The Blue Mountains' very own and highly esteemed branch of the Australasian Order of Old Bastards (AOOB) might have its headquarters at Springwood's Royal Hotel but sometimes the good men and women who make up the venerable order can be found further afield.
Formal obligations occasionally arise at Westmead Children's Hospital due to Springwood AOOB's decades-long fundraising efforts, in line with the Old Bastards' constitution, which has put them into a special status category at the hospital.
As benefactors to Springwood Hospital's palliative care unit it was inevitable they'd be asked to send a delegation after their more than $20,000 contribution since they “adopted” the unit five years ago.
AOOB branch 43 president Graeme Martin said the national organisation started its charitable work over some amber fluid just after World War II. And while most of the fund-raising comes from Friday raffles in the Royal and a Saturday sausage sizzle, the branch holds occasional gigs for “muso” members and others which also adds to the funds. While a Saturday sausage can be a tasty way to help, donations to the branch are tax deductible.
“The generosity of the community makes our efforts worthwhile and keeps bringing us together over the barbecue and the meat trays. Everything we do as a branch is for the Children's Hospital, which is very special, and for Springwood's palliative care unit because we know of the exceptional work and care being given there,” said Mr Martin.
Hosting the occasion was Springwood Hospital Auxiliary whose president Wendy Bowman, after a luncheon under marquees in the hospital's garden grounds, gave AOOB members a tour of the palliative care unit.
AOOB membership is easy and best arranged at the Saturday sausage sizzle in the front courtyard of Springwood's Royal Hotel.
