The Bendigo Advertiser is continuing to publish a series of profiles on some of the people helping to build the new Bendigo Hospital.
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FEW people have gotten a better or more regular look at Bendigo’s $630 million new hospital taking shape than Shaun Makepeace.
He likes what he sees.
As part of his role as Bendigo Health’s communications and marketing co-ordinator, Mr Makepeace works closely with the Bendigo Hospital Project team and other stakeholders, including the State Government and Exemplar Health.
He considers it a fortunate position to be in.
“Being based in Bendigo, I am very lucky that I can access the site to take photos and videos so the public can see the progress as the structure rises up,” Mr Makepeace said.
“I love being able to go onsite and have been lucky enough to go up in the tower cranes once or twice.
“Being inside the structure gives an incredible sense of the space and size of the project.”
Mr Makepeace joined the Bendigo Health team three years ago after a six-year stint at radio station 3BO and three years as a journalist with the Bendigo Advertiser.
I think it has really given the community and staff here a real sense of optimism heading into the future.
- Shaun Makepeace
Formerly from Mildura, he moved to Bendigo in 2003. He describes the city as an “easy-going place to live”, filled with “great and very generous” people.
With the new hospital on-track to be complete by the end of 2016, Mr Makepeace said it was a great time to be involved at Bendigo Health.
“I think it has really given the community and staff here a real sense of optimism heading into the future,” he said.
“The care provided already at Bendigo Health is excellent – I and my family have been on the receiving end of Bendigo Health care several times and we are very grateful.
“Because of our physical environment, we are somewhat restricted in the services we can provide and capacity we can cater for.
“To be able to walk into a world class brand new hospital and receive excellent care, not just for me, but my family as well, is something very special that we should never take for granted.”
Mr Makepeace’s role cover all areas of the health service - from internal communications to media and government relations, including mainstream and digital media management to internal tools such as Intranet and staff bulletins.
Some recent work has focussed on the historical aspect of the Bendigo hospital and Anne Caudle campuses.
“There is some incredible work happening in this space,” Mr Makepeace said.
As communications and marketing co-ordinator he works under the CEO’s division and is directly answerable to communications and marketing director Sarah McAdie.
Away from the workplace, Mr Makepeace is a sporting enthusiast.
Well known in his role as senior coach at Heathcote District Football League club White Hills, Mr Makepeace said he was taking a break from cricket this summer.
He has no doubt where the hospital development – the largest in regional Victoria’s history - will leave Bendigo placed in terms of the delivery of health services.
“I think we have a great health service and the care provided here is excellent, “Mr Makepeace said.
“Moving into this new facility will take us from good to great.
“The tranquillity aspect that will be incorporated into the design will be a huge difference for patients and visitors as well.”
BENDIGO HOSPITAL PROJECT PROFILES
To read more profiles of people helping to build the new Bendigo Hospital, click here