A new artwork celebrating the rich Aboriginal culture of the Goulburn-Mulwaree region has been unveiled as part of the $165 million Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment.
Created by Muruwari and Ngemba woman and contemporary Aboriginal artist, Monica Bridge, the artwork represents an interpretation of the Goulburn-Mulwaree area including the mountains, hills, and rivers. NSW Health Infrastructure Executive Director Rural and Regional, Amanda Bock said the artwork which is in the reception area inside the recently opened main entry, celebrates culturally significant places of the region. “Working closely with the local Aboriginal community, Monica has created a vibrant, uplifting and engaging artwork that creates a welcoming space for patients, visitors and staff when they enter Goulburn Base Hospital,” Ms Bock said. Locations from across the region are reflected in the artwork including the Wollondilly and Mulwaree rivers, men’s place at Rocky Hill, burial grounds near Lansdowne Estate, camp sites around Goulburn and along the river, the Corrobboree site at Goulburn railway station, artefacts found at Tall Timbers, and Wombeyan Caves outside the Goulburn area. Mrs Bridge said the artwork also includes symbols to represent culturally significant sites. “Native plants such as snow gums have been used to represent men while plants such as yam daisies are used to represent significant places for women,” Mrs Bridge said. Chair of the Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Arts and Health Working Group John Gale said Mrs Bridge was selected to create the artwork following an Expression of Interest process, in close consultation with local Aboriginal representatives. “Mrs Bridge’s appointment to the project was not only informed by community, the way in which she developed the artwork was also extensively shaped by community stories. “It may be the visual language of one artist, however the artwork references the voices of local Elders and Community in the Goulburn area, which is important to ensure a welcoming environment to support cultural safety for all Aboriginal people giving and receiving care,” Mr Gale said. Health Infrastructure Arts Program Director Brigette Uren said the Arts in Health Program integrates arts into NSW Health capital works to create engaging public health spaces. “Health Infrastructure supports strong engagement with communities to ensure health facilities are co-designed, with a particular focus on cultural safety for Aboriginal communities, to contribute to reconciliation and for better patient outcomes,” Ms Uren said. Mrs Bridge’s commission completes the Arts and Heritage Integration Strategy for the Redevelopment, which includes two major stairway commissions, Springfield Place historical exhibition, and refurbishment of existing art and heritage collection items throughout clinical areas of the new service.