Community partnerships
Our consumers and communities were central to the design and planning process for the Randwick Campus Redevelopment (Redevelopment). The Redevelopment is made up of:
- Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building
- Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
In addition, the University of NSW (UNSW) is delivering two projects—the UNSW Health Translation Hub and Integrated Acute Services Building—that form part of the overall Redevelopment.
To better meet the needs of patients, families, carers and the community, the Redevelopment project team has adopted the principles of co-design through consumer engagement.
Consumer engagement
The foundation of our projects and strategy were defined in consultation with our patients, staff, community groups and organisations, including:
- Partnering with UNSW, where projects can be integrated with the program and included in the UNSW curriculum.
- Community and arts organisations partnered in our arts and culture program, bringing their expertise and resources to enhance the project.
Using a wide range of engagement activities and initiatives, we worked with consumers to review planning, service delivery and health care systems. We have greatly benefited from community and consumer input into our plans and design of:
- public spaces
- patient and carer lounges
- art and cultural experiences
- service delivery
- training and education
- patient information and accessibility.
Arts and culture strategy
We developed our arts and culture strategy in collaboration and consultation with our communities. The aim is to use arts and cultural programs to create a strong sense of place, community connection and enliven our spaces.
The strategy's main themes include:
- Aboriginal history and culture
- cultural diversity
- health and wellness
- community inclusion and belonging
- sustainability and the natural environment.
A major goal is to create dynamic artworks, from non-traditional art forms to performance and sound artworks. Learn more about the Randwick Campus Redevelopment arts program.
Randwick's Aboriginal history
The La Perouse Aboriginal community is the longest functioning and discreet Aboriginal community in Sydney, NSW. We recognise the significance of their continued connection to Country and are committed to making the Redevelopment a place that reflects their rich history and proud heritage.
The Redevelopment has worked with the Gujaga Foundation to acknowledge the spiritual, physical and cultural connection to Country.
We have proudly partnered with the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council to develop initiatives for our Redevelopment's arts and culture strategy.
Buriburi: Coastal Sydney's spirit ancestor
In recognition of connection to place, our construction site celebrates Buriburi - an important spiritual ancestor to the Aboriginal people of coastal Sydney.
From a rock carving that features in the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building forecourt, to the facade design on the prominent link bridge connecting the children's hospital building to the adult's hospital building, the Buriburi story has inspired key components of the Redevelopment projects.
Learn more about Buriburi and our Redevelopment's arts program.
Buriburi artwork design by Aboriginal artist John Ardler In our dreaming, Buriburi (humpback whale) and his ancestors were responsible for making all of the islands from Sydney Harbour to the Shoalhaven River. He remains a significant spirit ancestor for our people.
Raymond Ingrey - Chairman, Gujaga Foundation
Remembering Eurimbla
The Randwick Campus Redevelopment stands on land that was home to a small residential suburban district, now referred to as the Eurimbla Precinct.
In 2017, when the NSW Government announced the expansion of healthcare facilities at Randwick, it acquired 92 buildings in the previously known Eurimbla Avenue with its neighbours on the east side of Botany Street and the north side of Magill Street.
In 2018, a small group of local historians formed the Eurimbla Precinct History Association (EPHA) and collected materials relating to the former residents' social history, as more than 80 of the buildings were residential dwellings.
“The Eurimbla Precinct had become a close-knit residential community and had existed for the past 100 years. It’s incredibly important to us that the project recognises and acknowledges the history of the residents that shared memories on that land.”
Margaret, Jenny and Sarah - EPHA members and former residents
Historian and Archaeologist, Dr Paul Irish researched the Aboriginal and European heritage and health services history of the site on which the new hospital stands. He has worked closely with the EPHA on the design of the history wall display for the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building, to incorporate the Eurimbla Precinct's shared history - from 'dunescape to streetscape'.
The history wall will include a graphic timeline, multimedia screens, photos, text and even a display showcase featuring physical artefacts that were recovered during excavations.
Learn more about the history of the Eurimbla Precinct.
Aboriginal participation
We are working with local Aboriginal community and key partners to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through economic participation in both the workforce and supply chain.
Learn more about the Randwick Campus Redevelopment.
Randwick Hospitals' Campus community garden
Community gardens create a sense of place and promote community health and wellbeing in busy urban settings.
Our 'Bush Medicine' community garden welcomes community, patients, carers and staff to come together, relax and participate in physical activity in a safe and inclusive outdoor setting.
The garden is close to hospital and community services.
Master planning principles for the Randwick Campus Redevelopment informed the garden's design concept to enhance the cultural value of community infrastructure and use the natural environment for healing.
Continued connection to Country
The Randwick Hospitals’ Campus recognises the significance of the La Perouse Aboriginal community’s continued connection to country.
We are proud to have partnered with the Gujaga and the Dharawal Language Program to develop the ‘Bush Medicine’ theme for this community garden.
The native species in the garden were chosen for their medicinal potential and cultural significance for the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples, who traditionally occupied the eastern suburbs and coastal areas of Sydney.
Cultural engagement by project
Learn about our Redevelopment's cultural and community engagement initiatives for each project.
Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building
Learn more about the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building project.
During excavations between 1995 and 1997, an Aboriginal hearth carbon dated to 8,000 years old was discovered beneath the former Destitute Children's Asylum on the Prince of Wales Hospital grounds. This is one of the most significant excavations in NSW Health history.
Where the hospital stands today was once a landscape of enormous sand dunes, creeks and swamps. Aboriginal people fished for eels, yabbies and turtles with traps and spears, gathered plants, and hunted and prepared other animals in the dunes. Families sat around fires burning in hearths, connecting with each other as they cooked and ate their meals.
The hearth, consisting of small sandstone cobbles, has been preserved in a carefully curated cultural display in the main entrance forecourt of the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building as a symbol of welcome, healing and shared knowledge. It represents the project’s commitment to celebrating and preserving the unique cultural heritage of the site.
Cultural display at Prince of Wales Hospital celebrates connection to Country
A collection of 8,000-year-old hearth stones have been carefully preserved and are on display in the public forecourt of the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services...
The hearth stone display was made possible through the collaboration of key project partners, including:
The Acute Services Building features a range of arts experiences themed, historical and archaeological displays that celebrate the strong and enduring connection to Country.
Our aim is to engage, enliven and inspire our community by celebrating our shared stories, history and environment.
“To be made ‘Welcome’ in terms of Aboriginal cultural practice is a most important and significant act of mutual acceptance to greet new friends and visitors to Country or other significant places such as this new icon of healing.”
Dr Peter Yanada McKenzie - La Perouse Aboriginal Community member
Arts and culture profoundly benefit and improve patient health and wellbeing. It plays an important role in effectively promoting health, health literacy and messaging for individuals and the wider community.
Read more about our Redevelopment's arts experiences and arts in health program.
Between 2017 and 2023, the CCAC represented the interests of health care consumers and community members for the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building (PoWH ASB), which is now open.
The CCAC made sure clear and diverse consumer and community voices and perspectives were heard. They partnered in the design of health facilities and care systems in the new building to prioritise person-centred compassionate care.
"The commitment by members, with their diverse backgrounds and common desire to contribute, brought a community focus to the delivery of the ASB allowing for a more holistic outcome."
John Patterson - Former Chair, CCAC
CCAC project completion report
Sydney Children's Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Learn more about the Sydney Children's Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre project.
Consulting with the Bidjigal and Gadigal people and members of the broader Aboriginal community is fundamental to co-designing the hospital and centre.
The consultation on the building's façade and Aboriginal gathering space was facilitated by environmental consultants Yerrabingin.
Our project team are working to ensure Aboriginal people are engaged at every stage of the project.
The Gujaga Foundation hosted a Walk on Country on Guriwal, or La Perouse, land during NAIDOC Week.
The Gujaga Foundation is the peak organisation leading language, cultural and research activities within the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
The project team learned more about the cultural significance and history of the land on which the new hospital and research centre is being built on.
They also took the opportunity to hear from Aboriginal community members about the oldest, continuous living culture on earth, and how local language and storytelling is being shared with younger generations.
We are committed to collaboratively working with Elders, knowledge holders and community to create a hospital environment that respects and honours culture.
Consumers and community are a key part of the design and planning process, and in actively co-designing health services and facilities with the project's redevelopment team.
Since 2020, the project has had a dedicated CCAC with former and current parents of patients who provide feedback on design and clinical processes. They have made a big impact in leading the design of the hospital's family-oriented spaces.
Children have played a significant role in participating and providing feedback through Arts, Play and Discovery working groups.
For more information or enquiries call 1800 571 866 or email randwickcampusredevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au
Co-designing our outdoor areas
The project's landscaping design prioritises outdoor areas that are welcoming, engaging and transformative for patients, carers and staff, showcasing native species that represent Randwick's unique landscape – from the wetlands to the headlands.
Some of the outdoor area features will include:
- greenery in hospital entrances
- warm tonal paving
- a central courtyard, a shared zone and gathering place – all with native plant surrounds
- seating and picnic areas, with shelter
- accessible play areas with nature play/sensory options
- landscaped terraces
- accessible pedestrian paths and ramps
- an outdoor pet area with seats and plants
- an outdoor space associated with the Aboriginal gathering space.
As part of consultations, we've shared design drawings and landscaping with community members. We will continue to engage with Aboriginal patients, families and staff to boost access to culturally safe spaces in and around the new hospital buildings.
"Health is holistic for Aboriginal people, so the layout reflects the interconnecting nature between the physical environments. The versatility - the outside connects to the inside - will allow our families to feel comfortable while needing to be in the clinical environment."
Natasha Larter - Aboriginal Health Outcomes and Equity Manager, Sydney Children's Hospital
Aboriginal gathering space
An Aboriginal gathering space will be featured in the main foyer of the new children's hospital and research centre building.
We are working with Aboriginal design start-up Yerrabingin, to ensure the new hospital building is culturally inclusive and features environmentally conscious native landscapes and place-making designs enriched with Indigenous narratives.
We adopted an integrated approach to Aboriginal cultural recognition and storytelling within the planting, paving and play elements. In workshops, participants also discussed the selection of plants and trees.
Our collaborating team
- Project architect - Billard Leece Partnership
- Landscaping architect - Aspect Studios
- Indigenous design consultancy - Yerrabingin
An illustration of a humpback whale travelling along Sydney's coastline now adorns the façade of the sixty-metre-long clinical link bridge connecting the new children's hospital building to the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building.
The design is an interpretation of a Dreaming story passed down by the original occupiers of the land. Dharawal Elder Lola Ryan led the creation of the artwork by retelling the story of the Buriburi, or whale, to patients and siblings at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
Aunty Lola has been an Aboriginal Health Worker at Randwick for more than two decades. She shared her learnings with children in the Sydney Children's Hospital School, wards and outpatient units. The children helped create the illustrations featured on the link bridge façade.
The National Aboriginal Design Agency and Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation supported the workshops.
The link bridge artwork is just one element in the new hospital and research centre building that celebrates local Aboriginal culture.
Language, art and design elements supported by Aboriginal staff, families, and community groups like the Gujaga Foundation, will be prominently featured throughout the building and new playground.
Contact us
Email: randwickcampusdevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 571 866
Address: Randwick Hospitals Campus, High Street, Randwick NSW 2031