FIFTY years ago, a group of ladies got together to found Roma's Hospital Auxiliary.

With the auxiliary celebrating its golden anniversary cocktail party at the end of the month, Our People looks at one of the founders of the auxiliary, Marlene Hickey.

Marlene is the wife of doctor Howard Hickey, who spent 24 years at the hospital and in private practice in Roma.

"My husband was superintendent of the hospital at the time of the public meeting that started it," Marlene said.

"I was elected president by virtue of my husband.

"I had no qualifications, let me tell you."

But Marlene is too modest. Under her leadership, the auxiliary raised funds for all kinds of things the hospital needed but couldn't afford.

"We started with small items for patients but eventually built up to bigger things like a portable anaesthetic machine," she said.

"We held a fair between the hospital and the nurses' quarters and Rotary would run a bar."

Marlene said the auxiliary lost some of its drive when the hospital boards were scrapped.

"It's good to see they've organised a dinner dance," she said.

"Unfortunately I won't be able to attend - I'm still recovering from a car accident four months ago."

The Golden Anniversary cocktail party is on at Bassett Park on Friday, October 26, at 6.30pm. RSVP to Susie Ferrier: 0429 635 387, giftsgalore@hwy54.com.au.