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Our hospital, our history: GV Health celebrates 150 years with new book

By Hailey Wight

Jun 15, 2026

GV Health board chairperson Michael Delahunty, author Jay Bryce and GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp proudly hold up the new book celebrating GV Health’s 150-year history. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

From births to broken bones, crises to recoveries, countless lives have been touched by GV Health throughout its 150-year history.

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To mark the milestone, a commemorative book tracing the health service’s journey from a small riverside hut in Mooroopna to a bustling medical hub was launched on Thursday, June 11.

Proud to Serve, written by Shepparton’s Jay Bryce, traces the history of GV Health through accounts and archival images sourced through the Historical Society of Mooroopna.

Mr Bryce said with such a long history, there was a sense of ownership and connection to GV Health for many people in the region.

“This is my hospital, our hospital,” he said.

“A hospital is the backbone of a community. And the hospital supports the community, but we also need to support the hospital.”

Mr Bryce said he hoped the admiration he felt for the nurses, volunteers and doctors at GV Health was evident throughout the book.

GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp and author Jay Bryce talk about the message behind the new book. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“It sounds cliché, but everyone there really is a family, and they all love GV Health … the work doesn’t stop, but it’s not work for them,” Mr Bryce said.

“They are all so proud, and I think it’s a great opportunity for us to be proud of them; the people that give so much for our community.”

For Mr Bryce, learning more about the past during the 18-month project was a highlight.

“I loved learning about world history through a local lens,” he said.

“It’s amazing what GV Health is today, but also be proud of what it was as well.”

GV Health after-hours hospital manager Wendy Johnstone has lived through some of these changes, having been on staff for 45 years.

Ms Johnstone said when she started there was “no such thing as infection control”.

After-hours hospital manager Wendy Johnstone has observed many changes during her 45-year career at GV Health. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“There's been a lot of changes, over the years, especially the specialisation,” she said.

She said it was “the care and compassion with patients and one another that really has never changed”.

GV Health Board chairperson Micheal Delahunty said the anniversary was not only a chance to celebrate the past, but also to look towards the future.

“It began with something very simple, a hut by the river here in Mooroopna, and a small group of people who decided that this community should care for its own,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Today we honour them and we carry forward the same idea.

“This book reminds us that if we want to secure the care our community needs and deserves, it requires a collective effort, and it never stops.

“When we talk about the next chapter, it must be about reducing the disadvantages and increasing access to more services locally.”

Hard-cover copies of Proud to Serve are available to purchase at the Historical Society of Mooroopna, Shepparton Heritage Centre Museum and the GV Health cashier’s office on Graham St, Shepparton.