THE Moree Hospital redevelopment currently underway will feature Gamilaraay language and storytelling as part of the new building’s fit-out and design.

The Gamilaraay language will be incorporated throughout the new building’s signage as part of the redevelopment arts strategy, with construction o of the redevelopment underway and due for completion in 2027.

The draft Gamilaraay language translations have been developed by the Language Reference Group and informed by the Dhiiyaan and Pius X Elders Groups, Boggabilla Elders and the Moree Hospital Aboriginal Staff Collaborative.

Health Infrastructure is seeking final community feedback on the language translations by 5pm, Sunday, August 10, 2025.

As part of the redevelopment arts strategy, the project team released an expression of interest for local Gamilaraay language holders to form a Language Reference Group.

Members included Bernadette Duncan, Dorothy Tighe and Belinda French, supported by Paul Duncan and Elizabeth Smith from Hunter New England Local Health District and Kylie Neville from Health Infrastructure.

The language group met four times during late 2024 and 2025 and developed Aboriginal language translations that will be included on internal department signage and external welcome signage.

The group also referred to the Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay, Yuwaalayaay Dictionary (2003), compiled and edited by Anna Ash, John Giacon and Amanda Lissarrague.

The language translations were presented to the Moree and Boggabilla Elders groups, Moree Hospital Aboriginal Staff Collaborative and the Moree Hospital Redevelopment Aboriginal Design

Working Group for endorsement during May to August 2025.

The translations will be included in the signage that the builder will install in the new hospital which is expected to be completed in 2027.

To read the language translations and for more information on the project, go to Aboriginal Language Project for the Moree Hospital Redevelopment.

The $105 million redevelopment will deliver a new clinical services building and provide enhanced healthcare facilities on the existing hospital site.

The new building includes an emergency department, operating theatres, medical imaging, birthing and inpatient unit, pathology, and a new main entry.

Hutchinson Builders has been engaged to construct the new hospital and commenced works onsite earlier this year.