Main funding purpose: Area of greatest need

The story so far

The Geelong Auxiliary held its inaugural meeting on 16th March, 1966 with President of Auxiliaries Mrs Lindsay Plant in attendance. In 1976 there was a merger between two groups and the East Geelong Auxiliary was formed, before reverting back to the original Geelong Auxiliary name again in 1993.

In the early days, it would fundraise by holding coffee mornings and card luncheons in local homes, street stalls and hosting garden fetes. In the early 70s the Geelong Charity Card Shop opened enabling members to sell RCH Christmas cards and diaries, while catering for external events provided additional income. Many hours were also provided to the RCH Kiosk, Canteen and Auxiliaries Gift Shop, and Melbourne shopping excursions and visits to the RCH were always popular.

Stalls held locally and at the RCH have now become a major activity with thanks to dedicated members and their support network who donate special handcrafted items for sale. The Auxiliary also relaunched Cuppa for Kids in 2010 as a high tea with a teapots and cosies display. The high tea has become so successful the event has been relocated to a larger venue.

The Geelong Auxiliary has supported many areas of the RCH, funding equipment from the RCH wish list, including the funding of two treatment chairs in the Day Cancer and Medical Units and three noninvasive ventilators for the PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit).

2022/2023 Auxiliary Report

This past year has been a very successful time for the Geelong Auxiliary. Regular stalls returned to the hospital, and we were there each month. We once again attended the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, alongside Templestowe/Yarra Valley and CasKids. Together we raised over $16,000.

We held two pop-up shops in Highton, with one three weeks before Christmas and one three days before Easter. The total revenue from these shops was $18,000. We wish to thank Barry Plant Highton for offering us the old bank site in Highton as the venue for our pop-up. We also held a very successful Christmas raffle, with Gwen Bromley sourcing some very enticing prizes including accommodation in Tasmania and ferry travel. In total, the raffle raised $3,000.

Finally, 175 guests enjoyed the return of our High Tea with a very entertaining presentation from Associate Professor Mike O’Brien at a new venue. Thank you to our office bearers, Gwen, Leanne and Trish for their support and efforts during the year as well as all other members of the Auxiliary.

Office bearers

President: Jan Crockart
Secretary: Gwen Bromley
Treasurer: Patricia Meighan

Contact

Jan Crockart

Phone
0421 772 000

Email
[email protected]