The 2019 AGM was held on the 24th July 2019 at the Uniting Church Hall Bellingen.
I would like to thank and extend a warm welcome to the members of the 2019/2020 Committee:
Public Officer (retained): Fenella Briscomb
President: Barbara Moore
Vice President: Pauline Murphy
Secretary: Fenella Briscomb
Treasurer: John Conway
Committee Members: Charlotte Blesing, Marlene Howes and Margaret Hooper
Consultant VMO: Doctors Derek & Olivia Bell
This past year’s ‘on ground’ activities continued to demonstrate our communities’ commitment to our local Bellingen Hospital with regular maintenance of the gardens we have created and restored including watering during the very hot and long dry Spring and Summer seasons. This physical presence at our hospital reminds senior executives and staff that our community remains vigilant and committed. We will never allow them to forget what happened in late 2009 when our community was called to action and saved our very own Bellingen Hospital.
Regular maintenance, expanded services and new capital works are a common occurrence by the health network including the recent survey work to redesign on-site parking, improve the safety for pedestrian access & overall improve the internal road design especially regarding large vehicle access including Emergency Services that will be achieved by removing the existing roundabout adjacent to the main car park. Some of you may recall that the Roundabout was raised as a hazard in early 2010 however along with many other matters that the community wished to assist the then CE Mr Chris Crawford our offer of assistance fell on deaf ears. If a critical situation were to occur such as a loss of services or a change in the delivery of core services that one would expect at a local public hospital we would immediately act and confidently call upon our amazing community to rally to the cause.
I would like to make special mention of the loss of two committed members of BHAG Inc. Early this year Shirley Dunne (Shirl the Pearl) passed away after a long illness. Shirl was on the committee for many years & a volunteer gardener at the hospital from 2010. In June this year David Wallin suddenly passed away. David was a foundation member in 2009 & volunteered to create a website & build a membership data base both of which are used today even though they have been tweaked over the years. Both members will be missed & on behalf of BHAG Inc. I would like to say thank you to them & their contribution.
The Minutes and President’s report of the 2019 AGM are able to be viewed by clicking on the links below.
On behalf of the incoming committee I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our amazing community for your on-going support. Your generous donations and acknowledgment of the committee’s work encourages us to continue in what may appear to be a stable and safe situation – though we remain the ever vigilant sceptic. We continue to represent your voice at all levels of Government and at the senior level of management of the Mid North Coast Local Health District and locally at Bellingen Hospital.
Please contact us if you have any concerns about the service or stable future of our Bellingen Hospital as we are your voice – loud and clear.
Yours in ‘SOS Bellingen Hospital’
Barbara Moore (President)
Save Bellingen Hospital 
It is a pleasure and a privilege to read about the ongoing work of BHAG! What a fearless, dedicated and amazing group of volunteers. Keep up the great work! You are often in my thoughts:) Barb T
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Thanks Barb – we still miss you !!
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