Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment

There was an art competition, and I didn’t know much about what was happening or where it was going.
 
I thought it was just a small piece that could go in a hospital, I thought maybe it was just a little framed photo. Then I turned up to the hospital and saw this giant steel wall of art, that was just my design was my design and, and it was shock that they liked it that much.

Hi, I’m Brock. I go to Crookwell High School, live in Crookwell, and I’m a proud Yuin man. I didn’t even think at that point that I that it was mine. I thought it just kind of haven’t hit me yet. It made me very proud that they chose it.

[Bridgette Uren, Program Director of Arts, Health Infrastructure]

It was such an exciting opportunity for us to work with the National Aboriginal Design Agency and Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance. And we were absolutely delighted to receive Brock’s artwork that is about a meeting place, about healing, and about connecting to each other.

[Brock Chudleigh, Aboriginal artist and local student]

When I made this artwork, I wanted to show that there were people moving with the water—camping alongside it, living alongside it and just to show how connected we are with the land and how much we need it. I think that the Aboriginal people knew how important it was to look after the land. You can’t just live off it; you have to respect it and give it time to heal, and I think that the country as a whole could take a couple of notes from Aboriginal people.

[Kylie O’Brien, Brock’s Mum]

I’m so proud of him because he has struggled as a kid and for him to be in this position now, like, he’s glowing, like he’s happy and just to see him like that I’m super proud. 

I think it’s amazing that Aboriginal culture is getting shared more often now because it’s sort of gotten lost and you can see it getting out more and more. Like this project has definitely inspired Brock to look more at into his heritage and I’m pleased that it’s someone younger that can keep passing it on for generations hopefully.

[Bridgette Uren, Program Director of Arts, Health Infrastructure]

I’m so excited about engaging young local Aboriginal artists in our arts programs at Health Infrastructure. They may not want to be artists when they grow up, but it might inspire them to be nurses, or doctors, or clinicians in healthcare settings, and create new ways for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities to experience a better healthcare future.

[Brock Chudleigh, Aboriginal artist and local student]

If I were to say anything to younger people, just give it a go. You don’t know how far it’s going to take you. I didn’t think I was going to get all this happening but I’m here now doing interviews about a giant hospital art piece.

[On-screen text]

Arts in Health – Goulburn Hospital Health Service Redevelopment

In the true spirit of reconciliation through embracing the values of collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment. Southern NSW Local Health District acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we operate which include: the Gundungurra, Ngunnawal, Ngambri, Ngarigo, and Yuin peoples.

[Music]

[Monica Bridge, Aboriginal artist] 

Art is my way of connecting to my culture. It's my way of expressing myself through colour, through texture, through symbols and it’s something that has been in my family for many generations. It’s just something that I really enjoy doing, but I feel grounded when I’m doing it.

[Music]

Hi, my name is Monica Bridge, my family are Muruwari and Ngemba people and I’m a contemporary Aboriginal artist. I do private commission artworks and workshops in schools, and murals, and I also work as an Aboriginal Education Officer for the Department of Education.

This artwork represents areas of cultural significance in Goulburn. So, they were important to Aboriginal people that were living here many many years ago, but they’re also important to people who are living here now.

As well as the places, it’s the hidden animals and the plants and I suppose it’s a reflection of the culture in Goulburn.

The rivers have always been very important for Aboriginal people all over the place. For our fresh water, for our hunting, for our meeting, birthing, there’s lots of different purposes, so that’s why it’s highlighted in the artwork. 

hunting grounds, and spaces for meeting and birthing, serving many purposes. That’s why the rivers are highlighted in the artwork.

[Jennifer Gordon, Ngunnawal Elder and Board Member of Southern NSW LHD]

I think it’s a fabulous piece of artwork, demonstrating history and to provide a education tool for the greater Goulburn community. I think it’s fabulous.

[Teena Riley, Gundungurra woman and Director Murrindyarr Aboriginal Corporation]

What I love most about this artwork, is that it’s a piece - it is so based on the consultation Monica undertook. She really is such a genuine person that is connected to her culture. She took so much time and effort to listen to people, to connect with people, and to get really genuine feedback, and made sure what they wanted was reflected.

[Music]

[Jennifer Gordon, Ngunnawal Elder and Board Member of Southern NSW LHD] 

Seeing Aboriginal art in the health setting is really important to Aboriginal people, because it provides a clear message that the hospital and health setting has actually go an understanding of Aboriginal culture. It is also really important to acknowledge that when people come through the door, clinicians will provide the best possible care they can for every person, but particularly for Aboriginal people.

[Teena Riley, Gundungurra woman and Director Murrindyarr Aboriginal Corporation]

For Aboriginal people, I think this artwork highlights what unites us, and what brings us together, and what beds us in this country. It’s a celebration of our environment, our native species.

For that to be incorporated in a modern hospital, I think is really significant.

Monica didn’t make this her artwork; she made it the community’s artwork and I think that’s what makes this really really special.

[Music]

 

[On-screen text]

On 08 December 2022, Springfield Place, a heritage exhibition space celebrating the remarkable history of Goulburn Base Hospital, was officially opened.

[Music]

[John Gale, Chair of Goulburn Hospital and Heritage Working Group]

I’ve been involved in the arts and heritage community for about five years. Arts and Heritage brings together different people from across the community who have recognised the importance of celebrating our heritage and our art.

Today you’re actually looking at this wonderful celebration of art and heritage for the Goulburn community.

[On-screen text]

It was the culmination of five years of work lovingly brought together by the Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment Arts and Heritage Working Group.

[Sue Loader and Judy Fowler, Goulburn Hospital Historical Volunteer Group] 

When we got here, I said to Deb “how long do you expect us to be here?” Like how many weeks, months? She said "Oh, about six weeks." So here we are now, five years later.

There were over 5,000 items that we catalogued. Right from the rocking horses that were in the children's ward, right through to the doctors' bags and things that we found hidden away. We started from scratch, but between all of us, we were sort of able to put things together, so the objects could be correctly stored.

[John Gale, Chair of Goulburn  Hospital and Heritage Working Group]

Some might ask the question – why do we need to have arts, why do we need to have heritage? As we look around here today, we’re going to be celebrating where we’ve been, and where we’re going to. But we’re also celebrating what we actually represent to this community.

When people walk through the doors of Goulburn  Health Service, we want them to feel comfortable, we want them to feel to feel welcome, and we also want them to engage in making this the best health service in the whole of New South Wales.

[On-screen text]

Springfield Place is named in honour of Springfield House, the original nurses’ quarters at Goulburn Hospital.

The original Springfield House was opened by local pioneer and philanthropist Miss Florence Faithfull.

[Music]

[Pamela Maple-Brown, niece of Florence Faithfull]

It was called Springfield House, you see girls couldn’t train if they didn’t have somewhere, where they were looked after.

[On-screen text]

Florence Faithfull’s connection to the Goulburn Hospital is sustained through her niece, Mrs Pamela Maple Brown and family.

[Pamela Maple-Brown, niece of Florence Faithfull]

If you were upstairs in the nurses' home, you possibly spent some of your time, sleeping on an open veranda which only had some canvas blinds. Could you imagine how cold that would have been?  

I never expected this would be as good as this - it’s wonderful. I think they’ve covered it very well and got the feeling of the place. It’s very beautiful, I think.

[John Gale, Chair of Goulburn Hospital and Heritage Working Group]

Originally, we thought we were just going to have one big window and one small area at the hospital that was going to be available for the collection. And we were trying to work out what we could put in it at that time, but then when we walked in and saw this. It’s just like going to the National Gallery or some small gallery in Sydney and very upmarket.

It really just took my breath away for a minute.

[John Gale, Chair of Goulburn Hospital and Heritage Working Group]

As the chairperson, it’s been really exciting to be able to see it from its embryonic stage, right through to now, when we’re actually really celebrating some of our achievements.

The reason why we need to have arts and heritage integrated within our hospital precinct is that this creates an inclusive environment so that we welcome the community into this hospital structure.

The message we’re actually get through to this community is to be able to say. Come in, have a look and reflect upon what 130 years of healthcare looks like.