WOMEN united in supporting Boort have in September marked the 90th anniversary of the town’s auxiliary.
Tuesday afternoon brought together present and former members of the Boort District Health Service auxiliary.
They were praised for the care, support and service spanning the decades.
For some, like current president Judy Perryman, membership of the auxiliary has come in two stints ... only separated by 35 years as a member of the hospital staff.
“Dot Evans was president and (first) talked me into joining the auxiliary,” Judy said.
“In those days we used to do caterings and high teas. Today the op-shop is our only income to support Boort District Health,” said.
“I had a time as secretary of the auxiliary before joining the staff and when I retired, I wanted to again be involved and give back to the town.
“We don’t get a lot of young ones. People seem to join when they are in their 60s ... people who have some spare time.”
Isobel Loader joined the hospital auxiliary in 1986 after seeing first-hand the care two aunts and uncles received in the nursing home. She soon became auxiliary secretary and after 20 years in the role, served five terms as president before stepping down last year.
But there’s no hint of retirement from community service with Isobel still on duty every week sorting clothes donated to the op-shop that the auxiliary has operated for 20 years and is its main revenue raiser to support BDH.
“The community is wonderful with donations and we would be lost without them,” she said. “And I would be lost without the auxiliary.
“Joining the auxiliary has been my way of repaying the hospital for their care of my aunts and uncles.”
The auxiliary’s recent donations have included $35,000 for seven new acute beds, $18,000 for mobile storage units, $18,000 for electric remote control wheel chairs and a two-seater gopher and $7400 for shade structures. 
“Many people don’t realise just how much we donate,” Isobel said.  “We’re very proud of our op-shop,” she last year after stepping down as president.
Boort District Health chief executive officer Donna Doyle said the hospital’s archives contained many photographs and newspaper clippings charting the auxiliary’s support over 90 years.
Among them is a clipping from last century when 400 children and adults took to the stage for a fundraising variety concert - the Boort Brass Band, ballerinas Melissa McClelland and Julian Smith, Brownies and Guides.
Then auxiliary president Jan Rawlins was full of praise for the performers. The night raised $9000.
Over the years, the hospital auxiliary has contributed many hundreds of thousands of dollars more to assist with buying new equipment for the hospital and hostel.  “Many people don’t realise just how much we donate,” Isobel said.
In the last decade alone, members have raised over $360,000.
Donna Doyle said: “It’s a milestone we were keen to celebrate and recognise.”