Logan Hospital has bid farewell to volunteer Beverley Carmichael, who has dedicated both her time and skills to the Logan Hospital craft shop for the past two decades.
 
Mrs Carmichael’s first role with the Logan Hospital Auxiliary (as it was then called) was wheeling the food trolley around to patients and staff in January 2002.
 
Shortly after, she convinced her supervisor to let her move to the craft shop and has been happily stationed there ever since.
 
Mrs Carmichael said she had fond memories of the past 20 years and that hearing people’s stories had been her favourite part of the job.
 
“As people shop, they tell me who they are buying for and why they are at the hospital,” she said. “I get to learn about their history.”
 
Speaking of history, Mrs Carmichael has held onto some historic treasures, including handwritten rosters from when she first started and a log of the things she had made while on shift.
 
We estimate that during her years with us, Mrs Carmichael has made more than 4000 items for the craft shop, an incredible feat for one person.
 
Mrs Carmichael said she loves knitting baby booties and beanies, and especially loves it when families bring back their newborns in their new outfits.
 
“Sometimes a new dad will purchase something and tell me his partner has just had a baby, then the next day they will bring the baby up (wearing the booties) to show me and that’s always so lovely,” Mrs Carmichael said.
 
While she said she felt guilty about retiring from her position, the 81-year-old was looking forward to spending some quality time with her husband (also a former Logan Hospital volunteer).
 
And although we won’t see Mrs Carmichael’s familiar face in the craft store, we will still see her handmade goodies as she plans to continue donating them for as long as she is able.
 
Thank you Mrs Carmichael for your contribution and congratulations on your retirement!