General news
15 August, 2025
West Wyalong Hospital Auxillary turns 90
Happy birthday to the WW Hospital Auxillary!
WEST WYALONG Hospital Auxiliary members and visitors recently celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Auxiliary back in 1934 at the West Wyalong Bowling Club with a special morning tea and speeches.
West Wyalong Hospital Auxiliary President Loretta Sams welcomed everyone to the Anniversary celebration morning before reading the Apologies. Loretta then stated how impressive it is to still have an active Auxiliary after all these years and mentioned all the tireless volunteers and hours that have gone into raising money for our local hospitals in West Wyalong. Loretta also paid tribute to three members that have sadly passed away in the last few months- Win Lowe a member for 16 years, Dawn Watson who was a member for 27 years, President for 9 years and was awarded State Life membership at State conference in 2024; and Betty Seberry a member for 65 years who held various executive positions in those years and was also awarded State Life membership. Both Dawn and Betty were local branch Patrons. Those gathered then observed one minutes silence in honour of these wonderful women. Loretta also thanked all the business houses, Bland Shire council, Evolution and all organisations that have helped the Auxiliary with grants and fundraising over the years.
Loretta then asked the UHA State Vice President Pam Ellerman from Deniliquin to speak. Pam talked about how vitally important our hospital auxiliaries are for fundraising to purchase equipment for our hospitals and staff; equipment that the state government doesn’t have the funds to provide. Pam also encouraged people to join and spoke of the benefits and fresh ideas that new young members can also bring to the organisation.
Kylie Holland, the Co Facility manager for the West Wyalong Hospital thanked the West Wyalong Hospital Auxiliary for all the equipment that has been purchased and donated to the local hospital over the years. Kylie expressed the desire to maintain the great relationship enabling further valuable equipment to be purchased in the future as the need arises.
The Guest Speaker Sue Scriven spoke of earlier years when her mother Olga Bleyer was President of the West Wyalong Hospital Auxiliary and the type of fundraising activities undertaken back in the 1970’s. A fete was organised every year as a fundraiser where cakes, crafts (which Sue stated that Olga would have had very little idea of these things) etc but, instead Olga did her own fundraising by setting up a tent and engaging in fortune telling! Sue has often wondered since what on earth Olga told people in that tent! The members put on skits every year at the staff Christmas party and also sold countless raffle tickets. Sue stated how important it was to keep the Hospital Auxiliary going and thanked the members for their ongoing wonderful fundraising efforts.
The celebratory anniversary cake, beautifully made and decorated by Dagmar McIntyre was cut by our Auxiliary Patron Margaret Smith.
A raffle was held and a donation box on the morning together raised $307. Six lucky door prizes were also given out. All those in attendance received a West Wyalong Hospital Auxiliary 90th Anniversary keyring as a momento of the day.
After the formalities everyone enjoyed morning tea and happy conversations. Thank you to all those who attended this special occasion.
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