Open: Sr Francis McGuigan Wing; Unveiled: Ros Packer portrait
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On November 1, 2018, the new wing of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sydney was opened. Also unveiled at the same event was a portrait of one of the hospital’s major benefactors and a life-long friend of the Sisters of Charity, Mrs Ros Packer.
Guests at the opening of the Sr Francis McGuigan Wing saw Sisters of Charity of Australia Congregational Leader, Sr Clare Nolan, and Chair of the Trustees of the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, Charles Curran, unveil the life-size portrait of Ros Packer.
The portrait, painted by 2001 Archibald Prize winner Nicholas Harding and commissioned by the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, recognises Mrs Packer, patron of the Friends of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, for her enduring support.
“It’s a marvelous portrait which shows Mrs Packer’s strength and compassion,” said Sr Clare.
How long has Mrs Packer been connected to St Vincent’s Private? It’s been 45 years since Sister Clare and Ros Packer met, after her late husband, media magnate Kerry Packer, introduced the two and encouraged his wife to become involved with the hospital.
Sr Clare said daughter Gretel was so proud of her mother on the night, and of the contribution she has made over decades to the hospital.
The portrait is destined to hang in the foyer of the new 13-floor wing, most of which is now operational. New operating theatres are in service, and there are patients in the new rooms. There is an in-house rehabilitation unit with hydrotherapy pool which is is also open for patients.
Floors and operating theatres are named to recognise significant donors. The new wing itself is named after Mother M. Francis McGuigan, who was Superior General of the Congregation from 1882 to 1920. That period of time as Congregational Leader will never again be equalled.
This new wing is the culmination of the first stage of a major development that will transform the private hospital and continue excellent care to the patients and also their families, Sr Clare said.