Grampians Health honours long-term Ballarat volunteers and donors with Life Governor Award
Grampians Health honoured some of its long-term volunteers and donors who have contributed greatly to the health care services in Ballarat by presenting them with the inaugural Grampians Health Life Governor Award.
Bill Brown, the Chair of the Grampians Health Board of Directors, awarded Barry Nixon, Bernadette O’Loughlin, Patricia Fisken and the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) Ladies Auxiliary for their valuable contributions to the Ballarat hospital over many years.
The Life Governor Award aims to highlight the outstanding contribution made by a volunteer, staff member, philanthropist and/or community member to Grampians Health. Nominations are assessed on the basis of their impact, reach of their contributions and how they have positively impacted the health service.
“Each year the board will have the privilege of appointing Life Governors of Grampians Health – an honour that will be bestowed on those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication, and support to the organisation. Today I am delighted to award Life Governors to those who have contributed to health care services in Ballarat,” said Mr Brown.
Barry Nixon commenced volunteering with Ballarat Health Services (BHS), across the Volunteer Liaison Group, Emergency Department and in Residential Aged Care at Steele Haughton for the past 12 years and 8 months. In 2019, he was awarded the BHS Volunteer of the Year in recognition of more than 10 years spent volunteering in mental health. Aside from being an active member of the Consumer Partnership Program (CPP) since early 2000, Barry was also the BHS Volunteer Occupational Health and Safety Representative and has demonstrated a passion for consumer healthcare and services.
“Barry has been a dedicated member of our Volunteer Team with a passion for all things community. We thank Barry for his contributions to the health service,” said Mr Brown.
Upon accepting the award, Barry said: “It truly is a rewarding experience and I get way more out of it than I give.
“I humbly accept this on behalf of all volunteers and consumer advocates associated with Grampians Health. Everyone’s a winner and every one of them deserves an award and applause.”
Bernadette O’Loughlin has been a part of the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) driving team and held the position of Team Leader from 2017 – 2022. In addition, she has volunteered for the Emergency Department, Volunteer Simulated Patient Program (VSP) and as a member of Grampians Health Volunteer Liaison Group. During her time as a Team Leader of the BRICC driving team, the group was awarded a BHS Values Award in 2021. She was also part of the Volunteer Liaison Group when they won the 2018 Australasian Association of Volunteer Managers Team Award for Excellence.
“Bernadette has a passion for giving back to the local region, volunteering with our healthcare service. We thank her for her time and dedication to the health service,” said Mr Brown.
Bernadette said that her time volunteering at Grampians Health has been personally rewarding. She recalled an incident when a patient she was driving to the hospital called her a friend.
“We get so much out of this, particularly when driving. We are driving people who are unwell and after a month or more of driving them, we do become friends,” she said.
Patricia Fisken was one of the founding members of the BHS Foundation and has served as the Chair of the Foundation for 10 years. She has diligently donated to BHS and Grampians Health since 1989. One of the recent examples of her support was the 2021 Christmas appeal when her support allowed the heath service to purchase two CPR machines. Patricia served for 40 years as a volunteer with Riding for the Disabled and in 2002 was awarded an Order of Australia for service to the community of Ballarat.
“Thank you, Pat for your community spirit and your generosity toward healthcare in Ballarat,” said Mr Brown.
The fourth recipient of the Life Governor Award – QEC Ladies Auxiliary – had humble beginnings in 1922 when they started with three donations of 5 guineas each to help furnish the Ballarat and District Benevolent Home. Since then, the QEC Ladies Auxiliary has hosted innumerable activities to raise funds to purchase essential equipment, including an X-ray machine.
“Equally importantly, the QEC Ladies Auxiliary have brightened the lives of many residents through picnics, lunches and other social events, in addition to addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of many residents,” said Mr Brown.
“I thank the QEC Ladies Auxiliary Chair, Marlene Fry, its Treasurer Mary Jolly, and all the members of the auxiliary for your service and efforts.”
QEC Ladies Auxiliary member Merrilyn Hastings, who received the award on behalf of the group, said that she hoped to have more members in the auxiliary next year to continue the service to the society.
The inaugural Grampians Health Life Governor Award presentations have also been held across Horsham and Edenhope campuses, with Stawell to follow in coming weeks.
