• Hidden Treasure honouree Trudy Burgess (centre) with her daughter Jane and grandson Zac.
THE Bega Hospital Auxiliary’s longest-serving member Trudy Burgess has been named on the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for 2012.
The roll was started in 2010 by the Department of Primary Industries Rural Women’s Network to celebrate the contributions of female volunteers from rural and regional communities.
President of the Bega Hospital Auxiliary Anne Sheedy had only one person in mind when she learned about the roll.
“I heard about nominations for 2012 the day they closed, but I immediately thought of Trudy and rushed home to nominate her,” Ms Sheedy said.
“She really is a hidden treasure.
“It’s so rare that people like Trudy, who help endlessly without blowing their own trumpet, are acknowledged.
“However, she should be and everyone at the auxiliary is so pleased she’s on the roll.”
Ms Burgess has worked with the Bega Hospital Auxiliary for 38 years, first starting with the volunteer organisation while working as a nurse at the hospital.
She has worked in the roles of secretary, president and publicity officer for the group over the years.
For the past five years she has been the Bega Hospital Auxiliary’s patron.
Ms Burgess, who turned 85 last year, has also volunteered as a Pink Lady and still helps patients at the hospital today.
“She’s still active in the auxiliary and helps out with street stalls, selling raffle tickets and doing rosters,” Ms Sheedy said.
“She has been a member for half its life and we think this is an outstanding effort.”
Ms Burgess’s daughter Jane said her mum was “a little embarrassed” to be named a hidden treasure.
“Mum was shocked when she found out and she thought it was ridiculous that she would be considered a treasure, although she had a laugh about it,” she said.
“I think it’s nice she was acknowledged because for as long as I can remember she’s always been helping with the Bega Hospital Auxiliary and other volunteer activities.”
Thanks to the nomination of Ms Sheedy, Ms Burgess is the first woman from the Bega Valley to be named on the Hidden Treasure honour roll.
“She’s get embarrassed when you mention to her all the hard work she’s done over the years for the hospital but I feel she should be celebrated,” Ms Sheedy said.
“She’s 85 and she’s still involved with the auxiliary, it proves you can’t keep a good person down.”
Nominations for 2013 open on May 1, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rwn for more information.
