New Footscray Hospital Project Newsletter #4 | August 2022

In the lead-up to NAIDOC Week, a smoking ceremony was held on the site of the new Footscray Hospital. It included a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ringo Terrick and a performance by the Koori Youth Will Shake Spears dance group.

The construction workforce observed the ceremony and were joined by senior representatives from Australian Government and project partners from Victorian Government, Maribyrnong City Council, Western Health, Plenary Health and Multiplex.

Footscray Community Arts has been announced as official arts partner for the new hospital and will commission local artists to create a welcoming space for patients, staff and visitors.

Footscray Community Arts Artistic Director, Daniel Santangeli, said: 'As one of Australia’s leading community arts centres, we’re looking forward to bringing together local artists and their work to help create inclusive, safe and sustainable spaces within the new hospital.'

Art has been considered as part of the hospital design to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes and will include standalone works and immersive art forms in external and internal spaces.

Plenary Health New Footscray Hospital Project Chair, Kelvyn Lavelle, said: 'Footscray Community Arts is an important part of the cultural fabric in the west and with their 50-year legacy, they are the perfect arts partner for the new hospital,' Mr Lavelle said.

The new partnership is already working on a ‘Faces of Footscray’ community photography series that will utilise the site’s expansive hoarding.

Linda Pocock, Nurse unit manager - 3 East

A career in caring was always on the cards for Linda Pocock.

As a child, she vividly recalls the satisfaction she got from looking after her sick grandparents.

'Being a nurse is all I ever wanted to do,' Linda says.

'I absolutely love it. Being able to help people and see them get better… it’s a real privilege and a passion.'

Linda began her nursing career in 1984. She was a newlywed when she left her Warrnambool home, destined for Footscray Hospital.

In the almost four decades since, Linda has worked in a variety of nursing roles at Footscray Hospital. She has also tapped into the broader Western Health network, including gaining experience working as an Acting Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) at Sunshine and Williamstown hospitals.

For the past five years, Linda has led the team as 3 East Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) at Footscray Hospital.

'I drive past another hospital every single day to come and work here,' Linda says.

'I know so many people so when I walk down the corridor, it’s so lovely to hear people say: ‘Good morning, Linda’'.

'I love working at Footscray, it is a bit like a family.'

The benefits of the new Footscray Hospital are reaching further than the construction site, with community partnerships supporting the growing western suburbs more broadly.

Plenary Health, delivering the hospital in partnership with the Victorian Government and Western Health, have announced five-year partnerships with both Youth Junction and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF) programs.

Youth Junction’s Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma (P.A.R.T.Y) Program aims to help people aged 19 - 25 in the west understand risks, choices and consequences associated with unsafe driving, drinking and other risky behaviours.

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF) and Plenary Health have joined forces to support the Youth Leadership Project - a development program for young people aged 14 to 16 living across the west of Melbourne and Victoria.