Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is bidding a heartfelt farewell to two of its most dedicated volunteers, Jan and Lawrie Hoffman, who are retiring after a combined 30 years of service to the community.
Jan, a cancer survivor in her 80s, has been volunteering with the Red Cross for an incredible 22 years. After retiring to Bundaberg, she sought to overcome her own fear of hospitals by taking on a volunteering role as the convenor of the library service, delivering books and magazines to patients. Over time, her contributions expanded to include volunteering at the blood bank, coordinating disaster relief efforts, and supporting the cancer unit. Reflecting on her years of service, Jan shared: “There have been lots of laughs, but sometimes I’ve had to turn my back and have a cry too.”
Lawrie, who grew up near Maryborough, began volunteering after retiring and was one of the first drivers of the hospital’s buggy, helping transport patients around the hospital’s facilities. Together, Jan and Lawrie have become familiar faces at Bundaberg Hospital, greeting patients and visitors at the front reception and offering a helping hand to navigate the sometimes-confusing layout of the building. Even Jan admits she got lost on her first day with the library trolley!
As they step away from their roles to focus on their health and enjoy a well-earned retirement, Jan and Lawrie look forward to spending more time in the community they love. Their warmth, kindness, and tireless dedication have left a lasting legacy at Wide Bay HHS, and they will be deeply missed by patients, staff, and fellow volunteers alike.
We wish Jan and Lawrie all the best in this new chapter of their lives. Thank you both for your extraordinary service!