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Indigenous artwork enhances patient experience at the Olivia Newton-John Centre
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- Indigenous artwork enhances patient experience at the Olivia Newton-John Centre
21 February 2022
We’re thrilled to share some artwork with you that our friends at Indigi-Print have just finished installing at the Olivia Newton-John Centre's oncology rooms.
The artworks were designed by Gary Saunders, a proud Bangerang, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Dja Dja man born in Mooroopna. Gary is an artist, graphic designer and a musician.
In Gary’s words “the artwork design represents the three major sites of Austin Health, the large circle the main site, while the other circles the smaller sites. The staff are represented by the symbols around the outside of the large circle.
“The lines within each circle are the clients, while in between each of the circles we see the pathways of teaching and research that link each of the sites and contribute to high quality person-centred care.
The artworks are based on those created for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), where the organisation set out its role in reducing the gap and enhancing the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Drew Smith, Acting Clinical Lead MRI Radiation Therapist said “We wanted to brighten the experience of our patients coming for radiotherapy treatment and to do it in a way that was sensitive and recognising of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“The RAP artwork was the perfect basis for that. We engaged Gary to create a new colour version of the RAP artwork and to enlarge the prints to cover the walls of the treatment room entrances.
“With the three versions of the artwork our treatment rooms now have a distinct colour/artwork identity that also helps patients and staff wayfinding.
