Life membership for Chris Page

The award was presented at the 83rd Annual State Conference of the UHA at Bankstown in October.

Mrs Page attended the presentation accompanied by her son Richard Page of Monteagle and her daughter Penny Blomfield of Barraba.

Also attending the conference were Janice Ward (President of Young Hospital Auxiliary) and Gail Smith (Secretary of Young Hospital Auxiliary).

Young Hospital Auxiliary President Janice Ward said it was a great honour for Chris to be awarded Life Membership.

It’s the highest award that can be bestowed on a UHA member. Very few are awarded and Chris was a very worthy recipient. Young has only had two other Life Members since the UHA was formed in 1933. Mrs C. Marshall was honoured in 1959, and Mrs P. Lindsay in 1996.

Janice hopes that photos of all three inspiring women can be hung at the Hospital.

Highlights of her contribution include, but are not restricted to:

·  Being a member for more than 27 years, secretary for one and at least 17 years as president.

·  The highest membership in over 50 years. (since 1962 when figures are known):- 45 in 2005.

·  During her presidency, the Oncology Unit Fundraising Committee raised $470,000 for the Oncology Unit, 2004-5.     

·  During her term as president, she led the Auxiliary to a number of awards.

 ·  Residents still remember her being president of the Auxiliary, and the things achieved while she was president, like setting up the Oncology Unit, the furnishing of the new hospital (opened  2005), the OPG X-ray machine for $55,000 (2004), the audiometer for $12,000 (2005), and the Garden Weekend in 2005 which had a profit of $40,440!

·  She still attends meetings, participates in fund-raising activities, was involved with the setting up of the Zone Conference venue at Young in 2016, and was honoured by being asked to present the Official Welcome on that occasion.