Dolores Peverall has been recognised for 45 years of volunteer service at Princess Margaret Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital, becoming the first of almost 500 Child and Adolescent Health Service volunteers to receive the honour.

Peverall began volunteering in 1979 after her three children had started school. Her first role was in the emergency department, where she helped feed twins born with severe cleft palates. She later became close to the family and continued visiting the twins as they grew up.

Over the following four decades she volunteered across different areas of the hospital, witnessing major changes including the move from Princess Margaret Hospital to Perth Children’s Hospital in 2018.

Peverall said the children, families and staff had kept her returning over the years, and despite receiving the 45-year recognition, she had no plans to stop volunteering. Child and Adolescent Health Service volunteer services coordinator Andy Wahid said Peverall represented the compassion and dedication of the hospital's volunteer program.