St John of God Murdoch Hospital leads the way with Cockitrough bird waterer installation
St John of God Murdoch Hospital has become the first hospital in Western Australia to install a Cockitrough bird waterer, a significant step forward in wildlife conservation and environmental care within a health care setting.
2 Jul 2025
The bird waterer, designed and supplied by the Town of Victoria Park, provides clean, elevated drinking water for native bird species such as black cockatoos. These purpose-built waterers play an important role in sustaining bird populations, particularly during the warmer months when natural water sources are scarce.
The initiative was spearheaded by former St John of God Murdoch Hospital Director of Corporate Services Dilwyn Griffiths, who was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.
“This project resonated deeply with our commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing,” Dilwyn said.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the first hospital in Perth to install a Cockitrough bird waterer, and we hope to inspire others to follow suit.”
The installation of the bird waterer was a collaborative effort, with the hospital’s engineering team and landscaper Richard Hoyle from Royle Landscape Developments working together to ensure the waterer was securely and beautifully positioned within the hospital’s serene grounds, where both staff and visitors can enjoy the sight of birds gathering for a drink.
This unique addition reflects a growing awareness of the need to care for both people and the planet.
Adding a personal touch to the initiative, wrought iron signs that were donated by St John of God Murdoch Hospital Director of Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell and husband Vic, in memory of her son Jacob Powell, now hang proudly on the waterer to honour his love for the environment.
The response to the installation has been overwhelmingly positive, with hospital caregivers and families commenting on the peaceful, uplifting presence it brings to the hospital grounds.
The installation has not only become a quiet place of reflection, but also a symbol of environmental care and compassion.
As the first of its kind in a WA hospital, the Cockitrough bird waterer at St John of God Murdoch Hospital is not just a water source, it is a symbol of hope, remembrance, and environmental stewardship.
For more information about Cockitrough bird waterers, visit the Town of Victoria Park website.