It takes thousands of dedicated people, from nurses and doctors to clerical and support staff, to run The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

But yesterday the unsung heroes – the RCH volunteers – were recognised for their contribution to the hospital at the 2010 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.

In a special presentation at Parliament House last night, Health Minister Daniel Andrews paid tribute to the many volunteers who make a tireless contribution to public healthcare each day.

The RCH volunteers picked up two awards: Volunteer Loula Kostos was honoured for more than 45 years of service, and the RCH Splint Team was honoured for 20 years of service.

Loula started volunteering at the RCH in 1964 working in the interpreter service helping countless families from non-English speaking backgrounds.

She moved to another family support role in 1989 in the operating suite where she provides comfort to anxious parents as they wait for their child to emerge from surgery.

Loula says she was shocked to win the award.

“I went to the Awards not even dreaming I’d win anything, and what a wonderful experience it was,” Loula said.

Loula has contributed more than 8,500 volunteer hours and has committed about four hours every week.

“Volunteering at The Royal Children’s Hospital has been a wonderful part of my life.  I love all the people I meet.  I always feel I get more out of it than I give,” she said.

The Splint Team were just as astounded at the acknowledgement.

Volunteer Phyl Brown said words couldn’t express her excitement.

“I couldn’t stop shaking until I arrived home.  It was an honour to simply receive an invite considering the many worthy volunteers out there,” she said.

Phyl, together with her splint-making teammates Dulcie Cedaro and Maria De Poi, have given 14,407 hours of voluntary service to the RCH.  During this time they’ve helped make approximately 250,000 splints – an estimated saving of $800,000 for the hospital.

“I love it.  The volunteers are a good crowd, we’re very close to each other,” Dulcie said.

“The award was quite overwhelming, as we don’t volunteer to be noticed.  We also have friendships that will last the rest of our lives,” Maria said.

To find out how you might become an RCH volunteer, visit the RCH Volunteer Service website.

Top right: Loula Kostos receives her award for outstanding individual achievement from Health Minister Daniel Andrews.

Bottom right (left to right): Dulcie Cedaro, Phyl Brown and Maria De Poi accept the outstanding team award for their splint-making volunteer work.