade to be held at the Brentwood Community Centre on Monday, 19 September.
Tickets for the lunchtime parade cost $10 and are available from Jane Moore on 9707 5283.