Fundraising Award for 95 Year Old Business Woman

17 December 2008

A dedication to give back to the community was rewarded this month when Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Frankston Friends member, Natalina Paganoni was awarded the Cadbury Fundraiser Volunteer of the Year Award for Victoria at the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Victoria Fundraising Excellence Awards.

Natalina, recently turned 96, has been committed to the Frankston Friends – a fundraising group for the hospital, and raising money for the hospital for over thirty years.

Through regular raffles, a plethora of cake baking and running countless hospital stalls, Natalina has raised over $17,000 for essential extras for the hospital.

Natalina has been described by her Frankston Friends as a true business woman. She is very strategic about the day and times she opens her stalls at her nursing home in Frankston.

The stalls open early afternoon to catch visitors who come to see their relatives for lunch. Natalina never misses an opportunity and if she sees a crowd gathering in the nursing home’s foyer she is quick to set her stall up.

The stalls are a replica of the hospital’s gift shop selling items such as tea towels, greeting cards and stuffed toys.

It was after Natalina’s family left home that she joined the Friends in order to give back to the community that had taken her in when she immigrated from Italy.

Natalina now has five children, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grand children and membership of the Friends has given her a new lease of life.

Natalina was joined by her daughter Rita, and her grandson Michael at the awards ceremony at Kooyong Tennis Club.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Marketing and Community Relations Manager Lyn Moorfoot said Natalina is truly a worthy recipient of this honour.

“We admire and are grateful to the hard work and dedication of Natalina for her successful fundraising for the hospital.”

The Eye and Ear runs regular volunteer information sessions. If you are interested please e-mail info@eyeandear.org.au

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