Werribee Mercy Hospital’s emergency department resuscitation unit has been dedicated to a young policewoman from Sunshine who lost her life while on the job.
Last Wednesday, a ceremony was held at the hospital to officially launch a memorial plaque to Constable Clare Frances Bourke.
Constable Bourke was performing watch-house duties at the Sunshine Police Station on March 16, 1983, when a colleague’s firearm discharged and she was fatally shot.
Ms Bourke, the daughter of long-time Sunshine residents Madge and Jack Bourke, was aged just 23.
In honour of Constable Burke’s memory, the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – through its Westgate Branch – awarded the Mercy Health Foundation and Werribee Mercy Hospital a $99,000 grant to refurbish its resuscitation unit.
The refurbishment included two new resuscitation machines, a cot and murals painted in the paediatric resuscitation bay.
Six of Constable Burke’s siblings, including the eldest Richard Burke. attended the dedication and toured the resuscitation bay.
“It’s one of those bitter sad days, but it’s also a very proud day,” he said.
“The family are pleased with the significant recognition afforded to Clare by the dedication on the plaque.”
The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Westgate Branch president Sandra Nicholson said the plaque would be “a tangible reminder of Clare’s service to the community”.
Mercy Health group chief executive Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen said the health provider was “honoured” to dedicate the unit in Constable Bourke’s memory.
Mercy Health’s health services chief executive Linda Mellors said staff at the hospital were “extremely grateful” for the support of the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to upgrade the resuscitation unit.
Werribee Mercy emergency department nurse Lauren McDonnell painted the walls of the paediatric resuscitation bay as part of the refurbishment. Ms McDonnell said she spent “two, 14-hour days” creating a sea scene on the walls.
She said the ocean theme was a continuation of a safari mural she painted in the paediatric waiting room.
