Yass Hospital Aux volunteers (L-R) Shirley, Joy, Deb, Carol, Jeanette, Judith and Pamela.
The Yass Hospital Auxiliary has marked an incredible milestone this month 95 years of continuous community service, support, and generosity to the Yass Hospital and its patients. This momentous occasion was celebrated on July 7 with a joyful gathering, cake-cutting, and a heartfelt acknowledgment of long-time members and their contributions. Held in the hospital’s conference room, the event also coincided with the Auxiliary’s Annual General Meeting and changeover ceremony. It was a well-attended day, featuring some familiar faces and special guests.\
Among those present were Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones and Liane Preinbergs, the Riverina Regional Representative and State Secretary of the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) of NSW.
“It was a very happy occasion,” said a spokesperson from the Auxiliary. “Five more years to go and we’ll make a century. It’s something to be proud of.”
One of the highlights of the day was the formal welcome of a new member, Virginia Austin, into the Auxiliary, demonstrating that even after nearly a century, the group continues to grow. Longstanding members were also honoured: Joy Blackman received her 10-year service bar, while Valree Jewell was celebrated with a special certificate for her 80th birthday. Throughout its 95-year history, the Yass Hospital Auxiliary has played a critical role in enhancing healthcare services for the local community. Their commitment to fundraising and providing essential hospital equipment and comfort items is as strong as ever.
“We’ve had a very good year,” a committee member explained. “We’ve purchased a lot of items that make a difference.”
Recent purchases include a high-quality adjustable lift table for community health ideal for examinations and treatments as well as three new recliner chairs for the palliative care unit. These chairs were thoughtfully chosen in different colours to complement the room’s artwork and create a warmer, more comforting environment for patients and their families.
“We’re trying to make it a little less clinical, especially in palliative care,” they noted.
In addition to furniture and comfort items, the Auxiliary has also funded important medical training equipment, including a child and adult mannequin for CPR and air-way management practice. These advanced models come with a connected iPad, offering real-time feedback on compression depth and technique, ensuring hospital staff receive high-quality, hands-on training.
Other items funded by the Auxiliary this year include pyjamas for patients, play mats for the child and family health department, dementia distraction kits, and side-folding walking frames. They also provide care packs for patients who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital without personal items offering essentials like shampoo and deodorant, as a simple but meaningful gesture of care.
One particularly impactful addition to the hospital’s medical toolkit was a cardiac transducer probe, purchased to complement an ultrasound machine previously funded by the Auxiliary. This probe enables clinicians to assess heart function, estimate the degree of heart failure, and check for cardiac strain all of which can be life-saving.
“This is the sort of equipment that supports the hospital staff in delivering quality care,” said the spokesperson. Though not every member could attend the 95th celebration, the event still drew a strong turnout, filled with gratitude, community spirit, and forward-looking optimism.
-Liam Stuart
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.
