Three volunteer champs … Joan Ridley, left, Liz McKeag and Eileen McSweeney at the Williamstown Historical tour for National Volunteer Week. 47058 Picture: Damjan Janevski
By Nicole Precel
WILLIAMSTOWN Hospital volunteers were celebrated during National Volunteers week last Wednesday.
Five volunteers were taken on a Williamstown Historical Society Museum tour, led by president Joan Ridley.
A volunteer, Ms Ridley said she could remember when the hospital had a maternity ward.
“It was just a little cottage hospital and grew and grew and grew,” she said.
Volunteers ranged from 20 to 91-year-olds at the Williamstown Hospital and Williamstown Hospital Opportunity Shop.
Last Tuesday afternoon, shop volunteer Fred Thomas presented the hospital with nearly $100,000 raised from the shop’s earnings, which will go towards the Williamstown Hospital dialysis unit.
Volunteers provide social support with a visiting service and some work on the help desk in the main foyer of the Williamstown Hospital.
A Williamstown Hospital spokesman said volunteers played an important role and he thanked the Williamstown Historical Society volunteers for their contribution.
National Volunteer Week celebrates over five million Australian volunteers who contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to various areas, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports.
