Students vividly remember the once-in-a-lifetime occasion, standing outside their school as Her Majesty passed by.
So it was a unique day in 1982, when Mt Druitt hospital as it is known today, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Flash forward 40 years and the hospital has just celebrated its 40th anniversary of that momentous occasion “when the Queen came to town”.
And the children of Mount Druitt Hospital Childcare Centre sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mount Druitt Hospital watched by 300 current and former staff, community members and volunteers.
They enthusiastically reflected on the last 40 years of the Hospital which has always been filled with a great sense of community spirit.
The event included a smoking ceremony performed by Order of Australia Medal recipient Uncle Wes Marne and speeches from guests including Mayor of Blacktown Tony Bleasdale.
A huge birthday cake, complimentary food trucks, community stalls and the unveiling of a 26m long mural by Aboriginal artist Danny Eastwood.
The hospital’s journey began in 1975 with the establishment of the Mount Druitt Poly Clinic now known as Mount Druitt Community Health Centre- to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population in the Blacktown local government area.
Forty years on, the hospital continues to play a pivotal role in the Mount Druitt community, providing excellent healthcare in the heart of one of the fastest-growing regions in NSW.
This includes medical assessment, rehabilitation, surgical, paediatrics and one of Australia’s best palliative care services. It also has a 24-hour emergency department.
“We are celebrating this incredible hospital and the great services it provides,” Mayor Tony Bleasdale said.
“The hospital itself was iconic because the growth of Western Sydney was quite incredible at that time and required the support of another hospital in the community.
“The growth of our community continues today with a city that now has 400,000 people – the largest population in Western Sydney.”
Local community member and Mount Druitt Hospital Ladies Auxiliary treasurer Dulcie Harrison was on the first hospital planning committee and has played a leading role in helping to raise more than $1m for Mount Druitt Hospital during the last 40 years.
“I am passionate about serving the people of the Mount Druitt area as are all who volunteer and we will continue to do whatever we can to continue to raise funds for much-needed equipment for our Mount Druitt Hospital,” Dulcie said.
“The people of Mount Druitt have also been so generous with donations of craft and handmade items, showing just how much people do appreciate this hospital and the community in which they live.”
Acting general manager of Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital Brad Ceely thanked Dulcie and the auxiliary for “the amazing contribution” their fundraising efforts make.
“In the last couple of months, we’ve been able to spend over $100,000 on equipment,” he said.
“The connection we have with our volunteer service is really strong and Mount Druitt is one of the very few hospitals still in metropolitan Sydney where the kiosk services are provided through the volunteers.
“I think it’s an excellent demonstration of how we’ve really maintained that community connection here with the western Sydney community.”
“I had family who lived in Mt Druitt when I was younger and I remember driving past the hospital when it was being built and being really excited because I thought they were building a spaceship and I was a big Star Wars fan.
“Today, one of the things I really enjoy when I work at Mount Druitt is that real sense of connection to the community – the real welcomeness of the staff.”
“We have had a wonderful group of volunteers over many years. They’ve given up their time, skills and energy that have made this hospital, committee and the gift shop the success that it is.
Aboriginal Elder Julie Jones said she had been a patient in the hospital on a number of occasions.
“This is where I came after my first heart attack. I wouldn’t be here without the enormous support and medical care from hospital staff which was absolutely sensational and I of course made a full recovery and I’m still here today.
“As a community member who comes in here quite often and as a patient over many years, it’s been really comforting and a positive impact for us to be able to go in and see the same familiar faces year after year which testifies to what a very special place this is,” Julie said.
An event highlight was the unveiling of a meaningful mural painted on the wall situated between the Emergency Department and the main entrance of Mount Druitt Hospital by Aboriginal artist Danny Eastwood, with help from John Weeks.
The 26m long mural took two weeks to complete and was created as a welcoming token for the community to acknowledge the role of the hospital within the culturally diverse community.
The mural includes kangaroos, emus, medical staff, circles which represent the departments within the hospital and hand prints which represent the diverse cultures of Western Sydney.
“The reason I have painted kangaroos and emus is because they don’t take a backward step – they represent the doctors who won’t take a backward step until they find a cure or find a way to help their patients,” Danny said.
“We put a lot of heart and soul into this artwork and we hope the people of Mount Druitt appreciate it.”
FOOTNOTE: During preparations for the event, staff uncovered a piece of history – the official ceremonial booklet from the original opening event in 1982. Mount Druitt Hospital was the result of an extensive analysis of the booming suburbs of Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill and St Marys in the 1980s. The first patient of the hospital was Mrs Margaret Adams of Blacktown, who was admitted on September 14.
