Community
6 September, 2024
Art show success
THE Camperdown Hospital Auxiliary is celebrating the success of this year’s A Spring Catalogue art show, as well as a big contribution to the South West Healthcare Camperdown Residential Aged Care Appeal.
Auxiliary member Mark Leddy said the opening evening was “wonderful”.
“A lot of people have shown up – some old faces, some new faces, and it was great to see new faces,” he said.
“There’s a lot of collegial conversations going on, and people seem to be buying the paintings.
“The auctions, between the two works, may have raised closed to $960.
“That’s direct income straight into the hospital auxiliary which goes towards the hospital.”
Mr Leddy said the art show was “fantastic”, managing to raise around $2500 for the auxiliary.
“We had one year back before COVID where we sold 25, but it’s a nice improvement on the last couple of shows,” he said.
“We had a lot of people come through on the weekend and had a look and purchased.
“We sold 16 on the opening night, and then another nine over the weekend.”
The opening night last Friday also featured South West Healthcare Camperdown Residential Aged Care appeal manager Suzan Morey as a guest speaker, who thanked the auxiliary for all the assistance they provide to the hospital.
“This auxiliary, they’ve been around for many, many years and they are fabulous supporters of ours,” she said.
“In the last 12 months they donated $44,000 for a foetal monitor machine for the Camperdown Hospital.
“This is the sort of equipment we cannot afford otherwise – we desperately needed that new foetal monitor machine, and they paid for it.”
The auxiliary also presented a cheque for $18,400 to the appeal at the art show opening night last Friday, which will furnish another two rooms in the $39.6 million 36-bedroom facility.
Ms Morey said she was “delighted” to receive the donation.
“It funds the equipping and furnishing of another two of the 36 bedrooms, so we’ve only got seven bedrooms left to find the funding for now so that’s really exciting,” she said.
“Their donation means we’ve got $446,00 of the $562,000 that we need.
“It’s only been going for five months, this appeal. The generosity of this community is overwhelming - I couldn’t be happier.”
Auxiliary member Ian Currell said the auxiliary was glad to be able to contribute towards the new facility.
“It’s a realty important addition to the town, and to health services,” he said.
“To be able to look after the elderly as best we can, it is a really great thing for the community.”
Mr Leddy extended his gratitude to attendees who came out to support the art show despite the wet and windy conditions over the weekend.
“It’s great for the auxiliary because it’s more money for the hospital, and it’s great for the community to get behind us and support the auxiliary,” he said.
“Thank you to our two art dealers for putting together a good collection of art for sale.”
Ms Morey is calling on the community to give what they can to the appeal, with construction of the facility currently running on time for opening mid-next year.
“We would love to receive donations from anybody who still hasn’t had the chance to give any money, be it clubs, workplaces, individuals, families, trusts,” she said.
“We will only end this appeal by receiving donations.
“The sooner the better – I think we’ll probably have the money by Christmas.
“It is what the elderly of this community deserve - they deserve to live in something beautiful like everybody else, and we can’t wait to deliver it to them.”
A prototype room will be opened for the community to take a guided tour of in coming months.