The Friends of Blue Haven Aged Care Facility celebrated 40 years since the volunteer group was formed on Friday.
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The group held the celebration in conjunction with their Christmas lunch for the residents.
By coincidence the foundation meeting was chaired by Alderman Honey in 1977 and four decades later, Mayor Mark Honey cut the cake together with Merle Locke, who has been a member of the group for 39 years.
“It is with pleasure that I am here as it was 40 years ago, my father was the chairman of the ladies auxiliary for Blue Haven,” he said.
“Of course as history goes, when stage five was finished there was a bit of a revolt and it wasn’t just the ladies auxiliary, so in fact they changed the name to Friends of Blue Haven and here we are today.
“To those people who are actively a part of the Friends of Blue Haven the support they give to the people in the nursing home and the village generally is really appreciated, not only by the residents but by the community and council as well, it is probably from what I understand one of the happiest and most pleasant nursing homes.
“I congratulate you all and hope in 40 year’s time my grandson can do the same thing.”
The group became aware of the important milestone when they came across a newspaper clipping from a 1977 edition of the Kiama Independent.
The article titled ‘Meeting forms Blue Haven Auxiliary’ stated the following:
The Blue Haven Retirement Village Ladies Auxiliary was formed on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Ald. Honey.
The Election of office bearers was under the direction of Mr P Saphin and Mr T Matterson.
President N Cambrell; vice president D Hall; secretary H Hopkins; treasurer N Borland; assistant treasurer C Patton; publicity officer P Rasmussen.
The auxiliary will meet next Wednesday, August 24 at 7.30pm at the Brighton Hotel and then every second Wednesday of the month.
Donations have been received from Jamberoo Bowling Club and Kiama Bridge Club.
The remainder of the article offered readers a point of contact should they wish to join the newly formed volunteer group.
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