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Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Christmas at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network

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Healthy Focus
Posted 11 Dec 2023

Each year, the Women's and Children's Health Network ensures our patients and families experience the magic of Christmas with a series of special events.

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Christmas Pageant comes to Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Kicking off our festive season, a delightful troupe from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant visited patients and families who couldn’t make the main event.

We were thrilled to welcome the pageant’s Royal Family, happy elves and many more characters, as the special visitors stopped for chats and photos with our families. Each patient was also gifted a fluffy ‘Bruto’ toy to bring comfort and cuddles throughout their hospital visit and beyond.

Thank you to National Pharmacies and South Australian Tourism Commission whose support each year helps us create memorable moments for those in our care.

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The Heart Project’s Christmas Wish Photography

Bringing to life the the essence of the most wonderful time of the year, the Heart Project’s Christmas Wish Photography created magical photo keepsakes for our children and families.

Professional photographers volunteer their time to photograph patients and then editors from around the world photoshop the images into beautifully designed Christmas scenes – often with Santa Claus himself! Whether it’s wintery snow scenes, magical lands and dreamy nightscapes, the end results are stunning, treasured moments.

Thank you to Jacqui Griffin and her team who lead this project in Adelaide and to all of the project’s volunteers.

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The Starlight Express Room – Carols By Starlight and StarMas

The melodious sound of Christmas carols is soon met with raucous laughter when the Starlight Express Room hosts their annual ‘Carols By Starlight’. The Starlight Captains lead the proceedings with patients, Hospital School SA students and visitors, coming together to enjoy the Christmas tunes we all love.

After donning Christmas hats and goofy sunglasses for classics like 'Jingle Bells,' 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,' and 'Frosty The Snowman', the audience enjoys an afternoon of 'StarMas' themed crafts and games.

Thank you to Starlight Children's Foundation Australia, WCH Foundation, our Play Therapists, and Hospital School SA who make the day a resounding success each year.

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Police Link Christmas Party

The Police Link Christmas Party for our paediatric inpatients is a highlight of our Christmas calendar. Held in December each year thanks to the Police Link Program ( a community engagement program with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital), the Play Deck transforms into a hive of Christmas activity with a special appearance by Father Christmas who arrives to spread cheer and share gifts with patients.

Children love to say hello to the Police Dogs, hop on a real police motorbike, and meet Poccu, the Police Credit Union mascot. This is all set to the festive melodies of the talented SA Police Band.

The Play Therapy Team, alongside our Clown Doctors and Starlight Captains add to a day already brimming with laughter and Christmas cheer, ensuring the Police Link Christmas Party is one to remember for those in attendance.

A big thank you to everyone involved including the Police Link Program, South Australia Police, Blue Light Inc, Police Credit Union and our Play Therapy Team who help make the day a success.

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Santa Claus visits the wards

No Christmas celebration is complete without a visit from the jolly old man himself. Father Christmas always makes a grand entrance to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, spreading cheer and comfort for those in our care over the holiday period.

Santa Claus helps round out our festive season by dropping in on each of the young inpatients on our paediatric wards, and some of our tiniest and newest patients in the nursery. With a few helpers in toe, the man in red has a mission every year to bring gifts, comfort and smiles to those who are unable to spend Christmas at home.

This special, present-filled event is made all the more wonderful through the generosity of the South Australian community.

Stay safe and happy holidays, from all of us here at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.