NAIDOC Week is a time to come together, reflect on our history and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, traditions and language.
For The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Stage 2 Redevelopment project team, it’s also a times to consider our commitment to identifying new ways to honour and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and language in the hospital.
Builders of the new Paediatric Services Building, Roberts Co, invited Uncle Brendan Kerin, an Arrernte and Barkindji Elder and prominent member of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, to visit the project team during NAIDOC week. Uncle Brendan shared stories demonstrated the use and purpose of traditional tools and performed the Yidaki (Didgeridoo).
Senior Project Director Caleb Teh emphasised the project’s dedication to actively involving Aboriginal stakeholders in every phase of the project, to ensure Aboriginal voices and cultural perspectives shape the redevelopment.
"I am proud of the project's comprehensive efforts since inception,” Caleb said.
"It’s crucial that we collaborate closely with our Aboriginal community and staff to establish a welcoming environment."
An example of this commitment lies in the newly unveiled car park at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, where Dharug artists Leanne Watson Redpath and Leanne Tobin have contributed their artistic talents to transform the eight-storey facility into a culturally significant landmark. Designed by Leanne Tobin, the car park’s facade features dragonflies, a symbol meaningful to the local Aboriginal community, embodying themes of health, wellbeing, and transformation.
Inside, Leanne Watson Redpath has developed a collection of symbols to illustrate cultural connections to life on, above and below the rivers which meet adjacent to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, including the Toongabbie Creek, Darling Mills Creek and the Parramatta River.
Ms Redpath also facilitated an interactive art workshop at Ronald McDonald House providing children an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal symbols, which play an important role in Aboriginal storytelling and education.
“I hope that the symbols in the car park will allow people to learn that we are on Dharug country and that Dharug people are still here,” Ms Redpath said.
“The art in and around the hospital is a great opportunity for us to share our culture and language and to let people know the importance of acknowledging and caring for country.
“Where we can add our art helps to heal Country, which is healing for us, and the inclusion of artwork also makes our kin feel welcome and connected.”
At the front of the future hospital campus, plants within the new Aboriginal Gathering Space garden are taking root.
This area will connect to an indoor meeting place and Aboriginal Health office once the Paediatric Services Building (PSB) opens.
Read more about a recent planting day and the vision for this space here: Native seedlings planted with purpose in The Children’s Hospital at Westmead forecourt | The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (nsw.gov.au)