Y-Zetts reunite and celebrate

A unique band of Stawell women will reunite to celebrate their inspirational body of work over half a century, supporting health in the region. 

Y-Zetts formed in 1975 with a clear goal of providing an alternative avenue toward raising funds for the Stawell Hospital. 

Founding member Meg Blake OAM was fully committed to the group from day one and was responsible for the charity’s unique name. 

“Our original idea was to provide an alternative way of raising funds for the hospital, other than what the ladies auxiliary was doing at the time,” Meg said. 

“We were a big group of mates who felt we were too young to join the auxiliary and wanted to try fresh new ideas for fundraising and get away from the usual cake stalls and raffles.” 

Meg convened a public meeting at her home on May 29, 1975 and the 17 women in attendance all agreed to join the group and call it the Stawell Younger Set. After being sanctioned by the hospital board, the committee held its inaugural meeting a few months later on July 10. 

Meg said not everyone was a fan of the ‘Younger Set’ tag. 

“I suggested the name so I got thinking about it one day and abbreviated it down to Y-Zetts which was way more catchy,” she said. 

“Ironically we decided to kick off our fundraising strategies with a cake stall but we soon got ideas for all sorts of events. 

“We had film nights and fashion parades and we eventually started hosting an annual ball. The first film night was memorable in many ways because it was Planet of the Apes and a lot of people were offended by it.” 

The first item bought for the hospital by the Y-Zetts was a set of digital baby scales. 

“Michael Delahunty was the CEO back in our early days and he was very strident, making sure we only bought equipment that the hospital really needed. 

“Over the years we have raised more upwards of $1-million and bought all kinds of equipment.” 

Meg’s interest in Stawell Hospital continued to strengthen. After she was honoured with a life governorship in 1976, Meg joined the joined the board of management the following year. Then in 1994, she started working at the hospital in a PR/fundraising role that continued for 18 years. 

These days she has maintained her involvement as a director of the Stawell Hospital Foundation. 

“My mother was a nurse at Stawell so I have always had a fascination with its health services.” 

The small band of Y-Zetts still involved are planning to celebrate their 50 plus years with a special reunion next month. The reunion will include a gathering on May 22, followed by a dinner at Trackside Tabaret the next evening. 

Meg said she had provided nearly 200 names of former Y-Zetts committee members to be invited but it wasn’t easy tracking down contact details for each of them. 

“We want to see as many as possible return for the weekend so anyone that can help us with contact details will be greatly appreciated,” she said. 

Anyone who might be able to help with contacts, can get in touch with Meg on 0417 581 421.