Outstanding support to Wimmera Health Care Group has been rewarded with Life Governor status for four Horsham community members.
WHCGH leading executive officer Catherine Morley presented the organisation’s highest honour to retiring Wimmera Hospice Auxiliary president Lea Crammond, WHCG Foundation chair Graeme Hardman, Friends of the Foundation stalwart Allison Roberts and her FOFS colleague and Ladies Auxiliary president Denise Queale. All four have provided countless years of extreme devotion and charity work toward WHCG.
The new life governors received their certificates at a small luncheon opened by retiring board chair and now Grampians Health board member Marie Aitken. Ms Aitken thanked the four recipients and retiring board member Merryn Eagle chronicled each individual’s contributions.
Mrs Eagle said the life governership awards had shone a light on the valuable volunteer work that our community makes supporting our health service.
“It is work that is greatly appreciated by the whole of the WHCG organisation and we hope that this excellent work continues into the future,” she said.
The decision to award the four life governorships was to be one of the final duties performed by the retiring WHCG board of directors.
The new life governors:
Lea Crammond joined the Wimmera Hospice Care Auxiliary in 2011 when it was in fear of folding and went home that meeting as the new president. The auxiliary raises money to provide equipment for people palliating at home and contributes $25,000 each year towards hire charges for palliative patients. During her time as president, the auxiliary has grown from five members to 23 and Mrs Crammond is very proud of the support her auxiliary provides.
Graeme Hardman was a founding trustee with the Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation when it was established in 1989. The retired solicitor was appointed chairman in 2017 following the passing of Don Johns.
A true professional and a steady and dependable leader, Graeme’s extensive experience in governance and all things related to the foundation is an invaluable support.
Allison Roberts helped establish the fundraising arm of the foundation called Friends of the Foundation in 2011. She was immediately appointed as co-ordinator and works with an active, enthusiastic, committed group of volunteers.
Allison is an innovative and motivated leader with a “can do” and “never give up” attitude and her group has raised almost $300,000 for the foundation.
Denise Queale is also a very active member of Friends of the Foundation but she is also president of the WHCG Ladies Auxiliary. This passionate group of women fundraise to purchase life-saving equipment for WHCG and donate about $70,000 each year. Denise worked for WHCG for 27 years and joined the auxiliary upon retirement in 2011. She has been president for the past three years.