Just weeks after the Griffith Base Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) was one the verge of dying out, a surge of new members have come together.
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The group held their first meeting at the Griffith Exies recently, marking a new era for the comittee.
Members including president Bruna Ross put the call out for new members after announcing it was on the verge of disappearing.
Since then, Mrs Ross said people have come out of the woodwork to step up and take part.
“We’re pretty much all new except for Ruth and myself. It’s like starting from scratch. We’ll have some new ideas and fresh faces,” she said.
“I was very impressed. There were about 44 people at our meeting. We just hope that people will continue to come along as members.”
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The UHA’s members work had to raise money for vital equipment for the hospital. Its closure would have spelled the end of the hospital kiosk, as well as the spring luncheon, Christmas stockings and annual street stalls.
The hard-working group has raised over $1.5 million for the hospital to be able to purchase much-needed medical equipment.
In the past, the UHA has raised money for an ultrasound machine, steady chairs, a monitor to help surgeons me manoeuvre during keyhole surgery and a “stack” machine for keyhole surgeries.
Mrs Ross said she wanted to thank everyone who had stepped up to help out, as well as everyone who gave publicity to the campaign.
“Hopefully we’ll get the support and have people at our monthly meetings,” she said.
“We raise money for them to buy equipment they wouldn’t be able to get otherwise because the government says they can’t afford it.”
Vilma Pellizzer, one of the group’s new members, said she wanted to see the hospital thriving. Other new members echoed similar sentiments.
“We want to see the money stay at our local hospital. If there are any issues we want to be able to get things done,” she said.
“The money should be able to stay here.”