We are delighted to be able to announce this year’s recipient of the Madge Tate Service Award. This award is given in honour of Madge Tate for her dedication and extraordinary service to auxiliaries. Madge Tate joined the Croyden Auxiliary in 1932. She overcame obstacles, distance, family commitments and at times, ill health to provide an outstanding contribution to the Royal Children’s Hospital for over 60 years. This Award is therefore given to someone who has not only been involved with her/his Auxiliary but has made a significant contribution to the success of our Auxiliary Community through leadership, innovation and extraordinary service.
This year’s Award recipient is enthusiastic and hardworking and it’s been heard that she won’t get out of bed for a stall that doesn’t raise over $2000. She runs stalls and events year round and lets people into her home for Christmas Markets and High Teas. This woman is driven, her enthusiasm is contagious and her energy is endless. She is famous for her sticky date puddings (which sell out in a minute) and runs a myriad of functions setting ever increasing goals that even she is surprised when she achieves them.
Amongst other activities, she has been a member of the AEC and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Nursing Development Scholarship Luncheon Committee, as well as taking a leading role in the Kids Day Out for the Good Friday Appeal.
When talking to her husband he paused for a moment when asked what truly drives this woman to put in this effort and to spend almost every waking hour helping to make sick kids better. With a shaky voice he explained that they were lucky parents who have two healthy, wonderful children. So it was time to give back and ask what they could do for other parents who might not be in the same position.
Her Mother Margaret, Husband Peter, Son Will and Daughter Grace are here today because they wouldn’t be anywhere else. Together with all of us, they are extremely proud of all our recipient’s achievements which of course, would not be possible without the tremendous support that she receives from her Auxiliary members and her family.
So it is with great delight that on behalf of our AEC, I announce that this year’s recipient of the Madge Tate Service Award is Ruth Murray
