A SACRED space behind Beaudesert Hospital, created for people to come together and celebrate life’s journey, has earned local staff the prestigious 2024 Metro South Health Board Chair Award.
The Beaudesert Hospital Gathering Circle took out the top gong at the gala awards night, much to the delight of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Hospital staff Dave Bestmann, Sharonne Budd and Sharne Iselin as well as Aunty Levina Page and local artist Kim Williams accepted the award on behalf of the many people involved.
The Gathering Circle was unveiled during 2024 NAIDOC Week celebrations in a gathering of children through to Mununjali Elders, hospital staff and other stakeholders, and it continues to make a lasting impression.
The backdrop to the sandstone circle is scenes inspired by Il Bogan and Round Mountain, Rathdowney and Mt Barney, reflecting culturally significant places around Beaudesert.
Mrs Williams, a Kullilli-Wakka-Wakka woman, painted the four art panels to give people a place to go and find peace when they are in hospital.
Facility Manager Margaret Wendt said the team were ecstatic about the win.
“It demonstrates Beaudesert Hospital’s message to the community that we are holding ourselves to account to do the work that our First Nations community asks of us – the Gathering Circle being the first of these,” she said.
“I particularly want to call out Sharne Iselin, Dave Bestmann and Sharonne Budd who drove the vision for this work, and Mununjali Elder Aunty Levina and Gathering Circle artist Kim Williams for attending the awards, which to me shows a genuine commitment to community.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison Officer and Project Lead Mr Bestmann took his hat off to the Logan and Beaudesert Health Service Executive Team for helping turn the vision into reality.
“I’m just fortunate enough to be a part of this project with such a passionate crew with Marg and Professor Shane Brun at the helm,” he said.
“To be able to work and practice my culture at the same time is something remarkable for myself and I appreciate the opportunities Metro South gives.”
