50 years strong: Volunteers toast decades of fundraising for health centre

A DEDICATED group of volunteers came together at Bellarine Community Health’s (BCH) Portarlington site last week to mark 50 years of fundraising support for the specialist healthcare service.

Past and present members of the Portarlington Ladies Auxiliary joined BCH staff and other guests to celebrate the milestone, and toast its next 50 years of service, with an afternoon tea and memorabilia display.

The occasion recognised both the auxiliary’s fundraising achievements over the past five decades, as well as its broader community impact supporting vulnerable community members and ensuring health services remain accessible and well-equipped.

BCH chief executive Kathy Russell said the event offered a chance to reflect on the extraordinary milestone, as well as the group’s enduring commitment, adaptability and community service.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up and chat about the history of the auxiliary and thank the ladies for all their incredible support over the years,” BCH chief executive Kathy Russell said.

“They’ve been there since the land was secured through sheer determination and community grit and the first spade of soil was turned to establish the centre.

“Other local auxiliaries have come and gone, but Portarlington has stood the test of time… a testament to the strength of this community and the women who lead it.”

The Portarlington Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1975 with a clear purpose to support the community by raising funds for the community health centre, which officially opened in Fenwick Street in 1978.

Over the past five decades, the group has raised funds for essential equipment and furniture, and contributed significantly to building funds for the Fenwick Street facility and its various redevelopments.

Most of this fundraising has taken place through the auxiliary’s Op Shop, which is housed within the BCH Portarlington site.

For long-time volunteer Aline Dunn, who has been a member of the auxiliary for 35 years, the work is deeply personal.

“I love it; it’s part of me,” she said.

“I’ve volunteered here since I moved to Portarlington. The community looked after me when I needed help when I first moved here, and I’ve given it back to the community.

The health centre was always the community — if you needed help, you came to the health centre.”