Story 14: The Konk Show with Colleen Good
For 47 of the hospital’s 50-year history, the QCH Staff Association has helped build connection and community among QCH staff through events that include: dances and talent shows, trivia and paint nights, ski trips and boat cruises, BBQs and picnics, bowling and bed races, and much, much more.
A perusal of old staff newsletters shows some of the oldest and longest-lasting activities include the Staff Association golf tournament, the holiday party, BBQs and, interestingly, a broomball league. Some of the more unusual activities include the “Wacky Canoe Race” and the “Cowpie Toss.”
The official committee started in 1979, but the spark for it began one year earlier with the introduction of the “Konk Show." First held in the cafeteria in 1978, the Konk Show was a talent show modeled after the popular TV game show The Gong Show.
Colleen Good, a smiling woman with short grey hair wearing a red plaid vest. She is sitting in a boardroom with historical black-and-white photos of Hardhatters on easels behind her.
Staff Association Over the Years
A photo collages features photos from the 1970s and 80s, including the Winterlude bed races group in winter gear with a "Q.C.H. MAD" banner, the "OCH Blades" hockey team on the ice, staff playing volleyball, a man sitting on top a dunk tank, and QCH staff and their friends and family in 80s summer attire.
Features recent staff association photos including staff in neon costumes and 80s wigs, a group in Team Canada hockey jerseys, volunteers at a food drive and toy drive, a group at a baseball stadium, a large group standing in front of a long line of golf carts at a tournament, a Titans baseball suite group photo, and several boxes filled for the food drive and toy drive.
From the Konk Show to the many events held today, Staff Association has been at the heart of QCH’s community. Ian Judge, President of Staff Association, gives a behind-the-scenes look at how staff events come together.
A Conversation with Ian Judge, President of Staff Association Former Digital Media Supervisor of Printing Services & Mail Services
1. Can you briefly describe the role of Staff Association and the work that it does?
The Queensway Carleton Hospital Staff Association (QCH SA) is your designated social and recreational committee designed to enhance hospital life and culture.
The SA's goal is to be there for YOU, the QCH staff. From planning enjoyable, exciting, fun-filled outings to sponsoring numerous sports teams to fund the annual Holiday Dinner and Dance, the Staff Association is dedicated to ensuring QCH is more than just a place to come to work every day—it's a place where our unique culture shines through.
2. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about the work that goes into organizing Staff Association events? There’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than people realize. Everything is done on a volunteer basis—we meet during lunch hours and often do the planning after regular work hours.
Our committee is constantly working: negotiating venue rentals, managing ticket draws for football games and Sens games, organizing Halloween activities in the halls, and handling all the logistics.
We take on the stress of the planning because we believe staff deserve those moments to recharge and connect. It’s a lot of work, but seeing the impact on morale makes every hour worth it.
3. Are there any memorable moments that really stand out to you? Whether we’re at a hockey game in a suite or the Family Skate, it’s incredible to see people who usually only interact in high-stress hallways finally connecting as friends and families.
Seeing a team that’s had a brutal week actually laughing and having fun together outside the hospital—that’s the real win. It’s not about one big event; it’s about consistently seeing that shift in morale and knowing all our behind-the-scenes work made it happen.