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Tribute must be paid to the members and past members of
the Ladies Auxiliary.
The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in July, 1942 following a public meeting of the women of the district.
Members immediately organised a scheme of produce donations, and their first gift to the Hospital was a number
of much needed flower vases. They then arranged a Ball to raise further funds.
Member's practical skills were soon put to the test. In April, 1943, there were five patients and two babies in
the Hospital, and the Matron desperately needed extra assistance in the kitchen. The Auxiliary members acted as
volunteer cooks and wardsmaids, and the Auxiliaries at Dowlingville, Clinton Centre and Muloowurtie (Pine Point)
donated cash and goods.
The ladies were tireless in their efforts to raise money for the Hospital. They organised weekly euchre and dance
evenings for the young people and even convened a second Hospital Ball during 1945.
Women of the town and district had given outstanding service to the Hospital for many years prior to the formation
of the Auxiliary in 1942.
The first recorded reference to a Ladies Committee was a report in "The Maitland Watch" in November,
1928, of a "most successful Balloon Fair and Grand Ball", held in the Ardrossan Institute."
"The Hall was prettily decorated and the stall holders were kept busy disposing of the goods. The net proceeds
were £140.0.0d ($280.00), and the Secretary of the Ladies Committee was very pleased with the effort."
The Ladies Committee, later known as the Hospital Guild, continued to organise an Annual Ball and an Annual Hospital
Fete, as well as other fund-raising functions, for many years. They were concerned, not only with fund raising,
but with practical help as well. They made jams and preserves, donated fruit, vegetables and eggs and took care
of all the hospital mending.
When staff shortages arose during the Second World War, the ladies of the district assisted with the cooking, cleaning
and other general duties in the wards as needed.
While the role of the Auxiliary has changed somewhat since 1942, its prime function is still to raise money to
provide for the needs of the Hospital. Much gratitude is to be shown to the members and past members of the Hospital
Auxiliary as without their untiring efforts and continual support the hospital would not be in the situation it
is today. The Annual Christmas fete, raffles, and most recently the "Hospital Op Shop" have resulted
in many thousands of dollars being raised and donated to the Ardrossan Community Hospital
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