2006

Tuesday 14th November 2006
'Families' on exhibition at Royal Newcastle Centre              

Over the coming weeks, patients, visitors and staff at the Royal Newcastle Centre will be greeted by the smiling faces of life-size family portraits, which have been proudly created by students and families from St Columban’s Catholic Primary School, Mayfield.

The exhibition is part of the nationwide ‘Big Draw 2006’ project, an initiative that encourages people to get creative, pick up a pencil and draw.
 
Nurse and artist from Royal Newcastle Centre, Rhonda Partridge, with the assistance of Jae Gilkinson have been working during September and October with the children to draw their family portraits.

“It has been wonderful to work with Year 5 at St Columban’s School, Mayfield to talk about, and draw their families. Not only was it a creative outlet for the children, but a chance to celebrate the social and cultural diversity within the school.”

A number of materials, including glue, wool and clothing were used to recreate the original drawings on boards, which were kindly donated by Bunnings, Glendale.  A selection of these portraits have then been enlarged into life-sized portraits and have set off to their temporary home in the Royal Newcastle Centre.

Principal of St Columban’s School, Mr Michael Doyle said the children have participated in a number of projects with the John Hunter Hospital's Arts for Health program, but this has been the most popular.

“They really enjoyed seeing their families in life sized portraits”.

Staff member from the Royal Newcastle Centre, Kerry Cooper, said the ‘families’ stand from Level three of the Royal Newcastle Centre and look down over the food court.

“The feedback has been very positive. People look up and comment on the families’ smiling faces - everyone has a smile and they make people smile back”.

The project is part of John Hunter Hospital’s Arts for Health program, which complements the hospital’s healing services by incorporating the arts into daily life.

The ‘Families’ exhibition will be officially opened at the Royal Newcastle Centre on Wednesday 15 November at 11am. The St Columban’s school choir will gather around the piano and sing a welcome to our newest residents, who represent the many different families cared for by Hunter New England Health.

Media are welcome to attend, please contact Kristy Bryant on 4921 4477 for more information.

The Big Draw is organised by Drawing Australia, based at Macquarie University, Sydney.

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