A new colouring book designed by Koori children for child patients at the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service aims to make a hospital visit a little easier on little ones.
BRHS Aboriginal Health Unit Koori Hospital Liaison Officer Adrian Morgan came up with the idea for My Healing On Country to give kids visiting the hospital some comfort and entertainment.
“When kids are in hospital and their feeling doomy and gloomy, I thought something like this would cheer them up,” he said.
He convinced children from Bairnsdale West Primary School, Lucknow Primary School, Nagle College, Bairnsdale Secondary College and St Mary’s Primary School to create Aboriginal-themed designs for the book, and arranged for a supply of pencils. My Healing On Country was launched at the BRHS NAIDOC Week community event on Tuesday, 5 July.
Students Whitney and Hannah, who contributed designs to the colouring book, joined BRHS CEO Robyn Hayles to launch the book.
“We hope this book brings some joy and some relaxation to children at BRS, whether they’re there as a patient or as visitors, and we look forward to sharing some of the beautiful designs,” Ms Hayles said. “It’s a really great colouring book.”
Whitney told the community gathering: “I go to Bairnsdale Secondary, and I helped make this deadly colouring book for the sick kids that come into the hospital. We want to say thank you to the schools and the students that did the art work.”
Hannah, a Lucknow Primary School pupil, said: “We hope this book makes kids feel better while they’re in hospital”.
Children at the community event grabbed their own copies of My Healing On Country and began colouring in with gusto.
Adrian said plans are already underway for a second volume of the colouring book. Stay tuned for details!
