February 25, 2026Last week, we were delighted to welcome Humpty’s Patron and Channel 7 Better Homes and Gardens presenter, Johanna Griggs AM, to The Northern Hospital in Epping – a special visit made possible through the ongoing partnership between the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and the Northern Health Foundation.
Together, we spent time across the Special Care Nursery, Children’s Ward, Maternity and our Emergency Department — the busiest in Victoria, with more than 110,000 presentations each year. The scale and pace of care delivered across Melbourne’s growing northern corridor is significant, and it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the dedication of our teams.
From supporting vulnerable newborns in their earliest days of life to managing high-volume paediatric presentations in Emergency, our clinical teams consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, leadership and calm under pressure. Most evident throughout the visit was the compassion that defines their practice — the thoughtful reassurance offered to families, the seamless collaboration across departments, and an unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care for every child and family entrusted to us.
“Walking through The Northern Hospital Epping, you can truly feel how culture and care are thoughtfully woven together,” said Kerry Squires, Head of Medical Programs at the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. “From the beautiful possum skin cloaks used by the Koori Maternity Service to connect newborns and families with culture and Country, to the staff and pet photo walls that bring warmth and personality into clinical spaces, these touches speak volumes about Northern Health’s genuine commitment to culturally safe, person-centred care.”
Through the generous support of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and our donors, 48 pieces of equipment valued at $216,475 have been delivered to The Northern Hospital. In 2025 alone, more than $37,000 in essential equipment has been provided to the Special Care Nursery, strengthening care for our most vulnerable newborns.
Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Foundation says, “Visits like this remind us why partnerships matter. Through the generosity of donors and the steadfast support of organisations like the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, the Northern Health Foundation can continue to advocate for and secure essential equipment to support our youngest patients and their families.”
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Johanna for taking the time to visit and engage so warmly with our teams, and to the incredible staff who so proudly represent Northern Health every day,” she added.
