Members recently attended the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) 86th Annual State Conference in Port Macquarie.

The conference is a great opportunity to network with other branches and share ideas.

Nicolas Kosseris, from the North Coast Local Health District, spoke about mental health, his 15 years with the NSW Police and in 2010 being medically discharged as his career was affected by mental illness.

He has been head of the Mental Health Consumer Advisory Group since 2016 and was the first "Lived Life Mental Illness person" working within the NSW Mental Health Sydney.

Sam Barlow, author/speaker and former policewoman, gave an amazing presentation regarding her life-threatening career ending incident in 2012 when she was brutally beaten not far from her police station at Kings Cross.

She was an inspiration, positive role model and her quote "Don't stop, don't stop, never never give up" saw her through rehabilitation and beyond.

Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO AC, Governor of NSW, presented Life Memberships in recognition of dedication and commitment to the values of the UHA, one of which was to Moruya secretary Kath Smith for her 15 years' service. A quote on the back of her certificate reads "her attitude is that her position is a vocation, not a part-time hobby or job".

The State Treasurer announced in her 2018-2019 financial Report, the Auxiliaries, through 190 branches and 5,285 members had raised net $5,376,525.95 and donated $5,136,608.77 to their respective hospitals, MPS and community health for the comfort and care of patients. Members were congratulated on the total hours volunteered: 952,547. The South Eastern Region gifted $316,330.73 - a great result in such times when country branches are suffering drought.

Moruya District Hospital Auxiliary was presented with a Merit Award for raising over $100,000 net: "Auxiliaries throughout NSW could not achieve these wonderful results without our communities and we thank them for their continual support."

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Note: Wednesday's Bay Post/Moruya Examiner inadvertently republished the Auxiliary's 2017-18 report.