The turning point in Hansen Yuncken’s regional journey came in 1975 with the awarding of the firm’s very first project for Goulburn Valley Health (GVH): the construction of a new Goulburn Valley Base Hospital. Valued at $4.5M at the time, it was considered a major investment. While the figure may now raise eyebrows, the scale and complexity of the works were anything but modest. Designed by the highly regarded architectural firm, Yuncken Freeman, this multi-stage development marked HY’s entry into the healthcare sector, one that would go on to define their work in the region.
Project Manager Keith Thomas and Foreman Wolfgang Kalveram relocated from Melbourne to oversee the build, reflecting the importance HY places on continuity, collaboration and quality delivery. The hospital remained fully operational throughout construction, requiring careful staging and coordination – an approach that has since become second nature to HY, particularly on complex live environments like the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
The experience wasn’t without its lighter moments. As Wolfgang fondly recalls, the keys were handed over to the hospital and presented in none other than a hospital bed pan – a cheeky gesture from one of the staff. “That was different,” he laughed. Thankfully, the bed pan was clean. It’s these human touches, the moments of humour and connection, that stay with staff long after the final handover.
Spanning three years, this landmark project delivered a reinforced concrete two-storey hospital with nurses’ stations, patient wards, operating theatres, kitchens, and a mortuary. It laid the groundwork – quite literally – for what would become a long and trusted partnership with GVH.
In 1996, HY were once again called upon by GVH to undertake a significant hospital expansion and refurbishment. Over 18 months, the firm delivered upgrades to the emergency wing, day procedure units, midwifery wards, and ICU – all while the hospital remained in full operation. This project showcased HY’s ability to stage works efficiently while prioritising patient care and clinical functionality.
Then in 2000, HY completed a fast-tracked refurbishment of the hospital’s psychiatric lounge – a two-month program that required immense care, coordination, and sensitivity. To ensure patient and staff safety, HY designed and constructed temporary access tunnels, shielding the unit from disruption while maintaining hospital functionality. This early example of human-centred construction reflected the values that Hansen Yuncken continues to uphold on every health project today.
Further works followed in 2005 with the $10M redevelopment of the Emergency and Ambulatory Care Departments. Delivered over seven stages, this project required surgical precision in planning and execution. HY’s team worked side by side with consultants and hospital management to rethink and re-sequence staging, ensuring critical services remained accessible and uninterrupted – a testament to the strong trust they had built with GVH over decades.
