Geraldton Hospital Auxiliary celebrates 70th anniversary with afternoon tea for life members at QEII

Geraldton Hospital Auxiliary life members gathered at the QEII Centre on Saturday to celebrate the group’s 70th anniversary of raising funds to support admitted hospital patients. More than 40 guests, including members, life members and hospital staff, enjoyed gathering for an afternoon tea to celebrate and remember seven decades worth of memories volunteering for the hospital auxiliary. In May 1952, Matron Crowley called for the Women’s Auxiliary at the Victoria District Hospital — later known as the Bill Sewell Centre on Chapman Road. The auxiliary moved to the Geraldton Hospital in Shenton Street in 1966. Geraldton Hospital Auxiliary president Jean Murphy said fetes and raffles were held in the hospital grounds and later in the foyer to raise money. “In the mid 1990s we became the Geraldton Regional Hospital Auxiliary, as we then had several male members,” she said. “In 2005 we moved into the present day hospital and became the Geraldton Hospital Auxiliary with a larger kiosk and a wider range of products, longer opening hours and larger projects.” Ms Murphy said through the tireless work of members and the generous support from businesses, newspapers and broadcasters, the group had helped fund $1.8 million of equipment and amenities.