This auxiliary was formed well before Wingham Court became a reality in 1976 by a dedicated, hard working group of women working alongside Wingham Senior Citizens Care Association with the goal of having an aged care facility built in Wingham, this was achieved, and the community has seen it grow over the years.

In country communities much fund raising was achieved by catering at wedding receptions, clearance sales, balls and street stalls, such was the case of Wingham Court Ladies Auxiliary. Sadly, these days are over.

Prior to the facility opening the management committee were concerned that there were no curtains or bedspreads in the 39 bed nursing home. On the day of opening bedspreads were on all beds, curtains hanging at the windows and bed curtains for privacy installed around each bed, some soft furnishings provided to make a homelike environment. The ladies then hosted afternoon tea for officials and guests.

This fundraising continued with fetes assisted by staff raising many thousands of dollars to provide equipment and extras to meet residents needs, as funding did not allow for extras to be purchased.

Residents received a lot of pleasure from visits by the auxiliary who frequently entertained with musical mornings following by morning tea. The Lodge ladies each Monday changed hostel resident’s beds, special friendships were formed and special treats bought in for morning teas, this was long before the Community Visitor Scheme, Wingham Court had its own community visitors.

Gifts were given to residents for birthdays and Christmas, no one was forgotten, each resident had a small gift to open Christmas morning.

Thank you to all who have been associated with the auxiliary over the years, I know how much I appreciated all you did and what you provided for Wingham Court and residents.

Wingham Court will be a much poorer organisation without the support and friendship of this group of ladies.