Bourke Connected Beginnings Project now hanging at Macquarie Home Stay
Belinda Cunningham from Bourke and District Children’s Services spoke briefly in 2025 to Managing Director of Macquarie Home Stay, Rod Crowfoot about the possibility of providing images of families from Bourke and surrounding areas to provide connection for families when they are away from home and staying at Macquarie Home Stay for medical treatment.
The Bourke Maternity and family wellbeing photography project celebrates pregnancy, birth and parenthood in a culturally respectful photography experience. The project honours expectant parents and newborns, recognising the distances many families travel to give birth and the support they receive away from home.
Fast forward to September 2026 and around 10 hand crafted photographic images printed on canvas have arrived at Macquarie Home Stay ready to hang. Local families from Bourke and surrounding areas with their children and babies feature, many who have stayed at Macquarie Home Stay.
Belinda Cunningham, Connected Beginnings Community Facilitator from Bourke and District Children’s Services had this to say about the photographic images gifted to Macquarie Home Stay.
“The handover was about much more than displaying photographs. When families leave Bourke for birthing, medical appointments or treatment, they can often feel isolated and disconnected from their community. These images provide a sense of belonging and remind families that they are supported and connected to home, even when they are away.
The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between community organisations and support services to improve the wellbeing of rural and remote families. By combining art, storytelling and community connection, the project ensures that a little piece of Bourke will always have a place at Macquarie Home Stay."
“We are thrilled to feature these images here at Home Stay. The photography by Devi @ DT Moments in Time has captured something special, they are authentic in every way. Celebrating families, children and connection to country, we hope that by featuring these pictures our guests feel welcome and at home” said Rod Crowfoot. “The first suggestions of establishing a patient accommodation facility in Dubbo was to support expectant mothers and their families when awaiting the safe arrival then delivery of babies. Featuring these images here at Home Stay is a really nice way to recognise the important connection we have to maternity services and the region”.
Art, and in this case photography, has an important role to play at Macquarie Home Stay. Although based in Dubbo, its the residents from across rural and remote NSW who travel to Dubbo for medical care and who stay at Macquarie Home Stay. Creating a connection to what is familiar at home helps guests feel welcome and settled, and art is a great way to facilitate this.
Photograph: Img-7725-2: Rod Crowfoot, Managing Director of Macquarie Home Stay with Emily Bowden, Connected Beginnings Community Facilitator, Abbey Warwick, Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Belinda Cunningham, Connected Beginnings Community Facilitator proudly showcasing the selection of images of families who feature in the project.
