After 35 years of service to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS), volunteering stalwart Elaine Newcomen has retired.
Elaine, 82, said she’s looking forward to a quieter time after fundraising for BRHS through the Bower Birds auxiliary.
She has served as president, treasurer and spent her last 12 months with the Bower Birds managing fundraising barbecues at Bunnings in Bairnsdale.
“I like those, but then I thought it’s time for somebody else to do it,” she said.
But there is one activity she really enjoyed organising – the Bower Birds’ annual Oaks Day afternoon tea each November, with everyone wearing their best race day finery, sweeps on several races, raffles and lots of fun.
“I used to do the sweeps. We had sweeps and we had something like a Calcutta, where you could buy squares on a sheet of paper – one for $2 or three for $5 – and that’s where you make your money for the hospital,” Elaine said.
“We used to hold Oaks Day outside but we had a couple of years with really wet weather, and you need a big house to hold it at home, but St Mary’s (Catholic Church) gives us a room for nothing because we’re raising money for the hospital.”
When it came to fundraising stalls, Elaine’s preserves were a sure-fire hit.
“I was a great one for desserts and I’ve cooked jams and
chutneys and pickles and sauces,” she said.
Elaine’s 35 years of service was recognised at BRHS’ 2023-24 annual general meeting late last year, and volunteers and staff have also farewelled Elaine with a morning tea in her honour.
“The entertainment we had and the funds we’ve raised over the years have been very good,”
she said.
Elaine said she is now playing more bridge and said some travel might also be on the cards.
She recently travelled to Darwin with a friend.
“I enjoyed it, but my old
legs let me down a bit, so I
couldn’t do all the walking
(on the tour with Coopers Travel, Bairnsdale),” she said.
“But it still was nice. It was nice to go away, and then I came home on The Ghan.”
Her next adventure will be an outback tour that starts with a flight to Birdsville that will allow her to see Lake Eyre full of water, a rare sight and a well-earned break following her volunteering at BRHS.
Last week, during National Volunteer Week, BRHS celebrated its volunteers with an afternoon tea, a yearly event to thank them for everything they do.
