Images
1: L-R Anthony Heintze and Craig Singleton of Diverse Asset Maintenance Services, Daniel Grech of BMA and Kristi Algate of Mackay Hospital Foundation
2: Catherine Clark Dowden worked for three weeks to complete her artwork. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Outside and inside the Children and Adolescent Unit (CAU) at Mackay Base Hospital has been transformed into a space for patients and their families to escape their challenges.
Two local organisations have chosen to support the projects with BMA providing funding to Mackay Hospital Foundation for the implementation of a Therapeutic Play Space outside of the Unit where young patients, their families and siblings can forget about treatment for a short time and enjoy their surroundings in a ‘happy space’ away from a clinical environment.
The inside project is the implementation of an Australiana-themed wall mural which has been funded by Autocorner Mackay.
“Seeing these projects come to fruition has been absolutely amazing,” General Manager at Mackay Hospital Foundation Kristi Algate.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of patients who have been able to spend time in both indoor and outdoor areas is heart-warming.
“The funding from our local businesses has been overwhelming.
“They love to support the local community.”
BMA Production Manager Daniel Grech said BMA was proud to fund and support the construction of the Therapeutic Play Space.
“Mackay Hospital foundation provides facilities for the entire Mackay and Isaac regions so we’re really happy to support them in any way we can to give back to the community,” he said.
“The new facilities will basically mean that the kids will get to come here and enjoy that time at the hospital and not be so clinical.
“It just gives them somewhere to play and be natural and enjoy the facilities.”
Artwork inside the Unit and throughout the Play Space was completed by Mackay artist Catherine Clark Dowden who has a history of volunteering her artistic talents to the hospital.
Her artwork is intended to inspire and distract patients and families.
“I tried to get every Australian animal that I could that would interest kids, so that there was a conversation that they could have with their parents or the nurses,” Ms Clark Dowden said.
“I’d like to be able to take their mind off it, take them on a journey, so the more they look, the more they see on those walls, so they feel like they’re more a part of what’s happening on the wall rather than in the hospital.
“It’s been an amazing experience and I’m very thankful to have been given the opportunity to do it.”
The mural was funded by Autocorner Mackay who announced Mackay Hospital Foundation as their Charity of Choice in 2021 which continues in 2022.
A second contribution made by Autocorner Mackay in September this year will also be utilized in the Children and Adolescent Unit at the hospital to provide upgrades for mental health in that Unit.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
