12 January 2024

After months of planning and work, the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital is now home to “Dougie” - the ‘Stand To’ silhouette. The silhouette has been installed with the image projected on to the west end of the North Wing near Remembrance Garden.

Our Veteran Liaison Officer, Rob Winther, says, “In the process of developing the lighting effect it was decided to name the silhouette ‘Dougie’ in memory of a National Serviceman, Doug, who recently passed away and and also for all the other Dougies who have served including our RSL Representative.”

“It gives the light an identity and adds to the cultural feel and heritage of the Repat Hospital”, he adds.

When the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital opened in March 1941, it was known as the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital. Initially operated by the Army till 1947, the hospital was then handed over to the Repatriation Commission and named the Repatriation General Hospital Heidelberg. In 1995, the then newly renamed Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital was transferred into the Victorian health system, and it merged with Austin Hospital. Together they became the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, till in April 2003, when we changed our name to Austin Health.

The Repat has a proud heritage of caring for Veterans and War Widows, and over the years many areas have been named to reflect this heritage. These include Centaur Wing, Tobruk Centre, Flanders Wing, Duckboard Function Centre, Anzac Memorial Chapel, Vivian Bullwinkel Room, 115th H.M.H. Meeting Room, Remembrance Garden, Gallipoli Gardens, Memorial Rose Garden and Duckboard Walk.

Within the hospital are many plaques, gardens and gallery spaces, including the Fromelles Garden and Jessie Mary Vasey Labyrinth. The Remembrance Garden also includes many memorial plaques and the duckboard stained glass.

Heritage work is never finished. The ‘Dougie’ silhouette complements other lighting projects being undertaken at the Repat, adding to the rich heritage of the building. The seven mosaics on the north wing along Acacia Street have been lit in purple lighting, allowing staff, visitors and passersby to enjoy the artwork in the evenings. The east end of the Remembrance Garden is now floodlit after sunset and works are underway to light the flagpole in red. These lighting projects have been funded by the Victorian Veterans Council Grant which restores community war memorials, honour rolls and avenues of honour to better reflect veteran service in the community.