Young Tyler celebrates Christmas early with nurse Rachel Field at the Wagga Base Hospital Paediatric Ward Christmas Party. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Wagga Base Hospital’s paediatric ward has celebrated Christmas a couple of weeks early by hosting a Christmas party for some of the region’s sickest children.
More than 40 chronic and complex care patients were invited to the party where they were visited by Bluey, Dorothy the Dinosaur, members of the Wagga RSL bowls club and nurses from the ward.
Kids got the chance to have their face painted, listen to music from the Australian Army Band Kapooka and enjoy a barbecue lunch as a way to round out the year on a positive note.
In an annual tradition that has taken place over the past 15 years, the paediatric ward was also given a $12,000 cheque by the Wagga RSL Club to continue its work.
Nurse unit manager and organiser of the Christmas party, Rachel Field, said the event was a chance for families and staff to have a couple of hours break and enjoy the brighter times of what had been a difficult year for many.
“These are children who spend a fair part of their lives in hospitals. So we just wanted to have a special Christmas event to celebrate,” she said.
“A lot of these kids become like family to us. We spend a lot of time with them, so we just wanted to really allow them to celebrate with us and give them something to look forward to, because a lot of us spend our time here, so it’s a bit of happiness in the time that’s really hard.”
Ms Field has worked in the ward for the past seven years. She said it was both difficult and rewarding to see the children and family grow and develop.
“We see all kinds of things on the ward, but I think a lot of the kids that are coming today, we’ve looked after them for many years now,” she said.
“It’s amazing to watch them grow up and see them develop and hit milestones. Days like today really are a chance to celebrate that as well.”
Joining the celebrations were members of the RSL bowls club, who helped raise more than $12,000 for the ward throughout 2025.
Jack Whyte has been part of the club for more than a decade and has long been a contributor to the fundraising for the hospital.
Mr Whyte said members of the club always enjoyed getting together and playing a game of bowls, knowing that their money was going to support families doing it tough.
“About 15 years ago, we decided that we wanted to start raising money for something, and we decided that the children’s ward was the best option for us,” he said.
“We approached the RSL back then, and they agreed to match us dollar for dollar. This year we were able to raise $12,000.
“Each Wednesday, we raise money by selling pies that are donated by Hot Bake Bakery. We also have a barbecue at the end of the month.
“The bowls club is a bit like a fellowship. We enjoy a bit of sledging and getting under each other’s skins, but we all enjoy coming together for a good cause.”
