Fremantle Hospital's Ladies Auxiliary celebrates 100 years
The first Ladies Auxiliary Kiosk – built in 1927 and named The Grosser Kiosk – was a bequest by Frederick Samuel Grosser.
The longest serving Hospital Ladies Auxiliary in Western Australia celebrates 100 years of dedicated community service this week.
The Fremantle Hospital Ladies Auxiliary (FHLA) formed in 1925 and this centenary year, the community is celebrating a rich legacy of gifting, hard work, compassion and friendship.
The FHLA is part of the fabric of Fremantle. It’s where generations of local volunteers have met and formed lifetime friendships.
They’ve provided comfort for the patients, visitors and staff of Fremantle Hospital, all the while raising over $4.5 million for new hospital equipment, research and patient care packages.
The volunteers have legendary status in the halls of the Fremantle Hospital.
They were known affectionately as the Lavender Ladies when they wore a purple uniform (see top photo from 1983) and later the Terracotta Tarts. Today you can identify a member of FHLA as they’ll be wearing teal (see bottom photo of 2025 members), and in 2025 a special centenary apron.
For at least 60 years the volunteers wheeled the much-loved ‘Lolly Trolley’ through the wards to make the day a little sweeter for patients and visitors, with busy hospital staff being the best customers.
The Auxiliary first opened the Fremantle Hospital Kiosk in 1929, funded by a bequest, and today the ladies of the Auxiliary are still serving homemade lunches including their infamous chicken soup.
In 100 years, the Auxiliary has seen many changes. In the beginning they’d make garments and soup for patients and bring it by train or tram to the hospital.
They could always be found in the outpatient area ready with a cup of tea to comfort patients and their visitors.
During World War II when the nation was on rations, volunteers would donate their own tea rations to sustain the gesture for soldiers, nurses and patients.
They’d supply pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers for patients in need, and toys and ice cream twice a week for the children – or when the sister-in-charge approved!
Around 600 women are recorded to have served on the Auxiliary over the 100 years. Today that volunteer group is around 25 and the small group of dedicated volunteers run the busy hospital kiosk five days a week and are still raising much-needed funds to support Fremantle Hospital.
The group’s oldest member is 96 years old and works two days a week making sandwiches in the kiosk. The longest serving, current member has been an active volunteer for 34 years, and many volunteers have clocked up over 20 years.
The Auxiliary desperately needs new members to continue the legacy of service and much needed funds to the hospital and community of Fremantle.
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