A Healing Ceremony has been held at the old Grafton Gaol as the historic site prepares to switch its purpose from punishment to health.
The ceremony was an opportunity to recognise the history of the site and support healing as it transforms into a new health precinct offering administration and training spaces and accommodation to support the Grafton Base Hospital and Northern NSW Local Health District.
Around 90 people attended the event including Elders, community members, school students and representatives from the local health district, justice organisations, and the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment team.
The ceremony included a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, local speakers and a dance performance by Grafton High School students, with several participating in the Stars Foundation mentoring program which supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Amanda Bock, Executive Director North Region at Health Infrastructure, said the ceremony was an important step in acknowledging the site’s past.
“The Healing Ceremony is an important step in recognising the history of the old gaol site, taking the time to reflect and move into the future together as we deliver the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment,” she said.
“This approach reflects the importance of listening to and learning from Aboriginal stakeholders, Elders and community members. This engagement will continue to inform the delivery of safe, inclusive and culturally responsive health facilities for our region.”
The Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment has established a Connecting with Country working group, including stakeholders from the hospital and representatives from the three local Nations: Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl, to help shape elements of the redevelopment and create a culturally safe and inclusive health facility.
Once completed, the redevelopment will include a welcoming First Nations Garden recognising the local Nations, culturally significant totems, and a pedestrian walkway inspired by the Clarence River. To symbolise the three local Nations, three trees have been planted at the entrance to the precinct: a weeping bottlebrush, native frangipani and a lilly pilly.
Early works for the NSW Government’s $263.8 million redevelopment are nearing completion, with the refurbishment of two former administration buildings within the old Grafton Gaol now in its final stages. Known as the Administration and Workforce Development Precinct, the two buildings will support staff training and development as well as provide office spaces.
A separate section of the old gaol will also be refurbished to deliver 36 modern, self-contained one-bedroom units for healthcare staff as part of the NSW Government’s Key Worker Accommodation program, with capacity to add a further 36 units in the future.
Tracey Maisey, Chief Executive of Northern NSW Local Health District, said the week was a fitting time to mark the milestone.
“National Reconciliation Week is a time to recognise the importance of working together with Aboriginal communities, as we continue to listen, learn and deliver projects that reflect local culture and support healing, as part of our commitment to closing the equity gap for Aboriginal people,” she said.
“We are looking forward to moving into these wonderful new spaces at the Precinct soon and starting a new era for this facility.
“The new Precinct will provide modern and purpose-built office, training and education facilities to support our hardworking staff in Grafton and right across our District.”
The Healing Ceremony reflects Health Infrastructure’s commitment to its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, ensuring Aboriginal knowledge, perspectives and practices are embedded into the planning, design and delivery of health infrastructure across NSW.
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