Funds raised by the auxiliary have helped purchase a barbecue for resident use, a chair-bed and electrical equipment for the family room.

It has also gone towards 12 dining chairs for the day centre, a hi-low bed, gift trolley supplies, $2000 towards day centre activities, signs for the Willaura Outdoor market, a visit from the travelling zoo for residents, calendars, birdbaths and garden plants, as well as a contribution towards the new roller door on the storeroom.

Auxiliary president said Judy Paterson said the money helped a wide range of people. 

“All these purchases help to make Willaura Health Care a better place for the residents and their families and for community members who come to visit the Day Centre regularly,” she said.

Mrs Paterson was returned as president at the annual general meeting, along with secretary Jan Laidlaw and treasurer Mandy Heard on October 17.

In her annual report Mrs Paterson said the auxiliary was proud to have Peter Armstrong, who was acting chief executive of East Grampians Health Service at the time, officially open the refurbished day centre and the hospital family respite room in July.

Mrs Paterson said the auxiliary now has members attend the Community Consultative Committee meeting at the health service and the Willaura Campus user group.

“We feel very involved and informed by the health service community, especially as it will be committing to a large spend on redeveloping the Willaura campus to accommodate the growing needs of our community,” she said.

Plans are well underway for the 2017 Willaura Health Care Outdoor Market, which is the Auxiliary’s major fundraiser, each year.

The market will be hosted adjacent to the Willaura Hospital on next year on March 5 from 10am to 2pm.

It attracts more than 70 stalls and food vendors.

Activities at the market include school participation, an art exhibition and plenty of fun for the kids.

The auxiliary is currently accepting registrations from prospective stall holders. Registrations close February 24, 2017, however spots are filling fast, so Mrs Paterson said to register today.

She said registration forms can be found at the Willaura Health Care Outdoor Market’s website at www.willauramarket.com