In celebration of the National Volunteer Week (17 May – 23 May 2021), hear from Auxiliary members about what motivates them to give back to support sick kids at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
Val Thompson – President of Caroline Auxiliary
How long have you been involved with the RCH?
I have been involved with Caroline Auxiliary for 12 years.
What motivated you to become an Auxiliary member?
My healthy grandchildren and seeing what other families go through with sick children.
What does being an Auxiliary member mean to you?
I enjoy the enthusiasm of our auxiliary and what volunteer knitters and craft people do for our fundraising. It is a pleasure working with others who have the same compassion.
How did you stay connected to your fellow Auxiliary members during the COVID-19 lockdown?
We emailed one another which was interesting and our AGM was on Zoom. Late last year when restrictions were lifted slightly we had a pop up shop, which brought us face to face with the community and was very profitable.
What is your favourite Auxiliary memory?
When one of our members received her 50th volunteer badge. She was in her 80s and I remember thinking what a great achievement it was. At that time there were about three members in that age bracket. It is great that members of Caroline Auxiliary, which celebrates its 70th year in 2021, can hold the flag high for those who started a very worthwhile cause back in 1951.
Judy Conn – President of South Western Auxiliary
How long have you been involved with the RCH?
I have been involved with the RCH for almost 40 years.
What motivated you to become an Auxiliary member?
A friend I met who had a business next to mine was already an Auxiliary member and asked me to join. We are still good friends and in the Auxiliary together.
What does being an Auxiliary member mean to you?
Being an auxiliary member means that I can help children less fortunate than others. I get a lot of pleasure knowing that whatever fundraising we do is making a difference no matter how big or small it may be. When our children arrived they were happy healthy boys but when my youngest was eight months old he developed a problem with his bowel, we were holidaying in Darwin at the time. He became so sick they could do nothing for him up there so myself and my son flew to the RCH where they treated him. He is now 35 and hasn’t had any health issues since. When I become an auxiliary member all those years ago I had no idea it would be helping my son, so I am so happy that in turn now I can help others get through trying times.
How did you stay connected to your fellow Auxiliary members during the COVID-19 lockdown?
We stayed connected mainly through phone calls or text messages.
What is your favourite Auxiliary memory?
I think I have to say I have a few. I think making and keeping such special friends In the auxiliary, going to Melbourne for meetings, our Christmas functions, the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development scholarship lunches, tours of the old hospital and now the beautiful new hospital, and of course the Good Friday Appeal where we would shake tins at traffic lights.
Louise Hastie – President of Waverley Auxiliary
How long have you been involved with the RCH?
I joined Waverley Auxiliary in January 2009.
What motivated you to become an Auxiliary member?
The commitment, care and passion from Waverley members I first meet on a stall at a local shopping centre.
What does being an Auxiliary member mean to you?
Wonderful friendships, having fun and happy times as we raise funds for the RCH. A great deal of pleasure is felt when we have our stalls at the RCH where we are able to interact with parents, patients and staff, knowing our time spent volunteering is very much appreciated.
How did you stay connected to your fellow Auxiliary members during the COVID-19 lockdown?
Through newsletters, phone calls, emails and when we were able to we made home visits and had picnics at Jells Park Glen Waverley.
What is your favourite Auxiliary memory?
Celebrating with past Presidents and current members at a luncheon in 2017 to mark our 50 year anniversary, it was a wonderful milestone. One member has been with us for 50 years.
Janice Memery – Broadmeadows Auxiliary
How long have you been involved with the RCH?
I joined Broadmeadows Auxiliary in 1983.
What motivated you to become an Auxiliary member?
I was motivated because my mother and ladies of the neighbourhood were members and I witnessed how giving back to this great hospital actually had an impact on families.
What does being an Auxiliary member mean to you?
Being a member means being involved firsthand at fundraising for one of the best children’s hospitals in the world.
How did you stay connected to your fellow Auxiliary members during the COVID-19 lockdown?
We stayed connected during 2020 via telephone calls and text messages.
What is your favourite Auxiliary memory?
My favourite memory is always attending The Combined Auxiliaries AGM which is held annually in August. It is such a positive and motivating event that I walk away feeling so good about the work that I have done and I always feel so positive about the year ahead.
Dorothy Cridge – President of St Kilda Auxiliary
How long have you been involved with the RCH?
I joined the St Kilda Auxiliary in 2000, so it has been 21 years!
What motivated you to become an Auxiliary member?
I had lots of friends in the same Auxiliary who shared lots of stories and what they did to fundraise. They encouraged me to join and I have never looked back.
What does being an Auxiliary member mean to you?
It is a payback situation. In my childhood days most things were home remedies and the RCH was for more serious cases. My brother had polio and was treated as a patient at the RCH. He was so inspired by the care he received that he went on to become a doctor.
How did you stay connected to your fellow Auxiliary members during the COVID-19 lockdown?
We had constant phone calls with one another, shared stories and also had contact from the RCH Foundation office staff.
What is your favourite Auxiliary memory?
No particular one, I admire the parents of the very sick children and the challenges they face day to day.