HUTCHIES’ A QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE FOR HUTCHINSON BUILDERS
FEBRUARY 2026
Governor’s opening ceremony for hospital to serve the Gulf Savannah THE Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young, officially opened the Normanton Hospital, built by Hutchies’ Toowoomba team, led by Sean Lees, to service the Gulf Savannah region. The Gulf Savannah is a vast, rugged region in far northwestern Queensland, often referred to as the Outback by the Sea. Attended by First Nations Elders, local community members and leaders, and staff from the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS), the ceremony marked the opening of the modern, purpose-built facility designed to meet the growing health needs of the region. Representing a significant investment in rural health, the new facility features state-of-theart clinical spaces, expanded services, and a culturally inclusive environment that reflects the spirit and identity of the local community. The hospital includes a fully equipped emergency department, 18 inpatient beds, private consul-
Governor of Queensland Dr Jeannette Young conducts the official opening of the Normanton Hospital accompanied by (from left) Gkuthaarn Elders, Dianne Millwood and Richie Bee, and NWHHS deputy chair, Eleanor Milligan. tation rooms, a dental surgery, a pharmacy, x-ray services, and an ambulance bay. It also features shaded verandahs designed for the Gulf cli-
mate, with a renal dialysis unit planned to open this year to provide life-saving treatment closer to home. Governor Young told guests she
had always been a passionate advocate for health and improving health outcomes.
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Veterans at breakup
From left, (back row) Paul DeJong (COTY 1995), Mick Dodd, Ronald Pearse; (middle) Mike Tickner (COTY 1991), Russell Fryer (COTY 2010), Jack Hutchinson Jnr, Nev Doughan, Ian Partridge; (front) Wayne Cullen, Barry Butterworth (COTY 1996), Louis Levinson, Trevor Atkinson, Ron Niven (COTY 1989), Al Gundy, Jack Hutchinson Snr, Trevor Bruiners.
HUTCHIES' veterans received special invitations to attend the Toowong office Christmas break-up party and RSVPs indicated they were keen to party on in the traditional way. Although retired, the veterans remain important members of the Hutchies’ family and have plenty of experience to pass on to the younger ones. • More on P. 2; 14-17.