Moments of joy during Holiday visits
Guided by our purpose to enhance wellbeing through the uplifting power of humour, our Clown Doctors brought imagination, empathy, and authentic human connection into hospitals during the Christmas period.
These moments show how being serious about our silliness helps transform clinical spaces into places of courage, relief, and hope, supporting children, families, and healthcare teams when it matters most.
Below are reflections from some of our Clown Doctors visits on how laughter is not a distraction from care, it is a vital part of it, with an impact that echoes long after our Clown Doctors leave the room.
At Royal North Shore, I was part of delivering Christmas gifts to a young family, and the joy was instant and infectious. One little boy jumped up and down with excitement at the sight of Santa, completely swept up in the magic of the moment. After Santa headed off to continue deliveries, I stayed behind, playing music and an invisible ball game with Dad. Mum expressed being overwhelmed, and as she watched her little one light up, tears flowed from gratitude and relief of this brief moment of joy during a difficult time. – Dr Doozy, Royal North Shore Hospital
During my visit at the Royal Hobart Hospital, I was asked to help to distract a young patient who loves the Clown Doctors, with a procedure he was about to undergo, which was going to be a bit trickier than what he was used to. I decided to make a big, playful entrance from behind the hospital curtain and introduced Dr Checkitt in the silliest way possible, including an unexpected moment where she turned into a small blue pig and then came back again. From there, our world of nonsense and laughter completely captured the patient’s attention, helping him not to notice the procedure at all. This distraction brought some much-needed relief and gratitude from his Mum and the nurses which was incredibly special to be a part of. He proudly presented both Dr Checkitt and I with a small box of choccies each, which he had bought in with him as special Christmas presents. This was a perfect distraction with a familiar patient and his family, providing everything that Clown Drs bring: trust, empowerment, connection and fun. – Dr Sherbert, Royal Hobart Hospital
At the AYAH Christmas Party, I experienced one of those moments that stays with you forever. We were in the foyer with a couple of kids and carers when Dr Silly Billy started strumming quietly. Before we knew it, the music grew and voices joined in, people upstairs leaned over the balcony, and suddenly more than fifty people were singing You Are My Sunshine all together. Just as this was happening, a patient was brought through the doors and was welcomed by two levels of people singing in unison. I felt completely overwhelmed with joy and connection, and I had to hold myself together as my eyes filled with tears. It was a powerful reminder of how music and shared moments can transform a space. – Dr Squish, AYAH
At Flinders Medical Centre, one of the most meaningful moments for me happened in the neonatal ward. Dr Dodo and I entered quietly, singing Santa Claus Is Coming to Town for a mum and her tiny sleeping baby. I could see she was softly singing along behind her mask. When I asked what she liked to sing to her baby, she told us, “mostly hymns”. Dr Dodo began to play Amazing Grace, and she joined in, singing gently to her baby with Dr Dodo playing the music underneath. It was such a tender and intimate moment, and it reminded me how important our presence can be in supporting parents emotionally during such a vulnerable time, especially over Christmas. – Dr Gum Nut, Flinders Medical Centre
