United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) Boggabri Branch member Ellen Eather has received life membership of United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW.
The prestigious award was bestowed on Mrs Eather at the Regional Forum of Hospital Auxiliaries held at Barraba on Monday, March 18, 2024.
Life memberships are normally presented at the State Conferences, however, Mrs Eather was unable to attend so the state president of United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW, Sally Cronberger presented Mrs Eather with her award at Barraba.
Mrs Eather has been a member of the Boggabri UHA branch for 62 years.
During that time, she held the executive positions of secretary and treasurer.
As treasurer Mrs Eather excelled holding the position for 60 years.
During this time, she participated in all branch fundraising activities, selling raffle tickets, donating prizes, organising many fashion parades and organising media coverage through print and radio.
When Boggabri had a local paper, Mrs Eather would take notes at meetings and take them to the paper to keep the community updated with the activities of the UHA.
Long term members say Mrs Eather is the most meticulous treasurer the branch has ever had.
Every cent was accounted for and all i’s dotted and t’s crossed.
Mrs Eather’s strong promotion of the UHA made her the face of Boggabri UHA with her sitting in the main street selling raffle tickets and always at the door taking money and donations at events.
Members look to Mrs Eather for guidance and wise counsel.
She invites all she meets to become members and reminds everyone when membership is due and how things should be done.
Mrs Eather joined the Boggabri branch in 1961 when she had a small child and would walk up to the hospital pushing the pram to attend the meetings.
She has never held a driver’s licence and walks to all events unless someone gives her a lift.
She and her late husband Rex Eather had five children.
Mrs Eather has been a volunteer at the Boggabri Multi-Purpose-Service, helping with day care activities and donating prizes for bingo.
Mrs Eather has attended two state conferences, however, she prefers to attend the regional conferences and forums as she feels she obtains more information that is applicable to the Boggabri branch and she also knows many people from other local branches and they swap information and ideas.
Mrs Eather celebrated her 90th birthday on May 28, 2023.
Nine members of the Boggabri branch attended the Barraba regional forum to see their member receive her life membership.
Mrs Cronberger said: “it is a pleasure to be able to present this award to Mrs Eather in recognition of her dedication and support to the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW.”
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