Groundsman Keith Illguth has retired after more than two decades working at the Collinsville hospital—fittingly, the very place he first arrived as a newborn 75 years ago.
A life-long Collinsville local, Keith was farewelled by his colleagues upon his retirement recently but leaves behind a strong legacy of hard work, loyalty and quiet contribution to the town he’s always called home.
He was born at the small Collinsville Hospital in 1949, one of seven children, and has devoted his life to his family and local community.
Keith said he moved away when he was a young man to do his trade in floor sanding and tiling before returning to the small community in 1972 to work in the local coal mines until 1998.
He began work at the Collinsville Multipurpose Health Service as a grounds person and wards person in 2000. He enjoyed working with patients, most whom he knew very well most of his life, as well as tending to the facility gardens and lawns.
“I always loved working with the locals and being outdoors,” Keith said.
“The biggest challenge of the job has always been the weather. It’s so cold in winter and then wet when it rains, but I learned to plan for the weather.
“The hospital allowed me to work with my hands on so many tasks and make long-term connections with the people I worked with.
“I got to be the handyman for the facility as well.”
He was well-known for extending hospitality to locals and new hospital staff. Dr Sebastien Stephens recalled in 2020 that the hospital groundsman had volunteered to pick him up off the train in Bowen after last-minute car troubles meant he couldn’t drive to his new posting.
“To think someone would get up at 5.30am on a Sunday to meet me at the train with a smile and give me a lift was amazing. Keith took me shopping and then to a mate’s house who lent a bike to a complete stranger. That’s what being in a smaller community is all about,” he said.
Keith’s wife Teresita (Tessie) also worked at Collinsville MPHS in operational services for 16 years.
She passed away suddenly on 2 October last year after an aneurysm and the whole facility was deeply affected and saddened by this tragic loss.
Keith’s Collinsville MPHS colleagues, business manager Jennifer Aceret and Acting Executive Director Public Health and Rural Services Julie Minogue gathered for a morning tea to farewell and honour Keith for his 25 years of dedicated service to the community and hospital.
“I enjoyed working with the Collinsville team and felt like part of the clinical community,” Keith said.
“I have enjoyed being part of the everyday atmosphere that is always changing and kept me busy.”
Congratulations on your retirement, Keith and thank you for 25 years of dedicated service to the Collinsville community and Mackay HHS.