Clearing sale yields $25,000 for hospital
The multi-vendor clearing sale conducted by the Drouin Rotary Club earlier this month raised $25,000 to aid the palliative care service of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
Organising committee chairman Rotarian Don Kelly whose family recently experienced the “amazing care” provided by the nurses of the service, said that incredible support had been received from a wide range of people and organisations to assist the club in achieving an excellent result.
He thanked particularly the Bellbird Park Management Committee, the Drouin Cricket Club (both of whose facilities had been used), the Warragul and Drouin Gazette, all those who had donated goods for the auction and those who entrusted items for sale on commission.
Mr Kelly said one of the aims of the project was to raise awareness in the community of the palliative care service. “I think we’ve done that,” he said. “At first I thought that we could provide a couple of new drivers (pumps) for administering pain relief medication, but it soon became apparent that we could achieve much more.”
Mt Kelly said many club members, partners and friends had contributed countless hours in preparation for and administration of the event – ranging from collecting goods for sale, organising the layout, assisting at the sale and staffing the settling room to running the barbecue.
He highlighted the contribution of Rotarian Peter Williams who conducted the auction, and the support Mr Williams had received from his associates Greg Wilson and Doug Peachey.
Mr Williams said the total turnover on the day was just on $100,000 from the 800 lots offered.
“Selling took place from 10.30am to 6.30pm – a big big sale,” he said.
“There were over 300 registered buyers who came from all over Victoria, with one call coming in from Darwin.”
Mr Williams also thanked his associates, who had given their time due of the worthiness of the project.
At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club, West Gippsland Healthcare Group manager district nursing Sue McDermott and palliative care nurse practitioner Maryann Bills attended as guest speakers and to receive the cheque.
They detailed to club members and guests the services offered by the 12 nurses who operate across the Baw Baw Shire in alleviating suffering and providing support for patients and their families at a difficult time.
When receiving the cheque, they thanked the club on behalf of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group. They said they were overwhelmed by the amazing result of the project.