Tea party toasts 25 years of volunteer care

A celebration to mark 25 years of dedicated volunteer service to the local community coincided with the 25th anniversary of the commissioning of the Geographe Bay Centre (GBC) last week.

Hosted by Busselton Hospice Care Inc (BHCI), the event was part of National Volunteer Week events and recognised the year the doors of the GBC were opened after many years of community fundraising.

To commemorate the achievement, BHCI’s 25th Anniversary Afternoon Tea Celebration was held at the centre.

Founded in 1989, Busselton Hospice Care Inc. is a charity supported by community donations, fundraising, and grants.

The organisation partners with Busselton Health Campus, WA Health Department South West Coastal Palliative Care Service, and other local providers to deliver compassionate, community-based end-of-life care to those in need.

The group was recently honoured with the City’s Active Citizen of the Year Award for it’s Go Blue for June awareness and fundraising campaign.

Nearly 100 current and retired volunteers, including Board members and former staff gathered at the GBC to reflect on 25 years of service.

Guests enjoyed afternoon tea and shared inspiring stories and memories that highlighted the profound impact of their collective volunteering on the Busselton, Dunsborough surrounding communities.

Each volunteer was presented with a newly minted enamel pin of BHCI’s logo to proudly wear in the community to help generate conversation about the importance of supporting live lived well, dying, death and bereavement.

“Our volunteers are truly the heart of our organisation,” said Jenny Monson, co-founder and current board member of BHCI.

“Over the past quarter-century, their time, skills, and care have supported countless patients and families during life’s most challenging moments. This celebration was a tribute to their extraordinary dedication.”

Busselton Hospice Care offers a variety of volunteer roles, including gardening, Resource Hub, bereavement support, and hospice visiting. For more info, contact admin@busseltonhospicecare.org.au or call 9751 1642.