Greatest in town

By Bridget Cook
A DEVOTION to supporting staff and patients at Dandenong Hospital has seen Ruth Hartnett named the 2010 Greater Dandenong Citizen of the Year.
For more than 40 years, Ms Hartnett, now in her 80s, has volunteered her time to the hospital.
Through her position on the Dandenong Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, her fundraising activities and her role as a support and guide to patients, Ms Hartnett has made a significant difference to the lives of some of Greater Dandenong’s sickest and most vulnerable residents. Her efforts have also lightened the load of staff and families who care for them.
Ms Hartnett said she was overjoyed to receive the award.
“I was thrilled, it has never happened to me before. Naturally, I was so pleased,” she said.
One of Ms Hartnett’s main jobs was to ensure flowers belonging to patients were watered.
“It’s amazing how keeping their flowers looking well, can help a bit to make them feel well,” she said.
“Watering the flowers is not the only thing I do, I just do anything the patients want or get what they need, even if it’s just to have a chat.”
Ms Hartnett attends the hospital once a week. Passionate about helping people, she shows no signs of slowing down.
“I hope to do it for a while,” she said.