Bidding farewell to Concord Hospital’s Alice Kang

June 2020

Concord Hospital farewells Alice Kang

In its almost 80 year history, no one can speak to the spirit of Concord Hospital quite like Alice Kang.

If you have enjoyed one of the hospital’s many events over the past few decades, you have been the beneficiary of Alice Kang’s mastery.

As the hospital’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Alice’s innovation and ideas have driven a long list of successful hospital fundraising events including Opera at Rivendell and the Rivendell Flower Show. She has lead an army of dedicated volunteers and consumers, each sharing her passion and enthusiasm for the hospital, its patients and its people.

Alice has been at the centre of the hospital’s annual commemorative veteran events, her work ensuring veterans from all campaigns are honoured and remembered and the hospital’s history and connection to the veteran community is celebrated.

“Alice Kang has been an inspiration to many and has worked tirelessly to support veterans and their wellbeing, to bring together the hospital and its local community and to raise funds and awareness for Concord’s world-class clinical services,” said the District’s Chief Executive, Dr Teresa Anderson.

Alice’s career at Concord began in 1974 when she came to Sydney from Malaysia as a teenage girl to train as a nurse at the then veteran’s hospital.

In 1982, she was appointed as Charge Nurse at the Accident and Emergency Department (1982-1984) and later became the Assistant Nursing Director of the Critical Care Unit (1984-1988) and Executive Officer to the General Manager’s Unit (1993-1996).

In 1993, when NSW Health took over responsibility for the hospital from the Commonwealth, Alice had a pivotal role working to further develop the relationship between veterans and the hospital.

She helped establish and continues to serve on the board of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway to honour World War II veterans and has continued to work with the veteran community in the development of the National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare at Concord Hospital.

Alice played a key role in the coordination of veterans who carried the Olympic torch just prior to the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony, put together dawn services to mark the Centenary of ANZAC at the Kokoda Track, and among others, was named the 2017 City of Canada Bay Citizen of the Year and featured in the NSW State Archives exhibition ‘Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders’ acknowledging the trailblazing women in the NSW public sphere.

“Alice’s contribution to Concord Hospital has helped us understand where we have come from, why we must always strive for the highest standards in the work we do, and given us a direction for the future development of the hospital,” said the District’s Clinical Director of Aged, Chronic Care and Rehabilitation, Dr John Cullen.

“Her incredible networks and connections, her intelligence, imagination, enthusiasm and ability to influence others has always been for the benefit of the hospital and the local community.”

After more than 46 years of service to Concord Hospital, it is Alice’s indefatigable spirit that will be sorely missed.

“I congratulate Alice on her successful career, her valued contribution to the hospital and the community and wish her all the very best in her retirement,” said Dr Anderson.

Alice Kang’s achievements

• 2004 City of Canada Bay Council - Mayoral Certificate of Merit - 2004
• 2005 NSW Premier's Public Sector Award - Community Development Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway
• 2008 Rotary Club of Concord - The Paul Harris Fellow
• 2011 Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award – with Peta Macfarlane
• 2012 RSL NSW Certificate of Merit and Gold Badge
• 2012 Rotary Club of Drummoyne - Pride of Workmanship
• 2012 SLHD Quality Award - Volunteer Service of the Year - Alice Kang and team
• 2015 Drummoyne Woman of the Year
• 2016 Department of Veterans' Affairs - Certificate of Merit
• 2017 City of Canada Bay Citizen of the Year award
• 2018 NSW State Archives exhibition ‘Blaze: Working Women, Public Leaders’