District honours service men and women to mark ANZAC Day.

Sydney Local Health District has marked ANZAC Day with a moving wreath-laying ceremony at Concord Hospital, which is synonymous for caring for Australia’s veterans.

Wreaths were placed in the hospital’s Centenary Garden as a mark of respect for all of those who have served Australia.

A minute’s silence was observed. Staff were also able to make a personal tribute by placing a sprig of rosemary at the Garden.

“As a result of COVID-19 we had to make changes to this year’s ceremony. Our annual ANZAC Service wasn’t able to go ahead.

“But, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to honouring the service and sacrifice of our brave service men and women,” Concord Hospital’s General Manager, Dr Genevieve Wallace, said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Both RPA and Concord Hospital had key war time roles.

As a teaching hospital, one of RPA’s contributions was to train many of the doctors and nurses who enlisted in the military and cared for the wounded on overseas battlefields.

And, a parcel of land at Yaralla Estate, then managed by RPA, became the site for Australia’s 113th General Hospital, now known as Concord Hospital.

It opened its doors in 1941 and became synonymous for caring not only for returned Australian service men and women but Americans, Filipinos and Japanese Prisoners of War too.

The District has a proud legacy of supporting veterans and their families. Today, the bond with the veteran community is stronger than ever.

The National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare (NCVH) at Concord Hospital, which opened its doors last year, is delivering world-class care for Australia’s veterans.

“It’s the first Centre in the country that provides comprehensive combined specialist services to help ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of veterans and their families,” Dr Wallace said.

It’ll be permanently housed in a purpose-built facility inside a new clinical services building, being constructed as part of the $341 million Stage One Concord Hospital Redevelopment project.

During COVID-19, the NCVH team remains committed to delivering care for veterans and is providing telehealth case management and mental health support.

“Please look out for yourselves, your family, friends and neighbours during this difficult time and please reach out if you need,” Dr Wallace said.

The NCVH team can be contacted on (02) 9767 8669.

Or, via email SLHD-NCVHConcord@health.nsw.gov.au.

To view more images of the ceremony, please click here.