Doreen Mina has been given her 50 years of service pin after giving up many hours of her own time to help serve the Lithgow community.

Doreen began her volunteer work with the Auxiliary in 1970 after an accident brought her to the hospital.

"I was at the hospital a lot, and there were some lovely girls who said 'why don't you join and come have a coffee with us in the canteen' and then I just stayed," she said.

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"It's quite a big achievement to get 50 years, and at 86 years-old I don't see myself getting many more."

Doreen has gone through a lot in her years from volunteering at the Old Hospital, where they didn't sell much.

"It used to be just a hole in the wall and that's what it was called but it's changed a lot since then," she said.

"I just love working here and will continue doing it for as long as I can."

Doreen said she loved working with Jean Hills, the previous president.

"We just get along really well, but I love working with all the girls, I've never had an argument with them and we all just enjoy each others company," she said.

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Doreen said there was a time when she was worried COVID-19 might stop her from coming to volunteer.

"Due to my age and being in a hospital my children and grandchildren were telling me to be careful, and I understand that my time here might stop earlier then expected but I would understand," she said.

But that won't stop Doreen from coming to the auxiliary meetings.

"Even if I can't volunteer in the canteen, I will still come to the meetings, I won't stop that until they cart me out," she said.

Doreen used to come to volunteer three days a week but has had to cut back to one three hour shift.

Doreen was also the Lithgow delegate, and got to travel all around the state for conferences to attend.

"It takes you everywhere, I have been to Port Macquarie, Batemans Bay, Sydney, and I did it for many long years," she said.

"There was a time in Sydney where we were staying in a hotel and I didn't know Sydney very well and we went to the conference and my friend said we should go for a walk and when we got back we were locked out of the hotel.

"We managed to get back in but the man at the hotel said that two young ladies shouldn't be running around Sydney at night time."

Lithgow Hospital Auxiliary president Jane Fenton said that Doreen was a valuable part of the hospital auxiliary.

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"Everyone here knows her, the long term staff who she gets along with as well as people that come in to the cafe," she said.

"I think that Doreen just shows that volunteering can be so rewarding and I think Doreen has benefited from volunteering as well."

Ms Fenton said that as soon as something happened to Doreen's family, she was straight into trying to give back.

"I think that is something to be admired," she said.

According to Ms Fenton the 50 years of service pin is only given to those who are continuous members for the 50 years.

"I'm extremely proud of her," she said.

The Lithgow Hospital Auxiliary is always looking for new members, so if you want to know more about joining, pop down to the Hospital Cafe and have a chat with the ladies.

"You can also volunteer through Centrelink with us, so that is also an option for people," Ms Fenton said.

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