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History

The foundation stone of the Berrima District Cottage Hospital was laid at 4pm on Saturday 9 February 1889 by the 16th Governor of the Colony - his Excellency, the Governor Lord Carrington.

The original design showed accommodation for six patients, four male and two female beds. The male and female wards were each overlooked by an inspection window from the matron's bedroom and were well separated, their verandahs having an outlook in different directions.

More than 600 people turned out to see the laying of the foundation stone. The town was liberally decorated with bunting and flags stretched across the main street.

The official opening of the Hospital was held on Wednesday 4 September 1889 and the day was declared a public holiday in the district. Hospital was opened by the Hospital's first President, the Hon. John Lackey MLC and included athletic sports, school children singing the national anthem and a sale of work (The Ladies' Working Association).

115 patients were treated at the Hospital in 1899, ten years after it opened. This included 14 accident patients and 35 operations. The average stay of each patient was 16.13 days.

On 13 May 1919, the Committee adopted new Rules and Regulations for the management of the Berrima District Cottage Hospital and it was decreed that the Hospital shall be called the Berrima District Hospital.

As demand on the hospital increased, it was decided that a new hospital had to be built. On 24 April 1943, the foundation stone of the new hospital was laid by the Minister for Public Works and Health, the Hon R.W.D Weaver M.L.A.

On 23 February 1935, the new Hospital was opened by Mr Mark Morton MLA in the presence of almost 1,000 people. During the formal proceedings, the Chairman, Mr W Terry said the new Hospital had cost 18,111 pounds of which the Board paid 9,400 pounds.

The main ward block had two storeys and provided accommodation for 39 beds - 24 public, four intermediate, eight private and three children. The ground floor included the main entrance porch and hall, office, small outpatients department, dispensary, x-ray department, rooms for dressings, a dining room for nurses and provision for a lift to be installed later.

In March 1961 a service of thanksgiving and dedication was held at the Parish Church of St Simon and St Jude in Bowral, to mark the opening of the Milton Park Wing - the hospital's surgical and obstetric block.

The Hospital Board decided to name the new block in recognition of the significant financial benefits the Hospital had gained from Mr and Mrs Anthony Hordern, who opened their beautiful garden Milton Park, to the public each year.

Following complaints from patients and visitors who had first travelled to Berrima trying to find the hospital, it was decided in 1968 to change the name to Bowral & District Hospital to better reflect its geographical location.

Source: Blessed are They - The story of Bowral & District Hospital, Bowral NSW by Win Smith.

 

History

History

History

 

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Page last updated: 24 March, 2014