Celebrating 40 years of friendship and service at Mount Druitt Hospital’s anniversary dinner

The party continued for Mount Druitt Hospital’s milestone 40^th birthday with a formal dinner celebration held at WestHQ on Wednesday, 30 November.

With MC Daniel Doody from Channel 10 adding some star-power to the event, guests enjoyed a night of powerful speeches, dancing and even a game or two, as colleagues and volunteers from the past four decades shared fond memories of the hospital’s history.

“It’s a really exciting night. To see staff, volunteers – and even past staff and volunteers –  come back to celebrate the event is a really great demonstration of the connection between Mount Druitt Hospital and the local community,” Acting General Manager Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospitals, Brad Ceely said.

Community was a strong theme of the evening, with speeches from volunteers, former surgeons, Auxiliary President Jean Hitches, Deputy Director of Nursing Kirsty Wallis, and WSLHD Chief Executive Graeme Loy.

A highlight of the evening was Studio 10’s Daniel Doody’s crowd work as he interviewed members of each table to hear about their individual memories of the hospital and reminisce about everything from the first Nepean Therapy Dog to walk the halls, to the many vibrant personalities who brightened up work days.

There was even a video message from Triple M host and Penrith Panthers legend Mark ‘MG’ Geyer speaking about how the lovely Mount Druitt Hospital staff patched up him and his siblings many times over the years. Many guests spoke passionately about their own experiences and reiterated that if it wasn’t for Mount Druitt Hospital, they may not have been still with us today.

Guests were also treated to musical performances from Rooty Hill High School students, who performed Don’t dream it’s over by Crowded House, Isn’t she lovely by Stevie Wonder, Just the two of us by Bill Withers and Best Part by Daniel Caesar.

After the evening’s formalities were concluded, the DJ started playing some traditional dance tunes and many guests took to the dance floor with everything from the Nutbush to ballroom dancing on display.