General News
16 October, 2023
Proud of our shop: Isobel and the hospital auxiliary
FROM street stalls and fashion parades to sorting clothes at the Boort District Health op-shop every week, Isobel Loader has continually repaid the care her elderly relatives received more than 30 years ago. Isobel joined the hospital auxiliary in...
FROM street stalls and fashion parades to sorting clothes at the Boort District Health op-shop every week, Isobel Loader has continually repaid the care her elderly relatives received more than 30 years ago.
Isobel joined the hospital auxiliary in 1986 after seeing first-hand the care two aunts and uncles received in the nursing home. She soon became auxiliary secretary and after 20 years in the role, served five terms as president before stepping down last month.
But there’s no hint of retirement from community service with Isobel still on duty every week sorting clothes donated to the op-shop that the auxiliary has operated for 20 years and is its main revenue raiser to support BDH.
“The community is wonderful with donations and we would be lost without them,” she said. “And I would be lost without the auxiliary.
“Joining the auxiliary has been my way of repaying the hospital for their care of my aunts and uncles.”
The auxiliary was formed more than 40 years ago and recent donations have included $35,000 for seven new acute beds, $18,000 for mobile storage units, $18,000 for electric remote control wheel chairs and a two-seater gopher and $7400 for shade structures. “Many people don’t realise just how much we donate,” Isobel said. “We’re very proud of our op-shop.”
She said auxiliary membership remained strong, averaging between 16 and 20 members.
“We have a good crew at our meetings ... when I started we did street stalls and fashion parades. They have gone by the wayside and now it’s the op-shop that does brilliant work,” Isobel said.
Auxiliary members gathered last month to congratulate Isobel on her service and welcome new president Judy Perryman.