HUMANS OF THE HOSPITAL: Celebrating 40 years of Mount Druitt Hospital – Dulcie Harrison

“I started volunteering at Mount Druitt Hospital in 1973, before the hospital was even built.

I was treasurer for the health services committee which was formed to get health services into the Mount Druitt area.

Originally this was establishing a health outreach ‘poly clinic’ to take patient overload. We wanted Mount Druitt to be a hospital for the people.

After this, we formed a ladies committee to start fundraising for medical equipment, which is now known as the auxiliary service.

I have been the treasurer of the auxiliary since the start. Over the years, we’ve held bus trips, raffles, dinners, lunches, bingo days and street raffles to raise money. To date we’ve raised almost $1 million for the hospital.

Originally there were about 60 of us, but this number quickly grew. We also established the hospital gift shop which was open from 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week, so I was here a lot.

I do all the buying for the hospital and still do today. My favourite thing to buy are the flowers for the gift shop.

I’ve always been proud of this hospital. We have good people here and amazing services like the palliative care unit.

I’ll continue to volunteer for as long as I’m able.”

– Dulcie Harrison is a volunteer and treasurer of the Mount Druitt auxiliary service and a former OAM recipient for her amazing contribution to the hospital.

Celebrating 40 years of Mount Druitt Hospital

‘Humans of the Hospital’ is dedicated to the inspiring humans working at Westmead, Blacktown, Mount Druitt Auburn and Cumberland hospitals in western Sydney.