Five decades of care, community and Moya at RGH

When Moya Parker first walked through the doors of Rockingham General Hospital, it was just days from opening. Fifty years later, she is still part of the team.

"I suppose you could say I've stayed a while" Moya said.

"Our first week we ran tours of the hospital for the general public.

"Having our own hospital after so many years of going to Fremantle was wonderful and there was much buzz in the community"

Opened on 28 May 1976 as Rockingham - Kwinana District Hospital, Rockingham General Hospital was built to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community, following strong advocacy from local residents.

For Moya, the hospital's story is closely tied to her own. She has been there from the very beginning, witnessing its growth from a small district hospital to a busy, modern health service caring for generations.

"You don't stay somewhere for 50 years unless it means something to you. " Moya said.

"I've worked as a clerk, courier, switchboard operator and now as a RoStar Officer.

"At the core of this, I have and still love working here. I have made lifelong friends, celebrated all my major life milestones and even met my husband."

Over five decades, the hospital has supported Western Australians through life's most significant moments, from births and emergencies to recovery and end-of-life care. It has also grown to meet rising demand.

Moya recalls how things used to be, including listening for cars arriving at 'casualty' and alerting clinical staff accordingly. Today, the emergency department treats tens of thousands of patients each year.

Yet for Moya, it is the people who matter most.

"Buildings change, uniforms change, technology changes, but the heart of the place is the people." she said.

"We were like one big family and all very proud to be part of the hospital team. Humour and a sense of community was a big part of our everyday."

That sense of commitment continues today, with more than 2000 staff now working at the hospital, including many long-serving team members.

While statistics tell part of the story, Moya says the most meaningful memories are often the simplest.

"Some days are hard, some days are funny, and some days you remember for the rest of your life," she said.

"We used to do pantomimes and have fetes, everyone playing a part and pulling together. Dragon boat racing, the best Christmas parties out in the engineering quadrangle and Christmas parties for the children as well."

For Moya, the hospital's 50-year milestone is both a proud achievement and a reminder of what matters most.

"Rockingham General Hospital has been a big part of my life," Moya said.

"having worked here and still working here has been and is a great privilege to me.

"I have grown up down here and feel proud to be part of the hospital community.

"And after 50 years, I still feel proud to be part of it."