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Team Darling Downs Health
Toowoomba City
Darling Downs Health
For more information contact:
Recruitment and Attraction
Workforce Division
PO Box 405, Toowoomba QLD 4350
e: Recruitment_Toowoomba@health.qld.gov.au
Office hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Copyright
© Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service 2019
4364.v1 | 09/2020
CC BY Licence Summary Statement
In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, as
long as you attribute Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service and abide by the licence terms.
To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/deed.en/
Front Cover photograph of Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba, courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.
We respectfully acknowledge all Traditional Custodians of these lands and
recognise their cultural heritage, their continuing connection to land, and their
role in the life of the region. We are inspired by this tradition in our work to share
and preserve Australian’s cultural memory for future generations. We sincerely
acknowledge and pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.
| 2
CONTENTS
Darling Downs Health.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
Meet our Board and Chief Executive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7
Toowoomba, the Garden City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9
Exciting annual events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Meet our Executive Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–13
Toowoomba staffing locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Meet our prostate cancer nurse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Staff wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17
Meet our electrical apprentice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
10,000 steps with Agnes Wright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Join #teamdarlingdownshealth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20–21
Recruitment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3 |
Welcome
to Darling Downs Health
“Caring for our communities – Healthier Together”
Darling Downs Health provides exceptional patient centred care to 300,000 people in public
hospitals across 29 facilities. We have a large geographical imprint of a 90,000 square kilometre
radius with one large regional referral hospital, extended inpatient mental health services,
medium sized regional hub hospitals, rural hospitals, multipurpose health services, community
outpatient clinics and residential aged care facilities.
Our vision, “Caring for our communities – Healthier Together” provides the framework for what we
want to achieve and the choices we make in improving our community’s health and wellbeing.
Our values – compassion, integrity, dignity, innovation, and courage – define how we provide care
to meet the needs of our community which include health issues associated with ageing, obesity,
chronic disease and low socioeconomic status.
Darling Downs Health has over 5,000 hardworking, innovative and compassionate staff employed
in full-time, part-time and casual positions. We are one of the largest employers in the region!
At Darling Downs Health innovative ideas are strongly encouraged, career progression is
supported by managers, annually hard-working employees are recognised, health and wellbeing
is a focus and our staff thrive in a strong, value-based culture throughout our facilities.
Are you ready to
explore your career
opportunities with
Darling Downs Health? Continue reading to meet
our Board Chair, Chief Executive,
Executive Director of Toowoomba
Hospital, staff profiles and stories
and more reasons to join
#teamdarlingdowns .
|| 4
4
Over Almost Over Over
159,000 3,000 18,000 230,000
emergency babies women having outpatient
department born breastscreens occasions of
presentations service
Planning Regions
Darling Downs - East
Toowoomba
South Burnett
Goondiwindi
Southern Downs
Western Downs
Facility type
Hospital
Multipurpose Heath Service
Outpatient Clinic
Community Care Unit
Residential Aged Care
OUR VALUES
Compassion Integrity
We engage with others and demonstrate We are open, honest,
empathy, care, kindness, support and approachable, equitable and
understanding consistent in everything we do
Dignity Innovation
We treat others with respect, We embrace change and
display reasonableness and take strive to know more, learn
pride in what we do more and do better
Courage
We respectfully question for clarity
and have the strength and confidence
to Speak Up
5 |
MeeT
Our Board and Chief Executive
Welcome to Darling Downs Health
Darling Downs Health is a Tier One health service that consistently delivers world-class health
care to our communities across a large geographical region. This is achieved by our dedicated
and hardworking staff providing timely, safe and compassionate care. Our staff are innovators,
consistently working to put patients at the centre of the work we do, and tailoring care based
on the needs of the community.
A hospital is the cornerstone of any community, and particularly a large regional centre like
Toowoomba, where our hospital serves as a hub for a population base approaching 300,000,
distributed over 90,000 square kilometres.
The Board and I would like to thank our Darling Downs Health staff for their continued hard
work throughout the year to help care for our communities and we look forward to welcoming
new employees to the Darling Downs Health team.
We are proudly one of the largest employers in the region and we have some of the brightest,
most talented health professionals in Australia right here on the Darling Downs.
Mr Mike Horan AM
Darling Downs Health Board Chair
Our Board Members
Mr Mike Horan AM Dr Dennis Campbell Ms Cheryl Dalton Dr Ross Hetherington Marie Pietsch
Chair | Toowoomba Deputy Chair | Toowoomba South Burnett Southern Downs Southern Downs
| 6
This recruitment magazine is a great opportunity to showcase our
exceptional patient-centred care, our connection to community and the
people we care for.
Our staff are our greatest asset and we know the importance of supporting
their health and wellness, so they can continue to provide the best
possible care for our communities. As a health service we have an
advanced wellness strategy for our staff that sits within four pillars – eat,
move, think and track. We support the holistic health of our staff – from
what we fuel our bodies with, to making exercise a priority, to looking after our mental health
and tracking our progress.
We are committed to supporting and promoting the wellness of our staff, delivering patient-
centred care, and pursuing innovation.
We are one of the best performing health services in the state and I am proud of the dignity,
innovation, compassion, integrity, and courage of our staff. We’re humble, we don’t always
seek recognition, and we provide outstanding patient-centred care.
We are #teamdarlingdownshealth.
Dr Peter Gillies
Darling Downs Health Chief Executive
Trish Leddington-Hill Megan O’Shannessy Dr Ruth Terwijn Professor Julie Cotter Dr Maree Toombs
Western Downs Western Downs Toowoomba Toowoomba Toowoomba
7 |
toowoomBa Welcome to
Toowoomba,
the garden city Australia’s second
largest inland city.
Here you are guaranteed to
experience award winning
wines, excellent dining choices,
beautiful gardens, rich history,
and art culture throughout the
city. Toowoomba provides the
feel and convenience of living
in a city, without losing its
country charm.
Exciting Things to Do:
» Visit the tranquil and beautiful Japanese Gardens
» Enjoy a family outing at the Darling Downs Zoo, home to African lions,
white lions, baboons, herd of zebras and giant tortoises
» Choose from five different markets to attend each weekend
» Wander through one of Queensland’s largest outdoor street art galleries
» Pack the picnic basket and relax in one of the 150 parks and gardens
throughout the city
» Enjoy wine tasting at one of three vineyards
» Enjoy an 18 fun-filled themed hole mini putt putt course at the City Golf Club
» Shop the latest fashion and experience the new dining quarter at the
recently developed shopping centre, Grand Central
» Enjoy the fresh air and specular views of the Lockyer Valley by
climbing Table Top Mountain
» Learn all about Toowoomba’s history at the Cobb and Co Museum.
| 8
Darling Downs Health
region has an average
daily temperature range
of 12.0c to 26.0c and
an average rainfall
of 665mm.
Did you know Toowoomba
is referred to as the Garden City?
The Carnival of Flowers began in 1949 to promote the
struggling city following the hardships of World War II.
Since its inception, the carnival has grown to a 10-day
event including a floral parade, food and wine festival,
walking history tours, sideshow alley and garden
competitions throughout the city. Make sure to visit the
Botanical Garden at Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park
during the month of September to see the beautiful
flower arrangements.
From Toowoomba to the world!
Toowoomba has an airport that flies
directly to Melbourne, Townsville, Darwin,
Western Queensland and Sydney.
Toowoomba is just a 90-minute drive
from Brisbane and 129 minutes to the
Gold Coast!
9 |
Many events are held in Toowoomba’s central Queens Park Gardens.
EXCITING
ANNUAL EVENTS
January- February March
March For the keen golfers:
Take the
family to the
Visit the Queensland PGA Toowoomba show
sunflower fields Championship and compete in the
in full bloom. City Golf Club. Peak2Park event.
May June-July
Treat your mother
to a Mother’s Day Family fun at the
High Tea, raising Winter Wonderland
funds for Breast outdoor ice
Cancer Awareness. skating rink.
August September October
Delicious food,
performances and Attend the Carnival Stroll through the
displays to enjoy at of Flowers Parade city and immerse
the Language and and Food and yourself in the
Culture Festival. Wine Festival. street art on display.
November Weekends Sundays
Get involved with Restock your pantry
Date night! Head to a local Park Run, and fridge with fresh
the Empire Theatre held at two different and locally grown
with your loved one locations every produce from the
to watch a show! Saturday morning. local markets.
| 10Cobb n Co is a must-do, for markets and tours
Catch a show at the Empire Theatre
Capture a memory at local sunflower fields
Join the crowds at the annual Carnival parade.
City center art
Enjoy a quiet stroll at the Japanese Gardens.
11 |Andrea Nagle Annette Scott Greg Neilson Hayley Farry Hwee Sin Chong
MeeT Greg Neilson
Executive Director Mental Health
our Executive team In one sentence, describe your job:
Overall accountability for the performance of
Darling Downs Health Mental Health Alcohol and Other
Drugs Services.
Why did you choose a career in health?
Andrea Nagle A career in health stemmed from my overall interest
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery in people.
In one sentence, describe your job: What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
My role is the professional lead for nursing and This region offers the best of a universal city and country
midwifery for all of DDH nurses and midwives. I also feel with genuine down to earth people who care about
hold operational responsibility for our Public Health Unit their communities.
and Community and Oral Health Service, including our
Nurse Navigators. Hayley Farry
Why did you choose a career in health? Executive Director Workforce
I always knew my career would be in health, but I never
imagined I’d be in the role I am now. In one sentence, describe your job:
I lead a team that focuses on providing supportive
What do you love about the Darling Downs region? functions to our employees such as Human Resources,
I love how we have everything we need right here Work Health and Safety, Recruitment and Selection,
without the craziness of a big city. We have open Learning and Development and Culture and Capability.
spaces, and beautiful places to experience whenever
you feel like exploring. Why did you choose a career in health?
I have always had a desire to help others. Working in
healthcare allows me to do this by supporting others to
Annette Scott provide the very best care possible to our communities.
Executive Director Allied Health
What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
In one sentence, describe your job: Darling Downs is a beautiful place to live. It has
I manage the allied health professionals (non-medical excellent schooling, sporting amenities, and we have
and non-nursing clinical workforce) as well as a range of all the benefits of urban living. We’re close enough to
specific services including the Breast Screen program, Brisbane and the Coasts making it easy to plan short
Darling Downs Health Research Agenda, Allied Health getaways on the weekends.
Education and Training agenda and Community Aged
Care services. Hwee Sin Chong
Why did you choose a career in health? Executive Director of Queensland Rural
Working in health has given me a lot of opportunity
to practice across a diverse range of clinical settings
Medical Service
and age groups. I began as a physiotherapist, and now In one sentence, describe your job:
as a service manager I am in a privileged position to I am responsible for several medical speciality training
influence planning and decision making to improve the pathways and provide advice to Queensland Health
experience for our staff, patients and communities. departments including medical industrial relations
What do you love about the Darling Downs region? negotiations, in order to develop an appropriate medical
The sense of community is strong, the services available workforce for the needs of rural and remote Queensland.
are extensive, the environment including the gardens Why did you choose a career in health?
and parks are exceptional and the weather (for the Healthcare is critical to everyone. It’s a great privilege
most part) is beautiful. to help those around me while contributing to such a
precious and necessary service.
What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
The people are so lovely, and our towns all have a
unique charm, beauty and there are natural wonders to
be found.
| 12Jane Ranger Joanne Shaw Julian Tommei Paul Clayton Shirley-Anne Gardiner
Jane Ranger What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
I like the small town and rural feel but with Brisbane,
Chief Finance Officer Gold and Sunny Coasts all within easy reach.
In one sentence, describe your job:
I am responsible for providing single-point accountability Paul Clayton
for the Finance Division including Finance Control,
information access and Business Analysis and
Executive Director Infrastructure
Development areas ensuring practical financial In one sentence, describe your job:
management of Darling Downs Health. I provide executive leadership for the Darling Downs
Why did you choose a career in health? Health Infrastructure Division, and I ensure the
I have worked in many different industries, including coordinated and efficient delivery of DDH capital
banking, manufacturing, hospitality, transport and the infrastructure projects, ICT services, operational
building industry. Health is the most complex, changing services (facility services), and maintenance and
and challenging but rewarding industry where my engineering services.
contribution, like everyone in our team, really counts. Why did you choose a career in health?
What do you love about the Darling Downs region? There is a palpable sense of collective purpose among
I love the country lifestyle I have living in Darling staff and effort is rewarded knowing there is a genuine,
Downs region. and often life-changing, contribution back to our
community. Where else do you get that?
Joanne Shaw What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
Cool winters in front of the fire, warm summers under the
Executive Director Rural Services trees, and a less-crowded regional lifestyle. Granite Belt
In one sentence, describe your job: wines and Chinchilla watermelons are pretty good too!
I oversee 15 acute hospitals, three multiple purpose
health services, six residential aged care facilities, two Shirley-Anne Gardiner
outpatient clinics and two primary practice clinics across
90,000 square kilometres within Darling Downs Health.
Executive Director Toowoomba Hospital
Why did you choose a career in health? In one sentence, describe your job:
During high school, my Nana (grandmother) became I have been the Executive Director for Toowoomba
unwell with cancer and lived with my family during the Hospital since August 2016 and I am operationally
last year of her life. I assisted with her care and became responsible for a budget of over $325 million and
aware of the work done by palliative care nurses. This 2,000 staff.
experience led to an interest in health and I completed Why did you choose a career in health?
my Bachelor of Nursing. I am a social anthropologist and my passion is
What do you love about the Darling Downs region? understanding Social Determinants of Health, such as
Darling Downs is a friendly regional area, which is conditions in a person’s education or income that play
close to other bigger city centres and has several social a role in shaping health outcomes. These are major
activities and park areas. contributing factors to health inequities and an area that
I have been advocating for throughout my career (If we
can impact the social determinants of health, we can
Julian Tommei change lives!)
Executive Director Legal and Governance
What do you love about the Darling Downs region?
In one sentence, describe your job: The community! I love the passion and enthusiasm that
My fantastic team and I support the Board and Executive our community has. They want to make a difference and
in ensuring effective corporate governance of the Darling I love that! I also love the annual Toowoomba Carnival
Downs Health operations. of Flowers, it’s so beautiful at that time of year.
Why did you choose a career in health?
I was practising law predominantly in medico-legal
litigation in private practise in South Africa when I
decided to emigrate to New Zealand in 2002. It seemed a
natural progression to take on an inhouse legal role with
a District Health Board at that time. I then progressed to
include corporate governance more broadly.
13 |Toowoomba’s
three office locations
Toowoomba Hospital
Toowoomba Hospital, located on Pechey Street,
is the main regional hospital for Darling Downs
Health. It has nearly 300 beds and seven
operating theatres. The five clinical service
groups include medical, women’s and children’s,
patient flow, surgical and cancer care, and Baillie Henderson Hospital
clinical support. The four professional divisions
are medical services, Queensland Rural Medical
Service, allied health and nursing and midwifery
services.
Baillie Henderson Hospital
Toowoomba Hospital is a fast-paced working The Baillie Henderson Hospital campus is set on
environment and the care we provide continues 75 hectares and is about three kilometres from
to grow each year. Toowoomba. The hospital has a handful of active
wards that provide Extended Inpatient Services
to medium and long term inpatient assessment,
treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who
are unwell or disabled by their mental disorders.
The remainder of the campus is administration,
maintenance and operational services with
offices in heritage-listed buildings. The grounds
and buildings are beautiful, surrounded by lush
green grass and native bunya trees. Wellness
walks and taking breaks outside are encouraged.
Wellbean Co cafe is located at Toowoomba
Hospital and Baillie Henderson Hospital. The cafe
is operated by Toowoomba Hospital Foundation,
who cater to our staff’s coffee and food needs.
The cafe offers a range of hot and cold drinks
and fresh healthy food from locally sourced
ingredients by our qualified chefs and baristas.
Toowoomba Hospital
Mt Lofty Heights Nursing Home
Mt Lofty Heights Nursing Home has 40 beds
comprising of 20 dementia-specific, 19 frail aged
and one respite bed. Mt Lofty sits on beautiful
tended grounds overlooking Toowoomba. The
facility has a resident dog, guinea pigs and birds.
The facility also has a fully catered function
room and has operational staff on site. Mt Lofty Heights Nursing Home
| 14MeeT
Jo Hiscock
Introducing a passionate
advocate for men’s health,
gardening enthusiast and
prostate cancer specialist nurse
at the Toowoomba Hospital.
We sat down with Jo to find out
how her role has been going
and why she advocates for the Jo Hiscock
Toowoomba lifestyle!
As a prostate cancer specialist nurse, What sparked your interest in men’s health
what do you do? and this role, in particular?
I see men, both those who have been newly I’ve always had an interest in men’s health and
diagnosed and those who have been diagnosed for making sure men look after themselves. Most men
some time, to provide support and information about don’t speak up and in some ways, I think we need
their disease and treatments. It’s a very complex to advocate for them.
and ever-changing subject. I talk to them about the
issues they may be facing and the decisions they I’ve had some good male role models in my life. I’ve
need to make. got two sons myself, and a very good husband –
and they need to be looked after just the rest of the
The outcomes of treatment can result in very, very men out there!
personal problems. And I try and help with those
problems. It can be very devastating for a lot of men.
You have to build up the trust with them to find out Working at Toowoomba Hospital, how do you
the issues they may be facing, in order to provide find a work life balance?
that help.
I have a good position at the Toowoomba Hospital
and I work with a great group of people. I have a
How many men do you think you have helped? great manager who sees the importance of a work
life balance.
It would be well over 250 men. There’s a lot of men
out there facing these issues. At any one time, I I believe it is also important to manage your time
would have about 40 men I am actively seeing. effectively and be efficient in what you do. By doing
There’s been a few times now, people have said to this I am able to finish my work tasks within my
me, ‘I don’t know what I would have done without rostered hours and head home to enjoy my garden.
your support’. And that’s wonderful to hear and know
that I’m making a difference.
How long have you lived in Toowoomba?
What are some of the more difficult parts I grew up in Oakey, which isn’t far from Toowoomba
of the role? at all. My family and I moved to Toowoomba in
approximately 1986 and have greatly enjoyed living
Often with prostate cancer, when it is in the early here. I spend my weekends gardening, visiting and
stages and localised, there are no symptoms at all. admiring the gardens around the city and spending
We see big, burly men and they’ve had no lumps and time with friends and family. Toowoomba has such
no issues with their waterworks, and yet they are potential for growth, it truly is a beautiful city and
faced with this wretched cancer diagnosis. provides a great lifestyle for all ages.
15 |ENJOYING A HealthIer,
HAPPIER LIFESTYLE
Leanne Reynolds thought she knew “The incidental exercise promotes the release of
endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals) and
what she was getting for her fiftieth sets me up for an active day while clearing my head
birthday last year. and putting me in a great mood.”
After all, she had picked the jewellery out herself – The benefits continue when Leanne arrives to work
alongside husband Chris. and doesn’t have to worry about the hassle of
finding and paying for a car park.
And as expected, on the big day, the small
beautifully wrapped and ribboned box was waiting She has also had a positive impact on colleagues,
to reveal the precious prize within. some of whom have also started riding to work.
What Leanne didn’t know was that a second gift was “I think it sets a great example for patients and
waiting for her … in the garage. visitors too,” Leanne said.
“I’d been complaining about being unfit and wanting “As child health workers we are seeing increasing
to make a change,” Leanne, who is a Clinical Nurse levels of childhood obesity, and by getting fit
in the Child, Youth and Family Health department of and healthy ourselves we can show how fun and
Toowoomba Hospital, explained. beneficial an active lifestyle can be.”
“Chris had been researching electric bikes, and he Other benefits have included setting a good
thought an e-bike might be just what I needed to example of a healthy lifestyle for her two children,
make exercising part of my day-to-day routine by and reducing her environmental footprint.
riding to work,” she said.
Leanne said she was surprised to find there were no
“I was so excited when I saw the bike and I couldn’t barriers to adopting a ride-to-work routine.
wait to get started.”
“Previously I thought it would take me longer to get
Leanne adopted a healthier diet, to work, I was worried I wouldn’t get home in time to
meet the kids after school, and I had concerns about
swapped the car for the bike, and
riding in traffic and weather,” she said.
hasn’t looked back. So far, she has lost
18 kilograms, increased her fitness level “I have found that it takes me the same amount of
time to get to work, it only takes me five minutes
and gained numerous other benefits. longer to get home (it is an uphill ride for part of the
“Just making that commitment to ride in the morning way), there are dedicated bike lanes on my route to
makes such a big difference to my day,” Leanne said. separate me from traffic and a simple light-weight
weather-proof jacket is all I need to keep me dry on
“Riding gives me an enormous sense of wellbeing rainy days.
by connecting me to the environment and the
community,” she said. “On very hot days, I can use the bikes’ electric motor
to supplement my physical effort and allow an extra
“My route takes me through Queens Park, where I five or 10 minutes to freshen up in the bathroom and
say hello to the gardeners and watch as the plants change clothes before work.
and floral displays grow and change throughout
the seasons. Cycling has brought so much joy and positivity into
Leanne’s life, she is looking for ways to increase
“I’ve got to know other people who are out walking, her usage of the e-bike and leave the car at home.
riding, or giving their dogs a run in the off-leash area It seems this unexpected birthday present truly
of the park. has been a gift that keeps on giving.
| 16Leanne Reynolds
Darling Downs Health Wellness Program
The Darling Downs Health Wellness program encourages staff to make healthy lifestyle choices.
The program provides staff with a broad range of information regarding physical, nutritional, emotional and
financial wellbeing. The staff internet page is filled with links to different diet options, physical activities
ideas, creating healthy habits, mindfulness and meditation.
Toowoomba Darling Downs Health employees also have many discounts to gyms and health facilities
across the city. Employees also have access to the Fitness Passport program which allows staff and family
discounts to gyms and health facilities across the state.
17 |MeeT
our electrical
apprentice Connor Lawless
Connor Lawless is an enthusiastic, “It is a great opportunity and experience to be
involved in preparing the campus for the new
hard-working and safety focused hospital,” Connor said.
second year electrical apprentice Connor chose to complete his apprenticeship with
with Darling Downs Health. Toowoomba Hospital as he enjoys the structure of
the organisation and the emphasis placed on safety.
Confronted with over 500 different apprenticeship
“Safety comes first at Darling Downs Health, it’s
occupations to pick from, Connor decided on
one of the reasons I enjoy working here so much,”
the electrical trade as it offered a challenge and
Connor said.
constant variety.
“Before starting any job, we ‘toolbox talk’,” which
“I love the challenge being an electrician provides. Connor says is tradesman jargon for holding an
I love the maths behind it,” Connor said. informal group discussion focusing on the safety
“The electrical apprenticeship provides me with job aspects of the job.
variety and constant learning opportunities. I will A tradie’s health and safety is the most valuable part
always be learning in this job.” of their toolkit. Connor shared his great advice for
Day to day, Connor works alongside the other keeping healthy and safe in his workplace.
tradesman to check electrical installations, “I walk around a lot and am constantly carrying tools
schematics and testing and repairing equipment. and equipment. I eat tuna and rice every day for
Electrical work has also commenced in preparing lunch,” Connor said.
the Bailliee Henderson campus for the planned
new hospital. “Work smart. Never go into a job half-heartedly.”
Darling Downs Health offers
apprenticeships in the
following trades:
- Plumbers
- Fitters
- Painters
- Electricians.
Pictured: Iconic tree-lined streets of Toowoomba
| 18Pictured: Picnic Point
10,000 steps
with Agnes Wright
As a little girl growing up in Papua New
Guinea, Agnes Wright had a big dream
– to work in a job caring for people.
“The Papua New Guinean culture is very family
orientated and there is a big focus on looking after one
another,” Agnes said.
“I knew when I grew up I wanted to find a job where I
Agnes Wright
could help to take care of others.”
Agnes moved to Australia in 2003 and began applying
for jobs in the health care industry, with a focus on
catering services. “I also deliver food to the wards, which is nice
because I like to talk to the patients.
“I wasn’t having any success so I enrolled in a
hospitality course at TAFE and studied for a year,” “Some patients have few or no family or visitors
she said. and are in hospital for a long time, and they look
forward to having a chat – it’s just a few minutes
“Soon after I was offered two jobs on the same day, and of my time, but to them it’s a big thing.
decided to take the position working in the kitchen at
Bundaberg Hospital.” “We are here to look after our patients, and give
them the care and attention they need.”
Agnes now works in the kitchen at Toowoomba
Hospital, after relocating in 2012 to be closer to family. As a gym enthusiast who lives an active lifestyle,
Agnes also enjoys the physical element of her work.
“I love my job, it is different every day and I like that
variety,” she said. “I am on my feet all day, my work involves a lot of
walking and standing, but it is a good thing –
“I fill a range of roles in the kitchen, from preparing I like it.”
sandwiches to working on the plating line, making sure
every tray has the correct meal items. Agnes also enjoys working in a team and says she
is lucky to have great supervisors and managers.
“We cater for so many different patients that have
specific dietary requirements – some have diabetes, “They are all such nice people, it makes you look
some have allergies, some need soft foods and forward to coming to work every day,” she said.
thickened fluids, some are vegetarian or vegan – and “I always thought it would be my dream job.”
it is very important that we get the right foods to the
right people. And Agnes is living her dream.
19 |Join Team Darling Downs Health
We are one of the largest employers in the Darling
Downs with a team of more than 5,000 people
across 90,000 square kilometres. Our workforce is
made up not only of clinicians – doctors, nurses,
midwives, allied health; but also, administration
staff, maintence and engineering, cleaners,
gardeners and cooks. Everyone in our health
service plays an important part and we’re dedicated
to making a difference.
Team Darling Downs Health provides a supportive
workplace to build your career. You are supported
through online training to increase your
understanding of the expectations of Darling Downs
Health, provided with top remuneration packages to
match your experience, generous leave loading and
shift work penalty rates. Hard working employees
are recognised at the annual Darling Downs Health
Staff, Volunteer, Innovation and Research Awards.
Darling Downs Health is an employer of choice
by ensuring we provide equitable and fair
opportunities for people with disability, culturally
and linguistically diverse people, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander People, women and
disadvantaged groups.
Keep an eye out on www.smartjobs.com.au for all our latest recruitment opportunities.
However if there are no current positions advertised in your chosen field, you can still
apply to work for Darling Downs Health by contacting Recruitment and Attraction on
(07) 4699 8310 or email Recruitment_Toowoomba@health.qld.gov.au.
To join #teamdarlingdownshealth, visit
www.health.qld.gov.au/darlingdowns/work-for-us
for more information about working with us.
APPLY NOW
| 20Follow us
on social media
To learn more about #teamdarlingdownshealth,
jump onto our social media channels to see the great things
our staff do and the way we positively engage with
our community!
Keep up to date with our latest
tweets by following us on
@darlingdownshealth
Packing school lunches becoming
difficult? Head over to our
Pinterest page, Darling Downs
Health, for tips and ideas to keep
your kids healthy and happy!
We love using Facebook to share
videos, photos and educational
information to our readership!
With more than 200 hundred
Like us on Facebook
posts and over 1000 followers,
@darlingdownshealth
our Instagram is a hit! Hop on and
follow us @darlingdownshealth
Do you want to know how to escape the
flu season? How to make your health your Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn
greatest wealth? Or what not to say to a as well @ darling-downs-
pregnant woman? Well head on over to hospital-and-health-service
our #healthiertogether blog! Our stories
are entertaining and educational, we
guarantee you will enjoy the read!
Visit www.health.qld.gov.au/darlingdowns/healthierogether/healthiertogether-blog
21 |Our recruitment process
#teamdarlingdownshealth
How to join us
Prepare your application following the requirements
outlined in the recruitment package.
Submit your application through
www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au
If we love what you submit to us, you will be offered a
formal interview.
Once we offer you a job, you will need to provide
documents and references for our checking. We will
also need to undertake pre-employment requirements.
If you are unsuccessful, you will receive an email at
the end of the recruitment process.
For more information on our
recruitment process head over
to www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au
| 22You can also read
