The annual Regional Hospital Auxiliary conference saw nearly sixty delegates from across the district attend the meeting held at the Narrabri Bowling Club on Wednesday, March 22.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch and heard inspirational talks from guest speakers Dr Karen Kirkby and Dianah Walter.
Since 1933 the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) of NSW have been responding to the needs of health facilities and community health facilities throughout NSW.
With the organisation’s main objective – to coordinate and extend the work connected with public hospitals, health, and rehabilitation centres – members of local committees focus on working in harmony and cooperation with hospital management systems and with the NSW Ministry of Health.
The running of the Narrabri Hospital kiosk for visitors, staff, and patients alike is just the beginning for the Narrabri UHA, with the committee continually working to raise funds to assist with patient welfare, comfort, and care.
Guest speaker Dianah Walter said the conference was a valuable insight into the organisation and its members from across the region.
“My conversation with the delegates focussed on the benefits of volunteering and also the collective wisdom in the room.
“If you are a UHA volunteer you are one of almost 4.9 million people in New South Wales who volunteer, and one of the 5000 dedicated volunteers’ members across the 178 UHA branches in NSW,” she said.
“According to NSW Volunteering, volunteers contribute more than 1.5 billion hours which is valued at approximately $127 billion.”
Research reveals that volunteering also benefits volunteers themselves.
“It reduces symptoms of depression, improves self-reported health, and lowers mortality.
“Volunteering expands people’s social networks, provides opportunities to gain valuable experience, and enables people to develop new skills which can lead to employment.”
Ms Walter congratulated the delegates and volunteers, saying she felt humbled by the hard work and dedication that UHA committees across the region inject into their respective communities.
“Your volunteering makes a difference – your volunteering is valued.
“Looking around the room I don’t just see volunteers with love and compassion in spades, but I see collective wisdom,” Ms Walter said.
“Each of you brings so much to your organisation.
“Just under this roof today, if I average out the numbers, there is about 5000 years of collective wisdom in this room – embrace it, share it, and celebrate it!”
Ms Walter also spoke about her late father’s prostate cancer journey, and the topic raised questions about support groups for men with health issues and their families.
“I was approached by several women after my talk, who spoke of their experiences, and the matter of suicide and suicide prevention was raised.
“I will follow-up personally with those who spoke to me about their experiences and explore support services and funding opportunities.”
Guest speaker Dr Karen Kirkby, a plant pathologist based at NSW DPI’s Australian Cotton Research Institute at Narrabri, spoke of her own cancer journey and the life raft she has
discovered since.
“Prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2020, I was living my life with no fear.
“My priorities were my career, my family and my farm,” Dr Kirkby said.
“Following a double mastectomy and lymph nodes being removed, and then five months of chemotherapy, I realised I was always busy, but I needed and wanted to make changes. I wanted to do things that really mattered.
“I spent the next two years raising awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation and also joined the Rotary Club of Narrabri.
“I also started a dragon boat club in Narrabri.
“This definitely became my life raft during my recovery.
“My Dubbo breast care nurse, Margie Collins told me about the benefits of dragon boat paddling after breast cancer.
“It’s fun and great for fitness.
“It provides a social connection and also improved my range of movement in my left arm, where I had my lymph’s nodes removed.
“The Narrabri club is going strong with members paddling twice weekly and even attending district regattas.
“I am heading to New Zealand early next month to compete in survivor races.
“I’ll be in a boat surrounded by strong, capable women who have all survived or are living with breast cancer.
“I am truly proud of what I have achieved in the last two years, the people I have met, and the increased awareness that has been created through Pink Up Namoi.
But Dr Kirkby will not be stopping there.
“I’m extending my fundraising efforts more broadly this year.
“I will be a contestant in the Stars of Narrabri Dance for Cancer to be held on June 24.
“Cancer is no fun, but now I’m well and healthy, I’m ready to have some fun and dance on a stage in the hope I can help raise funds for the Cancer Council.”
President of United Hospital Auxiliary Narrabri Tricia Hadley said the regional event was a great accomplishment for the Narrabri group.
“I was delighted with the success of the conference.
“Patti Lettice set the pace for a very friendly, passionate and emotional event with her beautiful words of ‘Welcome to Country’ to testing us to sing the second verse of the National Anthem and then inviting us to sing ‘I am Australian’ with her.
“Our guest speakers Dr Karen Kirkby and Dianah Walter were wonderful and complemented each other effortlessly.
“The New England Region has 21 UHA branches and 11 branches were able to attend.
“There was a wealth of knowledge and expertise for us all to share and learn from.
“One member said she had been to many regional UHA conferences and couldn’t remember one being as ‘moving and loving’.
“The catering at the Bowling Club, firstly with morning tea was very welcoming and delectable for our delegates followed by a delicious lunch.
“At the conclusion of the conference, we all felt we were helping our hospitals and communities in a worthwhile and uplifting way with the individual care and dedication brought to volunteering.”
