Peter Mac Auxiliary: Four decades of good will
12 March 2024
Some of the many incredible Auxiliary members over the decades
The Peter Mac Auxiliary has been furiously knitting and sewing for 40 years to raise money for the centre – donating millions of dollars over that time.
Thousands of volunteers have contributed to that success – with community groups and individuals from across Australia creating countless handmade items.
The Auxiliary was born when a group of women banded together in the early 80s with a vision to contribute to the place that had cared for them and their families.
One of those founding members was Lurline Kennedy, a patient when Peter Mac was in Williams Street.
“Because Peter Mac gave me so much, I thought, what can I do to give back?” Lurline explains.
“Some of us were into crafts and we would make little things, so we set up a stall, and people would then see us and offer to make things.
“There was one lady who used to live in Bendigo and she would send down a parcel every month full of things that she and her friends had made.
“From humble beginnings, a mountain has grown. I’m just delighted to see how much money the Auxiliary has been able to raise over the past four decades.”
There’s still a steady stream of hand-made goods flowing in from community groups who are eager to support the Auxiliary – stocking the small shop that’s on the ground floor of Peter Mac’s Melbourne campus.
Current Peter Mac Auxiliary Co-Chairs Helen Ukena (right) and Mie Hirano-James
Current Peter Mac Auxiliary Co-Chairs Helen Ukena and Mie Hirano-James work tirelessly to manage the huge amounts of stock and the dedicated volunteers who run the shop and weekly stalls.
“Every cent we raise in our shop and at our regular stalls goes back into the centre,” Ukena explains.
“Over the years, funds have supported lots of medical equipment and loads of projects to improve the patient experience – and we’re extremely proud of that.”
“We’re still going strong after 40 years and look forward to continuing to contribute to Peter Mac for the next 40.”
The entire Peter Mac community thanks the Auxiliary – both past and present members – for their immense contribution.