Hawkesbury District Health Service owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our volunteers

This National Volunteer Week Hawkesbury District Health Service is recognising the enormous impact of its volunteers including 92 year old Ruby Willow who has been volunteering for more than three decades.

22 May 2019

23 May 2019

The Hawkesbury United Hospital Auxiliary volunteer group has over 83 years of volunteering history with the hospital and currently has over 100 members.

Hawkesbury District Health Service’s volunteers clock up a staggering 36,000 hours each year assisting in various parts of the hospital from clerical support and patient visits to running the popular hospital gift shop.

On average the Auxiliary raises $100,000 each year with the money donated directly to the hospital to purchase vital equipment which greatly improves the quality of our patient’s care.

Hawkesbury District Health Service Chief Executive Officer Strephon Billinghurst said the hospital owed an enormous debt of gratitude to the dedicated volunteers.

“We give thanks to our volunteers who play a vital role in helping us provide healthcare to the local community,” he said.

“Our volunteers make a difference when our patients come into the hospital for care but also in ensuring the health needs of the wider community are catered for through their fundraising which enables us to buy new equipment.”

One of the hospital’s most valued and loved volunteers is Pitt Town resident Ruby Wilbow, who at 92 years of age, has been volunteering at the hospital for 36 years and has no plans to stop in the near future.

“For many years I delivered Meals on Wheels and spent time volunteering at the old Windsor Hospital before the new hospital was built in 1996,” Ruby said.

“I have met some wonderful people and made some great friends.

“I volunteered because I enjoyed it and because it is important to be an active part of the community”.

In 2010, Ruby was recognised for her efforts and was awarded Hawkesbury Citizen of the Year.

Ruby can still be found assisting at the hospital’s gift shop as well as baking her famous lamingtons and jelly cakes for the Hawkesbury United Hospital Auxiliary’s cake stall.

If you have some time to spare, and would like to be part of a rewarding role, consider volunteering at Hawkesbury District Health Service. For more information, please contact the hospital on (02) 4560 5555.