Gold Coast Health is recognised for quality patient care, nursing and midwifery excellence and innovations in professional nursing and midwifery practice under the Magnet® Recognition Program.
"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
Locally created artwork will add the finishing touches to a refurbished community mental health space taking shape at Southport Health Precinct.
Several pieces by Gold Coast Health Senior First Nations Health Worker and local artist Rachel Jack will be installed on Level 5 after previously being displayed at Tugun Satellite Health Centre Banyarhmabah. The artworks were subsequently purchased for the refurbished adult mental health space at Southport Health Precinct.
Gold Coast Health Senior First Nations Health Worker Rachel Jack, a proud Wiradjuri woman with strong cultural connections to Kombumerri Country, said the five selected artworks reflect the relationships between people and the natural world.
“Each artwork reflects a different aspect of the natural environment and the deep relationship between people, land, water, animals and the changing seasons,” Rachel said.
The selected pieces are Changing of Seasons, Home – Ngurambang, Sand – Garay Garay, Sunrise and Broad Shelled River Turtle: Gandhalwurr.
“Having my artworks displayed in a mental health space means I’m making a small contribution to healing, reflection and connection.
“It is an honour to know my work may support the wellbeing of others, create a warm and culturally meaningful environment and offer moments of reflection during difficult times.”
The artwork will complement a broader refurbishment designed to create a contemporary, welcoming and functional environment for people accessing community-based adult mental health services.
The completed space will include additional interview rooms, refreshed clinical areas and improved staff amenities.
Construction of the interview rooms is now complete, along with installation of the workstations and open-plan office areas, painting and refurbishment of the staffroom. The additional private areas will support assessment, treatment and conversations with consumers, while the improved amenities will help create a more comfortable experience for consumers and visitors.
Final fit-out, finishing works and testing are continuing ahead of the building works wrapping up in late September. Teams will then prepare the space for services, with consumers expected to be welcomed from mid-October 2026.
The refurbishment will create a more fit-for-purpose environment for the Acute Care Team (ACT) and other specialist mental health teams relocating to Level 5, supporting the way they provide care.
The ACT provides short-term, community-based mental health crisis and acute care services. These services are typically accessed through referral from a GP, hospital or other health professional, helping connect people with the support they need close to home.
Gold Coast Health Director Partnerships and Business Operations, Mental Health and Specialist Services Amy Petrocy said the project reflected the continued growth of community mental health services on the Gold Coast.
“The additional interview rooms will provide more private spaces for assessment, support and treatment, while the refreshed work areas will support our teams as services continue to grow,” Amy said.
“Rachel’s artwork will bring warmth, colour and a meaningful local connection to the space, helping create a welcoming environment for consumers, visitors and staff.”
The project follows the relocation of the Child and Youth Mental Health Service from Southport Health Precinct to Proxima earlier this year, creating an opportunity to transform the available space for adult mental health services.
