A royal wedding.

Maitland Hospital Surgical Unit staff celebrating the Harry and Meghan royal wedding in May 2018.

(Anne McDonald collection)

Back, left to right: Stephanie Wennan EN, Anne McDonald RN, Mel Bertram RN, Angela McCubbin EN, Cassie Murnain RN, Catherine Waters RN, Amy Gibb RN.

Front, left to right: Jane Smith RN, Kathy Sable RN.

 Anne McDonald explains:

I organised the event around the free royal wedding tea towel I got from a magazine (the tea towel is hanging behind me in the photograph). Because our job operates 24/7 we often miss celebrations with our family and friends.  So we put together celebrations when we can. We are like opportunists and up for anything, anytime if it involves food … and pink lemonade!

Anne’s photo and recollection are reminders of all those other moments when the hospital and hospital staff pause to celebrate a public event. Collecting more of these moments will add another dimension to our understanding of the challenges, delights and bonds encountered when working at Maitland Hospital

Illuminated crown on top of the Maitland Hospital to mark the 1954 Royal Visit to Australia.

(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.176b)