Staff at Queanbeyan's district hospital no longer lug around an ultrasound machine from the emergency department up to the maternity ward when they need a baby scan.
They have 42 selfless volunteers to thank for a brand new $80,000 ultrasound machine which will remain on the ground floor for emergencies.
The long-running Queanbeyan Hospital Auxiliary group runs a kiosk near the entrance of the hospital, selling coffee, snacks, handmade woollens, books and even "Get well soon" cards.
All members are retired and volunteer their time on a weekly basis to work behind the counter, crocheted beanies, blankets and cuddle toys for newborns, and put up sausage sizzles at community events.
After doing the books for the month, group treasurer Lynda McIntosh said they had raised $109,000 since July this year.
"We have mainly women and about half a dozen men on our membership, some of them work in the kiosk," she said. "We also run a trolley which we take through all the wards and the departments in the hospital most mornings of the week for patients who like to read in bed and can't come down here to get a copy of the newspaper."
All the money raised by the auxiliary group will be eventually gifted to the hospital in the form of additional infrastructure to support the patients. "We provide items they might need, they range from quite small things to very expensive things," Ms McIntosh said.
While the hospital's budget provides the essentials, the auxiliary funding has been a huge bonus. Previously, items have included furniture for the mental health unit's waiting room, pieces of equipment for the hearing clinic, the physiotherapy department and potted flora for the plants room.
Every baby born at Queanbeyan's District Hospital usually goes home with a souvenir beanie hand-knit and donated by creative crocheters. Items sold at the kiosk also include soft toys, blankets and sweaters for children.
"One lady has dropped off a whole bag of goodies for us to sell and donate ... including tiny weenie ones for premature babies," Ms McIntosh said. She was joined by three other dedicated volunteers that day who said fundraising for the hospital had been very rewarding. "We want the patients to be happy, that's why we do it," Jeanette Buckley said.
Staff member Bronwyn Wickman, who bought a sandwich from the kiosk, said: "These are our VIP ladies."
The group had regular meetings with the director of nursing and midwifery and site manager at the hospital Samantha Sherd who said the generous volunteers brought a strong sense of community and kindness to the hospital.
"Southern NSW Local Health District greatly values the contributions Queanbeyan Hospital Auxiliary volunteers make to support patients, staff and visitors," she said.
Ms McIntosh was concerned about the group's membership because said cost of living meant fewer people were retiring and volunteering. She said she would remain treasurer for as long as "I've got it up here", she said pointed to her head.
