Celebrating 30 years of caring for our community

Caregivers, patients, hospital visitors and people from all corners of the St John of God Murdoch Hospital Community are invited to join with us as we reflect and celebrate 30 years since our hospital opened our doors to the people of Perth on 14 February 1994.

14 Feb 2024

Artwork unveiled

As part of our celebrations, today we unveil, ‘Djilba’ an art piece close to the hearts of many of our caregivers who created it, under the creative and watchful eye of artist, Aunty Neta Knapp.

The colours of Djilba (one of the six Noongar seasons, August to September) inspired the artwork, which celebrates Murdoch and the beautiful land that our hospital stands on.

Djilba is now a proud focal point in our hospital’s main entrance foyer and we encourage everyone to visit and see the vibrant piece in-person. It is a striking art piece and carries a great deal of significance for all of our caregivers, especially those who helped create it.

Thank you Aunty Neta for your inspired vision and support in bringing this magnificent work of art to life.

Then and now – 30 years exhibition

Today we also unveil a retrospective exhibition that showcases our hospital’s rich history, and looks to the future.

The exhibition, launched today to our caregivers during a special 30th anniversary lunch, is on display in our Function Rooms, on the lower ground floor of the hospital.

The exhibition will travel to our main hospital entrance and various locations around the hospital during our anniversary year.

There are some wonderful photos (featuring some familiar faces who are still caregivers with us today!), and an eclectic collection of artefacts from years gone by – a volunteer pinafore, surgical instruments and a cute-as-a-button t-shirt that babies born at our hospital were given – just to name a few. It is incredible to see how far health care and our hospital has evolved in just 30 years. What will the next 30 years bring?

Reflecting on the 30th anniversary, St John of God Murdoch Hospital CEO, Ben Irish said, “Our hospital’s strong sense of identity and connection between all the people and groups who make up our hospital community is clearly something that has been built over time, on solid foundations and with strong leadership over the years.”

“I think one constant that has been key over the years has been the importance that our hospital places on listening. Listening, and then acting on the insights we gather.”

“Today is an opportunity to reflect on just how far things have changed in our first 30 years. We only need to look at how far this hospital and campus has evolved in the past 30 years to understand how far it will go in the next 30 years.”

“Continuing to listen and responding to the changing needs of our community will be vitally important to our future success.”

More 30th anniversary activities to come

Stay tuned over the coming months for the launch of our brand new St John of God Murdoch Hospital History Trail.

You will be sure to learn an interesting thing or two about our hospital buildings, natural surrounds and stunning artwork.