With just two male members, BLM committee president Jenny Macdouall is pushing for better gender representation to aid the comfort of patients during their hospital stay. 

She said volunteering for the group was not about men showing their feminine side. 

Every BLM volunteer undertakes the same tasks; including helping with up 10 different areas of the hospital to make up cannula packs, helping with paperwork, stocking cupboards, helping with patient requests and distributing trauma teddies and magazines.

Through a boost of men in the group, Mrs Macdouall said hospitalistion would be easier for male patients. 

“I think men find it easier to talk to men while they’re in hospital and can’t really relate to the Blue Ladies as well as they can to the Blue Men,” she said.

“[Men] speak the same language ... It’s about mateship.”

Volunteer Don Marshall was the first man to sign up over two years ago when he retired. 

“There was one gentleman I particularly remember helping. He didn’t have any real family and he was here by himself as they’d just bought him here in the helicopter,” he said. 

“He had no shaving gear or soap or clothes and I was able to help.”

Volunteer Hugh Juchau joined about six months after being at Orange hospital for surgery. 

He wanted to “put back into the place” after seeing the great work the group did. 

“By doing these jobs, we save the time of nurses and could save a life,” he said. 

Volunteers generally spend a few hours in the morning on a weekday.  

Anyone who would like more information about the Blue Ladies and Men can contact their office at the Orange hospital on 6393 3661. 

ashleapritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au