Calvary Public Hospital Bruce has marked its 40th Birthday

8th March 2019

Calvary Public Hospital Bruce has marked its 40th Birthday with recognition of service being the focus of a number of events.

Feature events in the week of birthday celebrations included the Calvary Auxiliary 40th AGM, a visit by ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris MLA, and the Staff Length of Service Awards.

ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris MLA, presenting Calvary with a 40th Birthday card

Current employee June Smith, and active Auxiliary members Josie Collier, Pauling Hurley and Bev Jungwirth, were recognised for 40 years of continuous service with Calvary Public Hospital. Foundation Chief Executive Gerald Garrity, who served from 1974 to 1991, received similar recognition for taking Calvary from a concept to a busy functioning public hospital serving Canberra’s growing Belconnen area.

Mark Dykgraaf, Minister Fitzharris, Gerald Garrity, June Smith, Josie Collier, Pauline Hurley, Bev Jungwirth

At the Awards ceremony, Calvary Public Hospital General Manager Mark Dykgraaf spoke of the honour we have to serve people in need and the privileged position we occupy as care providers. He described the pride of current staff and volunteers to build on the work of those who preceded us.

In response, Sr Elizabeth West LCM expressed her and the Sister’s gratitude to staff for carrying on the work and continuing the Mission of the Venerable Mary Potter. Sr Liz observed with gratitude that almost 150 years after the founding of the Sisters, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce is ‘Being for Others’ and the importance of doing so is no less now than it was in 1877.

Mark Dykgraaf, Gerald Garrity and Sr Elizabeth West LCM cut Calvary’s 40th Birthday cake

Calvary was officially opened by then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Archbishop Edward Clancy in Bruce on 2 March 1979. The services at Calvary Public Hospital opened progressively through its first year, with it being almost 12 months until the Accident & Emergency Department service commenced in February 1980.

Through 2019 Calvary Public Hospital will organise a series of events that coincide with service milestones from 1979.