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Public art and celebrations on drawing board
30 January 2009
A staff reunion picnic day and community fair, public art project and a photographic competition are some of the projects being staged to help commemorate the move of mental health services to the new look Mater campus.
With just five months to go, the countdown has well and truly begun for the move to the Mater*, which is on track for June 2009.
But the move from James Fletcher Hospital will not go unnoticed or unheralded.
A commemoration committee has formed to co-ordinate and plan activities to help staff, patients, their carers and the community celebrate the move. The committee includes past and present staff members and interested community members.
Project Co-ordinator for the Mater redevelopment with Hunter New England Mental Health Services Kathleen Schelling said there was a lot of history at James Fletcher site.
“It is only fitting that we commemorate our past here and our connection to this site,” Ms Schelling said.
“The events and activities planned in the coming months will be an opportunity to bring people together around a common cause, and 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.”
A staff reunion picnic day and community fair will be held in May.
A photographic competition will be launched in February, with the community invited to submit digital photographs. Some of the winning images will be hung on the walls of the new Mental Health Centre when it opens in June.
Public art projects including an interpretive sculpture and mural at the new Mental Health Centre are also on the drawing board.
Ms Schelling said the events and activities were 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 the move to the mater campus is a new era for us.
“From June 2009, the Mater 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.
“Patients will have direct access to other general and specialist medical and health services offered by the Calvary Mater Newcastle, such as the emergency department and complementary services such as toxicology and drug and alcohol services.”
If you would like to join the James Fletcher Commemoration Committee or find out more about the planned activities, please contact Kathleen Schelling at: Kathleen.Schelling@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
Note to media:
*The Mater includes:
· The redevelopment of the 204-bed Calvary Mater Newcastle, including an $18-million expansion of cancer radiation therapy facilities. It is owned and operated by Little Company of Mary Health Care.
· The construction of a new 100-bed acute mental health facility on the Mater (including 10 additional acute mental health beds) to replace the existing facilities at James Fletcher Hospital. It is managed by Hunter New England Health.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216
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