Other community groups had previously offered catering services, but as these organisations found it difficult to continue, the auxiliary members stepped up and took over.

And they are now glad they did, because the money raised from catering at community functions has helped buy thousands of dollars worth of hospital equipment.

This week, the hospital took delivery of a $20,000 Lucas Stryker chest compression machine, which basically provides the equivalent of manual CPR and frees up a staff member to attend to other duties in emergency situations.

Auxiliary members Cheryl Crocker and Kathy Goss said money to buy the machine came from their catering efforts, the "obligatory raffle or two", bequests from the community and donations from the organisers of the annual community fundraising event, The Long Table.

The Long Table dinner, for the past two years, has raised funds for the Kindra Park Trust. In two years, it has gifted $20,000 to the auxiliary.

"The hospital is for everybody," Mrs Crocker said.

"It's about our grandchildren and our neighbours. In a small community, it's really for everyone."

Like most community groups, the women say they could do with some more members to bolster the current figure of 18.

"Like a lot of community organisations, our members are getting older," Mrs Goss said.