16 May 2022

Honouring nurses and midwives on International Nurses Day

| Shri Gayathirie Rajen
Start the conversation
Wagga Business Chamber president Jennifer Hand, Wagga Base Hospital nurse manager Rashid Samad and director of nursing and midwifery Jacquelyn Hilton

(Left to right) Wagga Business Chamber president Jennifer Hand, Wagga Base Hospital nurse manager Rashid Samad and director of nursing and midwifery Jacquelyn Hilton at International Nurses Day breakfast. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.

Wagga businesses came together to “shout nurses a coffee” and celebrate their hard-working carers and healers on International Nurses Day.

Representatives from NSW Health and local businesses were invited to Wagga Business Chamber’s monthly Business Breakfast, this month marking International Nurses Day.

Local businesses donated vouchers and prizes for the local nurses and midwives at the event, hosted by Macarthur Real Estate Agency on Thursday (12 May).

READ ALSO Nurses need our care – and a decent wage

Business Chamber president Jennifer Hand said it’s vital to acknowledge the significant role nurses and medical staff play in the community and give back to Wagga’s nursing body.

“We acknowledge the efforts of nurses in getting our business community back on track with the rollout of immunisations and testing,” she said.

“We also acknowledge that our health service provides a point of difference for the city when it comes to those looking to relocate, and nursing staff play a large part in this.

“They do so much for us, and it is not until you need the service you understand how good they are at their job.”

Wagga Macarthur Real estate staff

Staff at Macarthur Real Estate Agency (left to right) Steve Bollinger, Skye Vickery, Taylah Lees, Amy Fowler, Hannah Spackman, Chloe Bateman, Willow Clayton, Sharon Vella and Mark Macarthur. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.

Macarthur Real Estate director Mark Macarthur said the breakfast exceeded expectations.

“We are honoured to celebrate the amazing nursing and care staff who have been a pillar to our community during the pandemic,” he said.

READ ALSO An Ode to Nurses on International Nurses Day

“We are in awe of their dedication to keeping the community safe and providing a first-class experience for those in need.

“They are an invaluable asset to Wagga Wagga and beyond.

“As a local, family-owned business without a franchise behind us, we choose to give back and invest in our local community and its members by doing what we can for local charities, awareness campaigns, individuals and sporting teams.”

Four people

(Left to right) Jo Wilson, Cassandra McDonald, Danielle Wait and Steve Barker. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.

He added it was a surprise to learn that the nursing staff had not been acknowledged outside of the hospital before being invited to celebrate.

Wagga Wagga Base Hospital director of nursing and midwifery Jacquelyn Hilton said she and her colleagues were grateful for the event.

“We really appreciate the Chamber of Commerce and Macarthur Real Estate for reaching out to us and hosting the breakfast,” she said.

She added that the donations and prizes received would be used for the Nurses Olympics, part of week-long festivities celebrating the nurses and midwives.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Do you like to know what’s happening around your region? Every day the About Regional team packages up our most popular stories and sends them straight to your inbox for free. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.