Lithgow United Hospital Auxilliary NSW - Hospital Cafe

Lithgow District Hospital – Cafe

Our Story

Irish born Mrs Ellen Arthur came to Australia in September 1884.  She lived in Orange and moved to Lithgow after the death of her husband.

Ellen had an unfortunate and serious accident after falling from a 2nd storey balcony in Main Street Lithgow, breaking both of her ankles.  Ellen was admitted to Lithgow Hospital in August 1922 where she remained a patient for over 26 years until her death in 1949.

In September 1926, Ellen established the first Hospital Kiosk by selling lollies and chips on her dressing table while she was a patient.  Later, a room was provided to Ellen with shutters over a counter and she served in this little Hospital Kiosk for a total of 23 years.

In September 1931, the Hospital Women’s Auxiliary was formed at a meeting in the Lithgow Town Hall with10 members present.

The United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW was officially formed in 1933, again at a Town Hall meeting, where country and city Auxiliaries attended.

The Lithgow Branch worked at the ‘Old Lithgow Hospital’ and also had other fundraising activities as well as the Kiosk from 1926 to 1951 when the Branch was disbanded.  Ten pounds was left in an account at the Lithgow Cooperative Society to be used by any incoming Auxiliary.  In 1952, the Auxiliary restarted.

In January 1999, the Lithgow Hospital Auxiliary moved from the ‘Old Hospital’ to the ‘New Hospital’ where they opened the Kiosk/Coffee Shop in its present location.  The Auxiliary is now known as ‘The United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) of NSW Inc – Lithgow Branch’ and is run solely by Volunteers.

Call in and see us at the Lithgow Hospital Cafe – Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:00pm