It’s grown from a modest six-bed hospital in 1894 to an elective surgery centre with four theatres and more than 90 beds, but Williamstown Hospital’s vast expansion would not have happened without volunteers.
The Williamstown Hospital opportunity shop is calling for more volunteers as the hospital celebrates its 120th anniversary.
Op shop staff, who are among 250 Western Health volunteers – including those at Williamstown Hospital, Hazeldean Transition Care and the Western and Sunshine hospitals – were recently shortlisted for a Minister for Health Volunteer Award.
Western Health fund-raising co-ordinator Nicky Cooper said many of the improvements at Williamstown Hospital would not have been possible without the op shop volunteers.
“Patients in our new dialysis unit are incredibly grateful for the opportunity shop team’s part in providing new dialysis facilities and the hugely improved environment for their dialysis treatment,” Ms Cooper said.
“Patients on our lower west and GEM [geriatric evaluation and management] wards have a much more pleasant stay with us now that they have new blinds, providing greater privacy, and freshly painted rooms.
“I’m proud to say, though, that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Western Health board chairman Ralph Willis said the hospital started from a meeting of residents in 1889. They identified the need for a local hospital because of an increase in accidents at the port, railway workshops and growing industrial areas of Newport, Spotswood and Footscray.
The hospital was officially opened in 1894 by the defence minister of the day and its first-year running costs were subsidised by a £100 government grant and £104 raised by local churches and factories.
The op shop is particularly looking for volunteers to help on Saturdays from 9am-12.30pm or 12.30pm-4pm. Contact 0401 684 977 or nicky.cooper2@wh.org.au.
