At a ceremony at Parliament House, the Pink Ladies auxiliary was handed the 2010 Minister for Health Volunteer Award for outstanding team achievement.

Affectionately known as the Pinkies, the almost 100-strong band of volunteers are well known to patients for their friendly faces, willingness to have a chat and excellent service – and sandwiches – at the hospital's busy kiosk/cafe.

Duties also include managing flowers in wards, delivering newspapers to patients and running fund-raising stalls.

Formed in 1968 with the mission to "help lighten the workload of nurses and to brighten the lives of patients" at Frankston Hospital, the 15 initial members wore floral pink dresses, white shoes and pink capes.

Now clad in pale pink and white striped tops, the Pinkies have raised $5million since their low-key, although eyecatching, beginnings 42 years ago.

Their thousands of volunteer hours have helped buy much-needed equipment.

Pinkies president Pauline Ellerby, 71, turns up to lend a hand about three times a week.

"It's for the love of it. I enjoy coming here because they're a great group of ladies to work with," she said.

"A lot of patients come down here for a chat and we always have a smile for them."

Most of the volunteers are from the Frankston, Somerville, Carrum Downs and Chelsea areas. While many are retired, Mrs Ellerby said younger Pinkies were starting to join the ranks.

Committee members who attended the ceremony were pleasantly surprised when they were called up on stage to receive the award from Health Minister Daniel Andrews, she said.

"To get the award was great."