Just a month after Campbelltown Hospital opened in October 1977, Dot Lechner signed up to become a volunteer.
One of only three volunteers at that time, she has seen both the hospital and the number of volunteers grow over the years.
And more growth is set to come with the plans progressing for a $632 million hospital redevelopment.
“When I started volunteering it was only a very small family hospital, and now it is a big healthcare hub,” Mrs Lechner, of Harrington Park, said.
“With more and more people moving in here, it’s good the government is looking after the area by increasing the hospital.”
Mrs Lechner, formally a nurse at Liverpool Hospital, said she decided to start volunteering when she moved to Campbelltown and hasn’t looked back since.
“I started volunteering on the wards and before I knew it I was doing all sorts of other jobs and now I interview prospective volunteers,” she said.
“I enjoy volunteering and making sure the community is looked after.”
She counted the opening of the maternity ward and the development of the paediatric and oncology services as some of the key milestones she had witnessed at Campbelltown Hospital.
Campbelltown Hospital general manager Alison Derrett said the hard work the volunteers put in was very highly valued among both staff and patients.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Our volunteers are passionate about making sure Campbelltown Hospital is a warm and inviting place,” Ms Derrett said.[/social_quote]
“They work so hard right across the hospital in areas like fundraising, giving directions to patients and visitors and providing a friendly face for our patients to talk to.
“We are proud to have such a dedicated group of volunteers in our hospital and we relish the opportunity to celebrate their contribution this National Volunteers Week.”
To volunteer at Campbelltown Hospital visit ww.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ccq/volunteers.html or call 4634 3855.
