At this year’s virtual Length of Service Awards, we honoured nearly 40 volunteers, ranging in service from five years through to 30 years.
The contribution of our volunteers is extraordinary and vital to our health service. They provide the calm, guiding voice at a time of great stress, they show people how to navigate our hallways, they provide emotional support, and so much more.
The Length of Service Awards gave us an opportunity to hear more about their commitment and how they go above and beyond to make patients and families feel comfortable and to help keep our health service running.
Unfortunately, COVID meant our volunteers were unable to enter the service for a while, but it’s great that we are now starting to see their smiling faces back with us. Read about some of our longest-serving volunteers.
Marilyn Lissenburg – 30 years at Kingston Centre
In 1991, Marilyn Lissenburg noticed a local paper advertisement for volunteers to work at a new gift shop at the Kingston Centre.
As she was no longer working full‐time, she decided to join a small band of like-minded volunteers.
Over the next 30 years, Marilyn helped run and stock the shop, which is popular with employees, visitors, and patients and residents.
She initially volunteered three times a week, and in recent years, worked there every Thursday.
Unfortunately, COVID restrictions have meant the shop has been closed since March 2020.
Marilyn treasures being part of the fabric of the Kingston Centre community and is missing her regular days at the shop and putting a smile on the faces of their customers.
When not volunteering to help others, Marilyn enjoys reading and gardening and is an active member of the Lions Club of Moorabbin.
Les Hodgson – 20 years at Moorabbin Hospital
Les has volunteered in Equipment Services at Moorabbin Hospital for two decades, helping the department with all types of tasks.
He’s described as a bubbly and caring man, who regularly counts stock levels, sorts the storeroom disposing of unwanted items, and does minor repairs.
Les has been an integral part of the team, sharing stories about his love for his family and painting, singing and music, and is also the life of the party at social events.
Elaine Hughes – 15 years at Casey Hospital
Elaine Hughes began volunteering at Casey Hospital after moving to Berwick from Gippsland.
She was looking for a way to give back to the community and started as part of a trial in the rehabilitation unit, where volunteers chatted with and helped people at risk of falls.
When the trial finished, Hawks supporter Elaine was enjoying volunteering so much she asked if she could stay. Fifteen years later, she still volunteers at Casey every week.
“I love to find common ground when I chat with people. Some I might only see once or twice, but others I might see for up to a year as they go through their rehabilitation,” she says.
Elaine found a shared interest several years ago with one young Hawks fan with Guillain-Barre syndrome. She used her detective skills to find an email address for coach Alastair Clarkson, who she knew had been diagnosed with the syndrome in 2014. She sent the email, suggesting he could visit the patient but not expecting anything to come of it.
The next week, the young patient was beaming when she arrived: the coach had visited him.
“That was so lovely and really showed how rewarding volunteering can be,” she says.
Sylvia Giles – 15 years with Monash Children’s Hospital
Sylvia says she goes home happy every time after working with the children in Monash wards.
She encourages others to embrace all opportunities, including volunteering.
“It has taught me quite a bit about life, even at my age,” she says.
“The children are what is important – if I can make them laugh and smile, then I go home happy.”
Long-serving volunteers
Casey Hospital
Elaine Hughes (15 years)
Consumer Advisor
Steve Draper (5 years), Sherril McCleary (5 years), Halini Gwizdzil (10 years), Peter McDonald (10 years), Catherine Rampant (10 years), Reg Shelley (10 years), Brian Oates (15 years)
Cranbourne
Stuart Peterson (5 years), Shayne Guley (5 years), Paula Rogers (10 years)
Dandenong Hospital
Janeece Abdul Rahman (5 years), Ruth Charlesworth (5 years), Smokey Dawson (5 years), Karen Vaughan (5 years), David Blanch (15 years), Patricia Blanch (15 years)
Dandenong Spiritual Care
Gwen Finnigan (10 years)
Kingston Centre
Jenny Fenwick (5 years), Marilyn Lissenburg (30 years)
Kingston Centre and Moorabbin
Inge Polacsek (5 years)
Monash Children’s Hospital
Gaylene Surra (5 years), Hilda Smith (5 years), Sylvia Giles (15 years)
Monash Medical Centre
Wan Mee Lee (5 years), Albert Phllips (5 years), Peter Hanley (5 years), Brigitta Vant Hooft (10 years)
Moorabbin Hospital
Teresa Comazzetto (10 years) Sylvia Ephraums (10 years), Jan Burgess (10 years), Les Hodgson (20 years)
Thomas Street
Anushi Abdul Jabbar (5 years), Bibi Zakia Shaghasi (5 years), Edwin Morales (5 years), Flora Kanapathy (5 years), Hifzur Rahman (5 years), Abdul Basit Shaghasi (5 years)
Thank you to all our long-serving volunteers for your dedication and commitment to Monash Health, the patients we care for and the broader community we serve. Your contribution has been invaluable and congratulations on your service milestone.
Approved by David Bloxham.