Janice Ward, committee member, has a lifetime connection with Young.  She was born at Young District Hospital!

Janice loved teaching. Her last position was 19 years as Infants’ Mistress at Young Public School (hence her continued interest in giving children the best possible start to life.) Janice retired at the end of 1997, and has many interests including family and local history, travel, writing, gardening and bird-watching.

For the past 20 years she has enjoyed contributing to the welfare of the community, including almost 20 years of playing and singing for monthly singalongs at Mount St Josephs with her sister, plus in the Forget-me-not and Downstairs wings of the Southern Cross Village.

Janice volunteers for Meals on Wheels and knits for

Wrapped with Love, “knitted knockers” and hospitals. This is the third year she has been President of Young Hospital Auxiliary.

Why did you join the LHAC?

“I hope my involvement with these activities will give me some insight into the needs of the Young community so I can make a worthwhile contribution to LHAC.”

What changes have you seen in local health services?

“I can remember Wickham House (Maternity) and old Burrangong District Hospital, also there only being two doctors in town: doctor Dr Purchas (father of later Dr Jim and Dr Gyan) and one other concurrent doctor.

Young is fortunate that it has a very, very generous community which has supported major development of services including renal and oncology, and equipment and furnishings for Mercy Care and Young Hospital.”

What’s top of your health wish list?  

“Wellness and prevention are my main priorities. So I’m a huge supporter of regular screening including mammograms, pap smears and bowel screening.

Encouraging doctors and other health providers to come to the country is another priority. Also services such as renal and oncology and providing appropriate services so people can stay as long as possible in their own homes.”

To contact YOUNG LHAC please email: MLHD-FeedBack@health.nsw.gov.au