The Friends of Gower Wilson Memorial Hospital is a charitable organisation that takes donations and runs fundraising events for equipment for the Gower Wilson Memorial Hospital and the Lord Howe Island General Practice.
Healthcare on Lord Howe Island has a long tradition of being supported directly through volunteers and donations from the local community – all the way back to the original construction of the building itself in the 1940s. Now, the hospital is supported by South East Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD). However, the funding model still does not always cover everything that the island needs, and we rely on donations from locals and visitors to fill the gaps.
Larger and more critical equipment is generally supplied by SESLHD, but smaller items, or those required only for the GP clinic are often purchased by the “Friends of Gower”. This can be anything from new door mats or bins, all the way up to medical equipment that costs tends of thousands of dollars – such as an ultrasound machine.
Meetings are generally held quarterly, and are attended by several local committee volunteers, as well as the doctor and nurse. All members of the committee are welcome to present their proposals, which are then voted on by the members.
A bake sale fundraiser
Recent purchases funded by the Friends of Gower
