THE UPPER Ferntree Gully Angliss Hospital Auxiliary had its annual general meeting last week, celebrating the hardworking volunteers and donating money for much-needed medical equipment.
The group met at the Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully on Wednesday of last week, and secretary Maxine Lane opened the meeting, reading out a former secretary’s report.
The report entailed the purchasing of an electric sewing machine for the hospital in 1951 at the cost of 22 pounds and a donation of 500 pounds in 1953.
Mrs Lane said she was amazed how far the auxiliary had come as a group.
“We never envisaged that, in future years, we would be raising thousands of dollars for equipment,” she said.
“The hospital is very much a community one, as shown by these reports.”
The auxiliary raised around $18,000 to be donated to the hospital in the form of four pressure-relieving mattresses and one vital signs monitor.
Chief of Clinical and Site Operations at Eastern Health Paula Stephenson said that the Angliss Hospital was grateful to accept the donation.
“On behalf of the Angliss and Eastern Health, I’d like to thank everyone who assisted and volunteered to raise this money,” she said.
“I’m very grateful to be the recipient of this cheque for the second year.
“The pressure relieving mattresses will help our long-term patients to make sure they don’t have issues with pressure ulcers, which can prolong a stay in hospital.”
Awards were then issued to volunteers and people who had served the hospital in some way.
Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling was awarded a certificate of appreciation and volunteer Wilma Chandler was given an award for 25 years of valuable service to the hospital.
CEO of Eastern Health Alan Lilly was also present at the auxiliary meeting and said that he looked forward to working with the Angliss Hospital over 2013.
