Bourke Multipurpose Service will be about more than health care this Easter weekend as past and present staff members gather for a special reunion to honour the dedication, care and lasting impact they have had on the local Bourke community and beyond.

It will be the first reunion event in twenty years, and is being held in conjunction with the Back O’ Bourke Easter Festival.

Western NSW Local Health District Manager of Aboriginal Health Partnerships and Engagement, Pat Canty, is hoping for all staff past and present to make the trip for the celebrations.

“Holding the reunion on the Festival weekend is perfect because it’s a really good opportunity to come home, renew friendships, reconnect with former colleagues and join in the whole weekend,” Ms Canty said.

“Bourke District Hospital, as many of our staff and community members still know it, has always been more than a healthcare facility. It’s an important pillar of our community, keeping our people safe and providing opportunities, too.

“Holding the reunion in conjunction with the Easter Festival is perfect because it’s a good opportunity to come home, renew friendships, reconnect with former colleagues and join in the whole weekend.

Pat Canty says the weekend is a great time for all staff to catch up

According to Ms Canty, an important part of the reunion is to celebrate the Aboriginal staff who have helped shape the delivery of healthcare in Bourke for generations, and to acknowledge the cultural influence they have had across the health system.

“Whether it’s the trainee nurses who have gone on to hold executive roles across NSW Health, or those who provide frontline care or work in administration and support service roles, the impact our Aboriginal workforce has is profound,” Ms Canty said.

“We are so proud that our Aboriginal workforce is such a strong part of this hospital’s legacy. Recognising and celebrating that is so important, as is ensuring our young and often vulnerable people get to see these role models in action."

The Bourke Multipurpose Service from the air. Photo: NSW Government

“This reunion is also an opportunity to reflect on our ongoing journey towards reconciliation. It’s important that we continue to show our community that we are working hard to create meaningful change.

“There is a long and sometimes troubled history between health services and Aboriginal people. The NSW Health Apology in 2022 and the installation of that apology in every health service, including Bourke, has recognised that."

The weekend will include meet and greet tours of both the old and new facilities, including several special activities honouring the legacy of staff members who have passed away.

A dedicated hospital float will take part in the Saturday Easter Festival Street Parade, and a reunion dinner will be held on Saturday night

A Remembrance Ceremony on Easter Sunday will include a rose and tree planting to honour staff members who have died, some quite recently, while families of those staff members can also arrange a plaque for the Remembrance Wall.

“Our reunion is about celebrating our journey, acknowledging the challenges we have faced, reflecting on the progress we’ve made, and recognising the strength and resilience of all those people who have cared for our community,” said Ms Canty.