It has been a financial year of celebration, as in the latter part of 2018 we celebrated our 30th year of Incorporation, whilst at the beginning of 2019, we celebrated 60 years of supporting the local health community.

It was on the 26th February 1959 the forerunner to the Volunteer Association, the Ladies Hospital Auxillary, met for the first time with Lyell McEwin Hospital staff to plan the opening of the Hospital on 22nd April 1959 and ways volunteers could support patient care

The Association has come a long way since that time. Incorporating on 22nd July 1988 came a number of challenges, principally sourcing income to run the Association as a sustainable entity. In the early days the Café and Gift Shop run by the Association provided ample funds for this to occur. However in November 2015, the Association lost the tender for the Café and the income derived from that venture

Since 2015, the Association has struggled financially with back to back significant losses resulting in a marked depletion of Association’s Funds. However this year I am pleased to report that the Association has a modest surplus of $14,496, a great achievement. It is thanks to our partners, The Hospital Research Foundation and Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and our dedicated band of volunteers that has contributed to this surplus.

The Association has continued to work in partnership with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) exploring and developing new initiatives that add value to patient care. Key programs have included the Bicultural Support Program, Preemies Program, Comfort Care Program and the trialling of the Volunteer Wheelchair Program.

During discussions with NALHN, it was decided to transfer the management of Modbury Volunteers to the Association. We welcomed 100 Modbury Volunteers to the Association on the 18th February 2019 increasing the Association’s total number of volunteers across the Network to 580 volunteers.

I am thankful for the support we receive from NALHN in regards to the issues we have raised and how they have been dealt with in collaboration with the Association. We are looking forward to completing a Volunteer Engagement Strategy with the Hospital Executive that will become the cornerstone for the ways volunteers will be engaged, supported and valued by NALHN and the Association.

In the end however it is all about you as volunteers. It is each and every one of you that brings a smile to the face of a child by presenting them with a trauma teddy, or it is you that makes beautiful knitted beanies and cardigans, takes the stress away when attending a Hospital appointment by offering a smile and gentle words. It is all of you that ensures the “soul” of the Lyell McEwin Hospital endures and grow stronger and you along with the Association should proud of your achievements throughout the year.

Peter Laintoll