GUESTS at this year’s Port Stephens Winter Festival High Tea may have admired the elegant fine china on their tables, however few would have realised it belonged to the Tomaree Community Hospital Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary supplied the crockery for the popular community event, showcasing another way the volunteer group supports the local community while raising awareness of its work.
Port Stephens Events’ Peter North said the Auxiliary’s contribution added something delightfully special to the afternoon.
“This remarkable group of local volunteers raises tens of thousands of dollars each year to purchase much-needed equipment and improve patient comfort at Tomaree Community Hospital,” Mr North said.
“Every cup of tea, every scone and every conversation shared around those tables was a small reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support one another.”
Auxiliary President Jayne Kilbride said that the idea to provide the delicate china came after the group realised its collection, originally purchased for an event no longer held, was sitting unused in storage.
The china added an elevated, ceremonial and tactile touch to the high tea experience.
Beyond community events, the Auxiliary’s core purpose is raising funds to purchase equipment for Tomaree Community Hospital and allied health services.
In the past financial year alone, it supplied around $80,000 worth of equipment, including treatment chairs, emergency procedure lights, specialised palliative care bags, storage systems and outdoor furniture for a new staff wellbeing area.
The group receives no government funding for these purchases, instead relying on raffles, markets, charity events, community donations and the generosity of local organisations including Soldiers Point Lions Club, Rainbow Bricks, Bunnings, Nelson Bay Rotary Club, the CWA and others.
Ms Kilbride said the Auxiliary’s 50 volunteers also provide practical support by organising donations of pyjamas and nightwear for patients who have no one to bring them clothing.
“Our community is fortunate to have a local hospital,” she said.
“We try to improve the experience of patients and staff by supplying the myriad of items the health service cannot.”
The Auxiliary welcomes new volunteers and community donations to help continue its work.
They have a new website and anyone can view their events and donate via the website.
An anonymous donor recently gave $5000 which the Auxiliary are extremely grateful to have received.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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