mmg.com.au

There was plenty of love shown for Goulburn Valley Health on Sunday.

About 200 people attended Goulburn Valley Health Auxiliary’s St Valentine’s brunch, raising almost $3000 for the hospital.

The Shepparton Greyhound Racing Track function room was decked out in red and pink balloons, heart-shaped chocolates were scattered on every table and the champagne was flowing.

Event sponsors donated items such as gift vouchers, handbags, jewellery and wine for the raffles, which helped boost the final figure raised.

The guest speaker was Goulburn Valley Health’s divisional clinical director of women’s and children’s health Dr Vasu Iyengar.

Dr Iyengar, who arrived in Shepparton almost three months ago after working in New Zealand, spoke about her life, studies and work in the medical field.

‘‘I want to introduce myself to the community; I’ve found everyone very welcoming and to be genuinely sincere,’’ Dr Iyengar said.

‘‘There is the lovely interconnectiveness that one misses in a big city.’’

Dr Iyengar said she had a genuine desire to see satisfactory health services reach all parts of the community.

‘‘I want to increase the range of women’s health in the community and the diversity of surgeries available to reduce the amount of women travelling to Melbourne for those surgeries,’’ she said.

‘‘I want to build a regional centre of excellence.’’

GV Health Auxiliary president Jeanette Davidson said the auxiliary would decide where the money was spent.

‘‘The auxiliary has liaised with (GV Health Foundation director) Carmel Johnson and we will donate the money to either the conservatory for the rehabilitation unit or diagnostic equipment for women’s health,’’ Mrs Davidson said.

She said the auxiliary had raised more than $50000 in four years, which was donated to GV Health’s children’s ward, medical ward, palliative care and the new oncology building.

The GV Health Auxiliary has about 25 active members and is always looking for new people to join.

■For more information, phone Jeanette Davidson on 0417251970.