Wimmera Hospice Care Auxiliary has been recognised in the 2020 Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns awards.
The auxiliary represented Horsham in the Social Well-Being award category and received a Highly Commended certificate. Auxiliary president Lea Crammond said the award came as a real surprise.
“I was asked to write some information about what our auxiliary does and I didn’t query why it was needed,” Mrs Crammond said.
“The first I knew was when I was notified that we were a finalist in the awards so it was a wonderful thrill for our group’s work to be recognised like this,” she said.
The auxiliary held its annual general meeting this week and the only change to the office bearers was the appointment of Maureen Webb as assistant secretary, replacing Ann Potter who stood down but remains a committee member.
Other office bearers include vice president Judy Garwood, secretary Jenny Tippett, treasurer Nola Bellinger and assistant treasurer Rae Hill. The auxiliary meets on the third Tuesday of each month with the goal of providing an ongoing leasing program and the regular purchases of medical equipment for Palliative Care.
Mrs Crammond said the most recent purchases for palliative patients were four sensor mats and a static oxygen concentrator but the auxiliary also buys portable oxygen concentrators, syringe drivers and other important items.
“It’s been a difficult year for trying to organise any fund-raising activities so if anyone wanted to support us with a donation, it would be very much appreciated,” she said.
“There is always room for new members to join the auxiliary as well.”