After more than 10,000 collective hours of service to patients and staff, three of Mater’s hardest-working volunteers have this week been welcomed into Mater’s Volunteer Alumni.

Jean Meikle has been part of the Mater family for more than five decades—firstly as a staff member, and then as dedicated volunteer.

“I have had a deep connection with Mater for many years having worked as a nursing assistance at Mater Mothers’ for 32 years,” she says.

“We had volunteers helping us when I worked all those years ago, which was so nice.

Jean has also helped cancer patients involved in the Look Good Feel Better Program for many years.

“When my husband died after I retired in 2001, I took great pleasure in becoming a volunteer myself.”

Jean has clocked up a staggering 7,164 hours in various roles including Admissions and as an Ambassador at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane before recently retiring from her duties.

Fellow Alumni Lorraine McDonald has also been part of the Mater family for decades—starting out as a midwife in 1972 before becoming a volunteer more than a decade ago.

After 1,657 hours of service helping patients in the Transit Lounge feel calm and comfortable, the 79-year-old says she has since perfected the art of tea-making!

Alumni Olivia Condon has also clocked up a remarkable number of hours of service—2,034 to be exact—after starting in 2013.

The 70-year-old started out in the Pre-Admissions area at Mater Hospital Brisbane and continued as an Ambassador near the Emergency Department.

Mater Volunteers Senior Manager Judy Johnson said volunteers make a profound impact on the care and services that Mater provides to the community—each one bringing their own life experiences and personalities to the care they provide.

“Volunteers are compassionate and kind people. It’s this gift of empathy and time that we are so grateful for,” Judy said. 

“Put simply Mater just wouldn’t be Mater without our volunteers.”