IN 2008, whilst state president of Women in Agriculture and Business of SA, I became involved with protesting to Minister for Health John Hill about his health plan which he wished to impose on country SA.
There were many angry people around the whole state, and none angrier than those people concerned for the CYP hospital at Maitland.
The support from local residents who wrote letters, sent faxes, et cetera, was enormous and eventually, after rallies in many towns and on the steps of Parliament House at which I spoke, Mr Hill backed down from his plan on September 1.
Today, I learned a very happy celebration is due for the CYP hospital which is going to turn 100 years old on May 31.
This is the date the original hospital opened.
I believe there will be an Op Shop Ball on March 10 to raise funds to celebrate the centenary in May.
I’m told the hospital will be celebrating on the actual date with an afternoon tea, and later that week hold a reunion dinner then a fete on Sunday, June 3.
I hope Maitland and district residents are aware of these events and they will support their hospital just as well as they have in the past. I’m quite sure they will.
Congratulations to the people of Maitland and district on retaining and supporting your hospital and staff so well for a hundred years, celebrate well.
Helen Colliver, Arthurton