Visiting dignitaries included the Member for Oxley and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, Nambucca Shire Mayor Rhonda Hoban and UHA State President Linda Swales.

Also attending was the North Eastern Zone Representative Phillipa Passfield. In her last official duty as Zone Representative, a position she has held for eight years, Ms Passfield delivered an emotional speech praising the volunteers she regarded as life-long friends.

“I have had the most wonderful eight years supporting our Mid North Coast branches and am so proud of the great work that you do in serving your local hospitals,” Ms Passfield said.

“I want to congratulate each and every one of you for such a fantastic effort over the past year.”

That “fantastic effort” included a remarkable $217,922 worth of equipment donated to local hospitals and more than 100,000 volunteer hours spent with patients and in support of hospital staff.

The Zone Day, hosted by the Bowraville branch of the UHA and held at Bowraville Recreation Club, attracted volunteers from Wauchope to Coffs Harbour and west to Dorrigo who give of their time and energy in support of the Mid North Coast Local Health District’s seven hospitals.

Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick said the UHA volunteers and Pink Ladies were an exceptional group of people.

“Our volunteers give remarkable service to our hospitals and patients, for which we are very grateful,” Mr Dowrick said.

“We fully appreciate the planning that goes into their fundraisers, the countless hours given to the hospitals in support of patients and staff and the kindness and compassion they show on a daily basis.

“What makes this gift even more remarkable is that most of the volunteers are in their 60s, 70s and 80s. They are outstanding women and men, many of whom have given decades of service to their local hospital,” Mr Dowrick said.