ICONIC ART DONATION FOR NEW HOSPITAL

An iconic Australian artwork has been donated to the Wagga Wagga Health Service (WWHS) thanks to the generosity of a local couple.

General Manager Denis Thomas has thanked Tony and Luita Aichinger for their donation, which is on display in the foyer of the Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital (WWRRH). The painting titled, “Murrumbidgee Hills”, is by renowned Australian artist John Olsen.

“This is an important piece of art that forms a key part of our overall arts strategy for the new hospital,” Mr Thomas said. “It is a uniquely Australian painting with a focus on the Murrumbidgee.”

Tony and Luita Aichinger said the Aichinger Group and McDonald’s Wagga Wagga commissioned the painting and they were proud to make available to the community such an important artwork. “We are even more pleased that Murrumbidgee Local Health District has agreed to have it located in the foyer of the new Wagga Referral Hospital, where we are hoping it will remain for many years for the Riverina community to enjoy.”

The couple said they were already involved in many other sporting and community groups and “are pleased to be able to form a relationship with the medical and arts sectors of our community.” Mr Thomas said the Art Strategy group would welcome more private donations.