It took nine hours for ward clerk Donna McSaveney to decorate Werribee Mercy’s Emergency Department for Christmas.
But the colourful paper chains and the hand drawn Santa faces with beards made from cotton balls weren’t purchased from a party supply store, they were donated.
“Every year we have a competition throughout the hospital and all the departments do something different, or follow a theme,“ Ms McSaveney said.
“The last four years in a row we’ve been runners up, which is why I thought of getting the kids involved, so I sent an email out to kindergartens, day care facilities and principals.
“There were probably between 150-200 decorations and everything is hand-made, and that made it even more special.“
Ms McSaveney said initially it was all about the competition and winning first place, but the sweet gesture quickly evolved into more.
“It’s been a really tough three years for emergency. You hear a lot of negativity about the department, but it’s a good thing and it’s lifted people’s spirits this Christmas,“ she said.
“You see the elderly people and they love it. They look at the colouring’s and the stars that are hanging from the roof.
“The kids just absolutely loved knowing their work was going to be displayed in the local hospital.
“It has completely changed the entire department to look at.“
