General News
23 July, 2025
Governor given a sneak peak of new Normanton Hospital
Dr Jeannette Young was in Normanton as part of her tour of the Gulf country.
The Governor of Queensland has given the state’s newest hospital her tick of approval after receiving a sneak preview on Monday morning.
Her Excellency, Dr Jeannette Young, was in Normanton as part of a week-long tour of the Gulf and lower Cape York.
The Governor and her husband Graeme Nimmo were met by Carpentaria Shire mayor Jack Bawden and North West Hospital and Health Service chair Cheryl Vardon and CEO Sean Birgan for a tour of the facility.
Joining them were a number of key staff, who made the official transition today (Wednesday).
“This new hospital is a major milestone for Normanton and the broader Carpentaria Shire,” the Governor said.
“It represents not just bricks and mortar, but a real investment in the health and wellbeing of this community.
“Access to quality, culturally safe healthcare is essential, no matter where you live.
“Facilities like this one make a world of difference in remote regions, offering care close to home and delivering peace of mind to entire communities.
“This hospital will serve as a lifeline for the region – not only in emergencies, but in the ongoing care of chronic conditions, the delivery of allied health services, and in the provision of palliative care.
“It will help keep people well, connected, and supported.”
Dr Young, who was formerly Queensland’s chief health officer, said she remained as passionate about health care as ever.
“Every Queenslander deserves the same quality of care – from the Cape to the Coast, and every community in between,” she said.
“This hospital is a powerful example of government and community working together to deliver on that vision.
“The involvement of staff in its design has made a real and lasting difference. Ultimately, this is a facility the community can be proud to call its own.”
Cr Bawden said he was proud to show off the community’s new hospital and praised the North West HHS for delivering the goods.
“Considering what turned up on the trucks, I thought, ‘bloody hell, this is never going to work’, but it’s turned out really good,” the mayor said.
Mr Birgan said it was a “real privilege” to show Dr Young the region’s health facilities.
“Our staff and community work so hard often in remote and challenging environments – it means a lot to have that work recognised,” he said.
“Dr Young has long been a champion for equitable healthcare and her presence here reinforces the importance of delivering safe, high-quality care even in the most remote locations.”
