The United Hospital Auxiliary volunteers have decided to change the focus of the kiosk, which opened in 1964, from serving coffee and cakes to being a meeting place for the group's members.

From the end of June, the building, which bears the name of the volunteers' past branch president, Daisy Turner, will become home to the UHA's monthly branch meetings and craft sessions.

President Aileen Lewthwaite said the kiosk had experienced a significant drop in visitors in recent years with fewer people using the River Street entrance to the hospital.

"We really didn't want to lose our beloved building, so it will now be used for branch meetings on the third Friday of each month,” Mrs Lewthwaite said.

She said the volunteers would continue to raise funds for hospital equipment, but focus their energies on creating craft items for sale at their Mother's Day, Father's Day and Christmas stalls.

Mrs Lewthwaite believes in the many years the kiosk has been operating it has raised more than a million dollars in today's currency.

"The good news is that it will continue to contribute to the well-being of Kempsey's hospital patients, and hopefully we can continue to attract new members who want to help us create handcrafted items to sell at our hospital stalls,” she said.

"We also hope our membership will grow.” 

She said fundraising for the hospital is the group’s focus, but the unexpected bonus is the strong friendships forged over the years.

“Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and enjoy time with old ones,” she said.

She said the wonderful volunteers’ fundraising efforts have been supported by a generous business community, local residents and hospital staff.

A morning tea for past and present UHA members and Pink Ladies will be held at 10am on 30 June to celebrate the contribution the Daisy Turner Kiosk has made to Kempsey District Hospital over its 53-year history.