JILL Cairns is a local, award-winning artist whose work features in exhibitions and galleries throughout Australia, and now two of her most cherished pieces are at home in the Palliative Care Unit at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital.
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The artworks were painted in memory of her late brother Mark Guthrie and father Neville Guthrie, and donated to the Wauchope unit in honour of those who work in palliative care.
Mrs Cairns' brother received palliative care in Townsville before passing away in 2009. Her father Neville Guthrie received palliative care in Port Macquarie and at home before he passed away last June.
'"Dad loved anything to do with nature. He loved the mountains and the sea and he was a passionate gardener," Mrs Cairns said.
"I really wanted to paint something to celebrate Mark's life and my dad's life, but I also wanted to do something to give back to palliative care.
"These paintings are my way of doing both.
"The paintings, which are titled 'Listen, It's Over There' and 'A Walk In The Forest', are something visual for people to enjoy. The rainforest is the theme of both paintings. They represent places of great beauty... a celebration of nature.
"This gift sits really well with me," Mrs Cairns said.
The 62-year-old impressionist artist is a retired visual arts teacher and member of the Hastings Valley Fine Arts Association who has exhibited her works for 20 years.
Wauchope District Memorial Hospital's Nurse Manager Yvonne Carmichael said Mrs Cairns' gift would bring joy to the unit's visitors.
"The pieces are simply beautiful," Mrs Carmichael said.
"You can't help but look at them and feel the peace and tranquillity that a rainforest offers.
"It's a very generous gift because it's a very personal gift," Mrs Carmichael said.
Although construction work on the Palliative Care Unit has ended, and so too the Gazette's Community Fundraising Appeal, Mrs Carmichael said donations were still coming in and were still welcome.
"We've always enjoyed support from the Wauchope and district community, and we will continue to need that support," she said.
"Wauchope really has been very generous to our hospital and the Palliative Care Unit, and that ongoing support will always be greatly appreciated."