James Fletcher celebrates past, present and future
Newcastle and Hunter residents and families are invited to join James Fletcher Hospital staff – past and present – on Saturday as they celebrate their time at the historic site ahead of next month’s move of mental health services.
The James Fletcher Hospital Commemoration Committee has organised a Fete on the Oval, which will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, 16 May 2009.
Hundreds are expected to attend the celebrations.
Activities will centre on the Parade Ground in the centre of the hospital site and include food stalls, a barbecue, jumping castle, magic tricks, balloon sculpting and face painting.
The Mental Health Choir and a pipe band will perform in the afternoon and staff soccer stars will by vying for the “JFH Ashes Cup” in an England v Australia soccer game.
The Australian Armed Forces Re-enactment Unit, a trivia treasure hunt and Newcastle Herald cartoonist Peter Lewis are among the other special features.
The historic guns at Fort Scratchley will be fired at midday as a special tribute.
A special exhibition, Remembering James Fletcher Hospital Photo-Memory Project, is on display in Monet’s Café.
There will also be a guest book for people to sign and write their memories of James Fletcher Hospital.
Inpatient units, outpatient and other services and Hunter New England Mental Health’s administration are moving in mid-June to new facilities on the Mater campus at Waratah.
The Centre for Psychotherapy and the Hunter Institute for Mental Health are remaining at the James Fletcher site, which will continue to be used for health services. A new 20-bed non-acute mental health unit will be built on the site.
Staff Specialist and Manager of Medical Administration for Hunter New England Mental Health Services Dr Anthony Llewellyn said the fete was an opportunity to celebrate the future, as well as the past.
“Much has changed since mental health services began at James Fletcher Hospital in 1871, and while the move to the Mater campus is a new era for mental health in the region, it is only fitting that we commemorate our past here and our connection to this site,” said Dr Llewellyn, also a member of the Commemoration Committee.
“The fete is a chance to bring people together and to acknowledge and celebrate our time here.
“A lot of people have spent a lot of time here. They have built relationships and friendships. They have worked with people, they have cared for people or they have been cared for.
“There is a lot to celebrate.”
From 16 June 2009, the Mater campus will comprise two hospitals on the one location.
“It will provide improved services for mental health patients who will have the benefit of a new, modern, purpose-built facility,” Dr Llewellyn said.
Patients will have support from medical services offered by the Calvary Mater Newcastle, including the Mater’s emergency department and its complementary services such as toxicology and drug and alcohol services.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216