Members of the Boggabri United Hospital Auxiliary are very happy with the response to its morning tea and fashion parade held on Melbourne Cup Day to raise funds for the Boggabri Hospital.
The auxiliary’s fundraising goal and challenge for the next year is to replace all the mattresses on the beds in the hostel and nursing home wards and upgrade the TV units in the acute care wards.
In the 2023/2024 financial year the Boggabri UHA donated more than $25,000 in equipment upgrades and replacement for the comfort of patients, residents and staff.
Tables were laden with delectable cakes, sandwiches, mini quiches, slices, cheese and bacon savoury toasties, fresh fruit platters, scones, patty cakes, homemade sausage rolls, tarts, profiteroles, apple slice, cheese scones, fruit cake, and much more to tempt the taste buds.
Boggabri community members were joined by the president of NSW United Hospital Auxiliary, Sally Cronberger as well as visitors from Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri to witness a vast array of top-quality clothing from the Boggabri Op-shop.
There were nine amazing models wearing clothing from a size 8 to 24.
Seven women, two men and two cute three-year-olds, captured the audience with their catwalk skills and their friendly banter.
It was the first time the children had been included as models and they were a great hit with everyone.
Those attending had the option of sitting inside the decommissioned United Church Hall which is now being used as the ‘Women’s Shed’ or outside under the large Boggabri Coal gazebo or under the trees.
Clothes are very generously donated by community members and usually arrive in a garbage bag ready for the volunteers to sort and display.
The op-shop volunteers worked for weeks helping models select their clothes.
Once the clothes are selected, the volunteers iron the clothes and hang them on racks ready for the big day.
The committee who organise the op-shop generously donated the taking on the day to the hospital auxiliary.
Feedback has been positive with the op-shop ladies and auxiliary members reporting that customers were saying they will be back next year and they thought it was a ‘great morning’.
The competition for the ‘best hat’ went to Joanna Gillham, ‘best fascinator’ to Laura Harris, and the ‘funniest headwear’ went to Sandra Jamieson.
Most people adjourned to the Boggabri RSL club where they enjoyed a baked dinner and dessert or a Chinese meal prior to watching the cup.
