VOLUNTARY AIDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 74, 6 July 1942, Page 5

VOLUNTARY AIDS

PROGRESS OF LOCAL MOVEMENT ROOM ESTABLISHED Oil her recent visit to Whakatane -JVliss Tcnnant, Commandant in Chief -oLjV.A.s in New Zealand (Red ■Cross) strongly advocated the train-" . ing of as many girls as possible as Voluntary Aids, and also stressed advantage of having a properly Equipped room for classes. The Whakatane Branch of the Red ■Cross have gone ahead with the scheme, and now have such a room almost fully equipped. Use of one --of the shops in the Whakatane Hotel ! Building was obtained rent free. windows were calsomined free -of cost by Mr J. Martin, and the inside will be fitted out as cup-* .boards. Linoleum was obtained from . Bridgers Ltd. who generously laid «ejr free of charge, and also donated bedside lockers, three tables and three chairs. These were enamelled ii>y Mr K. Needham at his own ex-i if pense. Two hospital beds were donated by ...Mrs Mclsaac and Mrs Vitali respect lively; pillows were .given by Mrs Prideaux Senior, and Mrs Summer mattresses and pillows lent by Mrs F. Prideaux, and linen by Mrs Sullivan. Ncav linen has now been most generously given by Mr .J. Patterson. Mrs A. Hayter gave eight marcella quilts for the beds. An electric kettle was donated by VWhakatane Radio and Electrical Co. Ltd., and a large electric radiator loaned by Messrs Buddie and Otley. -Cutlers Ltd. gave a tray and Miss .Henry (Valley Road) a bowl. The room presents an attractive appearance with its green floor and • enamelled furniture. It is fitted out .as a hospital ward for which it can be used should an emergency arise, ias it would hold possibly another iour beds. A number of white enamelled forms have been made, (the timber for which, and for the linen cupboard, was given by Mr Sullivan) which accommodate those attending the Home Nursing classes, .and which can be stacked against ;the Wall when not in use. These •forms and the linen cupboard were, made at night by Mr Len Grose, who would only accept 10/- for his labour, giving the rest of his time .for the benefit of the V.A.s. A small table has bandages, lotion bottles, temperature charts and thermometers (given by Mrs Dewar). The beds are made up in approved ■hospital fashion, and one is even Complete with patient, a handsome j lady, decked out in bedvjacket and boudoir cap, who is made of rubber sheeting, on which future V.A.s. practice washing a patient. The aim of the Red Cross Satiety is to train every girl as soon as she is eighteen as a V.A. and it is understood that employers will -release their employees to enable them to do their GO hours in hospital. The Society wish to thank most sincerely all those who have so generously assisted. There are still a few articles needed to equip the room completely; a list of these has been .put up in the Red Cross shop, and a donation of any of these will be greatly appreciated.