Buderim Private Hospital Auxiliary Vice President, Lesley Rouse, was awarded the prestigious Moderator’s Community Service Medal this year for her outstanding contribution to our hospital community.
Lesley joined the Auxiliary in July 2017 after a friend introduced her to the group who give their time to support our hospital through a range of initiatives and activities.
“Before my husband and I retired on the Sunshine Coast about 10 years ago, I worked as a paediatric dietitian in hospitals and the community. I love being in the hospital environment, so that’s why I was interested in hospital volunteering,” Lesley said.
“My friend introduced me to the Auxiliary and I’ve been part of the group ever since.
“It’s nice to be able to volunteer and I guess when you retire, it’s time to give back. I enjoy being able to do that by being part of the hospital Auxiliary,” she said.
Together with more than 30 Auxiliary colleagues, Lesley gives back to our community in many ways, from tending to patient’s flowers twice a week, to sewing toiletry care packs and cuddle hearts for babies in the Special Care Nursery.
These activities all have a profound impact on the experience of those we care for, but one that Lesley feels particularly proud of are the teddy bears the Auxiliary sews.
“It all started during COVID, and it wasn’t just us, the wider community got involved as well. We were all looking for things to do at home and we had an idea to make a gift for any baby born at Buderim Private Hospital during the pandemic,” Lesley said.
“We started knitting and sewing and embroidering toys and teddies for the newborns, and then were asked to make bigger comfort bears for the children coming in to emergency or to have an operation. That’s where the Buddy Bear project came from.
“Since late 2020, we’ve created more than 780 bears. It feels good to know that through creating the bears, each one slightly different, we’ve been able to help young patients during something they might feel pretty scared about,” she said.
In recognition of her service, Lesley was awarded a 2023 Moderator’s Community Service Medal which is presented by the Moderator of The Uniting Church Queensland Synod, Reverend Bruce Moore.
Rev. Moore visited Buderim Private Hospital in June to meet Lesley and to present her with the Medal which is given to individuals who have contributed in an outstanding way to the Uniting Church’s mission.
Buderim Private Hospital General Manager, Shane Mitchell, said it was pleasure to see Lesley recognised for her generosity and dedication.
“Lesley is not someone who seeks recognition, she only seeks to give and we are grateful to have her and the Auxiliary as part of our hospital family. She will tell you it’s a team effort, and that is true, together they make an incredible impact in our community,” Shane said.
Reflecting on the award, Lesley said she feels honoured but humbled.
“If there is one thing I can stress, it’s that it really is a group effort. The members of the Auxiliary, volunteers and all members of our community who support what we do are wonderful people who work really hard to help make a difference,” Lesley said.
“As I told my children, I’ve never won a Medal before and for the hospital to make a big fuss about it, was just lovely. It’s amazing and I will treasure it.”