JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL (NEWCASTLE) AIDS MEMORIAL GARDEN

This garden grove in the grounds of Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital was opened on 1 December World AIDS Day 1994.
It serves to remind us of the past struggles and future victories of all those living with HIV/AIDS.

"I bequeath to you the living
All joy and all sorrows
Have courage always
And sometimes, sometimes
Remember me."

Majorie Pizer

The above two photos were taken by Kendall Lovett 1996-1999

Because a new wing was to be added to the hospital, the AIDS Memorial Garden was moved, and the photos below show the new garden. For more information, read the Media Release by Hunter Health below the photos.

The three photos above, and the three photos below, were taken by Robert Pearson in January 2004

The plaque in the above photo reads:

A TIME CAPSULE COMMEMORATING HIV CARE IN THE HUNTER

Was buried on 1st December 2000

To be opened on 1st December 2025

Hunter Health issued the following media release on 1 December 2003:

Media Release

AIDS memorial garden opens, Dec 1

December 1 , 2003

AIDS memorial garden opens at John Hunter Hospital

A new AIDS memorial garden will be opened at John Hunter Hospital to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1.

Family and friends of past HIV/AIDS patients at John Hunter Hospital have been invited to help celebrate the event.

The original AIDS memorial garden, completed in 1994, had to be relocated to the front of the hospital to allow space for the construction of the new James Wallis Building.

The relocation of the garden has provided the opportunity to add new features including a winding path in the shape of the famous AIDS red ribbon.

According to Dr Michael Boyle, Director of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at John Hunter Hospital, the idea for the garden originally came from a social worker in 1993.

"It was hoped that the garden would be a restful place for patients and their relatives - somewhere to relax and reflect," said Dr Boyle.

"It has been well used by all at John Hunter - patients, families, friends and staff, particularly those involved in the HIV/AIDS journey."

Staff will take the opportunity to bury a time capsule in the garden containing a collection of stories from patients, relatives and staff commemorating HIV/AIDS care in the Hunter.

The capsule also contains records of the current information known about HIV/AIDS, so it can be compared with information discovered in the years to come when the capsule is dug up in 2025.

Next year will mark 20 years since the first inpatient with HIV was cared for in the Hunter.

The John Hunter Hospital campus has a dedicated HIV unit served by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals.

The opening of the AIDS memorial garden will take place at 11am in front of John Hunter Hospital. Media welcome.

Media contact:

Bree Hancock

Ph: 4921 4477

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