Meet Alison Smith, our local lead for several capital projects at Hervey Bay Hospital. From hospitality management to health infrastructure, Alison has always gravitated toward roles that improve how people experience the spaces around them. At Queensland Health, she has found her purpose in delivering facilities that not only meet clinical needs but also make a meaningful difference to patient wellbeing and staff satisfaction.
Tell us a little bit about your career journey
I began my career in accounting administration before spending more than 12 years in hospitality management, working in major hotels across Australia and New Zealand. It was a wonderfully youthful chapter of my life – resort living while being paid for it!
Eventually, I transitioned from hotel operations into a corporate office role in Sydney, helping to coordinate major Asia–Pacific data warehousing projects. After starting a family, I shifted into bookkeeping to create more balance while my children were young.
In 2014, my family left the big smoke for a sea change in the green pastures of Maryborough. To this day, I still wake up grateful for a backyard full of greenery and a clothesline. In 2015, I joined Queensland Health as a casual administrator and the rest is history.
How long have you been on the project team?
I joined Wide Bay HHS’s Infrastructure Management Division in 2017 and have worked across several project roles over the years. I stepped into the Project Director, Capital Projects position in October 2024 and absolutely love helping lead the delivery of the new Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion, car park and MRI projects. Never thought I would be in my forties finding mechanical air conditioning systems and duct work and stainless steel down pipes so attractive!
What does your current role entail?
My role involves a lot of thoughtful questioning, coordination, communication, and sense‑checking to ensure everything we deliver is genuinely fit for purpose. I also advocate for additional works during the design phase when they can enhance the functionality and flow of our sites. Years of project delivery experience have given me a deep understanding of what works operationally and what doesn’t, which helps guide better outcomes for our teams and our patients. I also love working through complex problems to find solutions that allow patient care and project delivery to continue seamlessly. Navigating the logistical challenges that come with 24‑hour departments has become one of my favourite parts of the job.
In terms of the Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion, what’s your immediate focus now?
Getting it built so we can use it!
What excites you most about the projects that you are working on?
The best thing about my job is a completed project. It’s extremely rewarding to deliver a new hospital department or building, then watch the staff and patients benefit from using the new space.
What is the next milestone that you're most looking forward to?
Completion of the car park project and commencement of the MRI design consultation phase.
What are your favourite features or what excites you most about the Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion project?
I’m most excited about the modern, purpose‑built facilities designed to the latest Australasian Health Facility Guidelines. The expanded spaces will give our teams far better circulation and workflow, and the inclusion of state‑of‑the‑art ceiling pendants and patient lifters will support safer patient handling and mitigate manual‑handling injuries. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these improvements coming together for both staff and patients.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
After collaborating closely with all the stakeholders during the project planning, design and construction stages, it is truly satisfying to see the improvements to overall patient care, the quality of health service and staff satisfaction. I also feel honoured and privileged to work with such a brilliant and talented team that support the work I do every day.
Lastly, how do you keep happy and healthy?
Getting away with the family to relax in nature, watching the baby "lamb antics" late afternoon and tummy aching laughter with the book club!