While it originally supplied homemade soup and sandwiches during the 1920s, the auxiliary now runs the only retail food outlet in the hospital and all the $4.5 million raised so far has gone back into helping the hospital community.
Volunteer Val Timms has been a part of the auxiliary for 32 years, while Wyn Fatovich is not far behind with 27 years of service.
Fremantle Hospital and Health Service nursing and patient support services executive director Ruth Letts said the group started back in 1925 when women got together to start a fund that could contribute to the then 70-bed hospital.
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READ NOW“One of the first pieces of equipment donated was an X-ray tilt tray … and by 1929 they were well-pleased with their new tuck shop at the rear of the old kitchen,” she said.
“The ladies auxiliary is extremely important to Fremantle Hospital and its significant contribution can be felt throughout the entire campus. While the current kiosk is vastly different from its humble beginnings, the initial concept is still in place today – fundraising through the sale of quality food, beverages and gifts to support the hospital community.”