The Friends of the Women's & Children's Hospital

15/06/2026

We urgently need volunteers at the Rainbow Cafe!

Are you ready to step into Merida's shoes?

Meet Merida — one of our wonderful volunteers at the Rainbow Café at the Women's & Children's Hospital. We desperately need more warm, caring people like Merida to join our team and help keep this vital service running for patients, families and hospital staff.

If you could spare a few hours a month? We need you now.

Visit wchfriends.com.au/volunteers
call (08) 8161 6439 or email [email protected] today.

10/06/2026

What a wonderful day at the 63rd Annual Region 6 Riverland Conference!

Last week, 22 Friends of the Women's and Children's Hospital gathered at the Berri Lutheran Church Hall to celebrate, connect, and share in the incredible work being done for families across South Australia.

Some highlights from the day:

- In 2024/25, Riverland families made 317 inpatient and 3,541 outpatient visits to the WCH — and Telehealth appointments soared from just 33 to 1,058 in a single year, thanks in part to Friends donating $50,000 to reactivate the Telehealth system before COVID.

- Recent equipment donations include Clinical Audiometers, Newborn Hearing Screening Devices, and a Neonatal Transport System — all making a real difference to the littlest patients.

- Fundraising targets for 2026/27 include Ameda Breast Pumps, a Mobile Positioning Aid, and a Tonometer to reduce the need for procedures under anaesthesia.

Congratulations to our incredible Years of Service recipients:
• Judith Gardner – 50 years
• Jocie Cooper & Jane Nitschke – 35 years
• Val Fewster OAM – 30 years
• Sue Gates – 5 years

Region 6 has raised an extraordinary $275,730 for vital equipment and services since the early 1960s — including $22,290 last year alone.

Every dollar stays close to home, supporting families right here in the Riverland and beyond.

New members are always welcome! Join the Berri or Renmark auxiliary groups — call 8161 8445 or visit wchfriends.com.au

05/06/2026

Dear Friends

Please enjoy the June Edition of our Friends Newsletter

This edition shines a spotlight on our wonderful volunteers whose dedication, generosity and hard work help make everything we do possible.

We are incredibly grateful for the time and energy our volunteers contribute in support of the Women's and Children's Health Network.

We hope you enjoy reading their stories and learning more about the amazing people behind the Friends.

We are always looking for more volunteers, if you would like to be part of our wonderful community visit wchfriends.com.au/volunteers

https://indd.adobe.com/view/9350d732-f802-4cef-bdae-1b1a77bb3f36

The commitment and dedication of the members, volunteers and staff of the Friends is evident in the ongoing success of the organisation to support the work of the hospital in caring for the women, children and young people of South Australia.

03/06/2026

Thank you Kadina Auxiliary, 600 packs over 10 years is incredible!

It’s often the littlest things that can mean so much when you’re in hospital. 💕💕

We’re so grateful to the Kadina Auxiliary of The Friends of the Women's & Children's Hospital for their incredible donation of hundreds of toiletry care packs.

Over the past 10 years they have donated 600 packs which contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, and other essential toiletries to help parents and carers staying at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital unexpectedly.

The WCH Friends Kadina Auxiliary on the Yorke Peninsula - including Care Pack Co-ordinator Lorraine (right) and newly appointed Kadina Auxiliary President Lauren (left) - collect the donated items from the community and local businesses. It is through this generosity that they are able to make and provide the care packs.

Over the last few years they have added tags to the packs explaining where the packs have come from and they have received lovely feedback.

Thank you so much to all involved, you make a difference to our families.

For more information visit https://wchfriends.com.au/

03/06/2026

Meet Kristie, Associate Midwifery Unit Manager in the Delivery Suite and High Dependency Unit at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

Kristie shares her heartfelt thanks to the Friends of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Queen Victoria Auxiliary for their generous donation of five TENS machines.

These safe, drug-free and portable devices will make a meaningful difference for women during labour, particularly in managing early contractions and back pain. By using gentle electrical pulses to block pain signals and stimulate the release of endorphins, TENS machines give mothers greater comfort, confidence and control over their pain management experience.

Having access to additional TENS units means more women can benefit from this important support during one of life’s most significant moments.
We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity and commitment of the Friends Queen Victoria Auxiliary in helping us enhance the care and experience we provide to mothers and babies across South Australia.

Thank you for making a real difference.

Learn more: https://wchfriends.com.au/
Donate with confidence — knowing every dollar goes directly to equipment: https://wchfriends.com.au/donate

This video was filmed and edited by CET, Digital Learning and Design, within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

01/06/2026

We urgently need volunteers at the Rainbow Cafe!
Are you ready to step into Merida's shoes?

Meet Merida — one of our wonderful volunteers at the Rainbow Café at the Women's & Children's Hospital. We desperately need more warm, caring people like Merida to join our team and help keep this vital service running for patients, families and hospital staff.
If you could spare a few hours a month? We need you now.

Visit wchfriends.com.au/volunteers
call (08) 8161 6439 or email [email protected] today.

27/05/2026

A huge thank you to Ruth from the Lobethal Bakery for the beautiful cake generously donated for our National Volunteer Week celebrations.

It was such a lovely treat for all of The Friends of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital shop volunteers to share together and a wonderful way to acknowledge the incredible time, care and dedication our volunteers give throughout the year.

Your kindness helped make our celebrations extra special and very much appreciated by everyone involved.

But WCH Rainbows Shop and Vics Cafe need more volunteers to open 7 days a week.
If you or anyone you know would like to Volunteer at the Rainbows Shop please email [email protected]