Step inside PA Hospital’s kitchen and you’ll meet Bona Gout, an incredibly committed and humble member of the Operational Support Services team who is also incredibly important.
He looks after the commercial-grade dishwasher which churns through more than three and a half million pieces of cutlery each year, keeping all plates, bowls, lids, and trays sparkling clean.
“I check everything, so the machine is working and ready to go. I love my job and I try to work hard to support my family,” said Bona.
That hard work is evident to everyone he works with. Bona has been with Queensland Health for nearly 17 years and has a work ethic that inspires not only his colleagues, but his family too.
Bona and his wife Monica moved from South Sudan to Australia in 2005 before having their son Gout Gout in 2007, who is now taking the country by storm as a sprinting sensation.
“I’m very proud of my son because when you see your child do something amazing like that it makes you very happy,” said Bona.
“He sees how hard I work, and he tries to push himself. When he tries to do something, he will do it because he never lets himself down.
“If he fell today, tomorrow he’d do better. That’s why I’m proud of him.”
Bona’s love for his family, his job, and those around him is simply infectious and now the entire PAH Support Services team is excited to hopefully watch Gout Gout race in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“Maybe I will take a holiday,” laughed Bona. “I would be so proud to be there.”