But Echuca Regional Health could not run without them.
Here is the story of an ERH volunteer.
VIDEO: Cedric Kippie shares his story
ACCORDING to Cedric Kippie, there are about 1000 doors at Echuca Regional Health.
And he knows the way to every single one of them.
One of the ERH concierge volunteers, he’s on hand to direct visitors from near and far through the labyrinthine halls of the hospital.
And while he admits he did get lost once or twice when he first started in the role six years ago (and the hospital revamp brought some fresh challenges) it’s been a long time since he last lost his way.
“At this point in time, I know exactly where to go,” he said, smiling cheekily.
Cedric first moved to Echuca-Moama from Melbourne 13 years ago when he retired.
Looking for ways to volunteer, he started at St Vincent de Paul before transitioning to the hospital.
And hasn’t looked back since.
“I love it here,” he said.
“Lots of people come to the hospital from different areas and don't know where to go, so I direct them.
“If they need I go out with a wheelchair and pick them up and take them where they need to go. If they can walk, I simply direct them.”Through his time at the concierge desk, Cedric has seen his fair share of sorrow and joy from locals entering and exiting the hospital.
“Some people leave the hospital crying because they know the person in there is not going to last that long,” he said.
“It's especially tragic when people come from palliative care.
“I won't take a group of people to palliative care because whoever is in there, most times, will have no idea who the person is that's visiting.”
But whether the outcome of the hospital visit is happy or sad, Cedric’s service tends to leave an impression.
“Often when I’m outside the hospital people will come up and say, 'I know you’, which makes them feel happy and makes me feel good,” he said.
“And they’ll come here maybe a month later and say, 'You're still here'.”
At 75-years-young, Cedric said he’ll keep volunteering at ERH until he can’t walk anymore.
“I was a boxer and bodybuilder back in the day – I think that helped me get to 75,” he laughed.
“I'm looking forward for another 15 years at least.”
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