News

John Flynn adopts another koala

Apr 15, 2015

John Flynn Private Hospital staff had an opportunity to etch their names in history by signing their name, department, and the year that they started working with the hospital as part of a way to help raise awareness of koala conservation and much needed funds for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

John Flynn purchased the blank koala late last year and gave the staff at John Flynn the opportunity to come up with the design through a competition earlier in the year. The winning design was an amalgamation between the staff from 6B (Medical Rehab) and the Emergency Department.

Affectionately named ‘Ramsay,’ the koala is a tribute to the late founder of Ramsay Health Care - Paul Ramsay, who passed away in May 2014. Ramsay signifies the special relationship between John Flynn Private Hospital and the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

Recently Ramsay was taken on a road-show to Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta as part of the 2015 Bleach Festival & Animals with Attitude public art event which displayed 9 other adorable koala sculptures, each with their own story to tell.

Between March and May 2015 you can also discover the locations of all 30 koalas on display around the Gold Coast as a continuation of the Animals with Attitude display to heighten the awareness of koala conservation before being auctioned in May, with all proceeds going towards the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

For now though, with all the recent media hype, Ramsay has decided to take some ‘down-time’ and is currently back home in the main hospital entrance… So be sure to get a photo of yourself with Ramsay before he’s on the move again… and don’t forget to say g’day to his brother ‘Flynn’ – John Flynn’s first adopted koala who is situated in the Fountain Garden.

Ramsay taking centre stage in the Main Hospital Building entrance at John Flynn Private Hospital

John Flynn’s first koala adoptee, ‘Flynn’ in the Fountain Garden