Young And Boorowa Canassist Celebrates 35 Years

Kaye Doemling and Judy McGuines outside the Boorowa Rotary Op Shop.

CanAssist Young and Boorowa celebrates its 35th birthday with a lunch at Young Services Club on Sunday, October 29.

The Branch opened late in 1988, a bicentenary gift to the region thanks to the need recognised by staff nurse at Mercy Care in Young Jeanette Sherwood and Director of Nursing at Young District Hospital June Donnelly.

Those two women filled the positions of President and Secretary while Margaret Phelan accepted the role of treasurer - a role she has served for 23 years.

Boorowa has been a great contributor over the past 35 years.

Therese Crowe, a former nurse at Mercy Care in Young, became the contact for Boorowa people needing assistance and ran fundraisers.

Cathy Pearsall was involved with Boorowa Aged Care and became a contact person for patients needing help.

Kaye Doemling and Judy McGuines are the current Boorowa representatives. Funds come in from branch events or events run by community groups. Over the years, the Branch has received donations from various local organisations such as Boorowa Rotary, including from their Op Shop, the Songs of Hope concerts, Boorowa Lions Club and Bendigo Bank. The Boorowa Rugby Club recently had their Ladies Day which benefitted CanAssist to the tune of over $15,000.

The current President of Young and Boorowa CanAssist, Gail Hanigan said they’ve run lunches with trivia and fashion parades over the years.

“Our branch has helped over 1500 cancer patients and their families in the Young and Boorowa area, with over $1.25 million, currently supporting several in the Boorowa area,” Ms Hanigan said.

Young’s first Tourism Officer, Bill Kearney will speak at the lunch along with Louise Mugridge OAM from Young Oncology and bush poet Jim Lamb to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

Tickets to the birthday lunch are on sale at the club until October 20 and cost just $35 each.

Don’t wait, because tickets will not be available at the door.