Acknowledging Dr. Donald Hartley

Photo: Dr. Donald Hartley and Christine Hartley.

Mildura Health Private Hospital marked a significant milestone on Friday night, celebrating 40 years of service to the local community at a special anniversary event attended by past and present staff, directors, committee members, executives, healthcare providers, medical specialists, and founding members of the hospital’s original steering committee.

The evening celebrated four decades of dedicated healthcare service, reflecting on the hospital’s past, recognising its present achievements, and looking ahead to the future of healthcare in the region.

A highlight of the evening was a special announcement honouring one of the hospital’s founding figures, with the Operating Theatre Complex officially named The Dr Donald Hartley Operating Theatre Complex.

The official announcement was made by former Director of Clinical Services Karen Woolfe, who dedicated 29 years to Mildura Health Private Hospital across a variety of roles.

Mildura Health Chair Terry Hill said the naming of the operating theatre complex was a fitting tribute to Dr Hartley’s extraordinary contribution to both the hospital and the broader community.

“This honour recognises Dr Hartley’s lifelong commitment to medicine and his pivotal role in shaping private healthcare in Mildura,” Mr Hill said. “Dr Hartley’s dedication, professionalism and service exemplify the values of Mildura Health Private Hospital, and it is entirely appropriate that this vital clinical space bears his name.”

Dr Donald Hartley was a member of the original steering committee that helped establish Mildura Health Private Hospital and remains actively involved in the hospital today. Well known and highly respected throughout the community, Dr Hartley has impacted the lives of countless patients and colleagues through his long-standing commitment to quality care.

Dr Hartley has been a cornerstone of Mildura Health Private Hospital for nearly three decades, serving as Staff Medical Officer and continuing to make a meaningful contribution. His medical career spans more than 50 years and reflects an unwavering dedication to the health and wellbeing of the Mildura region.

Originally from Adelaide, Dr Hartley moved to Mildura in 1972 at the age of 25, beginning his career as a General Practitioner at the Langtree Avenue Clinic — one of only two clinics in town at the time. Like many GPs of that era, he practised across a wide range of disciplines including general practice, obstetrics, surgery and anaesthetics.

In the 1980s, Dr Hartley joined a small group of forward-thinking, like-minded professionals and played a pivotal role on the Steering Committee that helped bring the vision of a private hospital to Mildura — a transformative development for healthcare in the region.

Reflecting on Dr Hartley’s lasting contribution, Ms Woolfe said his connection to the hospital has always been deeply personal.

“Donald has a vested interest in this hospital and has supported it in countless ways to help make it what it is today,” Ms Woolfe said. “As Staff Medical Officer, one of his most critical roles has been surgical assisting — supporting both local and visiting surgeons and providing aftercare for patients. Without his expertise and willingness, we simply wouldn’t have the breadth of surgical specialties we offer today.”

Ms Woolfe also reflected on the era in which Dr Hartley began his career.

“GPs were incredibly multiskilled at the time, practising obstetrics, surgery and anaesthetics alongside general practice,” she said. “Mildura became home for many of them, and while Donald has attempted retirement for the past seven years, he continues to live and work here, still contributing to the community he cares so deeply about.”

Speaking on the honour, Dr Hartley said he was humbled by the recognition.

“I am honoured to receive this recognition for carrying out work that I have genuinely enjoyed, and I did not realise I had been doing it for quite so many years,” Dr Hartley said.

“It has been a pleasure to work with so many talented and supportive colleagues, as well as ancillary and general hospital staff. On reflection, it has been incredibly rewarding to see Mildura Health Private Hospital grow from very humble beginnings into the well-equipped and highly staffed hospital it is today.”

Dr Hartley also acknowledged the role of the Mildura Health Fund in the hospital’s continued success.

“Mildura should be very grateful that the Mildura Health Fund stepped in at a time when the future of the hospital was in doubt and has continued to provide a facility and environment of which the community can be very proud,” he said.

The 40th anniversary celebration served as both a tribute to the people who shaped the hospital’s history and a reaffirmation of Mildura Health Private Hospital’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation and community-focused care for generations to come.