Casino and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
| About this Item |
Subjects | Hospitals; Voluntary Workers |
Speakers | George Mr Thomas |
Business | Private Members Statements |
Page: 2326
Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [4.54 p.m.]: I wish to highlight another wonderful weekend in Casino. We celebrated 100 years of service by the Casino and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. I acknowledge every hospital auxiliary in my electorate, and I am sure that every honourable member will acknowledge the support these groups give to hospitals in this State. The Casino auxiliary is special because it is only the second auxiliary to celebrate 100 years of service. I had the pleasure of flying home from here last Friday to attend a celebration dinner that night. About 100 people were at the function, some of whom were dressed in period costume. It was a wonderful evening.
The local auxiliary members were pleased that United Hospital Auxiliary State President Mrs Andrea Mulligan, the area representative and the past State President, Jan Maskell, were able to attend this special event. The night was made even more enjoyable because the auxiliary recognised the contributions of Dr Aldo Castagna, who has worked in the area for 27 years, even though he is only in his early fifties, Dr Fred Banks, who has worked in the area for 26 years, and Dr Jurriaan Beek, who has worked in the area for 23 years. I felt honoured that the hospital took this opportunity to congratulate these doctors, all the other doctors and staff at the hospital and the other medical professionals in Casino for their contributions. Country areas have trouble retaining doctors, but these three doctors have spent a major part of their working lives caring for the residents of Casino.
I had the honour of conducting an auction, which raised about $1,800 thanks to the generosity of those in attendance. On Sunday we had a fete and a golf event. The old-fashioned fete held in the hospital grounds was opened by the former Casino and District Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bill Bartier. His contribution to the hospital and the health services of this State is well documented. He was also responsible for compiling the history of health services in the area, and I pay tribute to him for that.
Sylvia Scarborough and her team of workers can be justifiably proud of the support they received and what they achieved during the anniversary celebrations. They raised $6,000 over the weekend and they have raised more than $300,000 over the past three years for the hospital. I pay tribute to members of the auxiliary committee: Evei Lamb, Christine Nicholls, Carrie Kennedy, Fay Donnelly, Edna Fuller, Beryl Kosters, Lesley Walsh, Pamela Duncan, Ethel Haig, Iris Cruickshank Sylvia Scarborough, Thelma Claydon and Margaret Newstead. They are a hard-working committee. The Parliamentary Secretary at the table recognises the contributions auxiliaries make to hospitals in this State¯not in dollar terms but, more importantly, in terms of the hours they spend making each patient's stay in hospital a little more comfortable. Hospital staff could not provide those services and they could not cope without the thousands of hours of work done by hospital auxiliaries. They make hospitals a better place. I pay tribute to them, and I especially congratulate Casino and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary on 100 years of service to this State.