The Hopp family – son Joshua, wife Julia, Professor Maxwell and daughter Dagney. Photo: Supplied.
The paediatric ward at Griffith Base Hospital will be named in honour of the brilliant Professor Maxwell Hopp, who treated thousands of Riverina children over 25 years before his tragic death in a road accident in September 2025.
“As confirmed by the Minister for Health, the ward will carry his name, alongside a memorial photo and plaque developed with his family. It is a permanent tribute to a man who transformed children’s health care in our town,” Murray MP Helen Dalton said.
Professor Hopp was born and raised in apartheid-era South Africa, where he treated children in both ‘black’ and ‘white’ hospitals after gaining his medical qualifications.
He moved to Griffith in 1999, at a time when there wasn’t a single paediatrician in town. This meant parents had to take their sick or injured children on long trips to Wagga, Sydney or Melbourne for care.
After a year in town, his colleagues told him he’d paid his dues in a rural area and could now do what most other overseas doctors did – move to Sydney or Melbourne.
“There’s no way I was leaving Griffith, it’s home, I’m looking after the sick children here,” he told a rally just two weeks before he died.
Professor Hopp spoke at a rally in favour of Griffith splitting away from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Photo: Denny Fachin/What’s On Griffith.
Early on, he noticed the Riverina’s high incidence of allergies and decided to upskill further, establishing the first-ever allergy clinic in regional NSW, which has successfully run for 23 years.
He treated about 60 children a week at the hospital but said he enjoyed the job so much he’d still “tap dance” to work every day.
“Naming the paediatric ward in his honour ensures his contribution will never be forgotten. Every child cared for in that space will do so under the name of the doctor who dedicated his life to them,” Mrs Dalton said.
A memorial service held in his honour was attended by 1000 people at the Piccolo Family Farm in October 2025. He was celebrated for the many different facets of his life – skilled doctor, family man, supporter of women, champion cyclist, prolific swimmer, tennis tragic, rugby fan, trivia whiz, coffeeholic and Griffith-ophile.
“Max always said to me that the best years of his life were in this town,” wife Julia said.
“He was never happier than when he was in Griffith.”
The decision comes as Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr and Wagga Council push for the first ever paediatric emergency ward in the Riverina, to be based in Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
Further details on the memorial and plaque will be made public in the coming months.
