23 May 2024
Honouring the Heart of Albury Wodonga Health
Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) proudly acknowledges Volunteer Week, with a celebratory breakfast, a hallmark event dedicated to recognising and expressing gratitude to the remarkable individuals who selflessly dedicate their time and effort to our organisation.
The annual celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions made by our volunteers and their unwavering commitment to uplifting and supporting those in need within our health service.
With over 200 volunteers currently supporting our organisation, many of whom have dedicated years to the health service, AWH hopes to expand their volunteer base to 1000 individuals. This ambitious goal is made possible by the dedication and exemplary service of our existing volunteers, who embody the spirit of inclusivity, diversity, and compassion.
The dedication and exemplary service are evident at the AWH Opportunity Shops, which have raised an enormous $500,000 for Albury Wodonga Health over the last two years. This incredible donation will be presented to Albury Wodonga Health CEO Bill Appleby during the upcoming breakfast and will enable clinical teams to invest in 51 new hospital beds for both Albury and Wodonga hospitals, and two vital pieces of medical equipment; including a Colposcope to further advance women’s health services and a Paediatric Colon Videoscope. The donation will also assist the AWH Art Committee in improving shared spaces in the Albury and Wodonga Hospitals with visual art.
Run by over 70 volunteers, the AWH Op Shops located in Albury and Wodonga are a testament to the commitment and values displayed by each volunteer who meets, greets, serves, and assists the community when visiting the shops.
AWH Volunteer Coordinator, Elaine Hill celebrated the $500,000 donation saying, “This enormous donation is both thanks to our community and our volunteers. Opportunity shops are just that, an opportunity to connect with community, volunteers, and our health service. I am incredibly proud of the outstanding efforts of all volunteers at AWH and our community for giving back and being a part of the advancement of our organisation.”
Bill Appleby, CEO at Albury Wodonga Health said “Our volunteers play an integral role in enhancing the patient experience, providing comfort, support, and companionship during challenging times.
“Their acts of kindness and compassion leave an indelible mark on those they serve, exemplifying the ethos of our organisation. While our volunteers may not seek recognition for their tireless efforts, it is paramount that we acknowledge and honour their invaluable contributions,” he said.
National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration of volunteers, provides a fitting backdrop for expressing our gratitude and appreciation for the kindness and generosity exhibited by our volunteers. This year’s theme, 'Something for Everyone,' underscores the inclusive nature of volunteerism and highlights the diverse ways in which volunteers enrich the lives of others.
“As we gather to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2024, let us extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers of AWH. Your selfless contributions, unwavering dedication, and boundless generosity serve as beacons of inspiration to us all,” Mr. Appleby said.
“Together, we honour the remarkable impact of each volunteer and express our heartfelt appreciation for their tireless efforts.”
AWH Chief of People and Culture, Rebecca Jhonston also expressed her appreciation for the volunteer team, “At the heart of every health service beats the unwavering dedication of its volunteers. We are thankful for the compassion, commitment, and selflessness that each volunteer shows every day in caring for our patients and staff.”
To further acknowledge the exceptional work that our volunteers do to connect with every facet of our community, and in line with the ‘Something for Everyone’ theme for National Volunteer Week, AWH is inviting staff and community to contribute to patient packs that are distributed by volunteers at each hospital campus.
For our younger paediatric patients, the packs look for items such as small colouring books, little packs of pencils, sticker books, or a short story book. For our adult patient packs we look for a personal care product such as a travel sized shampoo or a toothbrush, a mindfulness exercise, or a small puzzle book.
Any items the community wants to contribute can be dropped off to the designated boxes in the main reception areas of the Wodonga and Albury hospital campuses.
We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating the extraordinary contributions of our volunteers. Their collective imprint upon the fabric of our health service is profound and enduring.
To our volunteers, we offer our deepest thanks and appreciation for your steadfast commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Media Opportunity
Friday, 24 May
From 11.10am - 11.30am ($500,000 cheque presentation)
Huon Hill - 48 Reid Street, Wodonga
One-to-one media opportunity following from 11.30am
Media Enquiries
Karly Mansfield | Communications Manager | karly.mansfield@awh.org.au