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Community explores new hospital

03/02/2026

Ganga Giri plays the didgeridoo. (Pictures: Supplied)

About 3000 people visited the new Footscray Hospital for the Community Open Day on Sunday 1 February.

It was the first time the new $1.5 billion hospital had been opened to the public.

The Community Open Day was attended by Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne, and featured a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri father and son John and Willy Xiberras, and Ganga Giri played the didgeridoo.

Western Health chief executive Professor Russell Harrison said it was wonderful to finally open the doors to the public.

“We had a great turn out and the atmosphere was fabulous,” he said.

“Now we’re looking forward to the big day – Wednesday 18 February – when the new Footscray Hospital officially opens and we start welcoming patients and their loved ones.”

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