A beautiful tree which provided shade and comfort to generations of patients at Bowral and District Hospital has been transformed into a major piece of public art thanks to the vision of retired Doctor Terry Flynn.
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The tree, which was planted in the 1930s when the hospital's Mona Road (administration) building opened, was removed in 2017 due to its poor condition on the advice of an aborist.
Bowral and District Hospital General Manager Bradley Warner said Dr Flynn's idea and drive to create a sculpture from the landmark linden tree ensured it had a lasting legacy.
"We are so thrilled with the sculpture. It depicts our hospital's motto Others Before Self and conveys a sense of caring,'' Mr Warner said.
"Patients, visitors and staff have told us they love it and we are so pleased the tree which represents the history of our hospital has pride of place at the entrance of our new clinical services building.''
Southern Highlands sculptor Sally Waterford created a clay model of the design which Dr Flynn, an amateur cabinet maker, and wood carver and cabinet maker Chris Marden replicated with the linden tree's timber.
The pair spent more than 600 hours on the project, smoothing and squaring the pieces of timber and gluing them together before carving the statue.
"Many patients and staff were aware of the tree, which was outside the children's ward,'' said Dr Flynn, a former Bowral and District Hospital Director of Medical Services, Visiting Medical Officer and long-serving Southern Highlands GP.
"We are delighted it is still a part of the hospital and people can still appreciate it.
"The timber from the tree was excellent for carving. It has been a joy for us to create the sculpture for the hospital and community.''
Linden trees have long been associated with the history of the hospital. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney provided linden trees for planting when the Berrima District Cottage Hospital opened on the site in 1889.
The NSW Government invested an initial $68.7 million in the stage one redevelopment of Bowral and District Hospital to deliver the new clinical services building.
A range of early works as part of the $55 million stage two of the redevelopment have already been completed, including a new pharmacy.
Planning is underway for the remainder of stage two, which will include significant refurbishment of existing hospital buildings.
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