Wagga Ladies Auxiliary parting ways with House of Compassion

The Wagga Ladies Auxiliary has been fundraising for the Home of Compassion for 70 years, but now its members are saying they are too old to keep up the hard work.

The House of Compassion is a congregation of sisters who serve the community through the establishment of its aged care residence.

Ladies Auxiliary member Margaret McAuliffe said whilst the disbandment comes as sad news, it just simply has to come to an end.

"It's disbanded because it's a cashless society now and we're all too old," she said.

"It takes a huge amount of work to organise and run the events and there aren't any young people coming in because they're all working. These days, young people don't have the same amount of free time as we did back then."

The Ladies Auxiliary has raised funds over the years through an array of events such as the Annual Fete.

Long-serving members sister Rae Berry and sister Barbara King began their service for the Home of Compassion in 1982, and have valued every moment of it.

"I think with old peoples homes if you have life coming into, it it makes a difference, it makes it a home," Sr Berry said.

Sr Berry said some of her fondest moments looking back are embedded with the connections she has made with the people she has met.

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"Wagga is the most amazing place for people- they are so generous and they never forget," she said.

"I really stand by the quote; we are made by the people we meet."

And members aren't short of examples of the generosity shown by the residents of Wagga- which is how the organisation first came to fruition.

"In the early days' Government funding was non-existent and finances were very tight," Ms McAuliffe said.

"However, the Sisters managed with support from a very generous Wagga Wagga community.

"If the home was short of eggs, an egg cup would be placed in front of the statue of St Joseph and low and behold a generous benefactor would promptly donate eggs."

Sr King said one thing she holds close to her heart is the acceptance of the sisters.

"For me, the most amazing thing is how accepting the sisters are of everyone," she said.

"We're sisters of compassion."

As well as the annual fete, members would raise funds through raffles and card parties, luncheons and Antique fairs held in Kyeamba Smith Hall and much more.

Long-time secretary of the Auxiliary, Helen Brown also followed in the footsteps of her father, Tony Suckling who organised the annual bowls day fundraiser.

In later years, the major fundraiser was the annual Christmas raffle.

Ms McAuliffe said the funds The Auxiliary's fund raising in recent years, was directed towards purchasing extra items for the comfort of House of Compassion residents and the support of the staff.

Some of the purchases they were able to make include air-mattresses, crash mats, portable oxygen cylinders, bariatric beds and chairs, and a bed lifting machine, which was manned by one staff member instead of the four it would have otherwise taken to lift a bed.

Other members include Kay Sutton, Kitty Howe, Kate Mitchell, Maree Miller, Judy Buchanan and Margaret Molloy.

The fund-raising committees have been in existence since the Sisters of Compassion established the first aged care residence in Fox Street In 1952.

"The Sisters from a congregation, founded in New Zealand, and co-workers are committed to work together in a spirit of compassion, openness, and integrity to meet the needs of the aged, the sick, the oppressed and powerless in our community," Ms McAuliffe said.

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