Six decades of service represents an awful lot of snacks, drinks, gifts and fundraising for Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s (BRHS) Kiosk fundraising auxiliary.
Volunteers established the kiosk at the former Bairnsdale hospital in 1963. Bob Menzies was PM, the EH Holden was king of the road and The Beatles were dominating the hit parade.
Since then, generations of volunteers have staffed the kiosk window at the heart of the Day Street campus, which these days is open from noon to 3pm each day.
Kiosk auxiliary president, Sandra Martin, who has volunteered in the kiosk for almost 20 years, said she was proud of the impact the kiosk auxiliary has had on BRHS by providing a fundraising source and a service for patients, staff and visitors for the past 60 years.
“I’ve only been involved for not quite 20 years, and before COVID we’ve raised more than $400,000,” Sandra said.
“We’re down on volunteers and funds after COVID, but we still have about 30 volunteers who work for us.”
Sandra said while some old favourites remain, the kiosk has embraced change this year in the form of aligning its food and drinks with the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices policy. This employs a traffic light system for all food and drinks sold at the kiosk, which mirrors what has been operating successfully for more than a year in the BRHS cafeteria.
Green foods and drinks are the best choice, as they provide us with essential nutrients.
Amber foods and drinks should be consumed occasionally, as they often contribute to excess energy (or kilojoule) intake. Red foods and drinks should be limited, as they are not essential in a balanced diet.
The kiosk serves snack foods, cold drinks and sandwiches. The auxiliary also stocks the vending machine in the emergency department – a handy after-hours alternative that is about to undergo a small but significant change.
A new vending machine with an eftpos card reader will allow customers to make purchases without the need for coins or notes, a move Sandra hopes will stimulate sales.
BRHS chief executive officer Vicki Farthing thanked the kiosk auxiliary for its 60 years of service.
“Our volunteers play a crucial role in many areas of our hospital including fundraising, and the kiosk auxiliary has been a constant for some many years now,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped inside the kiosk and to the volunteers who travel to shops around the district collecting money from the kiosk auxiliary’s collection boxes. You provide a great service to everyone who works at or visits our hospital, and we’re grateful to each of you.”
