Chief Executive Officer Jodie Geissler and Board Chair Ross Cooke OAM with the two new portraits

14 August 2025

Today we gathered to celebrate Austin Hospital’s 143 birthday with a lively event in the Library.

Rob Winther, Veteran Liaison Officer, opened the event, “We gather here today in a place of knowledge and learning to celebrate Austin Hospital’s birthday. Key elements of history have been collected in the Library over the years and today, we add to the historical collection by unveiling two new portraits of Elizabeth Austin and Thomas Embling, created by artist George Petrou.”

George Petrou OAM is a renowned Melbourne artist whose work captures and honours Australians who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice. George’s portraits proudly hang in museums in France, Government House Canberra, a range of military institutions across Australia and now, at Austin Health.

Jodie Geissler, Chief Executive Officer, spoke at the event, reflecting, “Today is a special day, marking 143 birthday of Austin Hospital and 204 birthday of our founder, Elizabeth Austin. We need to remember those who have gone before us, and we do this today – in word and image. Our proud history of delivering the highest quality care and improving the lives of our patients and their families is made possible because of the generosity of Elizabeth and her legacy continues to live on at Austin Health.”

As part of the celebration we also launched a new book,The Life and Times of Thomas Embling by Barry Lamb. This book joins another significant book by Barry, The Life and Times of Elizabeth Austin. We were joined today by our Board Chair Ross Cooke OAM, Chief Nursing Officer Kristie Mackenzie, Chief Librarian Elizabeth Harris, the artist behind the two portraits George, and staff from across the organisation.

Welcoming guests to the event, Elizabeth noted that over 60,000 people from throughout the hospital visited the Library last year, highlighting it as not only a great place to gather, study and work, but also to make our historical items visible to the community.

Artist George Petrou OAM with the two portraits

Dr Jennifer Johns AM, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, has been working at Austin Hospital for 38 years now and she has seen the Harold Stokes Building and Austin Towers built from the ground up. Jennifer has held many roles during her tenure here, including Director Cardiology and Clinical Service Unit Medical Director, before stepping back to her current position.

“Our Cardiology team has seen an amazing change and growth over the years – going from one part-time cardiac catheterisation laboratory to two full-time labs, from roughly six cardiologists to over 30, and from two inpatient beds to up to 30 inpatients,” shares Jennifer.

Jennifer’s proudest moment was when she was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2016 for services to cardiology, teaching, training and for her work in the not-for-profit sector, and her colleagues at Austin Health recommended her for this honour.

She adds, “What I love about this place, and my department in particular, is the collegiality and the support everyone gives each other - from doctors to patient service assistants - all are focused on patient care and supporting their colleagues. I only need to pick up the phone if I ever need help.”

We've come a long way from our humble beginnings as Austin Hospital for Incurables. Today we are renowned for our specialist care, as Victoria’s largest provider of training for specialist physicians and surgeons, and as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in hospital-based research.

Happy birthday to Austin Hospital!